My Top 20 Joe Budden Songs: Part 1 (#20 to #11)

[DanWS]

Bonjour, I haven’t really done one of these lists before, so I thought I’d make one counting down my top 20 Joe Budden songs. These are my personal favourites of the rapper who I consider to be the best in the world right now and the most consistent over the last 3 years. So feel free to agree, disagree or whatever, with the choices I’ve made. In this thread I’m listing numbers 20 to 11, and for each one I’ll write a few sentences about the song and detail why each one makes it into my top 20. I’ll also quote some of my favourite lines from each song.

Anyway, this isn’t just for people who are already Joe Budden fans – I’m hoping some of you who haven’t checked him out yet might get a decent insight into him as an artist and become interested in his music.

With that being said, here are my Top 20 Joe Budden songs...

Honourable mentions: I Couldn’t Help It, 10 Minutes, Remember The Titans, Dear Diary, Escape Route Intro.

20: Good Enough (Escape Route, 2009)



The only entry from Escape Route that makes it into my top 20. Like a lot of the songs in this list, the content of this track is pretty deep and introspective. Joe talks about his depression and, as the title would indicate, how everything he does never quite works out the way he wants it to... “I’m just givin y’all the best of me/and y’all just turn that into stress for me”. He also briefly mentions the controversy his outspoken nature has sparked among his peers.

Favourite line(s):
I can't explain it, it comes from home
Make me uncomfortable and you gon' put me in a comfort zone

19: Inseperable (Mood Muzik 4: A Turn 4 The Worst, 2010)



The first entry from Mood Muzik 4 in my list. With an emotive sample, beat and hook, “Inseperable” is a tribute to Joe’s closest friends, his mother and a former lover. Verse two, which is dedicated to his mother, is my favourite, with Joe expressing his love for her in a very raw and frank manner. A very sincere and energised performance helps this really strike a chord.

Favourite line(s):
Single mother, held it down when my pop was locked away
Cried every time I gave my mom a gift on Father’s Day.

18: Pray For Me (Padded Room, 2009)



A chilling, haunting beat and vivid storytelling make up Pray For Me, one of two songs from Joe’s third studio album Padded Room in my top 20. Joe confronts all the sins he has committed in his life and his bad qualities as a person through a meeting with God who tells him his entry into heaven “can not be guaranteed”. However, as God is relaying Joe’s sins to him, Budden gets angry and argues back, calling out the hypocritical nature of God who he says causes more pain and suffering in the world than anyone else. As usual great imagery concocted by Budden, and overall a very eerie track which a lot of hip-hop heads will appreciate.

Favourite lines:
I know you stole from your mothers purse
You can't count that, that was way back when!
It’s still a sin
But I was ten!
You robbed people, stole
Yeah and YOU made me see jail!
But I also seen you lay your hands on a female
Sold drugs to parents none of that was needed
Abandoned your child, on every girl you cheated
Done wrong to people that only want the best for you
Any time you thought you were alone I was next to you

Gave us Bush twice God I hate to be rude
But you let skinny niggas starve give obese niggas food
THE NERVE of you telling me I don't deserve to stay here
When you gave us drugs and GUNS you put AIDS here!
Take a look at you, your actions are cold hearted
The harsh shit is you bring babies in the world retarded
I know most my actions put me in a cell
But how you mad at me when you put me in the hell

17: Def Jam Diss (Mood Muzik 1: The Worst Of Joe Budden, 2004)



One of only two songs from the original Mood Muzik mixtape that makes my top 20, this inclusion would probably be a surprise to most Joe Budden fans as it doesn’t seem to be so highly regarded among them. But I think Joe tells an interesting story of what happened with his tenure under Def Jam. This is the most, as far as I’m aware, that he ever went into detail about what really happened and how he got shelved. For those who don’t know, Joe was supposed to be the next big star under the iconic Def Jam record label around 2003, as Budden explains himself the popularity of his lead single “Pump It Up” (“BET rated me ‘Next’, we coming up Jersey/Air time, MTV Buzzworthy/If that ain’t make things final/The song played all throughout the World Series and the NBA Finals”). However, when the time came for his album to be released, the sales figures were disappointing despite the success of his lead single and his subsequent hit “Fire” feat. Busta Rhymes. Joe also details how his voice started to go as he was meant to be finishing up the album (his voice is also very hoarse on this track), which meant him having to take steroid shots just to keep him going. Anyway, if you listen he tells the story clearly enough and it’s pretty sad how he was inevitably left to rot at the label until he was released.

Favourite line(s):
Wrap up ya album Joey its goin out now
Only problem is my voice is goin out now
Doc said I need a surgey to fix it
And if something goes wrong it could be permanitly twisted!

Now Def Jam wants ya boy on tour
This is important, you can't back out
Its good exposure and 112's coming back out
I’m on their second single and they’re on mine
I’m ‘bout to shine, June 10th yup its time - but wait!
Something must be wrong with the Soundscan
That’s when it all started to go down man

16: Follow Your Lead (Mood Muzik 4: A Turn 4 The Worst, 2010)



Itssssss that on top muzik! Follow Your Lead is the second of five songs from Mood Muzik 4 that make my top 20 (actually seven if you include the additions made on 4.5) and has an uplifting feel to it. The theme centres on Joe deciding to leaving behind the controversy and drama that had been surrounding him for the few previous years and him finally just seeking the right road to go down. Joe is talking to God throughout the song, asking for his guidance. And with a dope verse from Joell Ortiz for good measure, Budden expresses his desire to make a new start very poignantly. Since MM4 Joe’s content has become less depression-based and more accepting of himself.

Favourite line(s):
Say I should be pleased, what if I'm saddened?
Always say I been through worse, what if I haven't?
But if that holds true, here's the lesson,
If you keep your head down, you might miss out on the blessing...

When I feel like I can't get weaker
You always come and make a cameo or feature.
I'm good with my insanity and fevers
Cause Pac's looking from heaven saying "They ain't understand me neither"
A lotta times you leave me exposed,
And laugh at me, still thinking I could be in control.
Help me weather the storm, altogether I ain't norm.
Cause I always disagree, though you aint never been wrong.

15: Broken Wings Freestlye (2006, unlisted)



Over the same sample used for Tupac’s “Broken Wings”, but flipped differently. This is one of two songs in my list that is not featured on any mixtape or album. Dopeness from start to finish.

Favourite line(s):
Yo, the voices aint leave yet, just getting their feet wet
Eyes red, im up, aint been to sleep yet
Damn near 2 days, aint even eat yet
If you don't wanna bounce, at least take a little recess
& Still im faced with the bullshit
Feelin like Willie D, Scarface and Bushwick

Some wanna threaten me, ruin my health
Let me teach you a little something 'bout depression
Ain't shit you could do to me I ain't already thought about doing to myself
Feel like A-Rod, some say his time's up
Boo a nigga at home, yup I'm in my prime But
he by far the best player on the team
And then turn around, drop 'em to the bottom of the lineup

14: Just To Be Different (Halfway House, 2008)



Another very nice sample, this song is one of only two tracks from the Halfway House album, and as the title suggests is about Joe’s struggle to fit in with “regular” people. Another very frank and honest confession of his inability to blend in with the crowd – but then again, why try to fit in when you’re a standout?

Favourite lyrics:
They told me front, I said what for?
Said it again, I said, fuck y'all!
I won't succumb to all the stereotypes
Won't sacrifice me for what the stereo hypes.
They told me get in where you fit in -
This is what's in demand now
(So I...) Told 'em why try to fit in when you’re a stand out?

13: Sidetracked (Halfway House, 2008)



The highest entry from the Halfway House album, this song is primarily about the debilitating mood swings Joe experiences and how they have affected his career. Sometimes everything is in place and he is able to fulfil his potential, but it’s difficult to stay on the right track because of his constantly changing thoughts and [lack of] motives.

Favourite line(s):
Look, sometimes I wanna make money
But sometimes I ain't motivated; sometimes I think it's overrated
Sometimes I'm thinkin I wasn't supposed to make it
But what I show is basic, I normally poker-face it (what else?)
Sometimes I wanna make music
Sometimes I think it's just useless
So y'all don't hear a lot of new shit
Clueless, dependin on what my mood is
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Note: From this point on I rate every song as a classic. With that being said.....

12: Money’s On Me (unlisted, 2010)



Aside from Joe’s lyricism and typically vivid storytelling, what makes this song great is an incredible beat by J. Cardim and fantastic energy, delivery and hook from Budden. Wanna see why I rate J Cardim as one of the best producers in the world right now? Skip to around 40 seconds and wait to see how he completely turns the beat on its head to change the direction of the song entirely – which Joe of course makes the most of. If you’re lookin for more energised/upbeat Budden content definitely check this song out!

“When the gun blow, and the shots fall, and the smoke clears, we’ll be right here!”

Favourite line(s):
Why they wanna make C4 ignite?
Benzino called him [me] weird, he couldn’t be more right!
Too busy tryna do what you incapable of
Time is money when it come to mine take it in blood!”

11: Who Killed Hip Hop Parts 1,2, & 3 (unlisted, 2008)



I hate that this doesn’t make my top 10. Whether you’re a fan of Joe Budden or not, every fan of hip-hop should listen to this song. Referencing Nas’ controversial “hip-hop is dead” claims, Joe was the only rapper really bold enough to address it and investigate where and how it went wrong and who was responsible. Some of the most important moments in the genre are mentioned and discussed here as Joe goes through a timeline of events in a bid to find out who killed it. Was it the fans, was it DJs, the producers, the politics behind the scenes, the radio, the labels or the rappers themselves that killed it? Dope sample throughout, too. Listen to this song - it’s 15-plus minutes of pure dopeness that I guarantee you won’t regret wasting.

Favourite line(s):
Bring it up and dude's get on some coise shit
Was it T-Pain with that funny voice shit?
Or was it Lil' Wayne with that funny voice shit?
The whole game dick rode that funny voice shit

Unit kicked Game out - they ain't give a fuck
Then we seen the same shit happen to Buck
It was a few years ago but I remember the summer
50 made fans start lookin’ at the numbers

I mean all the content is the same, it won't differ
Everybody sold some drugs and pulled triggers

Was it when the Wu broke up?
Pac, Big, Pun, went to sleep never woke up
Lupe was doin a tribute and choked up
And some of these stupid ass fan's like so what

DJs, producers, one's that get us the farthest
Said "fuck rappers" and they became the artists

Or did one hit wonders change it all along?
They made labels only wanna sign a dude's song

Canibus made one of the dopest diss records but some still say that he lost
I ain't believe my ears when niggas tried to tell me
That KRS wanted a rap beef with Nelly!

________________________________________________________________________________

Alright there’s too many dope lines in this song, I’m gonna stop now. Check it out for yourself.

And with that being said, there we have numbers 20 to 11 of my Top 20 Joe Budden songs. I’ll post the Top 10 in a couple of days. Feel free to comment/agree/disagree/whatever. Peaceeee.

[LIL_B]

where is DA at

[Devil'sAdvocate]

Im gonna cry if you dont bring up Three sides to a story.

Other than that,all of these are classic records.

[DanWS]

Im gonna cry if you dont bring up Three sides to a story.

Other than that,all of these are classic records.

Most of Budden's music is classic, lol!

But what I always wondered is that "Canibus" line, I never asked about it and now seem like an appropriate time and place for me to ask about it....What diss record was Joe talking about there?

lol DA you might need a handkerchief then

Revolutionary, Joe was referencing "Second Round K.O." by Canibus - as a diss record it was easily better than LL's "Ripper Strikes Back", but it seemed to go over everybody's heads as Bis' career ultimately dwindled following a rubbish first album, while LL maintained his relevance in the game.

[Trimss]

Please go on, I want to know the second part.

This is just an awesome post.

[RaidsTheThrone]

Love what you doing homie for real that was dope

but if Hello Expectations and Dumb out aint in top 10 ohh you gon get it

[DanWS]

@ Trimss & Raids - thanks, I appreciate that. I'll try and have #10 to #1 up here tomorrow. Oh and Raids, one of those songs you mentioned is in the top 10, and one is not

[Devil'sAdvocate]

oh and im that big of a joe stan that i know Who Killed Hip Hop word for word,i love this guy,hes so fucking hip hop educated.

[Devil'sAdvocate]

did u ever come over to completing your list?

[DƎRDYPK]

Just to be Different is a VTZ beat

[Emadyville]

broken wings is one of my fav by him and who killed hip hop not in the top 3 is crazy but i didnt see top 10 yet so

[slimsoxshady]

Just To Be Different gotta be top 10

[Spyder]

Family Reunion. Dumb Out. No Idea. When it all Implodes.
Happy Holidays. Hello Expectations

[Graphic]

Sorry for bumping an old thread, but you should really finish this.

[Spyder]

no warnings for bumping but clearly it wont be finished, if ud like it to Dan pm me and ill unlock it