(Personal note - Joe Budden is dope to converse with)
JOE BUDDEN BY TARA MULDOON
Joe Budden is an MC that has built a growing fan base off of his ability to be refreshingly honest. I had tried a few different connects to lock down an interview with him and by the time it happened, I was nervous he'd be sick of discussing his current movements and controversy. However, I was pleasantly surprised when he was one of the nicest and friendliest artists I have interviewed to date.It is refreshing that an artist with his trials and tribulations still focuses on positive in his craft and what he knows is a long career for him. Budden recently dropped the highly acclaimed mixtape Halfway House (which features Canadian producer Pro-Logic) and is currently on tour across Canada. He is amped about his album Padded Room due February 2009 and the "alleged" supergroup Slaughterhouse.
Ladies and gentle, Mr. Budden:
HipHopCanada: Peace Mr. Budden, before we get into this, let's ease the readers. Padded Room is still confirmed for February 2009, right? No push backs?
Joe Budden: [Laughing] Yes. Yes it is.
HipHopCanada: Okay. Can you update us on Slaughterhouse?
Joe Budden: The alleged group?
HipHopCanada: [Laughing] Yes.
Joe Budden: Well, I heard that allegedly there is this supergroup that consists of myself, Joell Ortiz, Crooked I and Royce da 5'9".
HipHopCanada: Have you allegedly heard that there is an album coming out from this supergroup?
Joe Budden: Allegedly this is what I have heard. You know, the whole concept behind the track and group was really to take it back to a Lyricist Lounge vibe. No one is doing that anymore, no one openly competes on tracks anymore. The track was to fill a void and allegedly, this is what the rumoured supergroup would fill, too.
HipHopCanada: Got it. What is your favourite track from Halfway House?
Joe Budden: That's difficult. Truthfully, the album is incredible front to back but I think my favourite is "Under The Sun". No, probably "Sidetracks" or maybe "Anything Goes". Actually, all three. Yeah, all three.
HipHopCanada: What can we expect from Padded Room?
Joe Budden: Its bananas; trust that. It's my favourite album to date. It's also very dark, my darkest to date. Halfway House is my happy music.
HipHopCanada: When is Mood Musik 4 dropping?
Joe Budden: I’ve been starting and stopping that tape for a while. I can’t even tell you how many times I do that. I go hard; I can’t rush Mood Musik 4!
HipHopCanada: What is the track with The Game like?
Joe Budden: Buy it and find out! [Laughing].
HipHopCanada: Do you listen to your first album?
Joe Budden: Yes, I love it.
HipHopCanada: Even "Pump It Up"?
Joe Budden: [Laughing] Yes.
HipHopCanada: What's your favourite remix you've done?
Joe Budden: Whoa. You're going in. I’d say the “Pump It Up” remix.
HipHopCanada: That doesn’t count.
Joe Budden: [Laughing] But it is my favourite.
HipHopCanada: “Who” obviously had the bloggers going nuts. Did you receive any backlash for that?
Joe Budden: Nope, none. Actually, I think that’s why other artists started fucking with me more.
HipHopCanada: Why was “Touch and Go” the first single?
Joe Budden: You don't like it?
HipHopCanada: It's different.
Joe Budden: We wanted an up-tempo big first single. I’m not sure if that’s going to be on my album or not yet. I like that track! The video was fun to shoot. Most video shoots are boring and hard work, this one was actually fun.
HipHopCanada: [Laughing] It looked like it. You've been very open with showing your girl off, especially online. While she's stunning, you don't feel weird about that?
Joe Budden: Nah. We've been together forever . . . she's not some new chick I'm showing off. She needs me and I need her. She handles crazy me.
HipHopCanada: You seem to be particular about who you work with. How many people do you have on your business team?
Joe Budden: A good team is key. You need your publicist, accountant, manager, lawyer. I have all of that.
HipHopCanada: I've seen you rock this killer pink and grey Jay's hat. That's not a question, but more props than anything [Laughing].
Joe Budden: [Laughing] I love that hat.
HipHopCanada: You have worked with Canadians like Moss and Pro-Logic. Do you follow Canadian hip-hop?
Joe Budden: Yes.
HipHopCanada: Who do you listen to?
Joe Budden: I mean, I don't know any names. I'm on the internet all day checking out music. I check all these sites; if it's hot then it's hot no matter where it's from.
HipHopCanada: Do you feel you're underrated?
Joe Budden: Yes. That's what I'm supposed to say, right? Well, maybe underrated isn't the right word. Maybe not recognized enough? That's not even right. Maybe not commercial enough?
HipHopCanada: You have a large underground fan base.
Joe Budden: Yeah. Well, I don't know if it's underground as much as it is people who just like realistic music.
HipHopCanada: Are you different in real life than your music portrays?
Joe Budden: I'm so much happier. I think fans would be surprised to know this. That's probably why I am so happy; because I'm so aggressive and depressed in my music.
HipHopCanada: Do you have any favourite Canadian tour memories?
Joe Budden: No comment. I'm with my girl right now, you can't ask that [Laughing].
HipHopCanada: What's your favourite Canadian city?
Joe Budden: I hate to say this because I'm sure it's what everyone says but fuck it . . . I love Toronto. I probably love it the most because that's where I've been the most but that's my spot to go to.
HipHopCanada: What can fans expect from this tour?
Joe Budden: Energy, man. I give the crowd what they want.
HipHopCanada: Will you be performing anything from Halfway House?
Joe Budden: If that's what the crowd wants. I mean, if they start shouting out that's what they want, I’ve got to give them that.
HipHopCanada: Do you have any pre-performance rituals?
Joe Budden: Drink! Besides that . . . nah. I used to get nervous when I was younger but not anymore, now I drink and have a good time with the people.
HipHopCanada: How old were you when you first performed?
Joe Budden: Hmmm. 17, can't remember where though. I was crazy nervous.
HipHopCanada: What are you listening to these days?
Joe Budden: Easy question. Mood Musik 1, 2, 3 . . . Um, Halfway House and what I have of Padded Room.
HipHopCanada: [Laughing] I'm not printing that.
Joe Budden: Okay, okay. I'm actually on some eighties music vibe. Eighties rock! I listen to myself and eighties music. No hip-hop, no rap. Rock!
HipHopCanada: Rock music. Got it! [Laughing] Now I have some reader questions for you. Ready?
Joe Budden: Let's do it.
HipHopCanada: "Calm Down" is the type of track that changes a listener’s life. Can you speak on that?
Joe Budden: Honestly, it's those comments that keep me in music. I frame listener comments and letters that let me know I've made an impact, that's what matters. "Calm Down" is also my favourite track I've ever done. True story and I'm glad it touches people. Even if it helped just one.
HipHopCanada: Dope. Is the “Triangle Offense” still alive?
Joe Budden: Nah. I mean . . . maybe one day, but not now.
HipHopCanada: Who is Killa BH?
Joe Budden: [Laughing] That’s my nigga. He’s a friend of mine, had to put him on the mixtape. There will be more of him.
HipHopCanada: Dope. Alright, I've done a really good job of not asking about the hundreds of beefs you're involved in.
Joe Budden: [Laughing] I'm involved in beefs?
HipHopCanada: So to make up for it, what can you let readers know about you that may surprise them?
Joe Budden: I'm actually really happy. Maybe it's the bi-polar in me but I'm really happy. I even want to make friends with those people from my past.
HipHopCanada: Even Jay-Z?
Joe Budden: [Laughing] Sure, I love Jay. You'd probably get a different answer tomorrow though.
Tara's's note: I caught up with Joe Budden again at his concert where he filled me in that while they are excited about the future of Slaughterhouse; contractual issues are preventing him from speaking about it on record.Editor's note: For more information on Joe Budden stay tuned to http://www.joebuddentv.com/ -- jumping off on January 1st, 2009.
