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.
Sober Up
Joe Budden Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Finally picking up the pieces
Memoirs I had are undefeated
I feel depleted
I don't talk to God as a matter of fact I plead with
At times I hate my reflection and others I'm conceited
Half the time I'm arrogant other times I'm vengeful
At times it's to convince me, at times it's to convince you
Its been so many times I've lost track of who to repent to
Half the time I'm in the cut
Don't want you to notice me
Roll with me and you'll see that I'm only awkward socially
Half the time I'm spiteful, double barrel rifle
I owe so many payback I fee l like I got the right too
So if you need a case in point you can refer to Budden
And it will prove that pain killers never murdered nothing
All it did was make me succumb put ice in me
Now revenge is the place it takes me from
I'm strong
[Chorus]
Strong enough to catch contact (?)
Smell it as soon as you get in my ride
See with me, rules never apply
Don't tell me how I should live my life
Put your seat back, got it if you need that
You should really f-ck with me
Tell me if you wanna ride or die, la la la la la la la la
Listen up as the center reports
My inner thoughts are like a inner war
Head exact as a trembling force on my mental ward
Men are distraught
Every word from his sentence the boss
It's brought to you like the people your minister's Porsche
Tight roping on dental floss
Before the haters begin to get lost
Coke and weed got my temperament off
But why would my temper get lost
When as soon as the temperature frost I'm probably
Having intercourse in a resort
Criminal report, pricey condo's at a minimal cost
My train of thought ain't as simple as yours
So if our paths happen to accidentally cross
I pray that you can overlook all my miniature flaws
Until then lets let the bass kick
Take the shots great I don't see a need to chase it
Trying to fight the urge til there's something to replace it
I welcome ya'll to be my co-pilots on this spaceship
[Chorus]
Yo, me and the game would get so blunted
We'd order take out from the Chinese stores
They make sure you bring change for a hundred
Rob em, safety on the metal's off
Figured if we beat the breaks off em
Then how the f-ck was he gon pedal off
Some live and die by the high, I was born by it
Since Pac gave my mom the needle like go on try it
Got me feeling like ain't a nigga can harm me
So I go and scoop a mommy that wanna come join the army
She was so militant, disciplined, diligent
So I whispered to her, bet you wouldn't mind shilling it
I got to know her on my sofa
I gave her my honorable discharge and she took like a soldier
Since she the type you gotta watch when she come around
Really she only get high so she can come down
Lost her when I said she ain't gotta settle
Once you start to handle life you'll be on the same level
[Chorus]
Crooked I
When I was five this what my father said
I should have pulled you out and left you on your momma's waterbed
You asked me, my poppa's dead
Alcoholic jeans from him since a toddler bottle fed
Put me on your stainless I'm brainless, I'm a hollow head
My life was the craziest
Surprised I'm even walking, can you blame me if I'm atheist
But I ain't Stephen Hawkings
I know God is in my radius
I can see him walking in the face of an innocent baby but not when preacher,s talking
My people sleep in coffins I miss em I'm breaking
Down in the face of a bad bitch that I'm supposed to be taking down
Baby ride while I'm crying, I'm dying inside
Cause my pain is beside a giant leviathan and I'm hiding from the World
They hit me with everything but the kitchen sink
How ironic? same place I vomit when I lick a drink
Apparently I need to get a shrink
How can therapy take care of me when I don't give a fuck what niggas think!
[Chorus]
In "Sober Up" by Joe Budden, the rapper reflects upon his struggles with addiction and mental health. The first stanza delves into his inner turmoil, with lines such as "Half the time I'm in the cut, don't want you to notice me" and "At times it's to convince me, at times it's to convince you." Budden admits to feeling conceited and spiteful, but also reveals that he has never felt resentful, demonstrating his ability to take responsibility for his wrongdoings. The chorus speaks to his strength in navigating these struggles, as he declares himself strong enough to catch contact and suggests that those who ride with him should respect his choices. The second and third stanzas touch on his drug use and sexual encounters, hinting at a feeling of invincibility, but also exposing his vulnerability as he admits to hiding from the world.
Overall, the lyrics of "Sober Up" are a raw expression of Joe Budden's inner conflicts, tied together by his ability to persevere in the face of adversity. The song serves as both a personal reflection and a message to listeners going through similar struggles, encouraging them to find their own strength in the midst of their battles.
Line by Line Meaning
I broke down a while ago
I experienced a mental and emotional breakdown some time ago
Finally picking up the pieces
Now, I am slowly starting to recover and heal
Memoirs I had are undefeated
My memories and experiences have shaped and defined me
I feel depleted
I am emotionally drained and exhausted
I don't talk to God as a matter of fact, I plead with
Instead of having conversations with God, I often find myself begging and pleading
At times I hate my reflection and others I'm conceited
Sometimes I despise myself, while at other times I am filled with self-importance
Half the time I'm arrogant, other times I'm vengeful
I frequently alternate between being egotistical and seeking revenge
At times it's to convince me, at times it's to convince you
These behaviors are sometimes meant to convince myself, but other times they are meant to manipulate and convince others
Done a lot of wrong but I ain't never felt resentful
I have made many mistakes, but I never held any resentment towards others
Its been so many times I've lost track of who to repent to
I have lost count of the number of times I need to seek forgiveness
Half the time I'm in the cut
I often keep to myself and prefer to go unnoticed
Don't want you to notice me
I don't want others to pay attention to me
Roll with me and you'll see that I'm only awkward socially
If you spend time with me, you will realize that I struggle in social situations
Half the time I'm spiteful, double barrel rifle
I frequently harbor feelings of spite and resentment, which can be destructive
I owe so many payback, I feel like I got the right to
I feel justified in seeking revenge for the wrongs done to me
So if you need a case in point, you can refer to Budden
If you need an example, you can look at me, Joe Budden
And it will prove that pain killers never murdered nothing
My experience shows that using painkillers did not solve any of my problems
All it did was make me succumb, put ice in me
Using painkillers only made me surrender and numb my emotions
Now revenge is the place it takes me from
I find solace and motivation in seeking revenge
I'm strong
Despite all my struggles, I am resilient and strong
Strong enough to catch contact
I am capable of handling and absorbing the negative influence around me
Smell it as soon as you get in my ride
You can immediately sense and experience the negative energy when you're in my presence
See with me, rules never apply
With me, traditional rules and expectations don't hold any power
Don't tell me how I should live my life
I don't want others to dictate or impose their ideas on how I should live
Put your seat back, got it if you need that
Relax and make yourself comfortable, I can provide what you need
You should really f-ck with me
You should genuinely connect and engage with me
Tell me if you wanna ride or die, la la la la la la la la
Let me know if you want to be with me through thick and thin, through life's ups and downs
Listen up as the center reports
Pay attention as I share my inner thoughts and reflections
My inner thoughts are like a inner war
My thoughts and emotions are constantly in conflict and turmoil
Head exact as a trembling force on my mental ward
My mind is like a powerful yet unstable force within a mental institution
Men are distraught
I am deeply troubled and distressed
Every word from his sentence the boss
Every word I speak carries weight and authority
It's brought to you like the people your minister's Porsche
I deliver my message to you like a minister driving a luxurious Porsche
Tight roping on dental floss
I am walking a fine line, balancing on something delicate and thin
Before the haters begin to get lost
Before the detractors and critics start to lose their way and become irrelevant
Coke and weed got my temperament off
The use of drugs like cocaine and marijuana has negatively affected my mood and temperament
But why would my temper get lost
But why would I lose control of my anger and frustration
When as soon as the temperature frost, I'm probably
Whenever things get cold and difficult, I am likely to
Having intercourse in a resort
Engaging in sexual activities in a luxurious setting
Criminal report, pricey condo's at a minimal cost
I am involved in criminal activities, yet able to afford expensive condos at a low price
My train of thought ain't as simple as yours
My way of thinking is more complex and intricate compared to yours
So if our paths happen to accidentally cross
If our paths happen to cross unexpectedly
I pray that you can overlook all my miniature flaws
I hope you can ignore and forgive my small imperfections and shortcomings
Until then let's let the bass kick
For now, let's enjoy the music and let the bass line drive us
Take the shots great, I don't see a need to chase it
I will confidently take the shots and opportunities that come my way, without feeling the need to pursue them further
Trying to fight the urge 'til there's something to replace it
I am attempting to resist my desires until I find something else to fill the void
I welcome y'all to be my co-pilots on this spaceship
I invite all of you to join me as my companions on this journey
Yo, me and the game would get so blunted
The game and I would get extremely intoxicated
We'd order take-out from the Chinese stores
We would frequently order food from Chinese restaurants
They make sure you bring change for a hundred
They expect you to have enough cash to break a hundred dollar bill
Rob 'em, safety on the metal's off
We would rob them, using a firearm with the safety turned off
Figured if we beat the breaks off 'em
We believed that if we physically assaulted them strongly enough
Then how the f-ck was he gon pedal off
They wouldn't be able to escape by riding away on a bicycle
Some live and die by the high, I was born by it
Some people's lives revolve around drugs, but I was born into that lifestyle
Since Pac gave my mom the needle like go on try it
When Tupac influenced my mom to try drugs, I was exposed to it from a young age
Got me feeling like ain't a nigga can harm me
I have developed a feeling of invincibility and that no one can hurt me
So I go and scoop a mommy that wanna come join the army
So, I go and find a woman who is willing to join me in this dangerous lifestyle
She was so militant, disciplined, diligent
She had a strong sense of duty and was focused and hardworking
So I whispered to her, bet you wouldn't mind shilling it
I quietly suggested to her that she would enjoy participating in criminal activities
I got to know her on my sofa
I spent time getting to know her intimately on my couch
I gave her my honorable discharge and she took like a soldier
I ended the relationship with her, and she accepted it without resistance
Since she the type you gotta watch when she come around
Because she is someone you need to be cautious and wary of when she is present
Really she only gets high so she can come down
In reality, she indulges in drugs to escape her own problems and find temporary relief
Lost her when I said she ain't gotta settle
I lost her when I told her that she doesn't have to accept a mediocre life or relationship
Once you start to handle life, you'll be on the same level
If she starts taking control of her life and making better choices, we could be equals
When I was five this what my father said
When I was five years old, my father told me
I should have pulled you out and left you on your momma's waterbed
He regretted not abandoning me and leaving me on my mother's waterbed as a baby
You asked me, my poppa's dead
You might wonder, but my father is deceased
Alcoholic genes from him since a toddler bottle fed
I inherited a predisposition for alcoholism from a young age being fed from baby bottles
Put me on your stainless I'm brainless, I'm a hollow head
Give me a gun, and I will act without thinking or considering the consequences
My life was the craziest
My life has been extremely chaotic and unpredictable
Surprised I'm even walking, can you blame me if I'm atheist
Considering the challenges I've faced, it's a miracle I'm even functioning, so can you really blame me for being an atheist?
But I ain't Stephen Hawking's
I don't possess the genius intellect of Stephen Hawking
I know God is in my radius
I am aware that God is within my reach and influence
I can see him walking in the face of an innocent baby but not when preacher's talking
I can perceive God's presence in the innocence of a baby, but not in the words spoken by religious leaders
My people sleep in coffins
The people in my community are dying and buried in coffins
I miss 'em, I'm breaking down
I long for them, and it is causing me to experience a breakdown
In the face of a bad bitch that I'm supposed to be taking down
Even when faced with an attractive woman who I should be interested in pursuing
Baby ride while I'm crying, I'm dying inside
She accompanies me while I am internally struggling and feeling immense pain
Cause my pain is beside a giant leviathan and I'm hiding from the world
My pain is so enormous that it feels like a giant monster, and in response, I am isolating myself from the world
They hit me with everything but the kitchen sink
The world throws everything at me, trying to break me down
How ironic? Same place I vomit when I lick a drink
It's ironic that the same place where I drank too much and vomited is also the place where I express my emotions
Apparently I need to get a shrink
It seems like I need to seek therapy and counseling
How can therapy take care of me when I don't give a fuck what niggas think!
How can therapy help me when I don't care about other people's opinions or judgments!
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: JONAS Q CARDIM, JOSEPH BUDDEN, DOMINICK WICKLIFFE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Escobar600GOAT_NODEBATING.
"I know God's in my radius, I can see him often in the face of a innocent baby but not when a preacher's talking."
1st time I heard that I got goose-bumps ALL OVER and started shaking my head. One of those lines that literally hits your soul and sticks with you.
madskrillz2
@Joe King I know. I was just saying that lyric, along with Crookeds entire verse, hit really close to home. That and I was probably drunk when I made that comment so I forgot to reference Crooked lol
Joe King
@madskrillz2 But Budden didn't say that line.
madskrillz2
Yessss. That and "Apparently I need to get a shrink, how can therapy take care of me, when I don't give a fuck what niggas think". I'm not a big fan of Budden lately but this song rides heavy on my heart.
Josh Bleezy
This song has got so much real shit in it and so much emotion, you guys already know but I just had to say it.
rik davis
say it again!
Joe
My brother overdosed on pills a couple months ago and this song explains a lot..so glad I didn't lose him. Stay strong Fraser.
Lukas Beghein
I can truly say this is one of the best tracks I've ever heard. Real talk!
Eric Walk
Always go back n visit the songs that helped me through my ishh. Joey still the truth.
Tyler Peacock
This song is really good