Music career

Joe Budden initially gained popularity on New York City's influential mixtape circuit. He is widely known for his work on mixtapes by such DJs as DJ Clue, Clinton Sparks, DJ On Point, DJ Big Mike and DJ Envy. He was also an affiliate of DJ Clue's Desert Storm Records, and maintains a close relationship with artists signed to the label, such as Fabolous.

His most popular work in the mixtape circuit is his "Mood Muzik" series. His 2005 mixtape Mood Muzik 2: Can It Get Any Worse? is often regarded as one of the best mixtapes ever made.

His first studio album is called Joe Budden. Joe is currently working on his second album titled The Growth, however it has suffered numerous delays, leading some to speculate that the album is in some sort of music equivalent of development hell, though he denies this. Following his release from Def Jam, the current status of the album is unknown. It is scheduled to come out sometime after Mood Muzik 3, and many anxious Hip-Hop fans anticipate its long delayed release.

Mood Muzik 3 (Prequel to The Growth)

As Joe Budden stated in an interview , he's currently reviewing his options on how to release the next installment in the Mood Muzik mixtape series, Mood Muzik 3: It's About To Get Worse. In a recent interview on October 11th, 2007, Joe Budden states that the highly anticipated mixtape will be released in December.

Controversy and Beef

G-Unit

In 2004, a feud was started between Joe and the G-Unit camp. On a mixtape freestyle Budden did with The Game and Stack Bundles ("Crosscountry Connection"), Game (who was still affiliated with G-Unit at the time) took offense to Joe's line, "[the] G-Unit [music] video with all the gangsta actors". The Game claimed that he was unaware that Budden was even going to be on the track and accused him of attempting to embarrass him by dissing G-Unit on a song featuring a G-Unit member. Diss songs were exchanged, with Game releasing the notorious diss "Buddens" (which used the instrumental from "Colors" by Ice T). Budden replied with "Game Over" (a song that used the instrumental to "It's Funky Enough" by The D.O.C.), in which Budden would call Game just "a replacement until [Tony] Yayo gets home".. Budden would later release a diss aimed 50 Cent titled Heartbeatology (which uses the instrumental to Raekwon's "Criminology") and another at the whole of G-Unit titled "Big Shot" (which samples "Big Shot" by Billy Joel). The beef would later be ended in August 2004, as both men wished to focus on their careers and upcoming albums.

Jay-Z

Joe Budden raised eyebrows on a remix of "Pump it Up" featuring Jay-Z where the rappers appeared to be dissing each other. This has led to speculations of bad blood between the two being a factor in the constant delays his second album has suffered, since Jay Z is now the President of Joe's parent label - Def Jam. However, both men have denied this.

Ransom

In October of 2007 a diss track entitled "Kid Brother" began circulating the internet. Ransom is known as a former member of the defunct rap group "A-Team" along with Joe Budden and Hitchcock. On "Kid Brother, Ransom uses Kanye West's "Big Brother" instrumental and chorus style to criticize Joe Budden of being a "snake" for leaving the group after the success of "Pump It Up".

Within hours, Joe Budden responded with "Heart of the City" over the same instrumental used by Jay-Z . In the introduction of this song Joe Budden is heard whistling and states that "it isnt real beef when a nigga's whistling", in order to demonstrate his lack of intimidation from Ransom's threats.

Ransom's second diss track towards Joe Budden was "Somebody's Gonna Die Tonight".

Joe Budden again replied with "Ransom Note", a diss track clocking in at about 9 minutes. This time Joe Budden chose to record of the "Take Over" instrumental originally used by Jay-Z towards Nas during their infamous beef. Joe Budden uses several personal and candid insults towards Ransom including his working at Home Depot, going to school for culinary arts, and street credibility as a whole. Joe Budden also expresses that this controversy was out of desperation on Ransom's part because of lack of mainstream interest in his previous musical efforts.

Joe Budden says he does not wish to continue the beef because he still considers Ransom his friend, as well as finding it immature and not worth his time.

Release From Def Jam

After months of speculation Joe Budden was released from Def Jam and made the following statement:

"I'm just happy we were finally able to cut all ties. I feel like I have all the talent in the world, but for some reason was never able to showcase it there,I'm looking forward to whatever God has in store for me, and Joe Budden fans should know - today is a beautiful day."

Discography

• Joe Budden (June 10, 2003)
• Mood Muzik: The Worst of Joe Budden (Mixtape, 2003)
• Mood Muzik 2: Can It Get Any Worse? (Mixtape, 2005)

Upcoming releases

• Mood Muzik 3: It's About To Get Worse (Mixtape, December 2007)
• The Growth (Mid 2008)

Singles

• 2003: "Pump It Up"
• 2003: "Focus"
• 2003: "Clubbin" (Marques Houston featuring Joe Budden)
• 2004: "Fire" (featuring Busta Rhymes)
• 2005: "Gangsta Party" (featuring Nate Dogg)
• 2007: "Because Of You (Remix)" (Ne-Yo featuring Joe Budden)
• 2007: "Star Inside Of Me"

Awards/Nominations

• Black Reel Awards
  • 2004, Best Song from a Movie: "Pump It Up" from: 2 Fast 2 Furious (Nominated)

• Grammy Awards
  • 2003, Best Male Rap Solo Performance: "Pump It Up" (Nominated)

• MOBO Awards
  • 2004, Best Collaboration: "Clubbin'" w/ Marques Houston (Nominated)
  • 2003, Best Hip-Hop Act: (Nominated)

• Vibe Awards
  • 2003, Vibe Next Award: (Winner)