Joe Budden says Zepbound is responsible for his recent weight loss.
On Wednesday’s episode of Club Shay Shay, the 45-year-old rapper-turned-podcaster spoke openly with Shannon Sharpe about his current use of the weight loss drug Zepbound.
Near the two-hour and nine-minute mark in the video linked above, Sharpe mentioned hearing that Budden tried Ozempic. Budden clarified, “I'm not on Ozempic. I'm on Zepound ... This week we'll start my third week. I love it.”
The “Pump It Up” rapper said the effects were immediately noticeable, saying, “I told you I was trying to get dressed and put something on and come here and I couldn't fit in shit. I lost a lot of weight."
Budden estimated he weighs “less than 220 pounds” at the moment but that the medication was not the sole factor.
“But my weight loss started before I started taking the Zep. I did some dietary changes. I added some things to my workout routine. For December, I was like, 'You know what? We're going to rock and roll!’ So, I was losing weight already. This was just supposed to be like a extra oomph. That’s all it was supposed to be, and I'm probably under 220 right now. I was over 240.”
As far as his ideal weight goes, Budden said, “I could see between 210 and 215. Anything less than that I wouldn't feel comfortable being outside, just in case something got to go on."
Budden also said that Zepbound is paired with consistent workouts and better eating.
"I've been working out," and, "Yes. I'm the healthiest right this second that l've probably ever been lifestyle-wise."
He closed with a broader message about health awareness and making sure viewers are up to date on their exams.
“Listen, man, we have lost too many people,” Budden said. “I encourage the people listening: go get all of that shit done—all of it. It's annoying, I know. I almost stopped the full body MRI right at the tail end of it, ‘Let me out this little tight ass machine!’ But no, you got to do it. Get the heart scan.
“I don't want to sound like I'm preaching, but it's just that important. There's too many people dropping dead.”
Watch Joe Budden’s full episode of Club Shay Shay up top.