By now you’re probably confirming both the quality and the staying power of the Mood Muzik series, a compilation released by Joe Budden and DJ On Point which like fine wine, becomes better with time. Budden is consistent with the series that began with the first, Mood Muzik: The Worst of Joe Budden (2003). Mood Muzik 2: Can it Get Any Worse? followed up in 2005 and served as a strong link in what seems an unending chain to the latest release in the series, For Better or For Worse (2007). You probably heard the most recent addition; you may have even read the reviews which collectively confirm Budden’s raw lyricism and a capable ear for distinctive beats that serve as a backdrop on which Budden reveals emotions while showcasing his individual thoughts and insistent opinions (even if they happen to be against Jay-Z).

Now, this isn’t done often so pay attention. HipHopDX is breaking down the creative process of MM3, getting the 411 straight from the masters and directly to your computer. We chopped it up with Joe Budden, DJ On Point, the power production team and the executive producer himself, Dru Cartier, in order to exhibit how a dexterous album (notice I didn’t use the word mix-tape), is created.

HipHopDX: Was there a specific theme you were going after for this project?
Joe Budden: Not necessarily a theme; however, there was a feel musically and sonically that I was trying to capture; and I think I did that.

DX: Why was the decision made to drop the Mood Muzik 3 at the time in which it was released?
DJ On Point: We felt that it was the best time. The anticipation and the hype that we created was through the roof. We had everyone waiting long enough.

DX: Why did you decide to continue the release of the MM3 series without yet releasing an official studio album since Joe Budden (2003)?
Joe Budden: Well, first of all, the Mood Muzik series is a serious of albums. I don’t mean to get that misconstrued. The distribution is a little different from how albums are typically released. So we released Mood Muzik because we were not releasing retail albums and we will continue to do so even when we start (releasing retail albums).

DX: Was releasing another addition to the MM series a marketing strategy to get the fans hungry for the album itself?
DJ On Point: Releasing another mixtape was a marketing strategy to get the fans hungry for Budden period - not just hungry for the album. You didn’t really hear too much from Joe between the release of Mood Muzik 2 and 3. We had to let everyone know not to go anywhere and that the show has just begun! Right now the momentum is pretty good; we just need to keep it up.

DX: Can you explain the creation process that guided this project?
Joe Budden: Well, it was for myself and the fans first and foremost. Once we had got in the groove it took us about two and half months to complete it. The beats I was going after were raw, edgy, intense and yet still moody in sound…no pun intended. I got together with a few up-and-coming producers who I had developed chemistry with and from there the rest is history. Vocally, there wasn’t a certain feel I was going after. I pretty much knew it wouldn’t come out sounding as angry as Mood Muzik 2 because I wasn’t as angry as I was while making it. Shit, I was in a great state when Mood Muzik 3 was being recorded. I was unsigned for the most part and wouldn’t have released anything if had I been.

DX: You said you wanted to raise the bar with MM3. How did you go about doing that?
DJ On Point: I felt it was already going to be a big project on its own without any extra effort or promo. However, I felt, why just stop there? We need to get as much out of this as possible. I wanted to make it a major event! People felt it was more like an album than a mixtape. So I felt why not try to promote it the same way an album would be promoted? Of course, we didn’t have an actual album budget but we were able to do a lot with the resources that we had.

DX: There was much emotion and honesty poured into MM3. Was this project therapy for you?
Joe Budden: Definitely. All of my music is therapeutic for me.

DX: Why do you think the MM series has been received very well both by critics and the fans (which doesn't always happen)?
DJ On Point: Well, besides the fact that Joe is an incredible lyricist and we had some pretty good production, I think it was received very well by both because at the end of the day whether critic or fan, everybody is a human being and there are things for everyone to relate to in the music.

DX: How does MM3 differ from MM3: The Album - and when is that being released?
Joe Budden: With Mood Muzik 3: The Album, there are a few more bonus records on it. Number two, there are no deejay drops and number three, the sound quality is a bit better than the mix-tape was initially. Mood Muzik 3: The Album, will be available at retail February 26th and I will follow up with The Padded Room album in May 2008. I’m very excited about it. It’s more or less a branch off the Mood Muzik. The mood on The Padded Room album will be lighter. We gonna talk about some other things on there. I’m half way done with it. The records sound amazing and I’m extremely excited for everyone to hear it. Continued on page 2 »