Joe Budden’s antics have taken a jaw-dropping turn, and this time, it’s not about his infamous podcast debates. On December 4, 2024, the 44-year-old rapper and podcast host was allegedly caught on a neighbor’s Ring camera strolling naked in the hallway of his Edgewater, NJ apartment complex. The incident, which occurred around 7:21 AM, has landed Budden in legal trouble, charged with lewdness—a disorderly person offense under New Jersey law.
According to reports, Joe Budden was seen approaching a neighbor’s door and attempting to enter a code on the keypad. When unsuccessful, he turned and walked back to his own apartment across the hall. The footage the neighbor provided triggered a police investigation and eventually led to the charge.
While Edgewater Police Chief Donald A. Martin issued a measured statement emphasizing that Budden is “innocent until proven guilty,” Budden’s lawyer, Nima Ameri, had much sharper words. Ameri criticized the complaint as racially motivated, calling the entire situation a “publicity stunt” orchestrated by the neighbor. Ameri also revealed that Budden has filed counter-complaints, suggesting this legal spat may just be heating up.
Budden, known for never shying away from controversy, addressed the situation with his trademark mix of candor and humor. On a recent episode of his podcast, he quipped, “You know how I sleep—butta–. Nice nakeda–,” doubling down on his claim that he’s a sleepwalker and that the incident was unintentional. While his fans laughed it off as classic Joe, others were less forgiving, accusing him of deflecting blame.
This latest incident is far from Budden’s first brush with public drama. Over the years, he’s sparred with neighbors over noisy podcast sessions, faced allegations of workplace misconduct in 2021, and weathered assault accusations in 2014, which were ultimately dismissed. Each controversy has bolstered his reputation as a polarizing figure who thrives in chaos.
With a court date set for January 16, 2025, all eyes are on what promises to be another dramatic chapter in Budden’s already colorful story. Whether his sleepwalking defense holds water or this escalates into further legal fireworks, one thing is certain—Joe Budden’s ability to command attention remains unmatched.
