Joe Budden, the “Pump it Up” emcee, created his moods to navigate shady deals and find triumph despite his everyday struggles that may have left less of an emcee obsolete. While on a mainstream hiatus toward the end of the last decade with music falling on def ears; Joe reinvented himself through therapeutic bars and a knack for jumping in front the cam for JoebuddenTv, providing a template for what the reality shows that are all the rage now would follow. We admire the women, the ambition, the lyrics but can’t help but love to hate the motherfucker that flips his middle finger to contemporary Hip Hop (mainly Trap) at every instance. The real question is, why do we even care about an arrogant asshole one hit wonder turned reality star that had to take a day job?
We shouldn’t admit this shit but the game needs him. Watching the Joe that just over a year ago was super hyped to lyrically spar with Aubrey now proclaim “retirement” in between pissing of the industry 4 days out of the week somehow makes us feel like the joke is on us. This guy keeps turning perceived failures into newfound success. Its not by chance that Budden, in ruffling the feathers of Hip Hop’s reigning nice guy, is drilling holes through coloring book covers from the comfort of Complex chairs. This nigga is still eager to prove his pen game yet again, and long-term fans may be asking Joe “are you in that mood yet?” but he’s put his personal ambitions aside to be the culture’s public consigliere. To only rap at this stage of his turbulent career would be a disservice to the culture he loves even if the industry, young rappers, and capricious fans often make Joe the butt of the joke, he continues to grow comfortable as the asshole with a cause.
“Only when the tide goes out do you discover who’s been swimming naked.” ~Warren Buffet
Industry rule #4080 record company people are shady and Joe is using his position as a commentator rather than artist to sound the alarm on the big-wig’s bullshit. What seemed like shots a Yatchy was really just an ill-communicated attempt to share some business sense with the “Boats” artist. It came off as ‘fuck being happy’ but what got lost in translation was ‘get your money’ and ALL of it. Eager artist often enjoy riding the high tides of their career with out preparing for when that same tide washes up, instead opting to sell publishing for a quick check and find themselves up shit creek. Just insert your favorite artist for an example and you’ll realize Joe was sounding an alarm on Yatchy’s titanic success and crucified himself for the greater good of all artist. His industry vendetta is a godsend for burgeoning performers seeking insight.
Let’s not forget despite his professed displeasure with the younger artist he still loves Hip Hop and has its best interest at heart. Joe was able to grab a slice of the rap shit when Roc-a-Fella was crumbling, Lil Jon was spring boarding Atlanta to unforeseen heights, just before 50 bullied his way to the top. Now the game has reinvented itself, but the underdog, like Joe in his heyday, is embarking on that #1 spot. Uzi is Joe, 21 is Joe, Xxxtentacion is Joe! These young guys are feeling them selves and having fun doing so. Sometimes his dismissal of them is akin to Jay skipping out on the Pump It Up remix only to snatch that shit for himself. We need Budden to grab Akademiks playlist and get acquainted before he’s late to the party. There’s even some heat coming out of the label he’s signed to via Westside Gunn and Griselda family dawning that Shady banner, proving that many facets of Hip Hop can co-exist in today’s market.
While he masquerades as impermeable by the music of the young movers, when he does pay attention the analysis is always on par with a level of accuracy that communicates that the seemingly washed up emcee needs to play A&R for the whole industry. His ear has become beyond proficient from not only being a dope emcee but from being a real student and fan of the music. When Joe listens he listens hard with an ear fine tuned by the creative apex the music reached in the 90’s and the mind of a rapper looking to be not only impressed but inspired as well. His survival story and wisdom collected along the way makes a valuable guardian of artistic integrity and the assurance that this Hip Hop renaissance will expand enough to satisfy his disgruntled perspective. We gotta raise the banner and let Budden know despite his transgressions we fuck with what he has to offer so much that we’re outside the slaughterhouse demanding he come’s out and continues to offer that bitter truth that the game needs. It’s not about him liking the young artists music but him offering his creative insight to assure the proliferation of the culture.
-Matthew Carroll
