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.
Short Summer
Joe Budden Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No regrets, nigga no regards
I know the bar, raise mine, y'all can lower y'alls
What I lack in talent, I normally show in heart
Prolly why they want the encore before the show can start
So if you in my life, know ya part
That's the best way for us to never grow apart
Even through the mid-life crisis', y'all know who the nicest is
Dudes frontin' quite a bit, know I've grown tired of it
Sometimes you'd rather just watch the movie than write the script
Authentic, ????
More vintage, y'all mimic, all gimmick
I ridicule what's been done
See I ain't fooled by what's spewed bout they income
Lose some you win some
Perception, shit'll give you grey hairs and then some
Inception are you living a dream of livin' in one
Haters see me get to thinking that it cant be all good
So I just kill them with the car, Brandy Norwood
And keep chasin' success that y'all scared of
Done carryin' dead weight, I'm no longer the paul bearer
Check, I'm too grown for all the games I don't play with suckers
I'm on the sideline, just watchin' the dave and busters
But when you think of Joe this is unrefutable (Not a word, he means irrefutable)
The paint is fucked up, but the picture gon' be beautiful
It's gonna be a short summer
'Cause most of y'all ain't built to last
It's gonna be a short summer
Cause soon enough your shit gon' pass
It's gonna be a short summer
You had your fun but now it's done
It's gonna be a short summer
A new season has begun
Which wrong are you an heir to
How can I be compared to
Nigga you fallin' off with a parachute
Ya stack short, you got some earnin' to do
You new school, just means you got some learnin' to do
I don't care to argue
You to easy to tear apart through
What I hear is partial, that whole project is Sarah Marshall
And I dont know what type of shit you on
I tried to make you get the point but you was Chris Duhon
So where Ray Felton when you need em
When niggas show you who they really are you should believe them
Catch me with the top down, turnpike speedin
Bout to have Jersey on fire like Cleveland
With my back in the wall I ain't never got slayed shit
Lebron was king until that pressure got Wade
So if you marry the game I'll be at the alter waitin
With some niggas I don't call 'til it's an altercation
Less bail money, less court cases
More mile high, more vacation
More of my back rubbed, more of my feet massaged
Had me thinkin she invented face time Steve Jobs
They can't stay afloat, they proll need a mention
We in two different boats, but yours need an engine
Nerve of you niggas I earth you niggas
Took the mirena out of shorty, gave birth to you niggas
Dog, I hear everything you say
You Steve Irwin to a upset stingray
A lighter to a upset Jean Grey
Now who's hotta, you notta
True scholar, new prada, a few dollars
Niggas want to hit em with the chrome like Blaka
I'm waiting for them when they get home like Posada
How did he compare a stove to hells kitchen
That just make a man real mad, Mel Gibson
So death to all the bullshit by any means
Kill em all, hang em from the ceilin using skinny jeans
For aspiring rappers that want to pop a can
For the families of Sean Bell, Oscar Grant
Nigga ya heat wave is almost up
Playing for keepsake you almost fucked
So when you talk about Joe
When you done being critical
Say the painter was wild
But he made sure the portrait was original
Parks wat up
In Short Summer, Joe Budden addresses a number of issues including the nature of his relationship with those around him, the need to work hard at what one does and the idea that things are not always what they seem to be. He explains that he has no regrets or regards and that he raises his own bar, regardless of everyone else’s lowering theirs. Joe believes that even if he lacks ‘talent’, he makes up for it with a heart that he always shows. He uses this to justify why people want an encore before he even begins his show. He then expresses how pivotal it is for people who are part of his life to know their roles so that they can stay on the same page in spite of the mid-life crisis’. Joe then goes on to state that he is not fooled by what people say about their income, and makes it clear that he always tells it like it is. He ridicules what is trendy and spewed by others, believing that he has grown tired of it all. One of the recurring themes of this song is perception, which he thinks can give people gray hairs. He suggests that people should ask themselves whether they are living a dream or living in one. He admits that he is too grown up for some games that suckers play and that he prefers to watch from the side-lines. However, it is unrefutable (ironically Joe claims this is not a word) that the picture will be beautiful even though the paint might be messed up.
The chorus of the song reiterates the title, which is that it is going to be a short summer as most people are not built to last, and soon enough everything is going to pass. A new season has begun, and people are probably starting to get concerned about the future. In the second verse, Joe tells those who think they are as verbally savvy as him to have a seat. He says they “to easy to tear apart through,” and that he does not care to argue with them as they have a lot to learn. He insinuates that what he hears is partial and that the person or people who produced the project are like Sarah Marshall. He creates a metaphor by using Chris Duhon, a basketball player who could never shoot and has been out of the NBA. He then continues to give different shoutouts, referencing different people and events that have relevance to hip-hop culture. However, a significant portion of the verse focuses on the idea that he is waiting for certain people to start a fight. He believes that these people are “less bail money, less court cases, more mile high, more vacation, more of [his] back rubbed, more of [his] feet massaged.” In other words, they should be something for his benefit or a treat for him instead of bickering. The hook seems to suggest the same, that there is no more room for games or keeping up with trends; it’s time to act because the heat wave is almost up.
Line by Line Meaning
No regrets, nigga no regards
I have no regrets and I don't care about anyone else's opinion
I know the bar, raise mine, y'all can lower y'alls
I set high standards for myself and don't let others bring me down
What I lack in talent, I normally show in heart
Even if I'm not the most talented, I make up for it with determination and passion
Prolly why they want the encore before the show can start
People already appreciate and anticipate my performances even before they begin
So if you in my life, know ya part
If you're a part of my life, understand your role
That's the best way for us to never grow apart
By understanding each other's roles, we can maintain a strong connection
Even through the mid-life crisis', y'all know who the nicest is
Even when facing challenges and doubts in life, I remain confident in my skills and abilities
Always tell it like it is in spite of it
I am always honest and straightforward, regardless of the circumstances
Dudes frontin' quite a bit, know I've grown tired of it
I'm tired of people pretending and putting on a false facade
Sometimes you'd rather just watch the movie than write the script
There are times when it's easier to observe and let things unfold rather than trying to control everything
Authentic, ????
I am genuine and true to myself
More vintage, y'all mimic, all gimmick
I have a classic style that others imitate, but they lack authenticity
I ridicule what's been done
I criticize and mock what others have accomplished
See I ain't fooled by what's spewed bout they income
I'm not deceived by people boasting about their wealth
Lose some you win some
In life, you win some and you lose some
Perception, shit'll give you grey hairs and then some
How you perceive things can cause you stress and worry
Inception are you living a dream of livin' in one
Are you living an illusion or truly experiencing life?
Haters see me get to thinking that it cant be all good
When haters see me succeed, they start doubting my happiness
So I just kill them with the car, Brandy Norwood
I shut down their negativity and doubts just like Brandy Norwood did in a car accident
And keep chasin' success that y'all scared of
I continue striving for success that others may fear going after
Done carryin' dead weight, I'm no longer the paul bearer
I refuse to carry the burden of others who bring me down
Check, I'm too grown for all the games I don't play with suckers
I'm mature and don't engage in childish games with foolish individuals
I'm on the sideline, just watchin' the dave and busters
I prefer observing and staying on the sidelines rather than participating in pointless activities
But when you think of Joe this is unrefutable
When you think of me, it's undeniable and unquestionable
The paint is fucked up, but the picture gon' be beautiful
Although the process may be challenging, the end result will be remarkable
It's gonna be a short summer
This period of success and enjoyment won't last long
'Cause most of y'all ain't built to last
Because most of you aren't prepared for long-term success
Cause soon enough your shit gon' pass
Because eventually your achievements will fade away
You had your fun but now it's done
You enjoyed your moment, but it's over now
A new season has begun
A new phase or chapter in life has started
Which wrong are you an heir to
Which mistake have you inherited or taken part in
How can I be compared to
There's no way someone can compare to me
Nigga you fallin' off with a parachute
You're losing your success and popularity rapidly
Ya stack short, you got some earnin' to do
Your accomplishments are minimal, so you need to work harder
You new school, just means you got some learnin' to do
Being part of the new generation only indicates that you have much to learn
I don't care to argue
I have no interest in engaging in pointless arguments
You too easy to tear apart through
You're easily exposed and vulnerable to criticism
What I hear is partial, that whole project is Sarah Marshall
What I hear from you is biased, just like the movie 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall'
And I dont know what type of shit you on
I have no idea what kind of nonsense you're involved in
I tried to make you get the point but you was Chris Duhon
I attempted to make you understand, but you were oblivious like Chris Duhon, a basketball player known for his inconsistent performance
So where Ray Felton when you need em
Where's Ray Felton, another basketball player, when you need someone reliable
When niggas show you who they really are you should believe them
When people reveal their true nature, you should trust their actions
Catch me with the top down, turnpike speedin
You'll find me driving fast with the convertible top down on the highway
Bout to have Jersey on fire like Cleveland
I'm about to make New Jersey as popular as Cleveland, known for their successful basketball team
With my back in the wall I ain't never got slayed shit
Even when facing difficult situations, I never let myself be defeated
Lebron was king until that pressure got Wade
LeBron James was considered the best until Dwyane Wade proved himself under pressure
So if you marry the game I'll be at the alter waitin
If you fully commit to the rap game, I'll be there waiting for you to challenge me
With some niggas I don't call 'til it's an altercation
I only associate with certain individuals when there's a conflict or confrontation
Less bail money, less court cases
I aim to reduce the instances of getting into trouble and facing legal battles
More mile high, more vacation
I prefer flying high and enjoying more vacations
More of my back rubbed, more of my feet massaged
I desire more relaxation and pampering
Had me thinkin she invented face time Steve Jobs
She made me feel like she's the originator of video calls, like Steve Jobs with FaceTime
They can't stay afloat, they proll need a mention
They can't sustain their success and probably need some recognition to stay relevant
We in two different boats, but yours need an engine
We may be in different situations, but your boat lacks the propulsion to move forward
Nerve of you niggas I earth you niggas
You audacious individuals, I put you in your place and humble you
Took the mirena out of shorty, gave birth to you niggas
I removed the contraceptive device from a woman and gave birth to all of you, metaphorically highlighting my influence and impact
Dog, I hear everything you say
Dude, I hear every word you utter
You Steve Irwin to a upset stingray
You're like Steve Irwin, the late crocodile hunter, who got stung by a stingray, unfortunate and clueless
A lighter to a upset Jean Grey
You're as insignificant as a lighter to an angry Jean Grey, a powerful mutant from X-Men
Now who's hotta, you notta
Now it's clear that I'm the hotter one and you're nobody
True scholar, new prada, a few dollars
I'm a knowledgeable individual with a new luxury brand and some wealth
Niggas want to hit em with the chrome like Blaka
People want to harm or shoot them with a gun, like the sound effect 'Blaka'
I'm waiting for them when they get home like Posada
I'm ready and waiting to confront them when they return, just like Jorge Posada, a former baseball catcher known for his readiness
How did he compare a stove to hells kitchen
How did he make a comparison between a regular stove and a hellish situation
That just make a man real mad, Mel Gibson
That would anger anyone, just like it did to Mel Gibson, a controversial actor
So death to all the bullshit by any means
I'm determined to eliminate all the lies and nonsense no matter what it takes
Kill em all, hang em from the ceilin using skinny jeans
I want to metaphorically get rid of all the fake people by hanging them from the ceiling using their own skinny jeans
For aspiring rappers that want to pop a can
For the aspiring rappers who want to succeed
For the families of Sean Bell, Oscar Grant
In remembrance of the families of Sean Bell and Oscar Grant, victims of police brutality
Nigga ya heat wave is almost up
Your moment of success is nearly over
Playing for keepsake you almost fucked
You almost ruined your chance at having something meaningful
So when you talk about Joe
So when you mention my name, Joe
When you done being critical
When you're finished criticizing
Say the painter was wild
Acknowledge that the artist, referring to myself, was bold and unconventional
But he made sure the portrait was original
But I ensured that the artwork was unique and authentic
Parks wat up
What's up, Parks?
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JONAS CARDIM, JOSEPH ANTHONY BUDDEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind