JOE BUDDEN PUMPS NEW DEAL: Rapper inks with Amalgam Digital for release of new album

Mood Muzik 3: The Album," the long-delayed new studio effort from Joe Budden, will finally be released on Feb. 26 as part of his new deal with Amalgram Digital.

Budden says the independent record/digital label offers him a whole new host of opportunities to connect with hip hop fans.

"With the Mood Muzik series gaining mass attention, this is just our effort to maximize on awareness," Budden said in a statement. "Amalgam understands our vision, as we do theirs, so this will be first of many ventures to come. We have a full length album entitled 'Padded Room' coming second quarter 2008. We're prepping for a big year…are you in the mood yet?"

"Mood Muzik 3" is comprised of various Budden songs that were released on mixtapes, as well as unreleased material.