Jadakiss
Jadakiss | |
|---|---|
| Born | Jason Terrance Phillips May 27, 1975 Yonkers, New York, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Hip hop artist, rapper |
| Years active | 1990s–present |
| Known for | Member of The Lox, solo albums including Kiss Tha Game Goodbye and Kiss of Death |
Jason Terrance Phillips (born May 27, 1975), professionally recognized as Jadakiss, is an American hip hop artist who began his musical journey in the 1990s. In 1994, he co-established the rap group The Lox alongside Styles P and Sheek Louch. Initially, the trio signed with Puff Daddy’s label, Bad Boy Records, releasing their first album, Money, Power & Respect (1998). Their sophomore effort, We Are the Streets (2000), was launched under Ruff Ryders Entertainment. Both records reached the top five on the Billboard 200 and were met with critical acclaim. Subsequent projects such as Filthy America... It's Beautiful (2016) and Living Off Xperience (2020) were distributed through Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, continuing to garner favorable reviews.
After the release of The Lox’s second album, Jadakiss embarked on a solo path, signing with Ruff Ryders to produce Kiss Tha Game Goodbye (2001) and Kiss of Death (2004). The latter album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and featured his most successful single, "Why?", which included vocals from Anthony Hamilton. Later, Jadakiss joined Def Jam Recordings, releasing The Last Kiss (2009) and Top 5 Dead or Alive (2015), which reached third and fourth positions on the chart respectively. He also partnered with rapper Fabolous on the collaborative album Friday on Elm Street (2017) and dropped his fifth solo record, Ignatius (2020), both of which received critical praise.
Early life
Born Jason Terrance Phillips on May 27, 1975, in Yonkers, New York, he displayed an early passion for hip hop culture. By age twelve, he was already engaging in hustling and performing freestyle raps for money. During this period, he connected with future collaborators Sheek Louch and Styles P, leading to the formation of the hip-hop group The Lox.
Career
Phillips built a grassroots following and competed in a freestyle contest in Florida at twelve years old, which caught the attention of Ruff Ryders. Alongside Styles P and Sheek Louch, he initially formed a group called The Warlox. Their demo tape was handed to Puff Daddy by singer Mary J. Blige, resulting in a contract with Bad Boy Records. Early in his career, Phillips performed under the name J. Ski; the stage name "Jadakiss" emerged from a mispronunciation of his original moniker.
1994–2000: The Lox
Following their signing with Bad Boy Records, Puff Daddy shortened their name to The Lox. They made their debut appearance on Main Source’s 1994 album Fuck What You Think, contributing the track "Set it Off". The group also featured on successful singles by Puff Daddy, Mase, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, and The Notorious B.I.G.. Jadakiss formed a strong bond with The Notorious B.I.G., who became a mentor figure.
Their breakthrough came with "We'll Always Love Big Poppa," a tribute track dedicated to B.I.G., which served as the B-side to Puff Daddy’s multi-platinum hit "I'll Be Missing You". This momentum led to their debut album Money, Power & Respect in 1998, which reached number three on the Billboard 200 chart and topped the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, earning platinum certification. Despite commercial achievements, The Lox grew frustrated with Bad Boy’s polished production style, feeling it conflicted with their raw street-oriented sound.
Consequently, they departed from Bad Boy to join Ruff Ryders, releasing their second album titled We Are The Streets in 2000. This project peaked at number five on the Billboard 200 and secured the second spot on the US Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart. It featured production contributions from both Swizz Beatz and Timbaland, including the single "Ryde or Die, Bitch" which showcased Ruff Ryders artist Eve.
2001–2007: Solo Career Development
Jadakiss embarked on his solo journey in 2001 with the release of his first album, Kiss Tha Game Goodbye, under Ruff Ryders/Interscope. This project included contributions from prominent producers and artists such as DJ Premier, The Alchemist, DMX, Eve, Snoop Dogg, Nas, and Swizz Beatz. The album achieved commercial milestones, securing RIAA gold status and moving over 200,000 units during its initial week. Nevertheless, it received mixed reviews from critics who described it as lacking innovation and being somewhat repetitive—remarks that Jadakiss later admitted, explaining that the album was largely a result of contractual demands rather than artistic inspiration. The record yielded three singles: "We Gonna Make It" featuring Styles P, "Knock Yourself Out", and "Put Ya Hands Up".
His sophomore effort, released in 2004 and titled Kiss of Death, showcased collaborations with artists including Snoop Dogg, Eminem, The Lox, Kanye West, and Pharrell Williams. The standout single "Why?", featuring Anthony Hamilton and produced by Havoc from Mobb Deep, became his highest-charting hit, reaching number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100. This track stirred controversy due to lyrics insinuating that President George W. Bush orchestrated the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Another notable single, "U Make Me Wanna" with guest vocals by Mariah Carey, climbed to number 21 on the Hot 100 chart. Kiss of Death debuted atop both the Billboard 200 and Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums listings and was met with more favorable critical reception compared to his debut.
Towards the end of 2007, Jadakiss inked a deal with Jay-Z’s Roc-A-Fella Records, following an increase in collaborative efforts between D-Block members and Roc-A-Fella artists. Key joint appearances included Jadakiss and former adversary Beanie Sigel featuring on DJ Khaled's Listennn... the Album (2006) and Freeway's Free At Last (2007). Additionally, Styles P’s cameo in Jay-Z's "Roc Boys" music video further indicated strengthened connections with Roc-A-Fella.
In 2004, Jadakiss joined Fat Joe on Ja Rule’s track "New York", which was aimed at 50 Cent and G-Unit. This sparked a high-profile rivalry with 50 Cent, who retaliated through diss records such as "Piggy Bank." Jadakiss responded with multiple diss tracks including "Checkmate". Though Jadakiss proposed a $1 million live battle challenge to 50 Cent, it never came to fruition. The dispute eventually concluded on friendly terms when Jadakiss performed alongside G-Unit at 50 Cent’s ThisIs50 Festival in 2009.
The contentious content in "Why?" attracted criticism from commentator Bill O'Reilly, who branded Jadakiss a "smear merchant" for suggesting Bush’s involvement in the 9/11 attacks. Consequently, some radio stations either banned or censored the song. Jadakiss clarified that the lyric was intended metaphorically to critique the Bush administration’s handling of the tragedy.
In 2005, Jadakiss dropped the promotional single "Checkmate," targeting 50 Cent under Ruff Ryders/Interscope. That year also saw him emphasize collaborations, contributing to works by Mariah Carey, Styles P, and David Banner, as well as appearing on Cuban Link’s album Chain Reaction with the track "Talk About It".
2009–2015: The Last Kiss and Top 5 Dead or Alive
Jadakiss unveiled his third studio album, The Last Kiss, in 2009. The album's lead single, "By My Side", featuring Ne-Yo, was released in October 2008, followed by the tracks "Can't Stop Me" and "Death Wish" with Lil Wayne in 2009. Later that year, he dropped "Who's Real", which included contributions from Swizz Beatz and OJ Da Juiceman. In 2010, Jadakiss officially parted ways with Roc-A-Fella Records. The following year, he appeared on two DJ Khaled songs: "It Ain't Over Til It's Over" alongside Mary J. Blige and Fabolous, as well as the remix of "Welcome to My Hood" featuring a lineup of prominent artists.
On April 26, 2012, Jadakiss released the mixtape Consignment, hosted by DJ Drama.
The first single from his fourth studio album, Top 5 Dead or Alive, titled "Big Boy Dialogue" and featuring The-Dream, arrived on June 4, 2013. Although initially planned for a fall 2013 release, the album experienced delays and was ultimately launched on November 20, 2015. It boasts collaborations with artists such as Akon, Future, Jeezy, Lil Wayne, Ne-Yo, Nas, Nipsey Hussle, Styles P, Puff Daddy, Sheek Louch, Swizz Beatz, Wiz Khalifa, and Young Buck. Supported by singles including "Jason" with Swizz Beatz and "Ain't Nothin' New" featuring Ne-Yo and Nipsey Hussle, the album debuted at number four on the Billboard 200 and garnered favorable reviews from critics.
2016–present: The Lox reunion, Friday on Elm Street, Ignatius and "Mr. Verzuz"
In 2016, The Lox returned with their first album in sixteen years titled Filthy America…It's Beautiful, which featured guest appearances from Fetty Wap, Mobb Deep, and Gucci Mane. This project reached number 42 on the Billboard 200 chart.
On February 29, 2016, Fabolous hinted at a collaborative album with Jadakiss called Freddy vs. Jason. They shared a freestyle over Future's "Wicked" from the mixtape Purple Reign, originally intended for their joint project. This effort was confirmed to be a full studio album rather than a mixtape. The only single from the album, "Stand Up" featuring Future, was released on October 31, 2017. Eventually retitled Friday on Elm Street, the album was released on November 24, 2017, including features from Future, Jeezy, Styles P, French Montana, and Yo Gotti.
Jadakiss dropped his fifth studio effort, Ignatius, on March 6, 2020. On June 29 of that year, he emerged victorious over Fabolous in a virtual battle hosted by Timbaland and Swizz Beatz's Verzuz series amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, Jadakiss alongside The Lox squared off against The Diplomats (DipSet) during a live event at Madison Square Garden’s Hulu Theater. The Lox were widely acknowledged as clear winners, highlighted by Jadakiss’s freestyle rendition of The Notorious B.I.G.’s "Who Shot Ya?" and his sharp response to Cam'ron’s remarks through his verse on Ja Rule’s "New York."
Following this showdown, streams of music by The Lox surged by 215%, including an official digital release of Jadakiss’s "Who Shot Ya?" freestyle—over ten years after its initial appearance on a mixtape. Earning the moniker "Mr. Verzuz" as the first artist to secure two victories in the series, Jadakiss capitalized on this momentum to renegotiate his contract with Def Jam. In August 2022 at LL Cool J’s Rock The Bells festival held at Forest Hills Stadium, Jadakiss honored Styles P and Sheek Louch with championship rings representing The Lox while also unveiling his own ring.
Business ventures
Jadakiss, alongside longtime collaborator Jay Jackson, established the multimedia collective SoRaspy, which serves as a central platform encompassing his various enterprises such as a digital publication, record label, clothing brand, and YouTube channel.
In 2014, Jadakiss partnered with Styles P to enter the health and wellness sector by launching Juices For Life, a juice bar based in Yonkers, New York. This brand has since expanded, opening two more outlets in The Bronx and an additional location in Brooklyn.
October 2022 marked the debut of Kiss Café, a family-run coffee business initiated by Jadakiss in collaboration with his father and son, aiming to make a mark in the specialty coffee industry.
Legal issues
On July 5, 2004, Jadakiss was taken into custody in North Carolina due to charges involving marijuana and unlawful firearm possession. He subsequently agreed to a plea deal on misdemeanor counts and was fined $900.
On October 7, 2006, law enforcement apprehended him in Yonkers, New York, on accusations related to gun and drug possession after officers discovered a stolen loaded .38 caliber revolver and marijuana inside the vehicle he occupied. Jadakiss and three others faced charges and were detained at Westchester County Jail while awaiting court proceedings.
House raid
Following a police raid on August 24, 2009, two men were arrested on several felony charges after heroin (5 grams) and a substantial amount of marijuana (6.5 pounds) were found in Jadakiss' apartment in Yonkers. Jadakiss was not present during the search and was not sought by authorities. This action followed an investigation that led to the discovery of marijuana in a vehicle driven by the two individuals who were subsequently taken into custody and charged.
Discography
Studio albums
- Kiss tha Game Goodbye (2001)
- Kiss of Death (2004)
- The Last Kiss (2009)
- Top 5 Dead or Alive (2015)
- Ignatius (2020)
Collaboration albums
- Friday on Elm Street (with Fabolous) (2017)