No Love Lost

Back in the early '00s, Jersey City rapper Joe Budden was on top of the world. After he signed with hip-hop powerhouse Def Jam, his debut single, "Pump It Up," was a huge hit, earning him a GRAMMY® nomination and a fast-growing fanbase. Typical industry confusion soon found him dropped by the label, despite his several popular mixtapes in the Mood Muzik series. Known for his highly personal, Eminem-esque wordplay about his struggles with substance abuse, mental illness, and high-drama women, he continued recording independently over the years. He maintained a cult-like following despite limited sales. Then came Slaughterhouse—his supergroup with Royce Da 5'9", Crooked I, and Joell Ortiz—and now Joe's famous again. No Love Lost is his first solo album since 2009's Escape Route; it concludes a four-album arc that goes back to Halfway House and Padded Room. Loaded with guest spots (Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa, French Montana, Lloyd Banks, Juicy J, Fabolous, Twista, Omarion, etc.), the album's highlights include "She Don't Put It Down," "NBA," and "Skeletons."