Jadakiss:
Kiss Of Death

Release Date: 22 June 2004

Reviewed By: Samantha Watson

1. Intro

2. What You So Mad At

3. Shine - feat Snoop Dogg, DJ Quick

4. Bring You Down

5. Time's Up - feat, Nate Dogg

6. Why - feat, Anthony Hamilton

7. U Make Me Wanna - feat, Mariah Carey

8. Hot Skit

9. Hot Sauce To Go - feat, Pharell

10. Real Hip Hop - feat, Sheek

11. Shoot Outs - feat, Styles P

12. Still Feel Me

13. By Your Side

14. Gettin' It In - feat, Kanye West

15. Air It Out

16. Welcome To D Block - feat, Sheek, Styles P, Eminem

17. Kiss Of Death

18. I'm Going Back

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It is nearly 3 years since Jadakiss’ debut release ‘Kiss The Game Goodbye’ in 2001. Although he has not released any material you have probably heard him pop up on tracks with the likes of Ghostface on ‘Run’, Jennifer Lopez ‘Jenny from the Block’, Gangstarr ‘Rite where you stand’ and others.

Jadakiss has now made his return official with his new release ‘Kiss of Death’; the 18-track album looks at political and street issues, and is regarded to be his most personal.

The album includes a host of collaborations from artists Nate Dogg, Anthony Hamilton, Snoop Dogg, Mariah Carey, Kanye West and others. Production is high, with a mass of talented producers on the set from Havoc of Mobb Deep, Dr. Dre, Swizz beatz (his work includes artists like Eve, Nas, Cassidy); other producers include Eminem, the Ruff Ryders, Neptunes and more.

On the track ‘Bring You Down’ the lyrics are quite uplifting by telling people not to let things bring them down, production wise it is not hot but it is decent. Compared to the good track, ‘Times up’, produced by Dre, the track has a more hardcore sound featuring Nate Dogg adding his infectious vocals, the chorus is catchy and Jadakiss lays down some generous lyrics.

Anyone who has not bought Anthony Hamilton’s album, ‘Coming From Where I’m From’, needs to get his album, with his Soul/R&B sound he joins Jadakiss on the track ‘Why’, one of the best singles on the album, the chorus and main lyrics all have messages, highlighting how the system tries to control people, as Jadakiss hits out, ‘Why is the industry designed to keep the artist in debt…why they let the terminator win the election’. When you listen to this track, you’ll sit down and think ‘hmmm…why?’

Fans of Mariah Carey will like the track ‘U Make Me Wanna’, the distinctive Mariah vocals with Jadakiss laying down lyrics, the track plays on an Egyptian like sound with added synthesised beats, not one of the best singles but it is one you can listen to. Another artist with a distinctive sound is Pharrell who drops vocals on the enjoyable track ‘Hot Sauce To Go’, with Neptunes, on production, adding their unique laid back sound of funk with the added bass guitar and shakers.

On ‘Real Hip Hop’, Swizz Beatz doesn’t disappoint, the sound is reminiscent of the 70s Shaft sound, featuring Sheek, you will hear him drop lyrics like ‘ …your ballz ain’t big enough you need a gimmick, go run around the block with Puff, get a black phone, rinse some of Jigga stuff…’, this is one of the good singles from the album.

Kanye West does not seem to be stopping at all and on this track ‘Getting’ it in’, we see yet another side of his quality production. This is another laid back vibin’ track where Jadakiss and Kanye unload lyrics about women, the good and the bad. On the other side there is a track called ‘Shoot Outs’ which features his cousin, Styles.P, basically shooting out praise to Dead Prez and others, the music has more of a rock feel, in terms of production it is not to my personal taste.

Another track that stood out was ‘Still feel me’, a very personal side of Jadakiss is seen on this single and in reflection he looks at what has happened in his life since his debut release, an interesting introspective look into Jadakiss.

Eminem, Styles.P, and Sheek join Jadakiss on ‘Welcome to D-Block’, the track produced by Eminem has Eminem’s recognisable style, the track itself is quite good. D-Block basically meaning a ghetto – ‘a city of broke down dreams’. The single has everyone flowing tight, spitting lyrics on life in D-Block.

The album title track ‘Kiss of Death is quite appealing, produced by ‘Red Spyda’. Jadakiss offers a decent set of lyrics with a good flow. Basically it is not an anthem song but it follows along those lines, which is probably why it was chosen to be the album title.

The album as a whole is like a reflection of what has happened in his life and the things that are happening around him. More personal compared to his last album, he touches on many social and personal issues and it is not at all disappointing. The album includes production from a list of top producers and features a reel of big artists. He has definitely proven himself to be a good diverse lyricist on this album and he’s probably answered many of those who questioned his ability.

Rating: 3.5 Out of 5

Top 3 Tracks:
6) Why "Feat. Anothny Hamilton"
10) Real Hip Hop "Feat. Sheek"
12) Still Feel Me

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