Joe Budden

“There's no one aspect of my life that is more hidden than others. I mean, everything is pretty much an open book in every regard: relationships, personal, business, music, family, problems, demons, everything is well documented.”

“My mom's mission my entire teenage years was just to save my life.”

“I have a few theories and trains of thought that I wouldn't expose because they are not anyone's business. I hold them sacred, it's how I feel, it's my opinion, not up for debate, and not meant to be shared.”

“For me, honest critique is not all about your feelings and your ear. Honest critique is sitting down with an album that you may not put on in your spare time, and really digging into that album, so you can talk about the beat selection.”

“I want to get us out of a place where the veterans are chastising the new artists and vice versa. I think we should all just support each other.”

“I think that's why most people listen to me - it is relatable. Who doesn't have a drama-filled story with an ex? We all do.”

“I may catch some flack for this, but the Jersey style I feel is just very different from New York. When I hear a Jersey MC spit, I can just hear New Jersey in them. To where as NY, that style has been broadcasted so nationally that it's just a natural sound in music.”

“You'll never get me to speak religion. You'll never get me to speak politics.”

“State of the Culture' is more mature content. We want to go as deep as we can on whatever the subject matter is, we're not there to joke.”

“People put mixtapes out every few months, every year. They come often. Not 'Mood Muzik.' It's a totally different type of monster. And when you hear it, you should be able to understand why.”

“You have to remember, throughout my career, no one has ever really wanted to speak to me or wanted to sit down with me.”

“Before I judge someone, I need to talk to them and learn what their journey's are.”

“I've always been outspoken. I've always been honest. I've always said things that maybe other people were afraid to say.”

“Actually, after 'All Love Lost' I was so drained creatively that I didn't have any clue where I wanted to go. So I just started from scratch.”

“Early on, it was real tough for me to stick to my guns and say 'I'm retired, I'm not rapping, don't ask me for nothing.' But I had to do that because I love rapping and I love music, so if I don't do that, you can't be halfway in it and halfway out.”

“Even in this podcast media lane, sometimes you still have to wear your MC hat and let people know how you feel about yourself as an MC, which is very confident.”

“I'm such a spiritual man. I think that displayed in the music throughout the course of my career.”

“At Revolt, everyone's always open minded and always coming together for a solution.”

“For so long, we had to write to pay a bill, we had to write in many instances where maybe you weren't even inspired to write because it was your job. That's how passion, creativity, and love gets killed.”

“I was just rapping as a pastime and I became good at it. So much so that by the time my Def Jam contract was in front of me, I didn't have a rap name.”