The bassist played with Prince. The drummer played with D'Angelo. The guitarist is one of the best young blues players alive.
Together they're Atomic Habitz, and here they are covering "Be Thankful for What You Got" at Newport Jazz, 2026.
One of the most powerful two minute clips you can find is Joe Budden talking about mastering the inner game, surviving your own nervous system, and the myth of the music industry:
🔇 The hardest part of high performance isn’t the noise, it’s the silence. It’s the moments where no one is clapping, no one is calling, and no one is noticing you… BUT you still choose to show up. That’s where sustainability lives, not in being seen, but in being strong enough to stay when you feel invisible.
🫥 When validation disappears, self-trust is all you have left. Self-trust is only built when it's quiet, in the lonely reps no one tracks, in the days you feel forgotten but refuse to abandon yourself.
🌡️ Emotional durability is a separator. It’s the willingness to stay grounded when doubt gets loud, to regulate your nervous system when pressure rises, and to keep honoring your process when results lag behind. The ones who make it aren’t just the most talented, they’re the ones who don’t break when it gets quiet.
The real test of success isn’t whether you can perform when the world is watching, it’s whether you can KEEP becoming who you said you’d be when NOBODY is.
‘Oh my God, how much stuff have I not allowed myself to enjoy because I was in my own head — feeling like I was unworthy?'
This just hit me like a ton of bricks. Fuck.
If we’re dating, I want to be your second priority. Your first priority should be you, your ambitions, your life, and your future. I want the best for you. Don’t let me be a distraction; let me be your motivation, your support, and your partner in growth.