joe budden Archives

Royce 5’9 Reacts To KXNG Crooked’s Surprise Disbanding Of Slaughterhouse (Video)

Many Hip-Hop fans were shocked to learn of KXNG Crooked's exit from Slaughterhouse last weekend (April 20). The Long Beach, California MC once known as Crooked I released a video thanking his brothers, Eminem, and Shady Records, as well as fans. In the video, Crook' explained that the collective is... Read more

April 24, 2018 News, Video

Finding The GOAT Group: Slaughterhouse vs. Run The Jewels. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Group,” the fourth installment of Ambrosia For Heads’s annual battle series features Hip-Hop’s greatest collectives vying for the #1 spot. Sixty-two groups have been pre-selected by a panel of experts, and one slot will be reserved for a wild-card entry, including the possibility for write-in candidates, to... Read more

April 23, 2018 Best Hip-Hop Group, Finding the GOAT

KXNG Crooked Has Left Slaughterhouse. Here’s Why (Video)

For the last decade, Slaughterhouse helped set a trend of MCs raising their profiles through forming a super-group. The cross-country collective of Royce 5'9, Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz, and KXNG Crooked (fka Crooked I) released two albums, an EP, and two mixtapes between 2009 and 2014. Slaughterhouse's future appears to... Read more

April 22, 2018 News, Video

Drake Announces His Next Album & It Just Might Sting

This month marks three years since Drake released an album. The rapping-singing superstar gave his fans More Life in 2017. However, that Young Money/Cash Money/Universal Republic Records project was presented as a playlist, not an album. Additionally, the OVO founder did not submit the #1 release to the Recording Academy... Read more

April 16, 2018 News

Joe Budden’s Son Makes His Own Mood Music About His Father’s Shortcoming (Audio)

From Jaden Smith to Chris Rivers, Hip-Hop is witnessing second-generation MCs flourish on the mic. Joe Budden's son, Trey, is the latest "Rap kid" to come forth with music. Approaching 18 years old, Trey Budden appears to share his father's penchant for venting stress over catchy beats. However, in what... Read more

March 19, 2018 Audio

Vic Mensa Says His Freestyle Has No Shots At Joe Budden. You Be The Judge. (Audio)

Last week, Drake released a two-song project known as Scary Hours that spawned a very exciting week in music. "God's Plan" set a new record for single-day streams. Meanwhile, "Diplomatic Immunity" reignited year-and-a-half old beef with Joe Budden. It's been an especially busy month for Joe, who some past Shady... Read more

January 26, 2018 Audio

Star From “Star & Buc Wild” Replaces Joe Budden As “Everyday Struggle” Co-Host (Video)

In the closing days of 2017, Joe Budden announced his departure from The Everyday Struggle. The host, MC, and reality TV personality exited after he was not able to negotiate a new contract with Complex, who produces the weekday talk show. Co-hosts DJ Akademiks and Nadeska Alexis used guests including... Read more

January 22, 2018 News, Video

Drake Re-Ignites His Feud With Joe Budden On A Song Filled With Shots (Audio)

Life is too short to listen to bad music. So…let AFH fight through it for you and only supply you with that great stuff. Despite the reports, Hip-Hop is alive and well and, in many ways, is better than it’s ever been. Not only are we able to go back... Read more

January 20, 2018 Audio

Joe Budden Says Eminem Did Not Diss Him & There Is No Beef (Video)

This week, a series of events have signaled one of 2018's first Rap conflicts. Eminem's "Chloraseptic (Remix)" verse was very clearly aimed at those who seem to be criticizing his latest direction and Revival album. Hours later, one of Em's former D12 band-mates, and onetime Shady Records artists, Bizarre, said... Read more

January 10, 2018 News, Video

D12’s Bizarre Says Eminem Sent Shots At Joe Budden On His New Song (Video)

Yesterday (January 8) Eminem released the "Chloraseptic (Remix)." In a grabbing new verse alongside bars from 2 Chainz and Phresher, Marshall Mathers confronts critics, haters, and naysayers of his artistic direction, especially 2017 album, Revival. According to at least one Shady Records artist (and somebody with more than 20 years... Read more

January 9, 2018 News, Video

Joe Budden Provides A Timeline Of Events For Why He Left Everyday Struggle (Audio)

In 2017, Joe Budden added a new column to his extensive resumé: talk show host. The veteran Jersey City, New Jersey MC and Slaughterhouse member had expanded his music career to reality television and podcasts in the last decade. Teaming with Complex journalist Nadeska Alexis and prominent social media influencer... Read more

December 20, 2017 Audio, News, TV, TV/Film

Joe Budden Gains New Perspective On His Migos Altercation, With The Therapist (Video)

One of the biggest viral moments of 2017 took place at this year's BET Awards, and it had nothing to do with what happened on stage. Prior to the show, an awkward interview unfolded on the red carpet between the hosts of Complex's Everyday Struggle--Joe Budden, DJ Akademiks and Nadeska--and... Read more

October 3, 2017 Video

Def Jam Records May Soon Be The Gold Standard For Rap Once Again (Video)

This week, it was announced that Eminem's manager and Shady Records partner Paul Rosenberg will be Def Jam's next CEO. Twenty years ago, the Detroit-based attorney started handling the career of Marshall Mathers when the rapper was self-marketing Infinite. One hundred million units sold later (through Shady Records), and Paul... Read more

August 5, 2017 Video

People Are Watching The Fire In The Theater…Meanwhile The World Is Burning Down (Video)

Quite a bit happened in the last week. Kendrick Lamar gave his second (and third) interviews about the creation and inspiration behind DAMN. Joe Budden, DJ Akademiks, and Migos played host to the most talked about red carpet event of the year to date at the BET Awards. JAY-Z released... Read more

July 1, 2017 Exclusive, Food for Thought, Lifestyle, TBD

Vic Mensa Blasts DJ Akademiks For Clowning Murders In Chicago (Video)

Over the last several weeks, a new audience has gotten to know DJ Akademiks as one third of the Complex show "Everyday Struggle." Along with Joe Budden and host Nadeska, Akademiks has covered daily topics related to Hip-Hop culture, often via intense verbal sparring matches with Budden. Prior to his... Read more

June 19, 2017 Video

5 Years After “1999,” Joey Bada$$ Is Still Fighting To Restore New York’s Place In Hip-Hop (Video)

Today (June 12) is the fifth anniversary of Joey Bada$$' releasing his 1999 mixtape. The Brooklyn, New York MC used that opportunity to make a powerful impression on Hip-Hop. Starting with debut video single "Survival Tactics," featuring Capital STEEZ, he brought a colorful crew and retro style with him. In... Read more

June 12, 2017 Video

Joe Budden & Charlamagne Battle Over L.A. Reid’s Sexual Assault Allegations (Video)

The business side of Hip-Hop was shaken up earlier this month with Antonio "L.A." Reid's swift dismissal at Epic Records. Stemming from allegations that he sexually assaulted an assistant at the record label, Reid's departure ignited heated debate from the industry's biggest talking heads, including two of the most outspoken -... Read more

May 31, 2017 Video

Wale Acknowledges The Truth In The Shots J. Cole Sent His Way On “False Prophets” (Video)

In December of 2016, J. Cole released "False Prophets (Be Like This)," an aggressive record that was clearly aimed at someone - though he never dropped a name. Following its release, rumors began to swirl that Cole was addressing Wale, at least in a particular passage. "I got a homie,... Read more

May 8, 2017 Video

Joe Budden & Lil Yachty Have A Battle Of The Rap Generations & Neither Backs Down (Video)

Battles between generations in Hip-Hop have existed nearly since the inception of the culture. Grandmaster Melle Mel had issues with KRS-One, challenging him to a battle at KRS' own Boogie Down Productions show. Kool Moe Dee beefed with LL Cool J, who he saw as unjustifiably arrogant. Ice-T took on... Read more

May 2, 2017 Video

Joe Budden Says Kendrick Lamar & Royce 5’9 Are The 2 Best MCs In The World (Video)

The release of Kendrick Lamar's latest album has triggered discussion of where he stands in the Hip-Hop pantheon of MCs. Many consider him to be 4 for 4, in terms of outstanding LPs, including Section.80, good kid, m.A.A.d. city, To Pimp A Butterfly and, now, DAMN. As untitled.unmastered. was simply... Read more

April 20, 2017 Video

J.U.I.C.E. Defeated Eminem In One Of Rap’s Greatest Battles. He Offers A Rematch (Audio)

In 1997, at Cincinnati, Ohio's annual Scribble Jam Festival, Eminem and MC J.U.I.C.E. faced off in what is often considered one of Hip-Hop's greatest battles. At the time, the two Midwestern lyricists were both independent artists looking for a title, and some shine to boot. J.U.I.C.E., the Chicago, Illinois native... Read more

February 3, 2017 Audio

Skillz’s 2016 Rap Up Reminds Us Of The Year’s Highs, Lows & Reasons To Stay Woke (Audio)

2016 is coming to a close. Years from now, how will we, the people, remember such an expansive year in Hip-Hop music, news, and culture? This year, some of the biggest MCs in the genre released new albums. Several of these efforts came in short notice, challenging new distribution platforms... Read more

December 30, 2016 Food for Thought

The 20 Best Freestyles Of 2016. Thought You KNEW (Video)

In Hip-Hop, there are few things more exciting than when an MC delivers a vicious verse that's never been heard before, on the spot. It is the equivalent 0f a monster dunk in an NBA game, a one-punch knockout in a fight or an end zone to end zone run in... Read more

December 28, 2016 Food for Thought

Joe Budden Admits The Failures & Lessons That Can Still Lead To A Happy Home (Video)

Joe Budden has forged his 15-plus-year career by making music that can regularly sound like a journal entry. The difference is, while many artists could exclusively read from the best days of their life, the Slaughterhouse MC often picks ones that show his mistakes, his ignorance, and the more vulnerable... Read more

November 15, 2016 Video

Joe Budden Puts His Life In A Music Video So You Ain’t Gotta Ask

Last week, Joe Budden released his Rage & The Machine album. The third single from the self-released LP is "I Gotta Ask." Featuring a great deal of lyrical, cadence, and beat references to 1998 Jay Z single "Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)" (produced by New Jersey's own 45 King)—this song... Read more

October 25, 2016 Video

Joe Budden Raps About His Life While Channeling Jay Z’s Hard Knock (Audio)

In June of 2003, Joe Budden's eponymous debut LP dropped, enjoying the success of its lead single, which arrived a month prior in the form of "Pump It Up." Produced by Just Blaze, the record remains one of Budden's most successful, but it almost didn't happen. Jay Z reportedly was... Read more

October 17, 2016 Audio

Joe Budden Discusses Why His Music & Personal Life Are At Their Best In 2016

If you're not constantly challenged, you're probably not doing it right. Joe Budden entered 2016 with a proven career—decorated with a cult music following, reality television history, a podcast, and an Eminem-backed super-group at his side. However, throughout the last 15 years, Joe Budden never seems to get complacent. When... Read more

October 17, 2016 Food for Thought

Joe Budden & Styles P Still Hold BARS Sacred. It Shows On Their New Collabo (Audio)

Sometimes less is more, and that is precisely the approach Joe Budden and Styles P have taken on "Freestyle," a track whose title belies the varsity-level bars with which it's laden. The two have worked together before, not least on Budden's 2010 mixtape Mood Muzik 4, where the two eviscerated... Read more

October 6, 2016 Audio

Lloyd Banks Releases A Hot New Mixtape ft Joe Budden, Prodigy & More (Audio Stream)

Last week, Lloyd Banks released "Reap What You Sow," the lead single from his latest project and one of the strongest lyrical barrages of his career. Prior to the song's release, the Queens, New York MC tweeted of the new EP arriving today (September 26), "time to show these fools... Read more

September 26, 2016 Audio

Joe Budden’s By Law Gives Other MC’s The Right To Remain Silent (Video)

Joe Budden has said that he wants the rhymes (and beats) to be front-and-center on his Rage & The Machine album (October 21). So for the video to sophomore single "By Law," it is all about simple-yet-effective. The visuals match the energy of the music and, in a sense, the... Read more

September 22, 2016 Video

Joe Budden’s New Single Reminds He’s A Real Spitter By Law (Audio)

In just over one month (October 21), Joe Budden will vent like never before in the form of Rage & The Machine. Produced entirely by AraabMuzik, Joe's fourth official solo album sounds like what he recently described as “a chiseled, aged, wise veteran just barring [listeners] to death.” With rhymes... Read more

September 15, 2016 Audio

Joe Budden Discusses His Next Album & Reveals The Cover And Release Date

One of the biggest figures in 2016 Hip-Hop is Joe Budden. The Slaughterhouse veteran set the Rap world ablaze entering summer when he launched a series of lyrical missiles aimed at onetime acquaintance Drake. That conflict stemmed from the multi-faceted brand that the Jersey City, New Jersey MC has become.... Read more

September 13, 2016 Fresh, News, Video

Drake Brings Eminem Out At His Detroit Show Calling Him The Greatest Rapper Ever (Video)

Nearly 2 weeks ago (8/3), the Internet went wild after a statement by Hot 97 personality Ebro Darden that he had been speaking with Drake about his ongoing feud with Joe Budden, and suggested that Eminem might enter the war of words, on Budden's behalf. “I told Drake that I... Read more

August 16, 2016 Fresh

Hot 97 vs Joe Budden: An Interview Turns Into A Personal War Of Words (Video)

On August 12, Joe Budden visited Hot 97 in New York City to presumably promote his forthcoming album with AraabMusik, Rage And the Machine. However, what ensued was a nearly hour-long war of words that devolved to the point that Budden walked out of the studio. It all began when... Read more

August 13, 2016 Video

Hip-Hop Stood Tall In July. Here’s Some Of The Best Of The Month (Audio Playlist)

July was a tense and complicated month. The killings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile by police, both captured on film, led to national protests, heated discourse and some misguided shootings of police officers, presumably in retaliation. Political conventions held by the Democratic and Republican parties further divided the nation... Read more

August 2, 2016 Audio

Joe Budden Discusses The Weird Direct Messages Drake Has Been Sending Him (Video)

Just when it seemed the year's biggest Rap beef could not get any more bizarre, it does...The Joe Budden/Drake feud began with a scathing review by Budden of Drake's recent VIEWS album, followed by what Budden perceived to be Drake taking subliminal shots at him, both in his "4pm In... Read more

July 30, 2016 Video

This Is NOT Supposed to Be Drake Dissing Joe Budden. What Do You Think? (Video)

The biggest Rap beef of 2016 has been fairly one-sided to date. Joe Budden has launched a handful of attacks in onetime friend Drake's direction, due to a diss he believed was coming his way from Drake on French Montana's song "No Shopping." The entire feud has been recounted several... Read more

July 29, 2016 Video

Joe Budden Reminds All He Built His Career On BARS Not Beef (Video)

Joe Budden has been dominating headlines for the last several months, almost exclusively due to his ongoing, and increasingly one-sided war with Drake. As the events of the past week showed--with overzealous Drake fans harassing Budden at his own home, and Budden returning the favor--the feud has taken on a... Read more

July 29, 2016 Video

Joe Budden Found The Drake Fans That Were Harassing Him & Went To Their Home (Video)

Last weekend, a video of several teenage boys trespassing in Joe Budden's driveway went viral. Apparently motivated by the ongoing beef the Slaughterhouse MC has with Drake, these teens swiftly approached Joe while in a car in his driveway—calling the Shady Records artist a litany of profane insults. When the... Read more

July 27, 2016 Video

Some Internet “Thugs” Harass Joe Budden In Real-Life. It Does Not Go Well For Them (Video)

Over the last several weeks, Joe Budden has been in headlines for his all-out assault on friend-turned-enemy, Drake. After a series of events between the two men, some on record, and others in life, Budden has unleashed 4 records and 3 podcasts targeting the Toronto MC. While Drake may or... Read more

July 25, 2016 Video

Joe Budden Says He Loves Drake…And Then Hurts Him Again “Just Because” (Audio)

The ongoing beef "between" Joe Budden and Drake has had an arc unlike any other in recent memory. As many know, to the public, things began when Joe gave a scathing review of Drake's new album, VIEWS, saying Drake "sounds real fucking uninspired." Shortly thereafter, an Instagram clip surfaced showing... Read more

July 23, 2016 Audio

Joe Budden Immediately Responds To Drake And Uses His Own Words Against Him (Audio)

The same day (July 16) Drake responded to two previous diss records by Joe Budden, Joe Budden promptly replied. As he vowed on his podcast, the Slaughterhouse MC was more than ready. "Afraid" closely followed French Montana and Drake's "No Shopping," with the Jersey City, New Jersey MC veteran addressing... Read more

July 16, 2016 Audio

Drake Responds To Joe Budden & Pumps Up The Beef (Audio)

It has taken more than two weeks since Joe Budden launched a diss campaign against Drake with the release of "Making A Murderer (Part 1)," for the Toronto MC to respond. A Rap battle that started in late June is now officially two-sided. On Drake's OVO Radio Show on Beats... Read more

July 16, 2016 Audio

June Was Full Of Great Hip-Hop. Here’s The Best Of The Month In 1 Playlist (Audio)

The month of June was the epitome of quality over quantity, when it came to Hip-Hop. There were fewer noteworthy releases than in any month of the year, so far, but those that penetrated were high-powered. Drake set the month on fire with one of his hardest rhymes in years,... Read more

July 9, 2016 Audio

Joe Budden Goes Back To Back With His Second Drake Diss In A Week (Audio)

Last week, Joe Budden unleashed "Making A Murderer (Part 1)," a six minute track dissing Drake. The move was an extreme escalation in a war of words that has been brewing between the two men for quite some time. While it seemed their differences arose from Budden's harsh critique of... Read more

July 6, 2016 Audio

Joe Budden Explains Why He Dissed Drake & Warns He’s Well Prepared For ANY Response (Audio)

At the top of June, Drake shocked the Hip-Hop space when he apparently dissed Joe Budden and Puff Daddy on a la carte release "4PM In Calabasas." For Joe's part, the lines were presumed to be a response to Budden's criticism of Views on his "I'll Name This Podcast Later" (Episode... Read more

July 1, 2016 Audio

Joe Budden Disses Drake For 6 Straight Minutes…And It Gets Really Personal (Audio)

For weeks, rumors have been swirling about an epic showdown between once friends, Joe Budden and Drake. Things started to get tense between the two after Budden had some harsh words about Drake's VIEWS album, saying “I think that kid on that album that I heard sounds real fucking uninspired.... Read more

June 30, 2016 Audio

Drake Fires Back At Puff Daddy & Joe Budden With His Hardest Rhyme In Years (Audio)

When Drake's VIEWS album was released last month, it was met with ambivalence. On the commercial side, it was a massive success, becoming the first Hip-Hop album to sell more than one million copies in a week since Lil Wayne's The Carter III in 2008. Since then, the album has... Read more

June 5, 2016 Audio

Joe Budden Raps an Open Letter to Eminem That’s As Raw and Real As It Gets (Audio & Video)

Renowned for its bar-power, Shady Records has also become a label that has changed career paths. After its booming beginnings (D12, 50 Cent), Eminem's label appeared confused in part of the late 2000s, unsure if it was trying to breed skills-based Rap, or commercial juggernauts. For much of the decade,... Read more

September 17, 2015 Audio

Slaughterhouse Gives New Meaning To Bar-Brawl on Southpaw’s R.N.S. (Video)

Slaughterhouse's "R.N.S." is a lyrical upper-cut within the Southpaw soundtrack. The Just Blaze and araabMUZIK-produced song featuring Royce Da 5'9", Joell Ortiz, Crooked I, and Joe Budden is more of the same pedigree from the hardcore Rap quartet. For the video, it's bars and concrete—beyond the rapping, as the Shady... Read more

July 20, 2015 Video