Joe Budden attends the UnitedMasters SelectCon 2024 in New York City on October 24, 2024. | Source: Johnny Nunez / Getty
2024 just couldn’t end without one last “WTF” news story, that credit going to none other than rapper-turned-podcast-personality Joe Budden.
The Joe Budden Podcast Network leader gave new meaning to being caught with your pants down after he was, well, caught with his pants completely off in a nude complaint recorded on a neighbor’s Ring Camera earlier this month in New Jersey.
The Edgewater Police Department recently went live with a detailed press release (seen below), which according to Police Chief Donald Martin, “The caller recognized the man as a neighbor, Joseph Budden Jr., a 44-year-old male,” also stating, “The video depicted Budden attempting to enter a code into the door keypad several times before re-entering his own residence across the hall.”
TMZ was also able to obtain a response from Joe’s attorney, Nima Ameri, who states, “Mr. Budden is saddened by Police Chief Martin’s press release. Mr. Budden has been waiting weeks for his cross complaints to be processed which include substantially more serious charges include possible felony charges against the persons behind these charges against him. The Chief has in our opinion sat on those but instead used his time to gain some free publicity for himself. Chief Martin should seek publicity by doing notable policing not inflaming disorderly person allegations.”
She went on to describe the allegations as a “minor charge,” while also doubling down to call Chief Martin’s comments “reckless” and even racially motivated. “His choice to single out Mr. Budden in our opinion is self motivated and based off of Mr. Budden’s race and celebrity status,” says Ameri in preparation for her client’s court date next month.
This all came full circle with the latest episodes of JBP. Many noticed that Joe was missing for multiple shows, only to return in episodes 785 and 786 broadcasting from their old filming location. Upon his return, he gave a brief explanation to the co-hosts for his absence by jokingly stating, “I just sleptwalked somewhere I shouldn’t have sleptwalked [sic].” He also says the move wasn’t influenced by the incident, although the studio was in fact located at the residence in question. According to Joe, the town bylaws simply prohibit him from filming in the building.
Here’s a clip from a few years ago of Joe Budden making light of his sleepwalking habits. Might not be much of a laughing matter anymore:
SEE ALSO:
Dr. Umar Johnson Says Hip-Hop ‘Has Betrayed Black America,” Questions Its Value
Right On? Hip-Hop Is Platforming Instead Of Fighting The Power
