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.
So Serious
Joe Budden Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Couldn't push the rides that I cruise, niggaz couldn't tie my shoes
I've been all around the world
You niggaz ain't men, y'all are girls, niggaz couldn't bench what I curl
Shouldn't be a question about your favorite rapper
And my label got me questioning my favorite rapper
So I, broke hard, one man gang, no squad
No Cailis needed to go hard, listen
In a few bars, twenty five years get packed in
No regrets til my days up
Can't be Pat Ewing lookin back on that lay-up
When you hood like me, you pull up in that Taurus
Still turnin down pussy, you get too many offers
My guards up, too many crossed us
Nowadays, not enough chiefs and it's too many bosses
I'm forreal wit it
Everybody can't be a boss man
Everybody can't have weight
Somebody gotta have bags
Everybody can't have a brick, somebody gotta have an O around here somewhere!
Man lets just be forreal about it
As if y'all needed to be reminded
I don't look for trouble, I just help a nigga find it
A & R feel like everybody the one
I walk around feelin like everybody my son, one
Shorty feelin the God, I can't blame her
And kicked down the door and came through like Kramer (word)
Now find a nigga better than that
I walked out the movie "Source" and started settin my trap
And I don't yap about how I move wit all the guns
Like a hustlers dance, can't do that where I'm from, son
Talk to me, if it's about a buck, heavy cream
On my Eric Bana shit, fuck everythin!
They thought I would go astray, but I won't
David Banner may have time to play, but I don't
Cause I spit the cane wit ease
And I can't just freeze not until this whole game's febreezed
Muffuckas
In "So Serious" by Joe Budden, the lyrics convey a sense of superiority and confidence. He boasts about his wealth, his status in the rap industry, and his physical strength. Through his lyrics, Budden establishes himself as a powerful figure, claiming that other rappers are not as talented or successful as he is. He references his ability to travel the world and live a lavish lifestyle, while simultaneously belittling his competition.
The verse "A & R feel like everybody the one, I walk around feelin like everybody my son" speaks to Budden's authority in the music industry. He refers to A&R, or Artist and Repertoire, personnel, who are responsible for scouting new talent for a record label. While A&R may see potential in many artists, Budden implies that he is the one true "son" - or prodigy - in the rap game. He also references his role as a mentor, suggesting that he can help guide younger rappers in the industry.
Further, the line "I walked out the movie 'Source' and started settin my trap" alludes to Budden's experience in the 2002 film "8 Mile", in which he played a rapper named Lotto. The movie is about a young, aspiring rapper named B-Rabbit, played by Eminem, who must overcome obstacles and prove himself in rap battles. "Setting his trap" refers to Budden establishing himself as a rapper after appearing in the film. The song overall portrays Joe Budden as confident, determined, and unique in his approach to rap.
Line by Line Meaning
You niggaz couldn't fuck the broads I choose
I have high standards and I choose only the best women to be with.
Couldn't push the rides that I cruise, niggaz couldn't tie my shoes
My cars are expensive and luxurious and my shoes are of high quality that others couldn't afford or handle.
I've been all around the world
I've traveled extensively and experienced different cultures.
You niggaz ain't men, y'all are girls, niggaz couldn't bench what I curl
You guys lack masculinity and strength, you couldn't lift the weight I do at the gym.
Shouldn't be a question about your favorite rapper
My skills are indisputable, there shouldn't be any doubt in your mind about who your favorite rapper is.
And my label got me questioning my favorite rapper
My label is putting pressure on me to question my own skills and potential as a rapper.
So I, broke hard, one man gang, no squad
I work hard on my own without the need for a team or crew.
No Cailis needed to go hard, listen
I don't need any performance-enhancing drugs to be at the top of my game.
It's not rappin, I'm spittin bout everythin that happened
My lyrics are not just empty words, I'm actually narrating the events and experiences of my life.
In a few bars, twenty five years get packed in
In just a few lines, I'm able to summarize and convey 25 years of my life.
No regrets til my days up
I won't have any regrets in life until my final days.
Can't be Pat Ewing lookin back on that lay-up
I don't want to be like Pat Ewing who missed an important lay-up in the past and regrets it now.
When you hood like me, you pull up in that Taurus
In my neighborhood, a Ford Taurus is considered a decent car to have.
Still turnin down pussy, you get too many offers
I have so many women wanting to be with me that I have to turn them down.
My guards up, too many crossed us
I've learned to be cautious and guarded because too many people have betrayed me in the past.
Nowadays, not enough chiefs and it's too many bosses
In today's world, there aren't enough leaders and too many people try to be in charge.
Everybody can't be a boss man
Not everyone can be a leader or in charge.
Everybody can't have weight
Not everyone can have influence or power.
Somebody gotta have bags
Someone has to be the one carrying the weight or responsibility.
Everybody can't have a brick, somebody gotta have an O around here somewhere!
Not everyone can own a large amount of drugs, someone has to be the one supplying it.
As if y'all needed to be reminded
I'm stating the obvious here, as if you didn't already know.
I don't look for trouble, I just help a nigga find it
I'm not searching for conflict, but if someone wants to pick a fight, I'm more than happy to oblige them.
A & R feel like everybody the one
The A&R (Artists and Repertoire) people in the music industry feel like everyone is the next big thing.
I walk around feelin like everybody my son, one
I'm so much better than everyone else that I feel like they are all beneath me and are like my children.
Shorty feelin the God, I can't blame her
Women are attracted to me because of my status and superiority, and I don't blame them for it.
And kicked down the door and came through like Kramer (word)
I made a grand entrance and came in like Kramer from Seinfeld did in the show.
Now find a nigga better than that
I challenge anyone to find someone better than me in every aspect.
I walked out the movie 'Source' and started settin my trap
After watching the movie 'Source' (a film about the drug game), I was inspired to start making moves myself in the drug trade.
And I don't yap about how I move wit all the guns
I don't brag about how I carry weapons around with me.
Like a hustlers dance, can't do that where I'm from, son
Just like you can't dance the dance of the hustlers if you're not from that world, you can't understand my lifestyle and experiences if you're not from where I'm from.
Talk to me, if it's about a buck, heavy cream
Speak to me if it's about making money with a large profit margin.
On my Eric Bana shit, fuck everythin!
I'm ruthless and don't care about anything, just like Eric Bana in the movie 'Chopper' where he played a notorious criminal.
They thought I would go astray, but I won't
People expected me to fail or give up, but I won't let that happen.
David Banner may have time to play, but I don't
David Banner (a rapper and producer) may have time to mess around, but I don't because I take my career seriously.
Cause I spit the cane wit ease
I spit bars effortlessly and flawlessly like sugar cane.
And I can't just freeze not until this whole game's febreezed
I can't slow down or stop until I've cleaned up this dirty and stinky game.
Muffuckas
An exclamation of frustration towards others.
Contributed by Dylan P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.