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.
Skeletons
Joe Budden Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I've been dyin', dyin' just to find an outlet (yeah)
And I'm hoping that no one finds out about it (yeah, yeah)
Wishing maybe it'll disappear but I doubt it
I doubt it
I look over my shoulder not knowing where it's coming from
But knowing that its coming, I was bugging as a youngin'
The night I shot and had him bleedin' out his lungs and spittin'
Do any sins go unforgiven? I hope not
'Cause most of mine were hunger driven, nothing in my mother's kitchen,
Stomach sounds like the clouds ignited and that thunder hitting
So the well-screwed kid ended up with more than a couple missin'
So not a chef but the cocaine forever cookin'
I love kids but now I' selling to a pregnant woman
Stumbling through the projects in the AM with a cup in my hand,
Gun on my waist and, "I don't give a fuck" is my plan.
You'll never understand my palm sweat
Followed by shortness of breath then my heart jets and I ain't find a calm yet
Go on let shorty sing
'Cause ain't no way in hell this ain't Joell,
That's brave enough to tell you everything
I got some skeletons locked in the closet (yeah, yeah)
And I've been dyin', dyin' just to find an outlet (yeah)
And I'm hoping that no one finds out about it (yeah, yeah)
Wishing maybe it'll disappear but I doubt it
I doubt it
Fuck all that rapping, I'mma let the conversation rock
I got skeletons in my closet
The living dead live in a nigga head, behind a combination lock
When will the occupation stop it? Make it a vacant lot
The black mamba when I crack vodka, I'mma take a shot
And Hope the stowaways go away before the anchor drop
Yeah thanks a lot, I'm a bottle drinkin' nutcase
Cover of XXL behind Em, I had the drunk face
I steadily dream about cleanin’ these demons out
In order to clean them out, you gotta scream and shout
All of your secrets out loud
It started as a kid at my school desk
Aced every quiz but I wanted to pass the cool test
Ain't nothing cool about school shopping at the thrift store
And living in an abandoned station wagon cause you was piss poor
So I started stealing all of the clothes that the other kids wore
That’s when the skeletons moved into my mind on the sixth floor
And more came through Crooked I’s youth
I slowly started moving them out my closet into this mic booth
For real, bro
I got some skeletons locked in the closet (yeah, yeah)
And I've been dyin', dyin' just to find an outlet (yeah)
And I'm hoping that no one finds out about it (yeah, yeah)
Wishing maybe it'll disappear but I doubt it
I doubt it
I thought I had it locked away till forever
But no memories fade away, they seem to stay
Comfortable in my conscience you live in my dreams
They say time heals it all then why's the pain still with me?
See the problem is, I know it all
Or maybe the problem is that I just show it all
Maybe they that thinking I should be ashamed of my actions but really there’s no remorse
Maybe the lord will decide that I suffered enough and let me live with no withdrawals
Then again all it would mean is he deemed I'm much too important to focus all
We could talk about pain 24/7 dog, that’s my department
Intercity blues cruise and I’m blasting that Marvin
Skeletons ain’t in my closet, that’s my apartment
And they like to hide behind thousand dollar fabrics and garments
It's all bleak to me
Tell my Pop I ain’t bothered when he don't speak to me, I love you but it’s weak to me
On one hand life is short and there’s no excuse to do it
But you was missing half my life dog, I’m kind of used to it
Modern day Son of Sam, judge but you don’t understand
Me against the world, I plan on winning, though I'm under-manned
Want to see through the eyes of a monster? Look through my glasses tint
My roommates can stay here, just take care of half the rent
I got some skeletons locked in the closet (yeah, yeah)
And I've been dyin', dyin' just to find an outlet (yeah)
And I'm hoping that no one finds out about it (yeah, yeah)
Wishing maybe it'll disappear but I doubt it
I doubt it
I doubt it
I doubt it
In Joe Budden's song "Skeletons," he reveals the hidden parts of his life that he kept locked away behind closed doors, hence the metaphorical reference to "skeletons in the closet." The rapper is tormented by his past decisions and wrongdoings, and he struggles to give voice to his demons. The song opens with Joe acknowledging his burden and the toll it has taken on him, expressing his desire to find a way to cope. He fears that these secrets will be revealed and destroy his reputation, but he can't keep hiding forever.
Joe Budden reflects on his troubled youth, where he was involved in violence and drugs, selling cocaine to desperate people, including a pregnant woman. He touches upon the guilt, regret, and mental anguish associated with his actions of the past, like the night he shot someone who was bleeding out their lungs, as Budden raps, "Do any sins go unforgiven? I hope not, 'cause most of mine were hunger-driven, nothing in my mother's kitchen." As he progresses through the song, he admits that he feels like a monster but also acknowledges the pain that lies beneath the surface.
The song's overall message is that we all have past experiences that have shaped us, and sometimes it's challenging to confront them. Budden's honesty in "Skeletons" urges listeners to take control of their past and work towards emotional and mental stability. In essence, the song encourages individuals to confront the skeletons hidden in their closets instead of running away from them.
Line by Line Meaning
I got some skeletons locked in the closet (yeah, yeah)
I have secrets and past mistakes that I keep hidden away
And I've been dyin', dyin' just to find an outlet (yeah)
I have been struggling to find a way to express and deal with my inner demons
And I'm hoping that no one finds out about it (yeah, yeah)
I am afraid of others discovering the skeletons in my closet and judging me for them
Wishing maybe it'll disappear but I doubt it
I hope my past mistakes will go away on their own, but I don't believe they will
I look over my shoulder not knowing where it's coming from
I am paranoid and constantly on guard, fearing that my past will catch up with me
But knowing that its coming, I was bugging as a youngin'
Even when I was young, I knew that my past mistakes would come back to haunt me
Now I'm runnin' from, a somethin' that'll even out my dumb decisions
I am now trying to escape the consequences of my past mistakes by any means possible
The night I shot and had him bleedin' out his lungs and spittin'
I have committed violent acts in my past that have left others hurt and suffering
Do any sins go unforgiven? I hope not
I am hopeful that despite my past mistakes, I can find forgiveness and redemption
'Cause most of mine were hunger driven, nothing in my mother's kitchen,
Most of my mistakes were due to my difficult upbringing and the poverty I experienced
Stomach sounds like the clouds ignited and that thunder hitting
I experienced intense hunger pains in my childhood
I love kids but now I' selling to a pregnant woman
I am involved in illegal drug dealing, even selling to pregnant women
Stumbling through the projects in the AM with a cup in my hand,
I am drunk and wandering aimlessly through my neighborhood in the early morning
Gun on my waist and, "I don't give a fuck" is my plan.
I am reckless and dangerous, with a disregard for my own life and the lives of those around me
You'll never understand my palm sweat
My anxiety and fear are intense and difficult for others to understand
Followed by shortness of breath then my heart jets and I ain't find a calm yet
I experience intense panic attacks and have not yet found a way to cope with them
Go on let shorty sing
Let the singer take the lead for a moment
'Cause ain't no way in hell this ain't Joell,
This song is a deeply personal and emotional reflection from the perspective of Joe Budden
That's brave enough to tell you everything
This song is a courageous and honest depiction of Joe Budden's personal demons and struggles
Fuck all that rapping, I'mma let the conversation rock
I'm done hiding behind my rap persona, and I'm ready to be real and raw with my audience
I got skeletons in my closet
I have been hiding my past mistakes and dark secrets for far too long
The living dead live in a nigga head, behind a combination lock
The memories and pain of my past are locked away in my mind, haunting me day and night
When will the occupation stop it? Make it a vacant lot
When will I finally be free of my inner demons and past mistakes?
The black mamba when I crack vodka, I'mma take a shot
When I drink alcohol, I become aggressive and dangerous
And Hope the stowaways go away before the anchor drop
I hope my past mistakes and memories will disappear before they completely ruin my life
Yeah thanks a lot, I'm a bottle drinkin' nutcase
I have become an alcoholic who is not in control of my own actions
Cover of XXL behind Em, I had the drunk face
Even in professional settings, I struggle with controlling my actions and behavior due to my drinking
I steadily dream about cleanin’ these demons out
I constantly wish I could rid myself of the pain and guilt caused by my past mistakes
In order to clean them out, you gotta scream and shout
In order to confront and overcome my inner demons, I must face them head-on and express my feelings
All of your secrets out loud
I must speak my secrets out loud in order to free myself from their burden
It started as a kid at my school desk
My struggles and painful experiences started in my childhood
Aced every quiz but I wanted to pass the cool test
Even though I excelled academically, I felt pressure to fit in socially and be accepted by my peers
Ain't nothing cool about school shopping at the thrift store
I felt ashamed and embarrassed of my poverty and inability to afford new clothes
And living in an abandoned station wagon cause you was piss poor
My family was so poor that we were forced to live in an abandoned car
So I started stealing all of the clothes that the other kids wore
To fit in and feel accepted, I resorted to stealing clothes from my classmates
That’s when the skeletons moved into my mind on the sixth floor
My struggles and past traumas became deeply ingrained in my mind and memory, causing me pain and distress
And more came through Crooked I’s youth
I was not the only one who experienced difficult and painful struggles in my youth
I slowly started moving them out my closet into this mic booth
Through my music, I have been able to express and process my painful memories and past mistakes
For real, bro
I am being honest and authentic
I thought I had it locked away till forever
I thought I could keep my past buried and hidden forever
But no memories fade away, they seem to stay
My past mistakes and painful memories continue to haunt and impact me over time
Comfortable in my conscience you live in my dreams
My past mistakes have become a part of my conscience and are always present with me
They say time heals it all then why's the pain still with me?
Even though time has passed, the pain and guilt of my past mistakes remain with me
See the problem is, I know it all
I am aware of my past mistakes and the harm I have caused
Or maybe the problem is that I just show it all
Perhaps the issue is that I am too honest and candid about my past, leaving myself open and vulnerable
Maybe they that thinking I should be ashamed of my actions but really there’s no remorse
Others may judge me for my past mistakes, but I have already experienced intense guilt and do not need to be further shamed
Maybe the lord will decide that I suffered enough and let me live with no withdrawals
I hope that God will forgive me and allow me to live free from the burdens of my past
Then again all it would mean is he deemed I'm much too important to focus all
Perhaps my past mistakes are necessary in my journey and may lead to something greater
We could talk about pain 24/7 dog, that’s my department
I am very familiar with pain and its effects, as I have experienced it deeply in my own life
Intercity blues cruise and I’m blasting that Marvin
I listen to music to help me cope and deal with my pain, and soulful music like Marvin Gaye's is particularly helpful
Skeletons ain’t in my closet, that’s my apartment
My past mistakes and painful memories are not contained to one small part of my life, but rather they impact my entire existence
And they like to hide behind thousand dollar fabrics and garments
I mask my inner demons and past pain with expensive clothes and materials
Tell my Pop I ain’t bothered when he don't speak to me, I love you but it’s weak to me
I have unresolved issues with my father and am hurt by his lack of communication, but I strive to appear strong and unaffected
On one hand life is short and there’s no excuse to do it
Life is brief and precious, and I have no excuse to perpetuate my past mistakes and destructive behavior
But you was missing half my life dog, I’m kind of used to it
Even though my father was absent for much of my life, I have grown accustomed to his absence and its effects
Modern day Son of Sam, judge but you don’t understand
Others may judge me for my past mistakes, but they do not truly understand the pain and trauma that led me to those actions
Me against the world, I plan on winning, though I'm under-manned
I know that my struggles are intense and difficult, but I am determined to overcome them and thrive despite the odds
Want to see through the eyes of a monster? Look through my glasses tint
People may see me as a monster for my past actions, but the reality is more complex and only visible through my unique perspective
My roommates can stay here, just take care of half the rent
I face financial struggles and am willing to sacrifice my personal living space in order to make ends meet
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, THE ADMINISTRATION MP INC
Written by: BRYAN G. FRYZEL, DOMINICK WICKLIFFE, JOELL ORTIZ, JOSEPH ANTHONY BUDDEN, KIMMY KRISIUK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
#realmusicneverdies #rmnd
[Hook: Kaydence]
I got some skeletons locked in the closet (yeah, yeah)
And I've been dyin', dyin' just to find an outlet
And I'm hoping that no one finds out about it (yeah, yeah)
Wishing maybe it'll disappear but I doubt it
I doubt it
[Verse 1: Joell Ortiz]
I look over my shoulder not knowing where it's coming from
But knowing that its coming, I was bugging as a youngin'
Now I'm runnin from, something that'll even out my dumb decisions
The night I shot and had him bleeding out his lungs and spitting
Do any sins go unforgiven? I hope not
Cause most of mine were hunger driven, nothing in my mother's kitchen
Stomach sounds like the clouds ignited and the thunder hitting
So the well-screwed kid ended up with more than a couple missing
So not a chef but now the cocaine forever cooking
I love kids but now I'm selling to a pregnant woman
Stumbling through the projects in the AM with a cup in my hand
Gun on my waist and, "I don't give a fuck" is my plan
You'll never understand my palm sweat
Followed by shortness of breath then my heart jets and I ain't find a calm yet
Go on let shorty sing
Cause ain't no way in hell this ain't Joell, that's brave enough to tell you everything
[Hook: Kaydence]
I got some skeletons locked in the closet (yeah, yeah)
And I've been dyin', dyin' just to find an outlet
And I'm hoping that no one finds out about it (yeah, yeah)
Wishing maybe it'll disappear but I doubt it
I doubt it
[Verse 2: Crooked I]
Fuck all that rapping, I'mma let the conversation rock
I got skeletons in my closet
The living dead live in a nigga head, behind a combination lock
When will the occupation stop and make it a vacant lot
The black mamba when I crack vodka, I'mma take a shot
And hope them stowaways go away before the anchor drop
Yeah thanks a lot, I'm a bottle-drinking nutcase
Cover of XXL behind Em, I had the drunk face
I steadily dream about cleaning these demons out
In order to clean them out, you gotta scream and shout
All of your secrets out loud
It started as a kid at my school desk
Aced every quiz but I wanted to pass the cool test
Ain't nothing cool about school shopping at the thrift store
And living in an abandoned station wagon because you was piss poor
So I started stealing all of the clothes that the other kids wore
That’s when the skeletons moved into my mind on the sixth floor
And more came through Crooked I’s youth
I slowly started moving them out my closet into this mic booth
For real, bro
[Hook: Kaydence]
I got some skeletons locked in the closet (yeah, yeah)
And I've been dyin', dyin' just to find an outlet
And I'm hoping that no one finds out about it (yeah, yeah)
Wishing maybe it'll disappear but I doubt it
I doubt it
[Bridge]
I thought I had it all locked away till forever
But no memories fade away, They seem to stay
Comfortable in my conscience you live in my dreams
They say time heals it all then whys the pain still with me?
[Verse 3: Joe Budden]
See the problem is, I know it all
Or maybe the problem is that I just show it all
Maybe they that thinking I should be ashamed of my actions but really there’s no remorse
Maybe the Lord will decide that I suffered enough and let me live with no withdrawals
Then again all it would mean is he deemed I'm much too important to focus on
We could talk about pain 24/7 dog, that’s my department
Inter city blues cruise and I’m blasting that Marvin
Skeletons ain’t in my closet, that’s my apartment
And they like to hide behind thousand dollar fabrics and garments
It's all bleak to me
Tell my Pop I ain’t bothered when he don't speak to me
I love you but it’s weak to me
On one hand life is short and there’s no excuse to do it
But you was missing half my life dog, I’m kind of used to it
Modern day Son of Sam, judge but you don’t understand
Me against the world, I plan on winning, know I’m undermanned
Want to see through the eyes of a monster? Look through my glasses tint
My roommates can stay here, just take care of half the rent
[Hook: Kaydence]
I got some skeletons locked in the closet (yeah, yeah)
And I've been dyin', dyin' just to find an outlet
And I'm hoping that no one finds out about it (yeah, yeah)
Wishing maybe it'll disappear but I doubt it
I doubt it
The Storm War
No matter what he is or is not, Joe Budden is one of the greatest lyricists of all time. Much love and respect to him and the rest of Slaughterhouse. Peace!
The Honor Show
Well said I dint care for lots of his ways but God dam this man been thru fucking hell I know cuz i live hell every day an addict at 14 shot heroin and opiates 23 yrs non stop and shot so much meth and cocaine fir 15 yrs str8 I been in several methadone clinics and usually abused that bad too shooting up 220 MG in my jugular vein with a fucking horse needle. I od flopping on Coke many times never went ti hospital just kept goin. I am a broken BROKEN individual... I been gettin help now but still hurt in my soul. I git arrested over 40 times a bunch of felonies and wrecked relationships I got so many friends and my baby mom to shoot up and it killed them all eventually.. more people die frim dope where I'm from than gang killing in big cities. And I come from a town of 1000 people only. I've lost everything I've lost everyone my mom is my rock and she just died 2 months ago check out no love lost outro
Игорь -
This album is classics for me. 10 years and I still come back to it, sick.
3 of them went raw and the hook is magical. Great song
imindesigner100
One of the best Budden verses ever! Hes a lyrical genius! #salute
11Legendkiller
They all killed it but Crooked Eye just murdered this! One of the most underrated MC's of all time.
Kilo Corleone
Man I swear Joe needs one more album. After all he’s endured as a journalist. It’s a good time. For his real fans 🔥🔥🔥🔥🙈
Samuel H
One of Joell's best ever verses in my opinion.
Yaco
They all killed it omg! But Crooked's voice when he changes his tone smoothly...
Rainman Ray
this album just makes every part of ma life seem to be in the open...perfect album for the startin of the year!!!hope it hits to top 5 of the year...global Joey youz ma favorite rapper i love all your albums and mixtapes and this album is just icing on the cake!
imindesigner100
Joe budden has the best verse! His flow is ridiculously good. Kaydence went in on the hook and from there budden sounded like a mad man! Straight fire!