In my 10-plus years of interviewing artists, I’ve had some great conversations. I made the ever-stoic Killah Priest burst out laughing when I asked him whether the new HRSMN project would arrive before Dr. Dre’s Detox. (For the record, it hasn’t.) I had Big Boi begrudgingly tell me he favors ATLiens over Aquemini. LL Cool J for Exit 13 promo ranks high for me. And, of course, I talk to Snoop Dogg every chance I get because there’s no shortage of knowledge that comes from those discussions.
I’m sure every Hip Hop scribe remembers their first interview like a professional athlete putting their first point on the board — it’s a rite of passage that often goes on to become a learning curve for deeper and better angles. (Mine was Hell Rell about a decade ago after he and Duke Da God were arrested in Ohio.) To be honest, I think I’ve only had one “bad” interview. An interview I never took personally considering who the subject was.
Seeing Joe Budden walk off the Everyday Struggle BET Awards interview that propelled the brief (but testy) WWE Rap moment gave me an instant flashback to when the always outspoken MC deemed it unnecessary to stick around while I was speaking to him and the rest of Slaughterhouse.
The year was 2011 during SXSW at Vibe’s then-revered Vibehouse, which was often powered by Cashmere Agency. (That Sway Calloway intro from Welcome to: Our House‘s “Die” happened that night.) Just weeks prior, it was announced that Budden, Royce Da 5’9, Joell Ortiz and Crooked I had joined forces with Eminem’s Shady Records to save commercial Hip Hop from the fourth level of Auto-Tune hell (or something). So there was a lot to talk about, considering the anticipation and pressure. I was the Managing Editor for The Smoking Section at the time and was joined by a couple of trusty TSS Crew members in Marshall Ziglar and Ben “Beware” Bowdon. We didn’t have our own press activation but we had exceptional access within the venue and were able to easily grab artists for interviews.
After speaking with Slaughterhouse’s manager, Crystal Isaacs, I secured some facetime with the newly signed supergroup following their performance, and we patiently waited. After they rocked the stage, I saw them enthusiastically walking down the corridor — only to be snatched into the press room operated by Vibe employees.
We patiently waited some more and after 20 minutes or so, an exhausted yet excited Slaughterhouse came out of the room. See, there was a strip club event a publicist friend of mine was throwing and I overheard Joe exclaiming how eager he was to crash. Anyone who’s ever pounded the pavement at SXSW knows travel can eat up your energy/budget so I didn’t have the bandwidth to make it out there. But there was a bigger issue on hand. Crystal told the camp they had “a Smoking Section interview” to knock out before they could help pay some tuition, to which Joe responded, “We just did a Smoking Section interview,” while pointing his thumb to the room behind him. And that’s when I flagged them over like, “Hey, we’re the Smoking Section over here.” And the look on his face was something like a kid who had to wait till December 26 to play with his toys because his parents forgot the C batteries — pure dejection. And I felt him.
That press room was definitely a few degrees warmer than any other area in the building and if I was an artist, I wouldn’t want to talk hypotheticals about an album that wasn’t even finished yet either. (Which is why I always nudge managers and publicists to do interviews on the publication’s time. Press days suck and regurgitation of answers — hell, even outfits for video interviews — is a common theme.)
But hey, you get the scoop when you can and we all went to the back alley to conduct the interview. I like to keep them succinct for clarity/editing purposes but even with my efforts, Joe wasn’t having it. The other three members were cool and receptive but Mr. Mood Muzik accused me of asking “bullshit” questions, to which I snapped back and pointed out how he wasn’t even listening to what I was saying. Immediately after that exchange, Joe made it a point to detach himself from the interview and walk through the alley as Beware filmed the entire ordeal with his camcorder. Crooked chuckled in the back as Royce and Joell breezed through the questions. I didn’t give Joe the satisfaction by breaking stride and calmly wrapped it up.
I’d be lying if I say I didn’t take a slight jab to the ego after that. After all, I had personally vouched for the man’s career since it started. Whether it was physically copping his self-titled Def Jam debut or ensuring we put Halfway House in the top albums of 2008 (which happened to be the origin of Slaughterhouse) to approving all the cool Mood Muzik articles Justin Tinsley used to write, I always wanted to give shine to the dope MC regardless of how industry politics were conducted.
I had heard stories about him prior to that (just like you can hear stories about any individual who can attract the common cold), so I didn’t take it personally much longer than that evening. But the true validation came when I asked Royce and Joell if I had really conducted a bad interview. Nickel Nine simply told me “Nah” with a shake of his head and Joell put his hands on my shoulders and said, “My brother! Read between the lines!”
I know Beware still has the footage from that interview but I never pressed him for it. Whatever propelled Joe to rush 2017’s hottest rap group off the stage has always been in him. A common criticism for our rap heroes is that they often change up as their career progresses … or regresses. But we can’t say that about Joe.
Much love to everyone with a hand in making Everyday Struggle. The stock of popcorn should be a hot commodity by the end of the year.
—#EICTC
Deleting comment now too? Ok I’ll just keep reposting.
This isn’t exactly the same thing. First of all, Migos sucks at interviews and this is Joe and DJ Aks show where they were giving interviews all week in LA. Second of all, this issue began when Lil Yachty was getting clowned by Joe on Everyday Struggle and QC and P didn’t like it. Third of all, Migos brought negative energy already from an incident that occurred in the morning prior to that interview. Great job trying to be that girl in school who wants to be included in everything but you’re not.
Joe been a bitch
This is not the same thing at all. First, Migos sucks at interviews and this is Joe and DJ Aks show where they were giving interviews all week in LA. Second, this issue began when Lil Yachty was getting clowned by Joe on Everyday Struggle and QC and P didn’t like it. Third, Migos brought negative energy already from an incident that occurred in the morning prior to that interview.
These writers man (and I use the term loosely)…..learn your craft.
Clearly he’s been doing this for a while. What are you contributing ?
Contributing to your mom so you can have a new sibling.
The funny part about this is that someone else used my name to comment on this. #IAMSPELLCHECKA
this looks a little funny. looks like some skit.
Hats of to Joe. If you don’t like what your hearing you don’t got to listen and that’s what he done. I mean these dudes rap like they dress. Like corny bit##es.
This is “reporting” in 2017? Apparently Complex edited the footage. They have yet to release the whole interview, to my knowledge. So writers, or bloggers, are reacting to this short clip. Personally, I want to see the entire exchange, so I can see what really happened, and how it all went down.
Trent is an employee of HIPHOPDX, which is a subsidary of COMPLEX…follow the bread crumbs…
I dont care if Joe snubbed you or migos you looking for pity party? I hope joe follows that interview up with diss track mabye he’ll have line for your insecure ass.
Joe did what he did because the Migos, even by admission of C Tha God, are garbage at interviews. If he did the same to you, that speaks on how you came off to him. As typical industry BS.
It’s tough to be a journo. Joey and Aks are finding that out the hard way. Higher ratings for them, though, which is what matters.
Great article. It seems you caught Mr. Budden in his youthful less caring days; somewhat like MIgos right now. Watching the replay of that interview I had a real hard time understanding the band also. I can sympathize having that urge to walk out even though it wasn’t the most professional thing to do. Still was funny as hell. Budden also left you with a good story to tell to tell. Keep up the great work HHDX.
youthful days? the guy was 30.
I know you’re young but you don’t know everything there is to know at 30
No one cares, what kind of female shit is this.
I havent read a sad story about a man rejecting and breaking someones heart since this female on my Fb timeline.
This whole article should have been a fb post LMAO
Than why comment twice? apparently you cared somewhat….
Joe Budden is the man for keeping it 100 and being honest when 3 shit pieces who makes trash music are being dicks in the interview.
I hate the way this guy writes. Garbage Analogies.
Na ya all wrong is that joe corny a.s hasn’t got ruffed up yet that should make him stop clowning around with real ni..as…
Migos suck as interview subjects, be it a loud event or the Breakfast Club. Joe, as much as I disagree with his hypocritical opinions, was absolutely correct in saying they suck as interviewees and isn’t here to kiss their ass like the industry has continued to do to enable their bullshit ass behavior. They got hits but that doesn’t entitle you to act an asshole.
Joe has his nerve. He can be a poor interview as well. Watch that shit with Taxstone.
Dudes be on some emotional ho ish. So what if Joey criticised Yachty he also gave him some financial advice. If they think that is affecting Yachties money, then maybe they should focus on his music more. From the situation it seemed like Offset was the calmest out of the three migos. Which makes sense since he is the realist one. Akademiks claimed he really couldn’t hear them but I don’t know it seemed like a strange situation. Akademiks also shouldn’t have tried to suck up to them while wrapping it up. Show them as much respect as they showed you. Joe shouldn’t have dropped the mic, but I guess he had to make a point by telling them f this. The Migos shouldn’t have got caught up in their feelings and just played it off
Thanks judge Judy
Dj ak is not a total pussy. He did break it up. Or tried. He himself said he was a pussy though, so. I like how dj ak pushed nadeska aside. a confrontation with dudes is just…different.
But here you are… Commenting on a “move” at a major industry event by budden… Who’s the hater? Lol
Issa attitude
The difference is Migos are clowns who wear blouses and Joe can actually rap.