Early Career and Industry Challenges
Joe Budden made his initial mark with the charting single “Pump It Up” in 2003 and a critically praised Def Jam album, but his music earnings and control were limited by standard major label contracts. He released several independent albums and joined the supergroup Slaughterhouse, navigating ongoing fights for creative and business freedom.
Building the Podcast
In 2015, Budden launched “I’ll Name This Podcast Later” with Rory Farrell and Marisa Mendez in Queens. Mendez left in 2016 amid drama, replaced by Jamil “Mal” Clay. Around the same time, Parks Vallely (audio engineer) joined the crew. The show moved from audio-only to video and began drawing a wide hip hop audience with its honest debates and cultural critique. By 2018, Budden’s podcast had reached number one on iTunes, cementing his pivot from rapper to influential commentator.
Spotify Partnership and Breakup
Budden secured an exclusive deal with Spotify, distributing episodes to a broader audience twice weekly beginning in September 2018. His show’s popularity grew, but negotiations for ongoing control and compensation failed—Spotify wanted rights over future content, and Budden refused to give up ownership or autonomy. Budden left Spotify in 2020, criticizing the streaming platform for undervaluing creators and demanding creative control.
Independence and Earning Power
Breaking away meant risk, but it delivered results: by 2025, Budden’s podcast averaged over $1 million/month in Patreon receipts, with overall network earnings set to top $20 million a year. These numbers far exceeded anything from his music days. By managing advertising, distribution, and branding directly, Budden proved that creators—especially Black podcasters—could thrive outside network deals and avoid middlemen who limit growth and profit.
Representation and Industry Barriers
Budden’s path is unique because most Black creators remain dependent on networks, facing barriers in sponsorship, discoverability, industry gatekeeping, and startup funding. He navigated these challenges by prioritizing direct audience relationships and refusing restrictive deals, building a business model that now serves as a blueprint for ownership and independence.
Cast Evolution and Expanding Perspectives
Rory and Mal left the podcast in 2021 amid disputes over contracts and transparency. Budden then expanded his cast with:
- Parks Vallely (audio engineer, co-host since 2016)
- Antwan “Ish” Marby and Lamar “Ice” Burney (friends, joined in 2021)
- Melyssa Ford (media commentator, joined December 2022)
- Trevor “Queenzflip” Robinson (entertainer, joined 2022)
- Marc Lamont Hill (academic/commentator, joined 2024)
Their diverse backgrounds keep the podcast lively, engaging pop culture, hip hop, business, and current events.
Live Tours, Guest Segments, and the Joe Budden Network
The podcast has toured nationally since 2018, performing at venues across the US with Q&A, debates, and skits. Budden launched “The Joe Budden Network,” producing podcasts like “See The Thing Is…” and “Girl I Guess,” further growing independent Black media.
Humanizing the Triumph
Budden’s story blends business, creative risk, and cultural leadership: he went from failed contracts and industry frustration to building the most lucrative independent podcast network among Black creators. His refusal to cede control, openness about his journey, and commitment to hiring and collaborating with diverse team members distinguish the show in an industry still marked by gatekeeping.
