It has been a rough couple of weeks for Joe Budden. The outspoken social commentator found himself in the collective internet’s crosshairs for a few of his controversial takes.
For example, social media users dragged Joe Budden for calling out Michael B. Jordan. The Creed III actor/director made news for reminding a red-carpet correspondent that she made fun of him when they attended the same school as kids.
“You being Michael B. Jordan, today, allegedly [the] sexiest man alive, all of these blockbuster movies, during your highlight week. You’ve probably never been more visible than you are right this second. And that’s what you do to her?” Budden complained on his self-titled podcast.
The 42-year-old New Jersey native added, “And if I bring back those white girl rumors, then it’s gonna sound even crazier… Because why are you talking to our sisters like that on the red carpet when you don’t talk to white b###### like that?”
People online were quick to point out that multiple women accused Joe Budden of being abusive during their relationships. Others emphasized Budden’s dismissive treatment of Megan Thee Stallion after she named Tory Lanez as the man who shot her in 2020.
Joe Budden Recently Vilified Hip Hop Stars J. Cole & Logic
Then Joe Budden upset J. Cole fans and BTS fans by suggesting Cole’s “On the Street” collaboration with BTS member J-Hope was just “pandering.” Budden stated, “My point ain’t about whether I like it creatively or not. My point is just recognizing what it is.”
Last week, Logic became Joe Budden’s latest target. The College Park album creator’s cover of Ice Cube’s classic “It Was a Good Day” from 1993 caused Budden to go on a rant, calling on Logic to retire from making music.
Hip Hop figures such as Hot 97 radio host Peter Rosenberg and Budden’s former Slaughterhouse groupmate Kxng Crooked publicly defended Logic. Apparently, Ice Cube also co-signed the Maryland rapper privately.
Following those polarizing opinions from Joe Budden, a Twitter user asked why the “Pump It Up” hitmaker garners so much hate. Budden quote-tweeted @ayo_nick704 and offered his own thoughts on the constant negative reactions he receives.
“Internet rumors, media manipulation & lying w#####…. (& a lot of bad decisions from the one & only lol),” posted Joe Budden. As of press time, that tweet from March 12 collected 486 likes, 69 retweets, and 55 replies.
Internet rumors, media manipulation & lying w#####…. (& a lot of bad decisions from the one & only lol) https://t.co/JdoWlyZeHf
— Joe Budden (@JoeBudden) March 12, 2023
Jim Jones said Drake’s unparalleled hit-making record makes him the greatest rapper of all time.
The Harlem native is the latest artist to weigh in on the debate following Billboard/Vibe‘s recent G.O.A.T. rapper list.
“I would say he’s the greatest of all time,” Jim Jones declared of Drake during an interview with Complex. “There’s a lot of people from the beginning and people that invented hip hop, I know… the relevancy that he keeps showing year after year, hit after hit, record after record. Any song that he has put out has seemed to go multiple platinum. That’s never happened before in history.”
He added, “I just got to give credit where credit is due, and [I’m] not taking away from nobody else.”
Jim Jones also recognized Hov’s “astronomical,” achievements in music. However, according to the Dipset member, Jay-Z has moved on from music, whereas Drake is thriving.
“What [JAY-Z] has done to this game is astronomical. He’s like Michael Jordan for what he has put on and what he has done since he came in the game and where he’s at right now,” he explained. “But JAY exited music a long time ago. And that space, that void, I don’t know if it’s a void, but Drake has not exited, and he’s still going strong to this day, and it doesn’t seem like he’s stopping no time soon.”
Check out the clip below.
Jim Jones Names Drake The G.O.A.T. Rapper
Elsewhere in the interview, Jim Jones reflected on the love Drake showed The Diplomats when he brought them on stage while performing at the iconic Apollo Theater earlier this year.
“Drake has a lot of respect for [us] coming up listening to Dipset music,” he explained. “So, it just was a full circle [moment], you know what I mean? It was dope. He gave us our flowers that a lot of people don’t give us — that we deserve.”
Meanwhile, Jim Jones dropped his fourth album in little over a year last week. He joined Hitmaka on Back in My Prime, which includes features from Ty Dolla $ign, Jeremiah, Stefflon Don, and more.
Souls of Mischief can breath a sigh of relief. Last week, the legendary Bay Area Hip-Hop group revealed someone had swiped one of their tour jackets. The incident happened on Friday (March 10) as they were performing at The Jazz Cafe in London. Tajai, Phesto, Opio and A-Plus immediately put the thief on blast, threatening to expose the surveillance footage of him/her in the act.
Sure enough, they did but with the person’s face mostly obscured. It looks like the Instagram tactic worked, and the group got the jacket back. Souls of Mischief took to Instagram on Saturday (March 11) and shared the good news with their followers.
“Thank you @thejazzcafe for retrieving our jacket!” the caption read. “Without you this was not possible! Thank you London for another incredible night and having our back!”
Many of Souls of Mischief’s friends and peers celebrated in the comment section, including Peanut Butter Wolf, DJ Rhettmatic and Shortkut.
Souls of Mischief can now continue their 93-date tour in honor of the 30th anniversary of their seminal album, 93 Til Infinity. The run makes a brief stop in Falmouth, U.K. on Sunday (March 12) before heading back to London on Monday (March 13). From there, the foursome heads to the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Finland, Denmark and Norway. Souls of Mischief finally returns to the states on May 27 after a few weeks off. It wraps up at the historic Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison, Colorado on September 17.
