By the age of twelve, Jadakiss was a freestyle rapper, engaging in competitions. He and some of his friends were given the opportunity to compete in the "Jack the Rapper Competition" in Florida, where Jadakiss was noticed for his battle rap ability. He met Dee and Wah of the Ruff Ryders (then a management company), and began hanging out and battling outside of the Ruff Ryders' studio where artists like DMX made their first hits.
Jadakiss founded the rap group the Warlox in 1994 with friends Jamaal, Sheek Louch, and Styles P. They later signed to Bad Boy Entertainment, where it was suggested that they change their name simply to "The LOX", which came to stand for Living Off eXperience. They made their first appearance on The Main Source's 1994 LP "Fuck What You Think" on the track "Set it Off".
The group, especially Jadakiss, developed a close relationship with The Notorious B.I.G., during which time Jadakiss was taken under Biggie's wing. The LOX's first multi-platinum hit was the tribute to Biggie called "We'll Always Love Big Poppa" (the B-side to Puff Daddy's "I'll Be Missing You") in 1997. In 1998, the LOX released Money, Power, Respect. Following this album, they left Bad Boy Records.
Jada's debut solo album, Kiss the Game Goodbye, was released in August 2001 under the Ruff Ryders/Interscope label. The album featured popular guests and producers such as Snoop Dogg and Swizz Beatz, but was written off as repetitive and uninspired. Jadakiss has acknowledged the criticism as, generally speaking, valid, saying the record was done less out of inspiration and more out of contract obligations to Bad Boy. The album produced the single "Put Ya Hands Up" with the chorus "Put ya hands up/nah, f**k that/ Put ya hands down" reflecting Jada's distance from the album.
Jadakiss' second album, Kiss of Death, was released in June 2004. Prior to the release, his fans were polled, and most claimed the rapper wasn't personal enough in his lyrical stylings.[citation needed] As a result, Jadakiss released the song, "Why?", which bared his innermost thoughts,[citation needed] and it became one of the biggest hits of that year, spawning a remix featuring Styles P, Common, Nas, and Anthony Hamilton. It remains as his biggest hit, peaking at #11 on the Hot 100. Another single from the record, "You Make Me Wanna" featured Mariah Carey and was a much more commercially driven love song. Kiss of Death did not reflect the popularity of its lead single, but it was better-received than his first effort, eventually achieving platinum-selling status.
Recently, in late 2007, Jadakiss signed to Jay-Z's Roc-a-Fella Records, a move Jay had been trying to arrange for a long period of time. He reportedly will have an as-yet-untitled album on Roc-a-Fella in 2008, executive produced by both Jay-Z and the Ruff Ryders CEOs/management team of Dee and Wah. The move comes on the heels of increased D-Block/Roc-a-Fella collaborations; in 2006, Kiss and former rival Beanie Sigel collaborated on DJ Khaled's album Listen..., and in 2007, on Freeway's album Free At Last, while Styles P has appeared on a radio freestyle with Freeway and Sigel. He has also appeared briefly in Jay-Z's latest video for his American Gangster second single, Roc Boys, in which he appears throwing up the famous Roc-a-Fella sign, "the Diamond."
On May 26th 2008, The New York Post reported in its Page Six section that Jadakiss has signed on to play a gang leader in Russell Costanzo's provocative movie-directing debut, "The Tested"
Intro
Jadakiss Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know
Y'all been waitin'
For a long long time
My bad
I was cookin' the bird up slow for y'all baby
I ain't wanna step on it
I wanted to put it out there raw
For all my bitches, for all my inmates, for everybody that fell
For all the fallen soldiers
For my lil nigga Garry
Rest in peace baby
Kiss the game goodbye
I'm here now
In Jadkiss's song Intro, the rapper expresses his gratitude to his fans for their continuous support despite rumors and negative opinions. He thanks them for purchasing his music and even appreciates those who may have obtained it through illegal means. He acknowledges his position in the rap game as being among the top five, dead or alive. Jadakiss's confidence in his abilities is evident throughout the song, as he details his experiences in the rap world and his dominance over his competition.
The lyrics in the song highlight the rapper's authenticity in his music and his desire to remain true to himself. He contrasts himself with the younger generation of rappers who wear skinny jeans and blouses, expressing his distaste for the new trend. Jadakiss also references his financial success, owning homes with wood floors and high ceilings and making $200,000 a month. Additionally, he speaks about his love for red wine and his nonchalant attitude towards his detractors.
Line by Line Meaning
Right now I just wanna say thank you, (thank you)
Gratitude towards fans for support in purchasing, streaming, or downloading music, including those who obtained it illegally.
We 4 projects in, a whole lot more to go
Acknowledgement of past projects with intent for more to come.
Everything is real ain't nothing cozy
Affirmation that life is raw and genuine, not cushy.
Fresher than a young nigga mind of a OG
Current and up-to-date like a young person, but with wisdom and insight like an experienced elder.
Inhale exhale yea cherish every breath
Reminder to appreciate the gift of life.
Shinin' like I just came home but I never left
Achieving success and recognition but remaining true and grounded.
Most of them is lovin' me some of them hatin' me
Not everyone likes or appreciates his artistry.
Say hes underrated dependin' on whose ratin' me
Opinions on his talent vary and are subjective.
I be destroyin' niggas on tracks blatantly
Lyrically outshining other rappers in a bold and confident way.
Basically I'm patiently waitin' for a vacancy
Ready and willing to take the opportunity for success when it presents itself.
Money power respect I learned how to balance them
Having and maintaining control over wealth, influence, and honor.
Water melon over the pump the hood silencer
Using a clever and unexpected image to describe a gun silencer.
Yea they love to hear the don speak
Being respected and admired as a leader in the community.
A nice red wine haze and a sour mix
Enjoying a relaxing and mellow mood with a drink.
I'm in the trap wit the blicky
Being in a dangerous and risky situation with a gun.
If you need somethin hit me
Offering help and assistance to those in need.
When it's poppin I breeze quickly
Acting efficiently and quickly during chaotic or intense situations.
Never mix my feelings wit my dealings
Keeping personal emotions separate from business decisions.
I'm house shoppin' for wood floors high ceilings
Seeking a luxurious and impressive home.
200 or more on the dash if I'm wheelin'
Driving a high-end and expensive car.
The moon and the stars tell you that son is thorough
Being respected and admired for being genuine and authentic.
I'm gettin' better every week
Continuously improving as an artist.
They ain't selling you nothing
Critiquing cheap and inferior products.
With the push of a button I'll get you wet up in the street
Having the ability to take violent actions against others.
The spread's too high is nothing I just tease 'em
Being able to handle high stakes and challenges easily.
More celebratin' this year and less grieving
Looking forward to a successful and prosperous year.
But I'm always down for a funeral
Willing to confront and eliminate sources of negative energy.
As you can see I'm fascinated wit the finances
Being interested and involved in business and financial matters.
Nah he don't play
Being serious and focused on success.
And he'll forever be top 5 DOA nigga!
Being confident and assured of one's place in the top 5 greatest rappers of all time.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Dj Green Lantern, Daniel Garcia, Francis Ubiera, J. D'agostino, J. Phillips
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Desmo Thomp
Jadakiss been been that nigga wut ah real story He Da Truu Fxkin Goat 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥💪💪💪💯💯
Schamarr Meaders
Yup
Amarlon Davis
Definitely 💯
Gang Green Prod
The voice,the lyrics,the flow ...what more could you want from a MC ?
didier mongo-gouala
Biggie on this one with KISS AND PRODIGY WOW WHAT A song yes kiss is in the top 5 DEAD OR ALIVE
Gang Green Prod
didier mongo-gouala facts
didier mongo-gouala
@Gang Green Prod fo sho bro ''
Big Teddy
Yes indeed
William Lightfoot
This track is hardbody. The harmonizing vocals, in the background, are the cherry on top.
Zillla TheGod
was going through a breakup when this album dropped and its not like it was about relationships but this really got me through at the time