DISSNATION
Verified archive entry

Ransom Note

By Joe Budden · Targeting Ransom

Ransom Note is a diss track by Joe Budden targeting Ransom. Joe Budden and fellow Jersey City rapper Ransom fell out after their earlier A-Team association and exchanged increasingly personal records. Budden uses their shared history to argue that Ransom's public account erases help, access and private knowledge from before the feud.

ReleasedPending
Annotated13
ExplicitYes
Addressable transcript

Lyrics & breakdown

Demo lines only. Select a line number to copy a stable deep link.

  1. 01

    Everybody's a killer but everybody's alive

    02

    When shots pop off everybody won't survive

    03

    Its obvious who will prevail if we collide

    04

    So I ain't beefin with Ran, he's beefin with his pride

  2. 05

    Killin him inside, wanna box then I son him

    06

    Six years on mixtapes and Koch dont want him

    07

    Say your fingers on a trigga nigga pull it then

    08

    Instead of beggin for bread on these myspace bulletins

  3. 09

    Whoa, might put him with the fishes and the lobsters

    10

    You online talkin to my bitches' imposters

    11

    Talkin' bout my baby moms and son won't help

    12

    This brother need a beatin, Im takin off my belt

  4. 13

    Call the king a sidekick, thats suicide with the quickness

    Multi-line diss block
    14

    Gotta kill my own dog, thats Mike Vick shit

    15

    Your girl home sufferin from light sickness

    16

    Cause you couldn't take care of your daughter like W.I.C. did

    Block noteMakes the feud personal through family

    TargetRansom

    MeaningWhat it means: In “Cause you couldn't take care of your daughter like W.I.C. did,” Joe Budden brings a relative or family boundary into the exchange with Ransom, moving the dispute beyond music and into private life. Why it was said: Joe Budden and fellow Jersey City rapper Ransom fell out after their earlier A-Team association and exchanged increasingly personal records. Budden uses their shared history to argue that Ransom's public account erases help, access and private knowledge from before the feud. Family references explain why the conflict feels personal: they raise the emotional cost for Ransom and make the line more consequential than a routine comparison of rap skill.

    ContextJoe Budden and fellow Jersey City rapper Ransom fell out after their earlier A-Team association and exchanged increasingly personal records. Budden uses their shared history to argue that Ransom's public account erases help, access and private knowledge from before the feud.

  5. 17

    I love Hitch flow, think it compliments yours

    Multi-line diss block
    18

    Now, only yes men compliment yours

    19

    When you was A-team, they said you was trash dookie

    20

    Take it from your own squad nigga, ask Pookie

    Block noteAttacks the target's ability to rap

    TargetRansom

    MeaningWhat it means: In “When you was A-team, they said you was trash dookie,” Joe Budden challenges Ransom on writing, delivery, flow, or command of the microphone rather than relying only on a personal insult. Why it was said: Joe Budden and fellow Jersey City rapper Ransom fell out after their earlier A-Team association and exchanged increasingly personal records. Budden uses their shared history to argue that Ransom's public account erases help, access and private knowledge from before the feud. This goes to the qualification that gives Ransom standing in a rap battle; if the craft is weak, the reply loses authority before its other claims are considered.

    ContextJoe Budden and fellow Jersey City rapper Ransom fell out after their earlier A-Team association and exchanged increasingly personal records. Budden uses their shared history to argue that Ransom's public account erases help, access and private knowledge from before the feud.

  6. 21

    I'm looking at Randy like he a act movie

    22

    Some JC heads might wanna lash and do me

    23

    But shit was outta order when I came across the border

    24

    As a foreigner and hit the homerun like Matsui

  7. 25

    This is pointless beef for the retarded kids

    26

    The nigga can't even tell you why he started the shit

    27

    I mean he can't make a record

    28

    The tapes comin out that nobody care about, you can't see that he desperate

  8. 29

    The fans can easily solve my shit

    30

    If yall cop his tape, maybe he'll hop off my dick

    31

    Wanna be hard so bad, no identity left

    32

    So he run around committing identity theft

  9. 33

    See the kid is confused

    34

    The nigga used to work at Home Depot, maybe thats why he spittin bout tools

    35

    You ain't hustlin on the steps

    36

    Before rap you was in culinary arts, hustlin to be a chef

  10. 37

    Come on stop lyin Ran

    Multi-line diss block
    38

    You never been good with weight, you good with fryin pans

    39

    You not grimey you dirty, how long you think you gon rep Jersey

    40

    You not 25 you 30

    Block noteDisputes the target's street identity

    TargetRansom

    MeaningWhat it means: In “You never been good with weight, you good with fryin pans,” Joe Budden measures Ransom's public persona against claims about neighborhood ties, gang affiliation, or lived street experience. Why it was said: Joe Budden and fellow Jersey City rapper Ransom fell out after their earlier A-Team association and exchanged increasingly personal records. Budden uses their shared history to argue that Ransom's public account erases help, access and private knowledge from before the feud. The line separates image from biography: if Ransom's claimed background appears borrowed or exaggerated, the intimidation attached to that persona weakens.

    ContextJoe Budden and fellow Jersey City rapper Ransom fell out after their earlier A-Team association and exchanged increasingly personal records. Budden uses their shared history to argue that Ransom's public account erases help, access and private knowledge from before the feud.

  11. 41

    And I ain't gettin shit outta this, I should stop it

    42

    But Tony Romo niggas stay gettin outta pocket

    43

    I won't cause ya goons harm I already see you tryna get me mad dog cuz his buzz like Boons Farm

    44

    I been in JC Since '92

  12. 45

    They was the only niggas I could kick rhymes to

    46

    Before everybody wanted a label to sign to

    47

    You must got me f*cked up thinking im you!

    48

    See I ain't have no cash

  13. 49

    I was learning from chaos, medicine cabinet and low cash

    50

    Sayin I can't come back is the worst rhyme

    51

    I was there when Jay Brown changed his name the first time

    52

    So now I gotta give lessons bout Jersey

  14. 53

    Before wetland everything was 7 30 dog

    Multi-line diss block
    54

    You the fraud you tryna be hard, I was there when the feds kept chasin after shard

    55

    Not westside union, I live with bizzike

    56

    Went to st anthony's to go and check big ike

    Block noteTreats the target's persona as fabricated

    TargetRansom

    MeaningWhat it means: In “You the fraud you tryna be hard, I was there when the feds kept chasin after shard,” Joe Budden says Ransom's public story or image is false rather than a reliable account of who the target is. Why it was said: Joe Budden and fellow Jersey City rapper Ransom fell out after their earlier A-Team association and exchanged increasingly personal records. Budden uses their shared history to argue that Ransom's public account erases help, access and private knowledge from before the feud. Once the persona is presented as invented, the boasts and accusations built on it become easier for listeners to dismiss.

    ContextJoe Budden and fellow Jersey City rapper Ransom fell out after their earlier A-Team association and exchanged increasingly personal records. Budden uses their shared history to argue that Ransom's public account erases help, access and private knowledge from before the feud.

  15. 57

    You think you cool wit niggas you say wassup to'em

    58

    Difference between us is I grew up wit'em

    59

    Rappin's my duty, I admired a newbie, I first meet Deion sellin dude my uzi

    60

    And it worked out, he had beef and I was broke

  16. 61

    But I never cocked it so I ain't see that it was broke

    62

    You a joke, watchu wanna keep talkin bout those guys dog

    63

    I ain't mad I risked my life for '05

    64

    You and Meedah fly you spit verses

  17. 65

    I took him to the studio so he could lay his first shit

    Multi-line diss block
    66

    So you right, these young niggas dont know me

    67

    But do your homework, go ask a few OG's

    68

    Me and you see the hood way different

    Block noteTurns the target's name into a weapon

    TargetRansom

    MeaningWhat it means: In “But do your homework, go ask a few OG's,” Joe Budden manipulates Ransom's name or nickname so that the opponent's own identity supplies the setup or punchline. Why it was said: Joe Budden and fellow Jersey City rapper Ransom fell out after their earlier A-Team association and exchanged increasingly personal records. Budden uses their shared history to argue that Ransom's public account erases help, access and private knowledge from before the feud. Nameplay is sticky because every later mention can recall the insult; the artist is trying to attach a hostile definition to Ransom rather than let the target's chosen brand stand untouched.

    ContextJoe Budden and fellow Jersey City rapper Ransom fell out after their earlier A-Team association and exchanged increasingly personal records. Budden uses their shared history to argue that Ransom's public account erases help, access and private knowledge from before the feud.

  18. 69

    You glorify it, im horrified of it

    Multi-line diss block
    70

    Dont be stupid all your life Ran, be clear

    71

    I fuck with cats from the hood that wanna leave there

    72

    And this is when I know I heard it all;

    Block noteQuestions the target's judgment

    TargetRansom

    MeaningWhat it means: In “Dont be stupid all your life Ran, be clear,” Joe Budden characterizes Ransom as unintelligent, careless, or unable to understand the situation being addressed. Why it was said: Joe Budden and fellow Jersey City rapper Ransom fell out after their earlier A-Team association and exchanged increasingly personal records. Budden uses their shared history to argue that Ransom's public account erases help, access and private knowledge from before the feud. The insult makes the target's decisions part of the evidence: a poor response can be framed not as strategy, but as proof that Ransom never understood the contest.

    ContextJoe Budden and fellow Jersey City rapper Ransom fell out after their earlier A-Team association and exchanged increasingly personal records. Budden uses their shared history to argue that Ransom's public account erases help, access and private knowledge from before the feud.

  19. 73

    His stupid ass proud to live on the third floor

    74

    He like "Im in the hood all day, I gets it poppin''

    75

    You WHACK MOTHERFUCKER, you dont have another option

    76

    Talkin bout the city hate Mouse, are you serious?

  20. 77

    We go through that once a month, its the new period

    Multi-line diss block
    78

    Nothin about you's tough, to say the least

    79

    Your fans think you a beast, I think you a feast

    80

    Keep lightin up the match, but he dont get hot

    Block noteChallenges the target's public standing

    TargetRansom

    MeaningWhat it means: In “Your fans think you a beast, I think you a feast,” Joe Budden questions whether Ransom's attention, audience, or reputation reflects genuine respect. Why it was said: Joe Budden and fellow Jersey City rapper Ransom fell out after their earlier A-Team association and exchanged increasingly personal records. Budden uses their shared history to argue that Ransom's public account erases help, access and private knowledge from before the feud. Visibility can be mistaken for victory, so the artist recasts Ransom's recognition as temporary, manufactured, or disconnected from credibility.

    ContextJoe Budden and fellow Jersey City rapper Ransom fell out after their earlier A-Team association and exchanged increasingly personal records. Budden uses their shared history to argue that Ransom's public account erases help, access and private knowledge from before the feud.

  21. 81

    Scream Webb and Nitty name so he dont get shot

    82

    We both unsigned, you hate it, im loving it

    83

    Im busy, you bored, you beat, im coveted

    84

    Who believes him? bad enough his flows not seasoned

  22. 85

    And when you came at Joe, the shit weakened

    Multi-line diss block
    86

    Push him off the deep end, how the fucks we even?

    87

    Your career fell bout short as a great weekend

    88

    At fight night, im in vegas when you wanna be

    Block noteUses career results as evidence

    TargetRansom

    MeaningWhat it means: In “Your career fell bout short as a great weekend,” Joe Budden turns releases, sales, label standing, or career momentum into a public measurement of Ransom's position. Why it was said: Joe Budden and fellow Jersey City rapper Ransom fell out after their earlier A-Team association and exchanged increasingly personal records. Budden uses their shared history to argue that Ransom's public account erases help, access and private knowledge from before the feud. The artist invokes an external scoreboard so listeners can compare Ransom's claims with visible results, making status something that can be disproved rather than merely debated.

    ContextJoe Budden and fellow Jersey City rapper Ransom fell out after their earlier A-Team association and exchanged increasingly personal records. Budden uses their shared history to argue that Ransom's public account erases help, access and private knowledge from before the feud.

  23. 89

    The only time you sit ring-side is on Tonellee

    90

    So much drama in the NYC

    91

    Liftin weights tryna fit in them skin tight tee's

    92

    And ya disses feel like they full of bitterness, anger

  24. 93

    Cue the violins Miri Ben Ari

    94

    No one asked ya man Dread bout the toys in ya house

    95

    You Dougie Fresh'n it just makin noise wit ya mouth

    96

    Tell me how I'm a hater, nah I rhyme greater

  25. 97

    Next to me you'll always be the denominator

    98

    Look I'm too fearless, thought I had a good understandin of who my peers is

    99

    Till you pulled this weird shit, careless

    100

    Put ya name in some good use, hold ya music for ransom cause we don't wanna hear it

  26. 101

    Maybe you never heard Joe Budden music

    Multi-line diss block
    102

    You can't use my life in a diss it's just useless

    103

    So that secret shit you spoke about in a song

    104

    Nigga go and download, Where Did It Go Wrong

    Block notePressures the target to answer

    TargetRansom

    MeaningWhat it means: In “You can't use my life in a diss it's just useless,” Joe Budden treats Ransom's response, delay, or silence as part of the contest rather than a neutral choice. Why it was said: Joe Budden and fellow Jersey City rapper Ransom fell out after their earlier A-Team association and exchanged increasingly personal records. Budden uses their shared history to argue that Ransom's public account erases help, access and private knowledge from before the feud. By defining silence as concession, the line tries to control the timetable of the feud and force Ransom into replying on the artist's terms.

    ContextJoe Budden and fellow Jersey City rapper Ransom fell out after their earlier A-Team association and exchanged increasingly personal records. Budden uses their shared history to argue that Ransom's public account erases help, access and private knowledge from before the feud.

  27. 105

    You can't ride no more like warn tires

    106

    You can go to Southern Cal right now to get on fire

    107

    Think, if I'm the label, why hire you?

    108

    Nothin even pops up when I limewire dude

  28. 109

    This nigga's not a thug nevermind what I say

    110

    Ask anybody went to Club Spa on Friday

    111

    When you tryna succeed, how you a dope boy?

    112

    Couldn't support ya own habit I was buyin ya weed

  29. 113

    I mean, but how dare niggas talk about the Game beef

    114

    When it was off wax, nigga that was gang beef

    115

    On Top the only one's that would entertain beef

    116

    Yall said he talkin about you Joe, that ain't me

  30. 117

    So get lost all that gangsta shit soft

    Multi-line diss block
    118

    Even all ya songs wit features ain't piff dawg

    119

    What you do but go and get out shined by Rick Ross

    120

    When you gonna learn I'm the wrong one to piss off

    Block noteQuestions the target's judgment

    TargetRansom

    MeaningWhat it means: In “When you gonna learn I'm the wrong one to piss off,” Joe Budden characterizes Ransom as unintelligent, careless, or unable to understand the situation being addressed. Why it was said: Joe Budden and fellow Jersey City rapper Ransom fell out after their earlier A-Team association and exchanged increasingly personal records. Budden uses their shared history to argue that Ransom's public account erases help, access and private knowledge from before the feud. The insult makes the target's decisions part of the evidence: a poor response can be framed not as strategy, but as proof that Ransom never understood the contest.

    ContextJoe Budden and fellow Jersey City rapper Ransom fell out after their earlier A-Team association and exchanged increasingly personal records. Budden uses their shared history to argue that Ransom's public account erases help, access and private knowledge from before the feud.

  31. 121

    You could put the mic down you don't want trouble fag

    Multi-line diss block
    122

    The chrome 50 put his brains in a duffle bag

    123

    He ain't a killa tell him show you all the hammers

    124

    Think he a gorilla tell him show you the bananas

    Block noteUses gendered or sexual humiliation

    TargetRansom

    MeaningWhat it means: In “You could put the mic down you don't want trouble fag,” Joe Budden uses gendered or sexual language to question Ransom's masculinity or humiliate the target in front of the audience. Why it was said: Joe Budden and fellow Jersey City rapper Ransom fell out after their earlier A-Team association and exchanged increasingly personal records. Budden uses their shared history to argue that Ransom's public account erases help, access and private knowledge from before the feud. The tactic tries to trigger an emotional reply and damage Ransom's public image, even though the framing itself can reproduce homophobic or sexist stereotypes.

    ContextJoe Budden and fellow Jersey City rapper Ransom fell out after their earlier A-Team association and exchanged increasingly personal records. Budden uses their shared history to argue that Ransom's public account erases help, access and private knowledge from before the feud.

  32. 125

    Dawg, nigga came out look like a spartan

    126

    But keep gettin smoked, now he lookin like a carton

    127

    Cause I'll put the bars in just to create a margin

    128

    FUCK prime time he ain't ready for the sparrin

  33. 129

    Us in the same weight class is mind bogglin

    Multi-line diss block
    130

    You goin at full speed while I'm joggin

    131

    Tryna get rich live young made and handsome

    132

    You'll go down as just another unpaid ransom

    Block noteTurns money and possessions into leverage

    TargetRansom

    MeaningWhat it means: In “Tryna get rich live young made and handsome,” Joe Budden contrasts financial power or possessions with Ransom's alleged lack of money, access, or control. Why it was said: Joe Budden and fellow Jersey City rapper Ransom fell out after their earlier A-Team association and exchanged increasingly personal records. Budden uses their shared history to argue that Ransom's public account erases help, access and private knowledge from before the feud. The comparison converts status into material evidence and is meant to make Ransom's success claims look hollow beside something listeners can picture and measure.

    ContextJoe Budden and fellow Jersey City rapper Ransom fell out after their earlier A-Team association and exchanged increasingly personal records. Budden uses their shared history to argue that Ransom's public account erases help, access and private knowledge from before the feud.

  34. 133

    A few things in life that you ain't learn

    Multi-line diss block
    134

    And a few stripes out there that you ain't earn

    135

    Like you think niggas love you, think dudes respect you

    136

    Think they support you...*fades out*

    Block noteQuestions the target's judgment

    TargetRansom

    MeaningWhat it means: In “A few things in life that you ain't learn,” Joe Budden characterizes Ransom as unintelligent, careless, or unable to understand the situation being addressed. Why it was said: Joe Budden and fellow Jersey City rapper Ransom fell out after their earlier A-Team association and exchanged increasingly personal records. Budden uses their shared history to argue that Ransom's public account erases help, access and private knowledge from before the feud. The insult makes the target's decisions part of the evidence: a poor response can be framed not as strategy, but as proof that Ransom never understood the contest.

    ContextJoe Budden and fellow Jersey City rapper Ransom fell out after their earlier A-Team association and exchanged increasingly personal records. Budden uses their shared history to argue that Ransom's public account erases help, access and private knowledge from before the feud.