"Music has been a constant in my life, feeds my soul and nourishes my mind
Not just any music but rather the favorite artist of mine
Joe Budden, so many songs that helped me get through the toughest of times
The words said on the tracks made it feel like they were my own
Like if you were experiencing what I was, it truly hit home
I can remember the first time I heard a song of his, 'Pump It Up'
I figured, just another artist spit out by the machine to make some quick bucks
I dismissed it because it wasn't something I could feel
I wasn't with that whole mainstream appeal
A year passed when I stumbled on one of his songs again, 'Game Over'
A diss to then G-Unit artist Game, after that my view really changed over
Even if I'm not a huge fan of artists dissing each other on wax, I couldn't ignore what I heard
The wordplay with similes and metaphors kept me hanging after every word
Ever since then a new fan was born
Through the downs in my life the music kept me sane
As if the lyrics were the anecdote to ease the pain
After my break up from a long time girlfriend, I had no one to call
Coincidentally, a week later you released 'Downfall'
It's like if you took the anger out for me when I couldn't do it
Let me realize that I'm not the only one going through it
You said that in order to get far we can't get 'Sidetracked'
How the focus that we need to grow is hard to find cuz it often hides back
You said that by being focused anyone can do as they please and it'll pan out
'Just To Be Different' let us know no need to try and fit in when you're a stand out
If you try and fit a mold it'll leave your soul 'Stained'
Better to be selfish and look out for yourself without getting your soul slain
Cuz there's so many fakes and your friend they'll try to be
Told us how to deal with all that on 'Dear Diary'
We know that it's not easy and it's a 'Long Way To Go'
But it's experiencing the road to our goal, we have a long way to grow
Along that journey I make sure to never forget my dead friends and family from up above
I always sit and reminisce the good times like on 'Send Him Our Love'
I still question like why? I know sh*t happens for a reason but it's still not easy
'Pray For Me' questions what we believe in and it makes some feel uneasy
Yet you manage to put it in perspective with 'Follow Your Lead' when it comes to Him
We have to learn to appreciate life whether we're perfectly healthy or missing a limb
That's what I take away from your music
You have the gift to express yourself and affect lives and you use it
This is why I was compelled to write and share, my passion I hope I never lose it
I guess this is my way of giving thanks, for keeping me afloat
I needed a life jacket, but your music brought the whole boat
Keep making that Mood Muzik and persevere through all the strife
Because of that very same reason, in me, lives a fan for life."
