X-NINE
01-23-2008, 12:51 PM
It is a new chapter for Joe Budden fans. After five long -- and I mean long years -- Joe Budden is officially back on the map. Since he exploded onto the scene in 2003 with the smash hit, "Pump It Up," and the release of his debut album, things pretty much were never the same again. To some, it may have been a shock, but to others it was no surprise when Def Jam and Joe parted ways in October 2007 (see "Joe Budden No Longer At Def Jam?" (http://anonym.to/?http://www.ballerstatus.com/article/news/2007/10/3225/)).
While it is a sad situation in itself, Joe Budden will undoubtedly pick up where he left off. With the release of his third Mood Muzik mixtape, For Better Or For Worse, it is already one of -- if not -- the hottest mixtapes out right now. But the fire doesn't stop there, Joe talks to BallerStatus about his relationship with Jay-Z, the situation involving Def Jam and what he has in store for 2008. Joe is definitely lighting it up in many ways.
BallerStatus.com: Congratulations on the success of Mood Muzik 3. Are you pleased with the reaction on the streets?
Joe Budden: I feel like a million bucks. I'm over joyed, over whelmed. You know, great reaction and I'm appreciative, I'm grateful for it.
BallerStatus.com: Now Mood Muzik 3 has been in the news quite some time even before it was released, due to a track called "Talk To Em" that was rumored to be an attack towards Jay-Z. Was it really an attack?
Joe Budden: I wouldn't call it that. And me listening to it, I don't get that -- the "attack" or the "diss." I know how to walk the fine line of being respectful and getting my point cross at the same time.
BallerStatus.com: Do you feel it was necessary?
Joe Budden: Hell yeah. I mean for me it was. I mean a lot of people said it wasn't necessary, but I mean I make music for me. At that point in time, it needed to be said. I needed to get it off my chest and be done with the issue.
BallerStatus.com: Was there any tension between the two of you?
Joe Budden: No, not at all. Me and Jay have talked plenty of times, we've chopped it up about sports and music, and you know, different things of that nature. So no, I think he's a great guy.
BallerStatus.com: Let's flip the calendar back to 2003. "Pump It Up" was a very successful single off your self-debut album, which you dropped that very year. You then recorded your sophomore album, The Growth, but it was never released. What happened?
Joe Budden: That you would have to ask the powers that be. I have no idea.
BallerStatus.com: What was going through your head at that time?
Joe Budden: umm.. What the f---! (laughs) That's what was going through my head. I just didn't understand. I didn't understand, I didn't have any answers. I had a lot of questions that just went without answers.
BallerStatus.com: Was it hard for you not knowing where you stood?
Joe Budden: I mean even while I was on Def Jam, I always felt that I was just an unsigned artist that was making music that was waiting for his turn and the turn just never came around, so it was difficult. It was frustrating. I never thought somebody [could] be released from a record label, and you know, so many people congratulate him, so that was a first for me.
BallerStatus.com: Do you feel that Def Jam knew how to handle you as an artist?
Joe Budden: Personally, I don't really think it's just me. I think the people that were in charge of the hip-hop releases just weren't. I'll say that.
BallerStatus.com: You eventually cut ties with Def Jam in October. what led up to that?
Joe Budden: Thank the Lord! I mean, I wasn't releasing music, so you know, you can only be patient but for so long. So, once it gets to three, four years without being able to put an album out, something's definitely wrong.
BallerStatus.com: How did it happen, did they approach you and say it's not going to work?
Joe Budden: Nah. They didn't tell me anything actually. I don't even remember how I found out, but it wasn't from someone letting me know.
BallerStatus.com: What was the atmosphere like before you left?
Joe Budden: I didn't have any communication with anybody from the record label. I didn't have a relationship with anybody that was up there... with the exception of one or two people or three at the most. Nothing really changed when I was getting released, you know, I wasn't going in the building, I wasn't seeing people, I wasn't mingling with people, it wasn't a happy... it wasn't a good relationship.
BallerStatus.com: Moving forward, you recently signed a deal with an indie label. Who did you sign with?
Joe Budden: I have an album coming out in May, that's going to be released digitally on Amalgam .
BallerStatus.com: There are rumors about another signing that might be in the works. Would you like to address that?
Joe Budden: They're false; they're rumors.
BallerStatus.com: Getting back to Mood Muzik 3, why do you think it's receiving the attention that it is?
Joe Budden: I think a lot of people can identify with a lot of different things I talk about on Mood Muzik. I think people can relate and I think it's so different and out of the norm of what's happening in hip-hop, that people are receptive to it.
BallerStatus.com: Is that why you made it a full album?
Joe Budden: Yeah. I just wanted to make it accessible to more people. I felt it was such great music, like 79 minutes worth, it would be nice for the area to be able to hear it or just the people who are familiar with Joe Budden. I wanted to try to get in to the hands of some who never heard of Joe Budden or may not know the type of music that I make.
BallerStatus.com: Are the tracks the same?
Joe Budden: For the most part they're the same.
BallerStatus.com: How do you think the rap industry will take it once it hits mainstream?
Joe Budden: I think the people that get it will enjoy it. It's not for the casual hip-hop listener. It is really for hardcore hip-hop fans, people who don't have a short attention span, people who enjoy lyrics 'cause everything hits pretty hard and the lines come pretty fast, so you have to be able to withstand it. If you're able to do that I think it will be pretty enjoyable.
BallerStatus.com: Speaking about hip-hop and rap, how do you feel about it right now?
Joe Budden: I don't feel... I don't feel for it right now.
BallerStatus.com: Why?
Joe Budden: It's really not doing anything for me. Presently I just draw inspiration from other places where at one point rap was what I got inspired by. It's just not like that now. Very few artists push the button for me.
BallerStatus.com: Which artists push the button for you?
Joe Budden: Only Kanye gives me everything I want to hear. But I go to different people for different things. I go to Kanye, I go to, you know, Eminem hasn't released anything, but I go to him. Wayne... depends what I'm looking for; Andre 3000; I go to Beanie Sigel; I really enjoy Freeway's album; Fabolous; you know, Cassidy gives me something. I get something from everybody.
BallerStatus.com: Do you get anything from 50?
Joe Budden: Yeah, definitely. I think 50 gives the greatest interviews. I just enjoy listening to him.
BallerStatus.com: You have another album coming out entitled Padded Room. Tell us about it.
Joe Budden: Padded Room should be released around May.
BallerStatus.com: Will it be different from the Mood Muzik series and if so how?
Joe Budden: Definitely. Well for one, it's been a while since I have released anything outside of the Mood Muzik series so, you know, it'll have a lighter feel to it. But it will be in the form of the typical Joe Budden fan. The biggest difference... there will be more structure than the Mood Muzik series.
BallerStatus.com: Are you currently in the studio or is it pretty much a done deal?
Joe Budden: I'm working on it now.
BallerStatus.com: Any artists lined up?
Joe Budden: Not at the moment no.
BallerStatus.com: Who would you like to work with on this album?
Joe Budden: Nobody right now. Like there's nobody right now. I mean don't get me wrong, I'm a big fan of a lot of people, but there's nobody right now that I would say "I need this person on this album." I don't feel like that. If the opportunity presented itself, too many artists to name that I would work with.
BallerStatus.com: Do you feel you have something to prove finally getting back on track?
Joe Budden: Yeah definitely. I was sh--ted on for five years.
BallerStatus.com: Are there any other projects you are working on?
Joe Budden: No, right now just [getting] a major label deal, like I said. Gust got the Mood Muzik 3 being released and we have Padded Room being released this year and hopefully I'll have another album out before 2009 this year. So now that I'm actually able to, I just want to do it constantly.
BallerStatus.com: Do you feel 2008 is your year?
Joe Budden: Hopefully, you know, if everything falls into place. I'm not gonna say my year, but it will definitely be a critical year depending on the moves I make and the things I do. A set up year. Hopefully it will set me up to be presented to a larger audience.
BallerStatus.com: Finally, for those true fans that have been with you since day one. What would you like to tell them?
Joe Budden: I apologize for the bullsh-- and the bullsh-- is over. I say it all the time, Joe Budden fans are the most patient fans in the universe because, you know, through all of my trails and tribulations, [they] stuck right with me and they support me. I couldn't ask for better fans. I couldn't ask for better haters. For people to still hate on a guy that hasn't released music for so long, it's exciting.
http://www.ballerstatus.com/article/features/2008/01/3939/ (http://anonym.to/?http://www.ballerstatus.com/article/features/2008/01/3939/)
While it is a sad situation in itself, Joe Budden will undoubtedly pick up where he left off. With the release of his third Mood Muzik mixtape, For Better Or For Worse, it is already one of -- if not -- the hottest mixtapes out right now. But the fire doesn't stop there, Joe talks to BallerStatus about his relationship with Jay-Z, the situation involving Def Jam and what he has in store for 2008. Joe is definitely lighting it up in many ways.
BallerStatus.com: Congratulations on the success of Mood Muzik 3. Are you pleased with the reaction on the streets?
Joe Budden: I feel like a million bucks. I'm over joyed, over whelmed. You know, great reaction and I'm appreciative, I'm grateful for it.
BallerStatus.com: Now Mood Muzik 3 has been in the news quite some time even before it was released, due to a track called "Talk To Em" that was rumored to be an attack towards Jay-Z. Was it really an attack?
Joe Budden: I wouldn't call it that. And me listening to it, I don't get that -- the "attack" or the "diss." I know how to walk the fine line of being respectful and getting my point cross at the same time.
BallerStatus.com: Do you feel it was necessary?
Joe Budden: Hell yeah. I mean for me it was. I mean a lot of people said it wasn't necessary, but I mean I make music for me. At that point in time, it needed to be said. I needed to get it off my chest and be done with the issue.
BallerStatus.com: Was there any tension between the two of you?
Joe Budden: No, not at all. Me and Jay have talked plenty of times, we've chopped it up about sports and music, and you know, different things of that nature. So no, I think he's a great guy.
BallerStatus.com: Let's flip the calendar back to 2003. "Pump It Up" was a very successful single off your self-debut album, which you dropped that very year. You then recorded your sophomore album, The Growth, but it was never released. What happened?
Joe Budden: That you would have to ask the powers that be. I have no idea.
BallerStatus.com: What was going through your head at that time?
Joe Budden: umm.. What the f---! (laughs) That's what was going through my head. I just didn't understand. I didn't understand, I didn't have any answers. I had a lot of questions that just went without answers.
BallerStatus.com: Was it hard for you not knowing where you stood?
Joe Budden: I mean even while I was on Def Jam, I always felt that I was just an unsigned artist that was making music that was waiting for his turn and the turn just never came around, so it was difficult. It was frustrating. I never thought somebody [could] be released from a record label, and you know, so many people congratulate him, so that was a first for me.
BallerStatus.com: Do you feel that Def Jam knew how to handle you as an artist?
Joe Budden: Personally, I don't really think it's just me. I think the people that were in charge of the hip-hop releases just weren't. I'll say that.
BallerStatus.com: You eventually cut ties with Def Jam in October. what led up to that?
Joe Budden: Thank the Lord! I mean, I wasn't releasing music, so you know, you can only be patient but for so long. So, once it gets to three, four years without being able to put an album out, something's definitely wrong.
BallerStatus.com: How did it happen, did they approach you and say it's not going to work?
Joe Budden: Nah. They didn't tell me anything actually. I don't even remember how I found out, but it wasn't from someone letting me know.
BallerStatus.com: What was the atmosphere like before you left?
Joe Budden: I didn't have any communication with anybody from the record label. I didn't have a relationship with anybody that was up there... with the exception of one or two people or three at the most. Nothing really changed when I was getting released, you know, I wasn't going in the building, I wasn't seeing people, I wasn't mingling with people, it wasn't a happy... it wasn't a good relationship.
BallerStatus.com: Moving forward, you recently signed a deal with an indie label. Who did you sign with?
Joe Budden: I have an album coming out in May, that's going to be released digitally on Amalgam .
BallerStatus.com: There are rumors about another signing that might be in the works. Would you like to address that?
Joe Budden: They're false; they're rumors.
BallerStatus.com: Getting back to Mood Muzik 3, why do you think it's receiving the attention that it is?
Joe Budden: I think a lot of people can identify with a lot of different things I talk about on Mood Muzik. I think people can relate and I think it's so different and out of the norm of what's happening in hip-hop, that people are receptive to it.
BallerStatus.com: Is that why you made it a full album?
Joe Budden: Yeah. I just wanted to make it accessible to more people. I felt it was such great music, like 79 minutes worth, it would be nice for the area to be able to hear it or just the people who are familiar with Joe Budden. I wanted to try to get in to the hands of some who never heard of Joe Budden or may not know the type of music that I make.
BallerStatus.com: Are the tracks the same?
Joe Budden: For the most part they're the same.
BallerStatus.com: How do you think the rap industry will take it once it hits mainstream?
Joe Budden: I think the people that get it will enjoy it. It's not for the casual hip-hop listener. It is really for hardcore hip-hop fans, people who don't have a short attention span, people who enjoy lyrics 'cause everything hits pretty hard and the lines come pretty fast, so you have to be able to withstand it. If you're able to do that I think it will be pretty enjoyable.
BallerStatus.com: Speaking about hip-hop and rap, how do you feel about it right now?
Joe Budden: I don't feel... I don't feel for it right now.
BallerStatus.com: Why?
Joe Budden: It's really not doing anything for me. Presently I just draw inspiration from other places where at one point rap was what I got inspired by. It's just not like that now. Very few artists push the button for me.
BallerStatus.com: Which artists push the button for you?
Joe Budden: Only Kanye gives me everything I want to hear. But I go to different people for different things. I go to Kanye, I go to, you know, Eminem hasn't released anything, but I go to him. Wayne... depends what I'm looking for; Andre 3000; I go to Beanie Sigel; I really enjoy Freeway's album; Fabolous; you know, Cassidy gives me something. I get something from everybody.
BallerStatus.com: Do you get anything from 50?
Joe Budden: Yeah, definitely. I think 50 gives the greatest interviews. I just enjoy listening to him.
BallerStatus.com: You have another album coming out entitled Padded Room. Tell us about it.
Joe Budden: Padded Room should be released around May.
BallerStatus.com: Will it be different from the Mood Muzik series and if so how?
Joe Budden: Definitely. Well for one, it's been a while since I have released anything outside of the Mood Muzik series so, you know, it'll have a lighter feel to it. But it will be in the form of the typical Joe Budden fan. The biggest difference... there will be more structure than the Mood Muzik series.
BallerStatus.com: Are you currently in the studio or is it pretty much a done deal?
Joe Budden: I'm working on it now.
BallerStatus.com: Any artists lined up?
Joe Budden: Not at the moment no.
BallerStatus.com: Who would you like to work with on this album?
Joe Budden: Nobody right now. Like there's nobody right now. I mean don't get me wrong, I'm a big fan of a lot of people, but there's nobody right now that I would say "I need this person on this album." I don't feel like that. If the opportunity presented itself, too many artists to name that I would work with.
BallerStatus.com: Do you feel you have something to prove finally getting back on track?
Joe Budden: Yeah definitely. I was sh--ted on for five years.
BallerStatus.com: Are there any other projects you are working on?
Joe Budden: No, right now just [getting] a major label deal, like I said. Gust got the Mood Muzik 3 being released and we have Padded Room being released this year and hopefully I'll have another album out before 2009 this year. So now that I'm actually able to, I just want to do it constantly.
BallerStatus.com: Do you feel 2008 is your year?
Joe Budden: Hopefully, you know, if everything falls into place. I'm not gonna say my year, but it will definitely be a critical year depending on the moves I make and the things I do. A set up year. Hopefully it will set me up to be presented to a larger audience.
BallerStatus.com: Finally, for those true fans that have been with you since day one. What would you like to tell them?
Joe Budden: I apologize for the bullsh-- and the bullsh-- is over. I say it all the time, Joe Budden fans are the most patient fans in the universe because, you know, through all of my trails and tribulations, [they] stuck right with me and they support me. I couldn't ask for better fans. I couldn't ask for better haters. For people to still hate on a guy that hasn't released music for so long, it's exciting.
http://www.ballerstatus.com/article/features/2008/01/3939/ (http://anonym.to/?http://www.ballerstatus.com/article/features/2008/01/3939/)