Joe Budden Responds To Harsh Criticism Of New Show "Crime In America"

BY Gabriel Bras Nevares
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Joe Budden Confident Crime In America Podcast Criticisms
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 28: Joe Budden attends Jay-Z's 40/40 Club 18th Anniversary celebration at 40/40 Club on August 28, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage/Getty Images)
Joe Budden's new "Crime In America" podcast is in collaboration with "Law & Order" creator Dick Wolf, but it's not getting the best reviews.

Joe Budden is proud to be one of the highest-paid podcasters out there, and he knows that success doesn't come without risk. As such, amid harsh criticisms for the first episode of his Crime In America podcast with Law & Order creator Dick Wolf, he chose to address fans and promise there's better content on the way.

As caught by Brey tha Barbie on Twitter, Budden announced a Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything) to talk about the new podcast's first episode and fans' takes on it. In a video, he expressed appreciation for fans' feedback and constructive criticisms, highlighting why he finds this part of the journey so special despite fans' harsh takes.

"I appreciate the feedback and all constructive criticism," Joe expressed. "We want a new podcast for a new or old audience, as long as there is an audience. As long as we're evoking some type of emotion in you, I feel like it's a job well-done. For me, I think it's something you'll continue to see me get better at. There's something fun and fresh about starting a new show. And one of the best things about a new show, for me and fans alike, is you're there for the maturation process of that show. You're there when they make small adjustments or subtle changes, whether it be to audio or your visual. And you get to kind of come up together. So, I think that's fly. I think I'll get better in my delivery and my execution. I think, as the show goes on, you'll see a lot more of my personality. When I watched it back, I had the same critiques. So, shoutout to you for having expert criticism. Thank you for that."

Joe Budden's New Podcast

Joe Budden's Crime In America only has one episode at press time. But fans still expressed disappointment in this offering, whether it was because of Budden's delivery or the overall presentation and subject matter of the show. As Joe highlighted, there will probably be a lot of changes in the future to address these criticisms, and he seems grateful for fans' honesty here.

Elsewhere, Joe Budden will still dish out hip-hop hot takes, so don't fret about missing any of that. For someone as established in his realm for so long, it's curious to see these risks more as challenges than mistakes.

About The Author
Gabriel Bras Nevares is a staff writer for HotNewHipHop. He joined HNHH while completing his B.A. in Journalism & Mass Communication at The George Washington University in the summer of 2022. Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Gabriel treasures the crossover between his native reggaetón and hip-hop news coverage, such as his review for Bad Bunny’s hometown concert in 2024. But more specifically, he digs for the deeper side of hip-hop conversations, whether that’s the “death” of the genre in 2023, the lyrical and parasocial intricacies of the Kendrick Lamar and Drake battle, or the many moving parts of the Young Thug and YSL RICO case. Beyond engaging and breaking news coverage, Gabriel makes the most out of his concert obsessions, reviewing and recapping festivals like Rolling Loud Miami and Camp Flog Gnaw. He’s also developed a strong editorial voice through album reviews, think-pieces, and interviews with some of the genre’s brightest upstarts and most enduring obscured gems like Homeboy Sandman, Bktherula, Bas, and Devin Malik.