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.
Under The Sun
Joe Budden Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I had a dream - of the wide open prairie
I had a dream - of the pale morning sky
And we were the same - just the same - you an' I.
We are like birds of a feather
We are two hearts joined together
We will be forever as one...
My brother under the sun.
[Verse 1: Joe Budden]
Mic check, mic check, mic check, mic check
Mic check, 1, 2, 1, 2.
Ol' head said reality is fake an' fake's the new real
Nuttin' but strive to me, but takin' a few pills.
Ain't try'nna be the dude that's raisin' the blue steal
Vic's help me escape, they give me a new feel.
Unedited, ay'day is a newsreel, some cake an' a few bills
Honestly, all it'll take is a few mill (for what?)
For me not ta' have ta' portray no true skill (but!)
But lemme' jus' watch what I say, the truth kills.
(So) Be careful what'chu wish for
If I totally ignore it, I might withdraw.
I used ta' be pissed-off, piss-poor
Money crisp-poor, (it was) like this short.
It was kinda' hard ta' get the whole puzzle workin' wit' half a jigsaw
I got mine, let me help you get yours wit'out gettin' ripped off.
I left a trail nigga, follow it
An' when it's gone, make a new one, don't remodel shit.
Oh!
[Hook: Bryan Adams - Brothers Under The Sun Sample]
We are like birds of a feather
We are two hearts joined together
We will be forever as one...
My brother under the sun.
[Verse 2: Joe Budden]
Make ya own mutha'fuckin' footsteps nigga, don't follow mine!
Huh!? I got great problems though, my problems are good!
L-Look, look, look...
New suit, dude nervous (what else?)
Ol' case, new judge, new verdict (what else?)
A new outcome like somebody reversed it
(I mean I'm) I feel like I'm a new man, a new purpose.
(Oh!) It's like a nigga ain't feelin' so worthless
Kneel down an' worship, all them years was worth it.
So when he opened his mouth, I was stunned
He said, You can't deny man his son. Be clear.
So if he wanna be there, you let 'em be there
Be fair, I mean, I can see he wants ta' be near.
I can see that he cares
I'll lock your ass up you don't oblige, be-ware. (I mean it)
She stared, she scared.
My lil' dude always get the World from me
An' you want 'em ta' have the World, jus' not from me.
Back like I never left, was never forced away
Got nuttin' more ta' say. Oh!
[Hook: Bryan Adams - Brothers Under The Sun Sample]
We are like birds of a feather
We are two hearts joined together
We will be forever as one...
My brother under the sun.
[Verse 3: Joe Budden]
When I see you I'm disgusted (nigga!)
Can't believe I was ever in love wit' (nigga!)
Must've been dusted, 'cause you look like shit
All these years, they ain't done you no justice. (Look at'chu!)
I mean you all fucked up, can't get cash
Still bitter over a badge you can't get passed. (Huh?!)
Jus' sad, get mad 'cause my bitch bad
Ay'day she switch heels, switch bags. (Whoa!)
It's like we livin' on a dock nigga, big pad
You can't afford a deposit on my closet. (Not even)
Since you, all I ever known was fly shit
Unfortunately, you ain't fittin' that logic.
'Cause you're much less
Sometimes you gotta' stand by your failures to recognize your success.
Still, I'll be the bigger man an' wish her all the best
While knowin' she'll never get it
So why would she ever quit it, it's ridiculous.
[Hook: Bryan Adams - Brothers Under The Sun Sample]
We are like birds of a feather
We are two hearts joined together
We will be forever as one...
My brother under the sun.
In Joe Budden's song Under The Sun, he reflects on his life and the challenges he has faced. The lyrics of the sampled chorus by Bryan Adams talk about a dream of the vast open prairie and the pale morning sky, emphasizing the unity between him and another person. Joe Budden refers to this unity with phrases like "two hearts joined together," "my brother under the sun," and "birds of a feather," which suggest a sense of togetherness and shared experiences.
In the first verse, Joe Budden talks about different aspects of reality, contrasting the fake reality with the real one. He talks about taking Vic's (prescription drug Vicodin) as an escape from reality but acknowledges that it is temporary. He stresses the importance of being careful with what we wish for in life and that he is always willing to help others to achieve their goals. In the second verse, he talks about his personal experiences, making a new start, and the challenges he faced along the way. He also reflects on a past failed relationship and how he has moved on from it.
Line by Line Meaning
Mic check, mic check, mic check, mic check
Beginning of the song, testing the mic before proceeding to the lyrics.
Ol' head said reality is fake an' fake's the new real
An older individual expressed their opinion that reality is false and being fake is the new norm.
Nuttin' but strive to me, but takin' a few pills.
To Joe Budden, striving is everything but he admits to taking a few pills along the way.
Ain't try'nna be the dude that's raisin' the blue steal
Joe Budden does not want to be known as someone who starts trouble or raises conflict.
Vic's help me escape, they give me a new feel.
Joe Budden admits to using vicodins to escape and they make him feel new or different.
Unedited, ay'day is a newsreel, some cake, and a few bills.
Everyday occurrences seem like a newsreel and all that's necessary for Joe Budden is some money and a few bills.
Honestly, all it'll take is a few mill (for what?)
Joe Budden believes that all he needs is a few million dollars to avoid having to display his true talents.
For me not ta' have ta' portray no true skill (but!)
He believes that having a few million dollars would save him from having to display his real abilities.
But lemme' jus' watch what I say, the truth kills.
Joe Budden recognizes that sometimes speaking the truth can have dire consequences.
Be careful what'chu wish for
A reminder to be careful of what you wish for because it may not turn out how you envisioned it.
If I totally ignore it, I might withdraw.
If Joe Budden ignores his problems, he could draw himself back into them.
I used ta' be pissed-off, piss-poor,
Earlier in his life, Joe Budden was upset and broke.
(it was) like this short.
He was financially struggling and did not have enough money.
It was kinda' hard ta' get the whole puzzle workin' wit' half a jigsaw
It was difficult for Joe Budden to make everything work with limited resources.
I got mine, let me help you get yours wit'out gettin' ripped off.
Joe Budden has achieved success and wants to help others do the same without getting scammed.
Make ya own mutha'fuckin' footsteps nigga, don't follow mine!
Joe Budden encourages others to pave their path rather than copying him.
Huh!? I got great problems though, my problems are good!
Joe Budden has significant issues in his life, but he considers them good problems to have compared to worse situations.
New suit, dude nervous (what else?)
Someone in a new suit is likely to be nervous.
Ol' case, new judge, new verdict (what else?)
Even if the case is old, a new judge can still pronounce a new decision.
A new outcome like somebody reversed it
The verdict is different this time with the possibility of being reversed from the previous case.
(I mean I'm) I feel like I'm a new man, a new purpose.
Joe Budden feels like he has a new start, new perspective, and a new objective.
(Oh!) It's like a nigga ain't feelin' so worthless
He is beginning to regain his self-worth and doesn't feel as inferior.
Kneel down an' worship, all them years was worth it.
Joe Budden believes that his hard work has been worth it and wants to celebrate it.
So when he opened his mouth, I was stunned.
Joe Budden is surprised by the words coming out of his opponent's mouth.
He said, You can't deny man his son. Be clear.
The opponent is implying that no one should prevent a father from being there for their child.
So if he wanna be there, you let 'em be there
Joe Budden believes that the father should be involved in their child's life when they are interested in being there.
Be fair, I mean, I can see he wants ta' be near.
Joe Budden thinks that fairness dictates that the father should have an opportunity to spend time with his child.
I'll lock your ass up you don't oblige, be-ware. (I mean it)
Joe Budden would not hesitate to interfere legally if the father's rights and wishes were not respected.
She stared, she scared.
Joe Budden's opponent seems intimidated by him.
My lil' dude always get the World from me.
Joe Budden's child is everything to him.
An' you want 'em ta' have the World, jus' not from me.
Joe Budden's opponent wants something different for the child.
Back like I never left, was never forced away
Joe Budden has returned from an absence and feels like he never left.
Got nuttin' more ta' say.
He has nothing else to say.
When I see you I'm disgusted (nigga!)
Joe Budden is filled with disgust when he sees his opponent.
Can't believe I was ever in love wit' (nigga!)
Joe Budden cannot believe he once had romantic feelings for this individual.
Must've been dusted, 'cause you look like shit
Joe Budden assumes he was under the influence of something when he first fell for his opponent.
All these years, they ain't done you no justice. (Look at'chu!)
Joe Budden is unimpressed by the little to no progress his opponent has made over the years.
I mean you all fucked up, can't get cash
Joe Budden's opponent is in poor financial shape and cannot make money.
Still bitter over a badge you can't get passed. (Huh?!)
Joe Budden thinks his opponent is still angry about things that he hasn't been able to achieve.
Jus' sad, get mad 'cause my bitch bad
Joe Budden's opponent becomes upset when observing him being treated well by his partner.
Ay'day she switch heels, switch bags. (Whoa!)
Joe Budden's partner often switches shoes and bags, showing her love of fashion and extravagance.
It's like we livin' on a dock nigga, big pad
Joe Budden feels like he's living large because of his wealth.
You can't afford a deposit on my closet. (Not even)
Joe Budden's opponent cannot even pay a deposit for his closet, showing the difference in their financial status.
Since you, all I ever known was fly shit
Since his opponent left his life, Joe Budden has only experienced a life of luxury and extravagance.
Unfortunately, you ain't fittin' that logic.
Joe Budden's opponent does not factor into his luxurious lifestyle anymore.
'Cause you're much less
Joe Budden's opponent has little to no influence on his life anymore.
Sometimes you gotta' stand by your failures to recognize your success.
Joe Budden has learned to acknowledge his mistakes as they help him appreciate his accomplishments.
Still, I'll be the bigger man an' wish her all the best
Joe Budden takes the high road and wishes his opponent the best despite their differences.
While knowin' she'll never get it
Joe Budden is aware that his opponent will never comprehend his new lifestyle.
So why would she ever quit it, it's ridiculous.
Joe Budden thinks his opponent's perspective is irrational and therefore she will never abandon it.
We are like birds of a feather
Joe Budden and his close friend are similar and have much in common.
We are two hearts joined together
Joe Budden and his friend have a special and meaningful relationship.
We will be forever as one...
Joe Budden and his friend will always remain loyal and close.
My brother under the sun.
Joe Budden sees his friend like a brother and considers him family.
Contributed by Samantha P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
YourPalHDee
Such a disgustingly underrated dude. Honestly like, people don't understand what an absolute uncompromising artist this guy is. You'd NEVER get him to say a word he doesn't believe, for any amount of money.
elcucoo
i rather keep it this way..
chris nice
He has some of the best lyrics ever spit. Cause youre much less, sometimes you gotta stand by your failures to recognize your success...absolute genius. Its been a pleasure and an honour to listen to joe for the past 15 years
J Sant89
Too bad too many oversee his ability. I fuck with his personal shit when it comes to lyrics. Thats where his soul and genius shines most.
Demsky83
One of the best rap songs ever by the most under rated under appreciated rapper ever.
Danny Virgadaula
Whenever im feeling low and hurt by something or someone I just bump some joey. follow his lyrics and its so inspiring
Dutchmaster412
One of his best songs...Joey is a lyrical GOD!
NiKKi LeiLaNi
Def still here in 2018!!! I love him! Also in recovery his words are so real!!
Butter Jones
2020
Key Keysz
2022