Joe Budden has been on the radar as an emcee for a decade, producing successful hits and critically-acclaimed mixtapes, along with working with legends and some of the brightest lyricists and producers in the game. First gaining notoriety as a sought-out underground mixtape artist, Budden’s 2003 Def Jam self-titled debut ripped on the scenes and solidified his presence as an artist to look out for. Since then, the then “budding” rapper’s resume has grown; he left Def Jam and released four albums independently, along with forming the group Slaughterhouse with members Crooked I, Royce da 5’9″ Joell Ortiz and Nino Bless.
Now, the Jersey City emcee is prepping a new album called No Love Lost out on February 5th, and a tenure on season 3 on the popular VH1 reality show Love & Hip-Hop. Budden chatted with Rappersroom about living life on reality TV, his legacy as an emcee, his way with the ladies, and more.
Rappersroom: You’re a newbie cast member for the upcoming third season of Love & Hip-Hop. How does it feel to know that your life is going to be so heavily exposed to the public?
Joe Budden: My life has been exposed through my music since I came on the scene so for me, that part anyway, is not anything new. The outlet is what’s new, being on television once a week. It’s interesting, but I welcome it.
Rappersroom: You’ve dropped classic mixtapes, collaborated with some of the best lyricist of today and given us great upbeat music. What do you want to contribute to Hip Hop when it is all said and done?
Budden: We’ll that’s up to God and the fans. I just wanna be respected amongst my peers at being pretty good at what I do, and that’s all. We all wanna be recognized for our talents. That’s really all I could ask for.
Rappersroom: What’s your creative process like?
Budden: My music is based off emotion. Very, very introspective. It’s as easy as waiting for life to happen and writing about it, almost as simple as keeping a journal about your day to day experiences. And when you do that, you avoid things like writer’s block, and some of the struggles that go along with creating music just for the sake of creating it.
Rappersroom: The cover of your upcoming LP “No Love Lost” when through some changes. The first one shows your progression throughout the years, and the second is you amid a mirage of people. What’s the reason for the change and what’s the meaning behind the covers?
Budden: We just liked one picture better than another.
Rappersroom: (laughs) Nothing deeper than that?
Budden: Yeah I was just that simple.
Rappersroom: You enlisted Wiz Khalifa and French Montana for a track on “No Love” called “N.B.A.” What was it like working with Wiz and French?
Budden: “Never Broke Again” is the name of that song. We’ll probably put it out in about two weeks. But it was great, Wiz is amazing. He’s easily one of the most amazing people that I’ve had the pleasure of working with. He’s a great guy. I’ve known French for a few years, but this was actually our first time working together. It turned out really, really, really, really good, and I thank both of those brothers for being involved with the project.
Rappersroom: Does it get frustrating when it seems like your love life gets put in the spotlight over your musical craft at times?
Budden: No, not for me. I come from the school of whatever attracts you, as long as you’re attracted, whether that be my personal life [or other things]. It doesn’t make me a difference either way. You got different audiences for each. There’s enough people to go around.
Rappersroom: What are 3 things a woman must have for you to be attracted to them?
Budden: Intelligence, humility, and logic.
Rappersroom: Was it hard to balance dealing with your ex-girlfriend and your present girlfriend?
Budden: It wasn’t difficult for me (laughs). It may have been difficult for some other people, I didn’t have a problem. I’m honest in all of my relationships, in all of my feelings, or I try to be to the best of my ability, so no, it wasn’t hard. It’s difficult dealing with Tahiry at times, I’ll be honest. That can be a headache from time to time. But we got through it. (laughs)
Rappersroom: Do you go to Jersey City sometimes or do you stay away?
Budden: I’m headed to Jersey City now! (laughs)
Rappersroom: If you could have a super power what would it be why?
Budden: I’d like to read minds. I just enjoy knowing what’s on people brains.
Favorite R&B artist of all time: Prince
Favorite Candy: I try not to eat candy, but Snickers are pretty good.
Favorite Reality show besides Love & Hip-Hop: None
Favorite Dance: The bedroom boogie
Favorite Gangsta rap group: N.W.A.
Favorite one-liner: Suck my d**k
Favorite Alcoholic beverage: I don’t drink
Favorite R&B group of the 90s: Boyz II Men
Favorite Vacation destination: Home
It seems Jump Off Joe Budden has his hands full, but looks to be ready for the challenge. Let’s see how he handles his ladies as we watch the weekly episodes of Love & Hip Hop. Hopefully, we’ll have some “Stevie J.” moments.
What do you think the ladies like the most about “Jump Off” Joe Budden? (Hit us at @singersroom for your opinion.)
