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"
It's Time I See You
Jadakiss Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fuck y'all niggas talking 'bout huh? (it's time I see you)
Get it right, you fagot niggas heard Suge Knight
double r's the only niggas he respect and, y'all niggas shook right?
y'all get on Hot 97 and, talk wit a baritone
Wit two niggas downstairs with licensed guns to take y'all home
Scared ass niggas, you think they going take a life so they can get life (nope)
Ask Puff they ain't trying to hear that nigga
We make stones that say pay a death at your moms labor day
I'm in the hood so we can link up, any place you think of
Hand held don't hold prints plus I burnt the tip of my fingers
I'm a Bronx gangsta nigga, double r's hoodrat
The nigga they come get quick bitch, on this hood shit
y'all bitches think the riders a joke, well I don't play (let's go)
I blow you whole fucking shit up like Tim McVeigh
Gimme the needle, not tomorrow, but today
Cross coming y'all better get the fuck out the way
I ain't the shit that you see that's on the top of your church
I put a bomb in your baby carriage, brick through your hearse
Tell your CEO, don't call my CEO apologizing (sorry)
I'm at your wake in the choir standing harmonizing
It's Infa-Red the shit that be on top of the heater
The best thing in New York since Steinbrenner signed Jeter
Hold Camby sister the hostage, then send 'em a reef
So stop fronting vegetarian just scared of beef
Yo, hey suck my dick bitch, the way this chick spit ridiculous
Here we go again, only we on Kiss shit
We coming and you keep running
You keep claiming you the best that done it
Pussy let me see something
Fake niggas screaming "Ryde or Die"
Same niggas we run up on and make 'em cry
Outta all the camps in this game, nigga
We the champs in this game
Who kick the real shit before the fame
Fuck you fat ass, fake bad ass niggas
Still play the hood while you ride past niggas
Coward trust me, we keep it gutter
Hope you stay mad a hater 'cause you can't touch us, huh
"It's time I see you"
Hey yo, I ain't got a care in the world
Kidnapping your kid, maiming your mom, and airing your girl
And like, you ain't got a care in the world
I'm hopeless and numb, I can't see but I can focus my gun
And I'm down for smoking blunts to the head
My nerves is shot, my paces is short, I dump in your head
I'm the hardest nigga out you outta know it by now
I'm the nigga that they talk about going to Chao
And my name ring bells, my blade stay bloody
If you heard about me beefing dog I leave the most shells
The nigga to salute, the quickest to shoot
Holiday Styles, motherfucker, giving you pound
What? Like I won't run up and break your jaw
Like they make a vest for your head to stop the 4
I'm tired of rapping, let's get the mack and send niggas on vacation
Right in front of the radio station
Motherfuckers ain't quiet til the tech go off
Arteries hitted, hawkin, they neck is shit
I'm the motherfucking hardest
I smack the shit out of any one of your artists
Whatever the label
y'all niggas don't want beef, y'all want meat at the table
And I don't give a fuck, Sheek'll do life in the box
Before any of y'all bitch niggas front on the LOX
What? Motherfuckers, see man
Yo, If I miss your head and your neck, I'll hurt your chest
If you from the streets betrayal is worse than death
And I'm known for getting money, not known for wildin
But I'm real I could rock both phones in the island
This is how we even the bets
I kill everything you love dog, right now, even the pets
Everything got dubs on it, even the vets
50 close, then 50 wide, even the sets
Cause the bullets is like calisthenics when I'm squirting
When they start hurting, that means they working
Only way we coming is hard
Industry is like jail nigga, double r's running the yard, uh
The song "It's Time I See You" by Jadakiss features verses from himself, Sheek Louch, Styles P, Eve, Drag-On, and Infa-Red. The song is believed to be a diss track aimed primarily at Diddy (P. Diddy at the time) and his label Bad Boy Records. The artists take turns spitting aggressive verses aimed at their rivals, boasting about their gangster status and threatening violence. The chorus repeats the line "It's time I see you," suggesting that a confrontation is imminent.
Many of the verses contain references to specific incidents and individuals, adding context to the beef between the artists. For example, Drag-On raps about Suge Knight and his respect for Double R (Ruff Ryders) while taking shots at Hot 97 radio personalities. Cross threatens violence with a reference to the Oklahoma City bombing by Timothy McVeigh. Infa-Red takes shots at Cam'ron's sister and accuses other rappers of being afraid of violence. Eve comes in with an aggressive verse aimed at "fake" rappers who claim to be "Ryde or Die" but can't handle the heat.
The song was released in 2000 as part of the Ryde or Die Vol. 2 compilation album, which featured several other tracks with similar themes of gangster swagger and aggression. While the album was not a commercial success, it is considered a classic of the early 2000s hip-hop scene and helped establish the Ruff Ryders crew as a force to be reckoned with.
Line by Line Meaning
Fuck why y'all niggas talking 'bout huh? (it's time I see you)
Jadakiss is calling out people who talk negatively about him and his crew, saying it's time for them to face these accusations.
Double are's the only niggas he respect and, why y'all niggas shook right?
Jadakiss is stating that Suge Knight only respects the LOX (D-Block), and is questioning why others are afraid of them.
Wit two niggas downstairs with licensed guns to take why y'all home
Jadakiss is suggesting that they are not to be messed with, as they have hired muscle standing by with guns.
I'm a Bronx gangsta nigga, double are's hoodrat
Jadakiss is saying that he's from the Bronx and associates with the LOX (D-Block), and has an affinity for hood culture and behavior.
We make stones that say ? your moms labor day
Jadakiss boasts that they make gravestones that commemorate the day one's mother passed away.
Cross coming why y'all better get the fuck out the way
Cross (one of the crew members) is coming, and people better not get in the way.
I ain't the shit that you see that's on the top of your church
Cross is saying he's not the same thing people see at the top of a church, possibly referring to a cross.
Gimme the needle, not tomorrow, but today
Cross wants to inject drugs, and wants them immediately.
Hold Camby sister the hostage, then send 'em a reef
Infa-Red is suggesting that they could kidnap NBA player Marcus Camby's sister, and then send a reef (funeral flower arrangement).
We the champs in this game, Who kick the real shit before the fame
Eve is saying that their crew is the reigning champions in the game, and that they were kicking the real stuff before any of them were famous.
I'm hopeless and numb, I can't see but I can focus my gun
Styles is expressing that he's feeling helpless and lost, but that he can still focus when he has his gun.
And my name ring bells, my blade stay bloody
Styles is saying that people know who he is and his reputation precedes him, and his blade is always bloody from his violent actions.
Like I won't run up and break your jaw
Sheek is saying he's not afraid to physically confront someone, and could easily break their jaw.
Why y'all niggas don't want beef, why y'all want meat at the table
Sheek is asking why people don't want to fight (beef), but instead want to eat (meat) like civilized people.
If you from the streets betrayal is worse than death
Jadakiss emphasizes the importance of loyalty in the streets, saying that betrayal is a fate worse than death.
Only way we coming is hard
Jadakiss is saying that they only come at things with full force and intensity.
Industry is like jail nigga, double are's running the yard
Jadakiss is comparing the music industry to a prison, and asserting that the LOX (D-Block) runs it.
It's time I see you
Jadakiss is restating his desire to confront those who talk negatively about him and his crew.
Tell your CEO, don't call my CEO apologizing (sorry)
Infa-Red is saying that he doesn't want the other side's CEO to apologize to his own CEO.
Everything got dubs on it, even the vets
Jadakiss is saying that even the veteran members of their crew have expensive, 20-inch rims (dubs) on their cars.
Cause the bullets is like calisthenics when I'm squirting
Jadakiss is saying that shooting guns is second nature to him, like doing calisthenics.
If I miss your head and your neck, I'll hurt your chest
Jadakiss is suggesting that he's such a skilled shooter that even if he misses his intended target's head or neck, he'll still hit them in the chest.
And I'm known for getting money, not known for wildin
Jadakiss is asserting that he's not known for reckless behavior, but rather for getting money.
This is how we even the bets
Jadakiss is explaining that they even out the odds by killing everyone and everything that their opponents care about.
Outta all the camps in this game, nigga
Eve is saying that compared to other music groups, their crew is superior.
Hope you stay mad a hater 'cause you can't touch us, huh
Eve expresses how she hopes that people that dislike them will remain angry and hateful, because they are untouchable.
Pussy let me see something
Eve is challenging people to prove themselves, and show her what they are capable of.
I put a bomb in your baby carriage, brick through your hearse
Cross is threatening to commit violent acts against your family, both before and after one's death.
I'm the motherfucking hardest
Sheek is saying that he's the toughest person around.
If you heard about me beefing dog I leave the most shells
Sheek is boasting that he would win any fight or argument and would leave the most bullets in his victim.
Whatever the label
Sheek is suggesting that he doesn't care what record label someone is signed to, and that he will still confront them.
Motherfuckers ain't quiet til the tech go off
Sheek is saying that people won't stop talking until they hear the sound of a gunshot.
Who kick the real shit before the fame
Eve is repeating her previous statement about their crew being true to themselves and rapping for the right reasons.
Here we go again, only we on Kiss shit
Eve is saying that they are the only ones doing things Jadakiss's way.
I blow you whole fucking shit up like Tim McVeigh
Cross is threatening to blow up someone's entire property, much like Tim McVeigh did in the Oklahoma City bombing.
I smack the shit out of any one of your artists
Sheek is saying that he could easily physically assault someone else's artist.
And I don't give a fuck, Sheek'll do life in the box
Sheek is saying that he's willing to serve a life sentence in prison, if it means he gets revenge or justice.
Hand held don't hold prints plus I burnt the tip of my fingers
Jadakiss hints that he's used gloves to obscure his fingerprints, and may have burned his fingers in the process.
Scared ass niggas, you think they going take a life so they can get life
Jadakiss is mocking those who are afraid to commit violent crimes for fear of being punished with a life sentence in prison.
Fake niggas screaming "Ryde or Die"
Eve is frustrated with people who claim to be willing to ride or die (to go to extremes for something or someone), but are actually fake and disloyal.
Same niggas we run up on and make 'em cry
Eve is asserting that they have made those fake people cry before, through their violent actions.
Yo, hey suck my dick bitch, the way this chick spit ridiculous
Eve is verbally attacking someone (perhaps other female rappers), saying that she is an amazing rapper and they should suck her dick.
I'm at your wake in the choir standing harmonizing
Infa-Red is saying that he'll attend someone's funeral, standing in the choir and pretending to express sadness.
Industry is like jail nigga, double are's running the yard, uh
Jadakiss is comparing the music industry to a prison, and asserting that the LOX (D-Block) runs the yard (has control).
Fuck you fat ass, fake bad ass niggas
Eve is insulting those overweight, insincere people who act tough.
My nerves is shot, my paces is short, I dump in your head
Styles is saying that he's incredibly anxious and has a short fuse, and will take it out on someone by shooting them in the head.
Like they make a vest for your head to stop the 4
Sheek is sarcastically asking if they make helmets to protect someone from a gunshot to the head.
Motherfuckers, see man
Sheek is saying that people should recognize and respect their talent and authority.
Only we on Kiss shit
Eve is repeating the idea that they are the only ones following Jadakiss's approach to the music industry.
Hope you stay mad a hater 'cause you can't touch us, huh
Eve is repeating herself, hoping that those who dislike them will remain angry because they are untouchable.
Why y'all can get at us on Labor Day
Jadakiss is saying that they'll be in the area and ready to fight or confront anyone on Labor Day.
The best thing in New York since Steinbrenner signed Jeter
Infa-Red is saying that they are the best thing to happen to New York City since the Yankees signed Derek Jeter (an iconic player).
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Eve Jeffers, Eddie Holland, Brian Holland, Lamont Herbert Dozier, Shandel Green, S. Martin, J. Smith, Jason Phillips, David Styles, Sean Jacobs, Mel Jason Smalls
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind