Last night (January 22) at Chung King Studios in New York City, Joe Budden previewed his new album, No Love Lost, to a studio packed full of journalists and friends who found themselves surrounded by lasers, edible treats and a haze of hookah smoke.
Since the release of his self-titled Def Jam debut in 2003, Joe has released nearly 15 projects, formed Slaughterhouse, one of rap’s respected groups and became a reality star thanks to the VH1 show Love and Hip-Hop.
With all of that in mind, it should come as no surprise that No Love Lost showcases a solo Joe Budden lyrically in top-form, a quality that he associates with growth, maturity and spending countless days in the studio with the likes of Eminem and his Slaughterhouse brethren, Royce Da 5’9″, Crooked I and Joell Ortiz.
The listening event kicked off with the Kirko Bangz-assisted and Mizfitz Soundz-produced record, “Top of the World,” and was followed by the album’s second single, “NBA.”
“NBA” features guest verses from the likes of Wiz Khalifa and French Montana, two artists who are not the conventional collaborators you would imagine when you look at Joey’s catalog from the past, yet hold there own in the most organic way.
The Cardiak-produced “You and I” was next. Joe let the crowd know that the song was originally intended to feature Lloyd but now showcases singer Emanny who has collaborated with Joe many times over the years and is “part of the family.”
The soulful “Castles” was next followed by “All In My Head” which featured Royce Da 5’9″ and singer Kobe. The remaining members of Slaughterhouse got to showcase some of there inaugural verses of the new year on the Frequency-produced “Skeletons.”
Another standout record titled “Ghetto Burbs” followed. The Sean C and LV-produced track once again features Emanny crooning over stellar production from the Grammy Award-nominated duo responsible for hits from the likes of Jay-Z, Clipse, Ghostface Killah and many more.
The listening event showcased other records from No Love Lost like “Switch Positions” featuring Omarion, “Tell Him Somethin,” or the “v##### song” as Joey referred to it, the guitar-infused “Runaway,” and the superbly produced “Last Day” with Juicy J and Lloyd Banks.
Not only is 2013 special to Joe and his fans because of No Love Lost, it also marks the 10-year anniversary of Joe Budden and his first Mood Muzik mixtape. With the filler-free No Love Lost, the New Jersey native has crafted an album that his most hardcore fans will memorize, his newest fans will embrace and Hip-Hop listeners in general will appreciate.
No Love Lost is set for release on February 5th via eOne Music