Friday, February 1, 2013

‘Love and Hip Hop’ exclusive: The risky business of being Joe Budden


Photography: DeWayne Rogers

Wardrobe Styling: Linday Hillyard

It’s a cold New York City morning at Manhattan’s Auction House, and hip-hop star-turned-reality star Joe Budden is in a talkative mood. He’s had a busy few weeks; the new season of “Love & Hip Hop” has premiered, beaming the Jersey-born emcee into America’s living rooms weekly, and the release of his third studio album, No Love Lost, looms just a few days away. His journey to get to where he is now — a place of peace, he claims — was fraught with missteps. He’s had more than his fair share of high-profile relationships go bad. His breakups with video models Esther Baxter and Tahiry Jose were public and messy, with allegations of abuse and miscarriages plastered on countless gossip blogs. In 2009 and 2010, he was sought by authorities for failing to make child support payments. The Slaughterhouse member has also openly struggled with sobriety and he missed his famed supergroup’s concert in March of 2012 due to being jailed over a simple parking ticket.
But today, Budden views all of those moments as simply part of his evolution as a man.
“My sole purpose is just to improve and evolve and keep the focus on me,” he explains. “Doing that, you pick up on certain things and you learn certain things. Looking at myself back then, my mind-[set] was in a very different place. Not to say volatile, but I wasn’t as intact as I am today.”
But he’s still not afraid of rolling the dice. How else can one explain his willingness to allow his notoriously tumultuous love life to play out on the small screen? He and Jose have gone back-and-forth via Twitter and exchanged barbs in interviews; and now the world is witnessing their personal drama unfold. “Closure would be nice,” Joe says of the ongoing push-pull with Tahiry. “But that’s a luxury at this point between her and I. Would I prefer it? Yes. Will it ever be? Who the f–k knows?”
Exacerbating the tensions has been Joe’s relationship with his former “friend” Raqi Thunda, who’s also featured on the show. “That relationship is nonexistent,” he says bluntly. “I won’t say it’s because of the show. It’s because of her. The show didn’t do anything — to me, anyway. That was bound to come to its end whether the show was happening or not.”


On top of a hip-hop career and his burgeoning reality show fame, his well-tread history with some of hip-hop’s most beautiful woman has created a ladies’ man persona that Budden claims doesn’t affect him — no matter how much it seems to intrigue everyone else.
“As much as it is communicated, I don’t view myself that way,” he says with a laugh. “It’s almost a joke when I hear it. To me, it’s as simple as, I’m attracted to women that a lot of other people seem to be attracted to as well. They’re all beautiful and amazing women — physically, at least. It doesn’t set me apart. But I’m very transparent with them. Maybe most other people are not. Maybe I live in a bubble, in that respect. But that pretty much is always what it is.”
“Since the time I started rapping, I’ve learned to be transparent,” Budden says, and there aren’t many things he’d be nervous about sharing. “It depends on what those things are [laughs]! But I’m a pretty big risk-taker.”
Unlike some artists who have made similar transitions to television, Joe doesn’t view reality TV with any fear or apprehension. “I didn’t really see a reason to be opposed to [the show],” Budden shares. “It was never really something I was ever opposed to. This was just another outlet for people to get a better understanding of who I am as an individual. And to see some of the struggles that I went through. If it could help at least one person out there, it was all worth it.
“If new fans are attracted — [that’s] great. If older fans can get a better understand or another perspective on Joe Budden, then I welcome that, too. All things [are] welcome.
“You wanna make the most out of life. Life is short,” he says of why he ultimately did the show. “You wanna do as much as you can for as many people as you can. That’s just the person I’ve grown into. It wasn’t always the case. … But today, you evolve. Any new experience, opportunity or door that God puts in front of me to walk through, I’m gonna trust him and walk through [it.]”
That openness and those early career scars are what have helped shape Budden’s perspective. He says that drug abuse became a part of his life because of his inability to cope with what comes along with fame. Whereas some artists get sucked into a “lifestyle” by outside influences, Joe says he just wanted to escape. And once he started, it was hard to break free. “It was just a severe case of me being overwhelmed,” he says.
“I’ve been in this game for a long time and people drinking and doing whatever happens to be their vice of choice — that never affected me. That was me. Not to say other people wouldn’t be influenced, but for me, it was never that. For me, it was, ‘If I wanna do something, I’m gonna do it.’ Whether other people agree or disagree.”




But the rapper admits that he knows better than to surround himself with people who participate in activities he’s distancing himself from. “When you‘re trying to live a certain way you keep good people around you,” he concedes.
But he doesn’t blame fame for his mistakes. “The fame part is the simplest part,” Budden shares. “You’re more recognized than the average person. Whoop-de-do. I’m filled with too much humility for that to move me one way or another. I’m not altered by it. But all the things that come along with fame probably affected me. And the way I deal with those things today is entirely different.”
“[My] music is always inspired from real life … so anything that [I’ve endured] — whether that be television, relationships, pain and joy — anything that causes some type of emotion, inspires the music,” he says. “[No Love Lost] is like the polar opposite from my last album, Padded Room. Not because the approach was entirely different, [but] because I’m different today. The music is still introspective, very melodic, very personal, very graphic, very in-depth, but life is different today. I’m in a better place than I was in 2008 and 2009 and that’s all you can ask for — continuously being in a better place.





Budden isn’t worried that his stint on reality television will eclipse his hip-hop career. And he isn’t pressed that his romantic life has become fodder for watercooler conversations. “I don’t view myself as wearing all these different hats — the rapper, the reality star — I’m a human first,” he says. “I just happen to be able to rap very well. And people happen to wanna see me on TV. It’s really just that simple for me.”
Viewing his world through its simplest prism is what helps Budden deal with the lifestyle that he says once overwhelmed him; as well as trusting his own mind, regardless of naysayers. He admits that, in the past, his stubbornness has been a double-edged sword. But it’s also been his greatest asset. “It’s helped me because I can sleep well at night. I went through a period where I second-guessed everything I did and took advice from other people. And I didn’t sleep well. I decided that I didn’t wanna live that way anymore,” he says.
And that’s who Joe Budden remains; through it all, a headstrong guy from Jersey City who’s still going to do what he wants to do.
“Has it hurt the process? Yeah — you get in your own way sometimes and that stubbornness takes its toll. But there’s no reward without any risk. And that’s a risk I’ll always be willing to take,” he affirms.


 This story is credited to +rollingout.com.

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I just look at the hair on these women, okay and wacth it to!! (Love and Hip Hop)



I honestly don't know what to think about Love & Hip Hop. The last episode begins with Olivia Longott meeting Erica Mena so Erica can apologize (is that what she's attempting?) for her behavior at Yandy's party the following evening. She hadn't planned on being so confrontational. Of course, then Erica starts going off on Liv for not doing a favor for Rich Dollaz and making the record with her. Erica is sick of watching Rich do everything for Olivia when she gives him nothing in return…nothing but a paycheck! Does Erica understand what it means to be a manager? She then starts warning Liv that her friendship with Rich is faltering, but Olivia assures Erica that they've been best friends for years, and that isn't going to change. Huffy that she can't change Olivia's mind about the song by just trying to talk over her, Erica storms away. So much for that apology, right?

Jen Bayer heads into the studio to visit with her friend Raqi Thunda. Raqi is Muslim, and she would like to get a woman's perspective on Consequence's religion. Jen has considered converting, but she wants their son to be able to experience Christmas and Easter. Raqi is flabbergasted that the pair didn't discuss their religious differences before having a child together, and Jen is in tears over the thought that she'll never bake Christmas cookies with Caden.

Tahiry Jose isn't convinced that Joe Budden has stopped relapsing. She thinks he's still using. They meet at church, and Joe is dressed like Professor Lasky from Saved By the Bell: The College Years. She encourages him to see a drug counselor, but he says he doesn't need one. Joe now claims that he's clean, and he refuses to speak to anyone…in fact, he thinks that now Tahiry's concern is just an excuse so that she can stay in his life. Give me a break. I am so sick of his manipulative ways.

Cons wants to hear about Jen's conversation with Raqi. He needs her to immerse herself in Islam. Cons requires a Muslim household, and he thinks Jen is spoiled…at least he doesn't cheat on her. What? She's floored. She's a lucky girl because her boyfriend is faithful? Jen finally agrees to speak to one of Cons mentors who could potentially make her religious transition easier.

Liv and Rich are reliving their knock-down-drag-out over Erica and the record, and Olivia wants to know why Erica thinks it's alright to be in her and Rich's business relationship. Rich reminds Olivia that Erica is a novice who is sometimes unfiltered and street. He is asking her to perform with Erica as a personal favor. Olivia still refuses…things with Erica aren't personal for her, and she doesn't want Rich mixing his personal life with their business relationship.

lhh3

We finally see Yandy Smith and Mendeecees (although I am having a hard time given what someone said in the comments last week about him being an alleged child molester), and they are going through a difficult time with baby Amir. After getting back some test results, Yandy leaves Amir with her mother, and she and Mendeecees head to the hospital to speak with a doctor. Amir has an obstruction that is causing issues with his kidneys, and he is going to require surgery. Yandy is scared and heartbroken, and she's not sure if she wants her new baby undergoing surgery.

Jen and Cons are meeting with his spiritual advisor at his Mosque. Jen gets teary pleading her case, but Cons is worried that mixing Islam and Christianity will confuse Caden. The advisor informs Cons that he need not be so rigid, and he advises the couple to get married. Jen is thrilled at the prospect of hiding Easter eggs.

lhh5

Amir is in surgery, and Yandy is beside herself with worry. Mendeecees does a good job off talking her down off the ledge. These women have low expectations…Yandy thanks Mendeecees for coming with her to the hospital. Excuse me, but where else would he be? He needs to pull up his britches.

Raqi and Jen are having a girls' night at a local club, and Jen is excited to be out on the town. While Raqi gets a drink, Tahiry heads over to catch up with Jen. She introduces Jen to Rashidah Ali, and then the eye rolling commences when Raqi returns. Rashidah is excited to finally meet the girl who is sleeping her way through the record business. She asks Raqi about deejaying, and Raqi starts talking smack about Tahiry. Both Rashidah and Jen urge the ladies to stand down and for a hot second I think the women are going to be able to be civil. Poor Jen is way out of her element. Rashidah then calls out Raqi for working her way through the industry on her back. Hurling insults, Raqi walks off, with poor Jen running after her in disbelief. Perhaps she's as confused as I am about Tahiry's outfit.

lhh2

Yandy is overjoyed when Amir's surgery is a success. Both she and Mendeecees believe that their prayers have been answered. He wants to celebrate by getting Yandy pregnant with a baby girl. Creepy. Thankfully, Yandy isn't planning on having any more kids with Mendeecees out of wedlock, so he needs to step up to the plate. He assures her that he's got that under control.

The following day, Jen and Raqi are breaking down the previous evening's events. Raqi is glad that Jen had her back when she didn't necessarily have to follow her out of the club. I think that she actually just needed a ride home! Raqi knows all about Rashidah and her credit card scams and face-cutting ways. What? Who ARE these people? She also pitches an idea for a radio show to Jen. Jen is elated. She has been wanting to get back on the air…although Cons has gotten quite used to her staying home.

Tahiry ambushes Joe, and he's not happy to see her until she reveals that she's brought him a present. When unwraps a drug test, he refuses to take it–he's not on drugs. Tahiry warns him that if he doesn't take it, she won't be there as his support system anymore. Joe finally agrees if Tahiry will cook for him. They come to a deal where she will cook two dinners and a dessert for him if he'll just pee in the cup. The test is negative, although Tahiry is a little concerned about how hard it is to see the pink lines that render it negative.

lhh4

Rich has booked some studio time with a quality producer that he knows can bring out the best in Erica. As she arrives, he receives a phone call from said producer who is now refusing to work with Erica after she told him at a club that she didn't like his records. Rich is starting to think that maybe Olivia is right about Erica. He wants her to learn how to keep her mouth shut. Erica then turns it around and says that it's all Rich's fault for booking the producer so late in the game. She storms off yet again, and Rich tells her to enjoy her career.

Next week, Erica begs Rich to get her on another record, and Yandy tells Rich that he's playing wirh fire by dealing with Erica. He asks her to have a chat with Erica to see how he should proceed. Tahiry cooks for Joe, and Erica has Yandy feeling sorry for her. Jen and Raqi get into it over their radio show.


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