By now the entire Hip-Hop community is familiar with the story of an MC from New Jersey named “Joe Budden”; the promising lyricist who was signed to powerhouse Def Jam only to be out on display like an exhibit at a museum.

Like all artists unhappy with the contract they initially put their John Hancock on, the man who’s government name doubles as his stage name was set free from the label to do what was in his best interest. For him, that meant creating his own mixtape series titled Mood Muzik and venting out his frustrations on three different installments.

Five years, one studio album, and three mixtapes later that same MC is flexing his muscle once again via mainstream with his second official album Padded Room. Amidst the rumors of a signing frenzy between numerous record labels, Amalgam Digital was able to secure him into their line up. So now as his fans patiently wait for that October release date, Joe Budden can breathe easy knowing that he’s in a new situation that doesn’t involve a custodian dusting him off while strange people gawk at him Monday through Sunday.  

SixShot.com: Whom did you work with on your new album?

Joe Budden: There are no features on Padded Room; it’s all “Joe Budden.” As far as the prod uction goes, everything is in-house. They did the bulk of the album, and it’s dope.

SixShot.com: Was that a conscious decision on your part to go the whole album alone with no features?

Joe Budden: That’s just how I wanted to do it. That’s how I’ve been recording, and I didn’t want to change that.

SixShot.com: So what were the deciding factors that made you go with Amalgam Digital for the release of Padded Room?

Joe Budden: I went with Amalgam [Digital] because we were doing something new and something different. Amalgam is breaking new ground, and I always want to be a part of something that’s breaking new ground. And that’s why I chose to go with them.

SixShot.com: It’s been five years since you last put out an official studio album, so how do you feel towards the release of this one?

Joe Budden: I feel good because I still put out a lot of music back in February of this year; you know what I’m saying? So I don’t feel any pressure or anything like that, because I still had been putting out music.

SixShot.com: Did you have any material from “The Growth” album that was never released and if so, did you use some of it when you made Padded Room?

Joe Budden: Nah, I didn’t use none of that stuff at all, the Padded Room is all new music. But I think everything that was on that album [The Growth] has already been released online, through mixtapes, or some other form of outlet. But on the Padded Room, I went with all new music.

SixShot.com: What would you say is the main difference between Padded Room and an album from your Mood Muzik Mixtapes Series?

Joe Budden: Well everything is different. The mood is different, the music is different, and all the concepts are different. I made them both two total different things. There’s a whole different feel to this album right here.

SixShot.com: How did you come up with the idea of starting the Mood Muzik series?

Joe Budden: I just felt like there was a void in Hip-Hop, especially with that type of music. So we put out part one which was called The Worst Of Joe Budden and it was purposely titled that. Then when we did part two, we did all new joints and the same thing with part three. The series has just grown from there, and it’s been doing pretty good. Even though I have my new album coming out, I’m still going to put material out through the Mood Muzik series. 

SixShot.com: Do you feel the need to try and release another project soon because your layoff from studio albums?

Joe Budden: Not really because I’ve been making music. I record everyday—it’s just that I wasn’t putting anything out through Def Jam, that’s all. This album comes out in October, and after that—there won’t be a big hiatus in between albums. I’m going to always make music, regardless of the situation, and that’s my focus. I can never lose focus on making music and trying to put my best foot forward in doing something.