His music initially gained popularity on New York City's famous mixtape circuit in 2002. Although his biggest mainstream hit to-date is 2003's up-tempo "Pump It Up," Budden is known for his reflective and often insecure lyrics. He is widely considered one of hip-hop's most gifted lyricists, thanks largely in part to his numerous works on mixtapes by such DJ's as DJ Clue, Clinton Sparks, DJ On Point, and DJ Envy.
On one particular mixtape song, called "Crosscountry Connection", Joe started a feud with the G-Unit camp. The Game took offense to a line where Joe claims that gangsta rappers should "be in a G-Unit video with all the gangsta actors", obviously claiming G-Unit are fake gangstas. Unbeknownst to Budden, The Game had just recently signed with the G-Unit camp. The Game and G-Unit fired a few diss songs Budden's way; he replied in kind. The feud was ended when The Game and Budden met in a club in New York City and put the past aside.
During winter and spring of 2005, through Joe Budden mixtapes and hip-hop rumor mills, it was said that he departed from Def Jam to Roc-A-Fella Records with CEO Damon Dash. In reality, Budden was legally obligated to stay with Def Jam. In the beginning of Budden's career, it took him a long time to get public exposure, working more than three years from the first time his demo tapes were heard to the first time he was on the radio. He has appeared on many tracks with other artists including 112, Amerie, Brandy, Cassidy, Fabolous, Fat Joe, Freeway, Janet Jackson, Jay-Z, Jennifer Lopez, Jin, Kelly Rowland, Lil' Kim, LL Cool J, Marques Houston, Usher, and more recently a remix to the hit song "Hollaback Girl" with Gwen Stefani. Some of these were not official remixes, simply mixtape tracks where a Joe Budden verse was added to an existing song.
Though he is thought of as one of rap's most skilled lyricists, Budden's success outside of the mixtape circuit has been marginal purposely. He is known to have invested in real estate in North Jersey and instead of blowing up into the rap scene he decided to make money from other methods instead of getting a record deal. His music is usually more sensitive and thought provoking than that of gangsta rappers, but subsequently, it is also more explicit and unrelenting than most "conscious" or "backpack" rappers.
In late December of 2005, Joe released a mixtape after almost 5 months of being absent from the game. Mood Muzik 2 is considered by most to be a lyrical masterpiece and with so deep tracks such as "Dumb Out" and the emotional "3 Sides to a Story" (in which Joe harrowingly describes a disturbing situation), many wondered had these songs originally been scheduled to appear on The Growth.
In 2007, he was released by Def Jam. In December 2007, he released Mood Muzik 3, which many are calling the best mixtape of the year, with some even saying it's the album of the year since it contains all original material. Some have questioned this since the beat for 'Ventilation' is an edit of 'It's A Shame (Da Butcher's Mix)' by Kool G Rap.
In October 2008, Joe Budden released another highly-rated mixtape, Halfway House; featuring album cuts such as 'Touch & Go' and a snippet of 'Blood On The Wall', a diss to Prodigy of Mobb Deep.
In his career up to his 2nd album, he has worked with artists such as Busta Rhymes and Christina Milian, and has been involved in feuds with rapper The Game and G-Unit. He has since reconciled with The Game.
Since this reconciliation, Joe Budden signed to Amalgam Digital records, and both artists finalized the beef and have collaborated on the single 'The Future' for Joe Budden's now-released 2nd album, Padded Room. The album released February 24th in the U.S. and March 3rd in Canada.
Roll Call
Joe Budden Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Niggas on my left niggas on my right
Does anybody wanna hear some real shit tonight?
As real as it get holster on my hip
Is anybody tied of that bubble gum shit?
They say hip hop is dead on life support
Maybe not there could be something I just thought
How you expecting to be heard when your mic is off
I would love to go and browse through the ride report
But ain't a car in that motherfucker I could afford
See niggas trying to block the road
Later then my label dropped the growth they should drop us both
See I could scream def jam and what they use to be
But that ain't for me to say that's for you too see
If I'm not Method man, Redman, Ghostface, Young Gunz
Need I say Freeway the proof is me
Still don't believe me then where's peedi peedi?
They ain't really give a fuck unless you Jezzy
That's what my mind say just know if you ain't the president or Kayne
You wont see the time of day
[Chorus]
I'm so thankful that
Come around these parts we don't crank or snap we aim and clap
Use to try to take the average rap fan show em shit
But if they closed minded who am I to open it?
Rather spend time with a bougie broad
I mean an actress bad bitch movie star
Shallow bitches only into jewelry cars
Still fucks with us though that ain't who we are
Soon as my wife gone they jump on the python
They ain't know I'm out to hit and run like Saigon
Putting back the ice on had it screwed up
Finally figured out that hate is the new love
But I don't see how you get ahead that way
When you team up with envy like red cafe
And all that blame is yours
You trying to get a chain light flaws
I'm trying to get a chain like stars
Find me in jerz line for squeeze work off safety
Cant keep calm around these jerks
They beyond these words
Treat the hood like Myspace need to become friends with the Tommy first
Don't get found on the back of an empty carton
Spray semi larkins for the brag like Remi Martin
Dont mind me.. last of a dying breed /
Wanna take rap and bring it back to the 90's /
Q.c inspired me creame made me angry and every dog amped me shook ones hate me /
I already know its a tough state to follow /
But niggas use to stay up late to watch appollo /
Now its ridiculous all this shits frivalous /
Niggas aint macho man they miss elizabeth /
Break a corona bottle make me an ill shank
Cut a bitch up like bill blanks doin still rank /
( chorus )
Niggas on my left niggas on my right /
Does anybody wanna hear some real shit tonight ?
As real as it get holster on my hip /
Is anybody tied of that bubble gum shit ?
( verse )
The media will say anything to get at you /
Niggas is transparent im looking right past you /
Hemi he is a bad dude talking bout' he act rude /
Saw my new tattoo its god with a gavel /
Told baby girl if you wanna seduce me /
Just know my brain works like im bonaducci /
My girlfriend say I use my charm to loosly /
I tell her im too fly to have too con for coochi /
Hella paper tell a hater crib got an elevator
On the water front so yeah I outgha front /
Still times I feel like carring chrome or cheating the system like im merriam jones /
Trying to sing for the moment cant find the note /
Put the game in a choke hold cant find his throat /
Hang with the big dogs cant find the rope /
They tell me its alive but I cant find the post /
( chorus )
Niggas on my left niggas on my right
Does anybody wanna hear some real shit tonight ?
As real as it get holster on my hip
Is anybody tied of that bubble gum shit ?
In Joe Budden’s song Roll Call, he addresses the current state of the hip hop industry, criticizing the lack of authenticity in the music that is being created. He starts with questioning whether anyone wants to hear some “real shit” tonight, as he claims that hip hop is dead and on life support. Budden feels that there isn’t enough music being made that has real substance, and that people are tired of the “bubble gum shit” that’s being put out. He mentions that he’s ready to fight for the sport, and that people need to have true passion for the music if they want to be heard.
Budden goes on to express his frustration with the music industry and the way that labels operate. He mentions that he can’t afford the cars in the ride report magazine, and that labels are quick to drop artists when they don’t see growth. He also points out the way that labels only seem to care about certain artists such as Jeezy or Kanye, and that other talented artists are often overlooked. Budden declares that he is the proof of this, because he is a talented artist but he hasn’t been given enough opportunity to succeed.
Overall, Roll Call is a call to action for artists to create music with more depth and purpose. Budden encourages artists to take a stand against mindless music, and to create music that is more authentic and meaningful.
Line by Line Meaning
Niggas on my left niggas on my right
Joe Budden is surrounded by people in his life.
Does anybody wanna hear some real shit tonight?
Joe is questioning if anyone wants to hear his honest and authentic thoughts and experiences.
As real as it get holster on my hip
Joe is carrying a gun and emphasizing that he is not afraid to speak his mind regardless of the consequences.
Is anybody tied of that bubble gum shit?
Joe is tired of the fake and shallow music being produced in the industry.
They say hip hop is dead on life support
The media claims that hip hop is dying and in need of help.
Maybe not there could be something I just thought
Joe believes that there is still hope for hip hop despite what the media says.
I just ought to jump fighting the sport
Joe is considering quitting hip hop due to the constant battle he faces in the industry.
How you expecting to be heard when your mic is off
Joe questions how musicians can be successful and make a difference if their voices are silenced by the industry or the media.
I would love to go and browse through the ride report
Joe admires the extravagant cars featured in ride reports but acknowledges that he cannot afford them.
But ain't a car in that motherfucker I could afford
Joe cannot afford to buy the expensive cars featured in ride reports.
See niggas trying to block the road
Joe believes that others in the industry are impeding his success and trying to prevent him from moving forward.
Later then my label dropped the growth they should drop us both
Joe thinks that his record label dropped the ball on promoting his music and should receive the same consequences he faced.
See I could scream def jam and what they use to be
Joe could criticize Def Jam for their lack of support, but he chooses not to.
But that ain't for me to say that's for you too see
Joe is leaving it up to listeners to decide the truth about Def Jam's actions.
If I'm not Method man, Redman, Ghostface, Young Gunz
Joe is listing successful rappers he is not comparable to.
Need I say Freeway the proof is me
Joe's collaboration with rapper Freeway is proof of his talent and success.
Still don't believe me then where's peedi peedi?
Joe points out the absence of rapper Peedi Peedi, another collaborator, as proof of his success.
They ain't really give a fuck unless you Jezzy
Joe claims that the industry does not care about artists unless they are as successful as rapper Jeezy.
That's what my mind say just know if you ain't the president or Kayne
Joe believes that artists must be as successful as the president or Kanye West to be recognized and respected in the industry.
You wont see the time of day
Joe believes that lesser-known artists like himself are not given any attention or respect by the industry.
I'm so thankful that
Joe is expressing gratitude for his current situation in life and music.
Come around these parts we don't crank or snap we aim and clap
Joe is emphasizing the violent nature of his environment and warning others to stay away.
Use to try to take the average rap fan show em shit
In the past, Joe attempted to expose average rap fans to deeper and more meaningful music.
But if they closed minded who am I to open it?
Joe questions if it is his responsibility to educate others if they do not want to learn.
Rather spend time with a bougie broad
Joe prefers to spend time with high-class women with refined tastes.
I mean an actress bad bitch movie star
Joe is attracted to beautiful and successful actresses and movie stars.
Shallow bitches only into jewelry cars
Joe criticizes some women for only being interested in material possessions.
Still fucks with us though that ain't who we are
Despite their differences in lifestyle, some women still choose to be with Joe and his friends.
Soon as my wife gone they jump on the python
Joe's friends take advantage of his wife's absence by pursuing other women.
They ain't know I'm out to hit and run like Saigon
Joe is admitting to cheating on his wife, and comparing himself to rapper Saigon who is known for avoiding violent conflict.
Putting back the ice on had it screwed up
Joe is replacing diamonds on his jewelry after damaging them or changing his mind on their placement.
Finally figured out that hate is the new love
Joe realizes that people are drawn to negativity and controversy, leading him to pursue drama in his music and social media presence.
But I don't see how you get ahead that way
Joe questions the morality and effectiveness of gaining attention through negativity and hate.
When you team up with envy like red cafe
Joe criticizes other rappers like Red Cafe who work with those associated with negativity and drama.
And all that blame is yours
Joe is placing responsibility on those who choose to pursue hate and negativity.
You trying to get a chain light flaws
Joe believes that people who pursue material possessions rather than personal growth are flawed in their thinking.
I'm trying to get a chain like stars
Joe is pursuing success and fame as a means to improve his life and impact.
Find me in jerz line for squeeze work off safety
Joe is alluding to participating in illegal activities (like obtaining guns) in his New Jersey neighborhood.
Cant keep calm around these jerks
Joe is agitated and possibly violent around certain people in his environment.
They beyond these words
Some people are beyond reason or understanding in Joe's eyes.
Treat the hood like Myspace need to become friends with the Tommy first
Joe believes that people should focus on building relationships and connections rather than trying to use their environment for personal gain or fame.
Don't get found on the back of an empty carton
Joe is warning others against getting killed and put on a missing persons poster.
Spray semi larkins for the brag like Remi Martin
Joe boasts about his ability to shoot guns in a way that is similar to the expensive liquor drink Remy Martin.
Dont mind me.. last of a dying breed
Joe believes that he is part of the last generation of true and authentic rappers in a dying industry.
Wanna take rap and bring it back to the 90's
Joe wants to return to the golden age of hip hop music from the 1990s.
Q.c inspired me creame made me angry and every dog amped me shook ones hate me
Joe is referencing influential rappers and their impact on his music and career.
I already know its a tough state to follow
Joe admits that it is difficult to follow in the footsteps of these influential rappers.
But niggas use to stay up late to watch appollo
In the past, people were passionate about and invested in music and hip hop culture.
Now its ridiculous all this shits frivalous
Joe disapproves of the current state of hip hop and music in general, calling it shallow and frivolous.
Niggas aint macho man they miss elizabeth
Joe criticizes other rappers for lacking true toughness and authenticity.
Break a corona bottle make me an ill shank
Joe is a dangerous and violent person who is not afraid to use weapons made from everyday objects.
Cut a bitch up like bill blanks doin still rank
Joe is willing to harm or even kill people for personal gain or satisfaction.
Niggas on my left niggas on my right
Joe is still surrounded by people in his life.
Does anybody wanna hear some real shit tonight?
Joe is still questioning if anyone wants to hear his honest and authentic thoughts and experiences.
As real as it get holster on my hip
Joe is still carrying a gun and emphasizing that he is not afraid to speak his mind regardless of the consequences.
Is anybody tied of that bubble gum shit?
Joe is still tired of the fake and shallow music being produced in the industry.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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