JOE BUDDEN - BUDDEN DROPPED FROM DEF JAM

Rapper JOE BUDDEN is relieved to have been dropped from Def Jam Records - and has hailed the parting of company as a "beautiful" move. The Pump It Up star dropped his debut album in June 2003 to much acclaim - but his sophomore LP, The Growth, has been hit by a barrage of delays after initially being touted for a mid-2004 release. And Budden, 27, is looking forward to a fresh start. He tells AllHipHop.com, "I'm just happy we were finally able to cut all ties. I feel like I have all the talent in the world, but for some reason was never able to showcase it there. "I'm looking forward to whatever God has in store for me, and Joe Budden fans should know - today is a beautiful day."