Going on what inrctyhoodmusic said:
1. Isn't it crazy that Def Jam is officially calling the poor results of the album a problem with the changing of Joe Buddens' name to "Joe Budden" for the debut, rather than "Joe Buddens," which is the way he was always known? I think that's ludicrous.
2. Furthering what you said inrctyhoodmusic, Joe Buddens was poised for the new upstart that Def Jam wanted to bring around 2000, which was a second-in label controlled by the parent called "Spit Records." Spit Records folded, partly because of the US economic downturn, and partly because of an overestimation of bringing in underground hip-hop type music into a mainstream that might not have been ready, that's why that arm of Def Jam folded, and afterwards made more successful deals in the creation of Def Jam South, and Def Jam Germany, etc.
He is talented. Looks like he might have to start making love-songs to sell more, unfortunately. He was set up to be a poster-boy for Spit Records. After that folded, though, Def Jam was left with somebody that didn't necessarily fit into their strategy at the time. But he is a talent.
Sincerely,
God