Joe Budden:
Joe Budden

Release Date: 16 June 2003

Reviewed By: Spyce

1. Intro

2. #1

3. Pump It Up

4. Pusha Man

5. U Ain't Gotta Go Home

6. Walk With Me

7. She Wanna Know (feat. Lil' Mo)

8. Survivor

9. Fire (feat. Busta Rhymes)

10. Ma Ma Ma (feat. 112)

11. Calm Down

12. Focus

13. Give Me Reason

14. Stand Up Nucca

15. 10 Mins.

16. Real Life In Rap

17. Porno Star

Joe Budden - Joe Budden

Joe Budden is the debut album from Harlem born rapper Joseph Budden, Jr. The 22-year-old MC Joe has not stuck to tradition and decided not to add too many guest appearances and this allows Joe to show us what he can do. For some reason Def Jam decided to sit on Joe Budden for nearly 3 years waiting for the right moment to let him out to an unsuspecting world. About 4 years ago Joe came on to the mix tape scene where he had been working hard producing mix tapes for his underground fan base.

The first single from the self entitled album is the Hypnotic jaunt of "Pump It Up" and is just the beginning for this not so average Joe. The album from this mix tape junkie shows that the hype he raised from those mix tapes was not just propaganda. The album begins with a short intro and then it is all go with the Just Blaze club banger "Pump It Up". Then things take an interesting twist and give a duller feel as new producer 'White Boy' takes the reigns for nearly the whole album. The powerful "Walk with Me" and the classic horns on "She Wanna Know" helped with ease by Lil' Mo makes helps the album appeal to more than just Hip Hoppers.

Joe does show an interesting and exposed side of his character on the profound track "Survivor" speaking more deeply about his life and taking a completely different format for this song which sounds more like an old mysterious funk track than a Rap song. The club bangers continue with "Focus" the pounding bass on this track very impressive.

Just Blaze does return on the commanding track "Fire" which features the relentless Busta Rhymes who can always add the piece which is missing from a puzzle. Busta Rhymes unique style helps to make this track a contender for Joe's next big single release and with Busta on board this will increase the marketability of Joe. Word is already spreading of a new video where Joe is penned to work with director Diane Martel to shoot the video who has made many videos including "Who's that girl?" by Eve, "Just a friend" by Mario, "My neck, my back" by Khia and the anthem 'Grindin' by The Clipse. The album is a good enough endeavour and will do very well. It has its points where you want more, but this is can be put down to nurturing of the new star know as Joe Budden. Even though he has started like 50 Cent with Mix tapes, the similarities stop there. His lyrical talent is founded, but I still think we have only scratched the surface of that man called Joe.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Favourite three tracks:

7. She Wanna Know (featuring. Lil' Mo)
8. Survivor
9. Fire (featuring Busta Rhymes)

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