Joe Budden’s life has unfolded in public view, from his days as a rapper to his current role as a candid podcast host. Known for blunt honesty and frequent self-reflection, he has repeatedly opened up about his romantic life — from an early relationship with Angie, with whom he shares his eldest son, to high-profile moments like proposing to Cyn Santana on a live podcast and to Tahiry in Times Square — all signaling a clear desire to find a lifelong partner.
Those relationships, however, ultimately dissolved, prompting observers to question whether his latest romance with Shadée Monique will meet the same fate. As rumors of another split circulate, the question remains: has Budden’s search for a lasting marriage run its course, or is there more beneath the surface than the headlines suggest?
Wack’s Report That Joe and Shadée Split Seems Inaccurate — The Pair Appear Together
In April 2024, during an interview on No Jumper, rapper Wack claimed Joe had ended his relationship with Shadée Monique, alleging the split followed Joe learning about Shadée’s previous relationships with notable figures, including Drake. That assertion quickly fueled debate across the rap community and on social platforms such as Reddit.
A review of Joe and Shadée’s recent social media activity paints a different picture. Both of their accounts still feature numerous photos together, which point toward an ongoing relationship; notably, Shadée shared a photo on January 5, 2024 showing the two of them kissing.
Further evidence of their bond comes from Joe’s July 18, 2023 post, when he publicly celebrated their fourth anniversary (see the original post on HipHopDX). His caption was full of affection and personal references, reading in part, “HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!!! 4 years of love, vibes, fun, firsts… I love you babe, thank you and Happy Anniversary!!!”
There are multiple other posts that highlight the couple’s connection, even though any plans for marriage or the relationship’s future have not been confirmed publicly. Taken together, the social-media evidence undermines Wack’s breakup claim and suggests Joe and Shadée remain an item.
Joe Budden — Relationship Timeline
Late 1990s–Early 2000s: Angie
- 2001: Joe and Angie welcomed their son, Joseph Budden III (commonly called Trey), on May 11. The pair reportedly began seeing each other in the late 1990s.
2005: Tahiry Jose
- Joe started a relationship with Tahiry Jose, who later appeared on Love & Hip Hop: New York.
- Their time together was rocky, including multiple breakups.
- Notable moment: Joe popped the question in Times Square, New York, but Tahiry declined.
- Allegations: Tahiry has said that Joe assaulted her during their relationship, leaving her with a broken rib and a broken nose. The couple eventually split. She has discussed the proposal on several of her podcasts and said, “Yes, he did. And when he proposed, I said no. I don’t handle rejection well, but I had to do what was right for me. I didn’t reject him out of revenge; I just needed to follow my heart”
Watch the video
2012: Kaylin Garcia
- Budden began dating Kaylin Garcia, a model and personality from Love & Hip Hop: New York.
- The relationship was strained, in part because Joe still had unresolved feelings for Tahiry.
- Couples therapy: Joe and Kaylin appeared on Couples Therapy With Dr. Jenn, but the sessions did not repair their issues.
Video: Kaylin Discusses Joe’s Connection to Tahiry During Therapy
2016: Cyn Santana
- Joe Budden entered a relationship with actress Cyn Santana.
- 2017: The couple welcomed a son, Lexington, on December 15.
- Late 2018: Joe proposed to Cyn Santana.
- 2019: Cyn ended the engagement after about four months.
- Allegations: In an alleged leaked phone call in September 2020, Cyn accused Joe of poor parenting and physical abuse.
- She claimed he should not have custody of their son, alleging inappropriate conduct, verbal attacks toward Lexington’s babysitter, substance issues, and other concerning behavior.
- Joe has denied the accusations made against him.
