Net Worth Ranker
What Is Joe Budden’s Net Worth?
Joe Budden, a multifaceted American hip-hop artist, boasts a net worth of $6 million. This figure reflects his diverse career, spanning music, broadcasting, and podcasting. While the exact breakdown of his net worth isn’t publicly itemized, it’s derived from various income streams.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born on August 31, 1980, in Harlem, New York, Joseph Budden moved to Jersey City, New Jersey, at the age of 13 with his mother and older brother. He attended Lincoln High School, where he faced behavioral challenges. His early life experiences, including his father’s absence, deeply influenced his later music. He spent time at Laurinburg Institute, a boarding school in North Carolina. Although he did not complete his diploma, it was at the boarding school that he began to hone his skills as a rapper. By the age of 20, he had a son. Recognizing his responsibilities, Budden began to seriously pursue a career in music. In 2001, he collaborated with producer Dub-B (also known as White Boy) to create mixtapes and demos. The exact figures of early mixtape sales are unavailable, but they played a crucial role in establishing his presence in the hip-hop scene.
Music Career: Albums, Singles, and Collaborations
Budden’s career gained momentum when one of his demos reached DJ Clue, a prominent figure at Hot 97 radio and head of Desert Storm Records. This exposure led to widespread recognition in the mixtape circuit. In 2002, he secured a significant deal with Def Jam Recordings. His initial breakthrough came with the promotion of his single “Focus,” which spent 17 weeks on the Billboard Hot R&B chart, peaking at #43. On May 8, 2003, Joe Budden released “Pump It Up,” his lead single, which quickly achieved commercial success. In 2003, his self-titled debut album was released, reaching #1 on the US Rap chart and #2 on the US R&B chart. The album’s rapid rise in popularity was fueled by “Pump It Up.” This single peaked at #38 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and #10 on the Hot Rap Songs chart. “Pump It Up” earned a Grammy nomination for Best Male Rap Solo Performance and was featured in “2 Fast 2 Furious,” “Def Jam Vendetta,” and “Madden NFL 2004.” On June 10, 2003, he released his debut studio album “Joe Budden.” It debuted at #8 on the US Billboard 200 and sold 95,000 units in its first week. It went on to sell over 420,000 copies in the U.S. The second single off the album “Fire (Yes, Yes Y’all)” peaked at #18 on the US “Billboard” Hot R&B chart.
While the exact financial terms of his Def Jam contract remain undisclosed, signing with a major label provided a significant boost to his career. During his time with Def Jam, Budden released two mixtapes. However, his plans for a second album were hampered by delays and creative disagreements with the label. Ultimately, the album was shelved, and Budden was released from Def Jam.
In December 2007, Joe Budden signed a multi-album deal with Amalgam Digital. Precise financial details of this deal are not publicly available. After leaving Def Jam, he released several albums, including “The Album Before The Album” in 2007, “Mood Muzik 3: The Album” in 2008, and “Halfway House” in 2008. His 2009 album “Padded Room” reached #6 on the US Rap chart. Budden released the albums “Escape Route” in 2009 and “Mood Muzik 4: A Turn 4 the Worst” in 2010. Budden’s album “No Love Lost” was released in 2013 and reached #1 on both the US Rap and US R&B charts. He had success with the album “All Love Lost” in 2015, and his album “Rage & The Machine” in 2016 reached #1 on the US R&B chart. That album ended up being his last solo effort.
Budden also achieved success as part of the hip-hop supergroup Slaughterhouse, which included Royce da 5’9″, Crooked I, and Joell Ortiz. The group released the albums “Slaughterhouse” in 2009 and “Welcome To Our House” in 2012, which reached #1 on the US Rap and US R&B charts and #2 on the Billboard 200 chart. The specific sales figures and royalties earned from these albums contributed to Joe Budden’s net worth.
Throughout his music career, Joe Budden collaborated with numerous artists, including CeeLo Green, Eminem, and Busta Rhymes. He also featured on the hit singles “Clubbin” by Marques Houston featuring Pied Piper, and “Whatever U Want” by Christina Milian. These collaborations further broadened his reach and contributed to his earnings.
Broadcasting Career and The Joe Budden Podcast
In April 2017, Budden began co-hosting “Everyday Struggle,” a daily morning show for the Complex network, alongside DJ Akademiks and Nadeska Alexis. The financial details of his contract with Complex are not publicly available. In 2018, Joe Budden signed a deal with Revolt TV, owned by Sean “Diddy” Combs. This deal led to the creation and production of the talk show “State of the Culture,” which premiered in September 2018. While the specific terms of his agreement with Revolt TV are not disclosed, it marked a significant expansion of his career into broadcasting.
Around the same time, he also started “The Joe Budden Podcast,” which became a significant driver of his net worth. He began touring with live performances throughout the United States. It was during this time that he officially announced his retirement from rap. In August 2018, Joe Budden signed a deal to bring his podcast to Spotify and expand the show to a bi-weekly schedule, with new episodes airing every Wednesday and Saturday. Financial specifics of the Spotify deal were not fully disclosed. However, in August 2020, Budden announced he was leaving Spotify at the end of his contract, citing financial disagreements with the streaming service. Although the exact revenue generated by “The Joe Budden Podcast” is not publicly available, industry estimates suggest that successful podcasts can generate substantial income through advertising, sponsorships, and merchandise sales. The podcast’s popularity positioned Budden as a prominent voice in hip-hop and rap culture.
Joe Budden has also appeared on VH1’s “Love & Hip Hop” and has been featured in three documentaries, including “Hip Hop Babylon” and “Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap.” He also appeared on “Couples Therapy” with Kaylin Garcia in 2015. Specific payment details for these appearances are not fully public.
Personal Life
Budden has two children, Joseph Budden III (born in 2001) and Lexington, born in December 2017 to his then-fiance, model Cyn Santana. The two have since called off their engagement.
