Joe Budden has stirred the pot by proclaiming his mixtape catalog superior to those of Lil Wayne and 50 Cent.
In a recent clip from The Joe Budden Podcast shared on the social media platform X, the former Slaughterhouse member proudly announced that his mixtape discography — particularly the iconic Mood Muzik series — has withstood the test of time better than those of his rap counterparts.
The discussion escalated as co-hosts began comparing the merits of Lil Wayne and 50 Cent’s mixtapes, with Budden firmly asserting his collection as the best.
When probed further about other contenders in the mixtape arena, Joe stated, “It’s me, it’s 50, it’s Fab[olous], it’s Kiss [Jadakiss], it’s Wayne.” This statement, naturally, sparked widespread debate among fans and critics alike.
Interestingly, Joe isn’t the first rapper to make such claims. Just a few months ago, Slim Thug claimed to have earned more from the mixtape scene than any other artist, asserting his underground dominance in the game.
In a captured video, Slim Thug declared, “At a young age, as a teenager, when I first met [Swishahouse co-founder] Michael ‘5000’ Watts, he showed me that I can do something that I love to do … No n-gga underground made more money on mixtapes than me independently…”
Meanwhile, Lil Wayne, a titan in the mixtape world, has also shared his thoughts on the genre’s history. While not claiming the top spot for himself, he praised rapper Future, noting that Future’s 56 Nights mixtape might just be the greatest of all time.
In a chat with 2 Chainz for Complex’s “GOAT Talk” series, Wayne didn’t hesitate in naming 56 Nights by Future and DJ Esco as the pinnacle of mixtape glory, even though he didn’t delve into his reasons.
2 Chainz, on his part, also listed his favorites, highlighting his T.R.U. Religion mixtape alongside Wayne’s The Dedication and Jeezy’s Trap or Die, all universally acclaimed and hosted by DJ Drama.
The world of mixtapes continues to kindle fierce debates and bold claims, with each artist staking their claim to greatness.
