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"
OK
Jadakiss Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Game ain't shit without us, but it's ok!
No, you can't live without us, it's ok!
But go ahead, you can doubt us, it's ok!
Niggas talk shit about us, but it's ok!
Game ain't shit without us, but it's ok!
No, you can't live without us, it's ok!
Checks get cut after the clearance
But what we dealing with is hard work and perseverance
Still send a nice ransom note to your parents
I'ma wrap this bitch till it needs some ball bearings
Trying to renovate the west wing of the mansion
I ain't thinking recession, I'm thinking expansion
I be in the malls
But my chain is dancing
More than 200 on the dash?
I'ma tear it
But you ain't gotta be nice
Pass off for parents
44 mag is the last thing you hearing
If the work don't make it, that's a pass interference
Shots of tequila, spending car money at the jeweler
Spending house money at the dealer
Rubber bag of piff
Sour need a sealer
Wanna see a real nigga?
I just look into the mirror.
Niggas talk shit about us, but it's ok!
Game ain't shit without us, but it's ok!
No, you can't live without us, it's ok!
But go ahead, you can doubt us, it's ok!
Niggas talk shit about us, but it's ok!
Game ain't shit without us, but it's ok!
No, you can't live without us, it's ok!
But go ahead, you can doubt us, it's ok!
We about dough
Never without dough, moving work out of state
In and out flow
Real lyrical
Ralph lauren table, ralph lauren couch, yo
Ralph lauren everything that fit up in the house though
Whaddup to them polo boys who know tony
Couldn't have been manolo's boy
Cartier frames
Clear lens tho!
8 series beemer, 7-series benzo
Mobster: I probably go to hell if my friends go
Never shoot in a blind fury
Diamonds like sprite!
It's lemon and lime jewelry.
Niggas talk shit about us, but it's ok!
Game ain't shit without us, but it's ok!
No, you can't live without us, it's ok!
But go ahead, you can doubt us, it's ok!
Niggas talk shit about us, but it's ok!
Game ain't shit without us, but it's ok!
No, you can't live without us, it's ok!
But go ahead, you can doubt us, it's ok!
Rap with the connect, it's ok!
Hope you force somebody to test it, it's ok!
Lookout on the lookout, it's ok!
We gonna have the fiends singing like Michele
Bang hard like the niggas out in east la
Know we from the bay in the pink all day
Still dope money in the grey mink all day
Just do it right, don't sit around and think all day
Niggas talk shit about us, but it's ok!
Game ain't shit without us, but it's ok!
No, you can't live without us, it's ok!
But go ahead, you can doubt us, it's ok!
Niggas talk shit about us, but it's ok!
Game ain't shit without us, but it's ok!
No, you can't live without us, it's ok!
But go ahead, you can doubt us, it's ok!
Jadakiss's song "Ok" highlights his unapologetic attitude towards naysayers and doubters. The repetitive hook, "N****s talk s*** about us, but it's ok," emphasizes how he is able to live with criticism and continue to succeed. Jadakiss alludes to his work ethic with the line, "Checks get cut after the clearance, but what we dealing with is hard work and perseverance." He also references his luxurious lifestyle, rapping about his ability to spend money freely on jewelry, cars, and homes. The line, "Trying to renovate the west wing of the mansion, I ain't thinking recession, I'm thinking expansion," shows Jadakiss's confidence in his ability to maintain his wealth and continue to grow.
Jadakiss uses metaphors throughout the song to represent his life, such as comparing his diamonds to Sprite and his work to a game. He also references drug dealing with lines like "moving work out of state" and "Just do it right, don't sit around and think all day," highlighting his past involvement in the illegal trade.
Overall, "Ok" showcases Jadakiss's confidence and resilience in the face of criticism and adversity. He is unafraid to pursue his dreams and live an extravagant lifestyle, despite the disapproval of others.
Line by Line Meaning
Niggas talk shit about us, but it's ok!
People may speak negatively about us, but we are not bothered by it.
Game ain't shit without us, but it's ok!
The entertainment industry would lose its value without our contribution, but we won't stress about it.
No, you can't live without us, it's ok!
Our presence and hard work are essential, but it doesn't affect us that others may fail to acknowledge it.
But go ahead, you can doubt us, it's ok!
Even if people doubt or underestimate us, we're not concerned.
Checks get cut after the clearance
We receive payment only after our work is done and approved.
But what we dealing with is hard work and perseverance
We face difficulties and obstacles while working, and it requires patience and persistence.
Still send a nice ransom note to your parents
We are successful and wealthy enough to demand a ransom in exchange for someone's release
I'ma wrap this bitch till it needs some ball bearings
We will work extensively and efficiently until it is perfect, necessitating replacement parts.
Trying to renovate the west wing of the mansion
We aim to improve and upgrade our living situation drastically.
I ain't thinking recession, I'm thinking expansion
We focus on growth and progress rather than negative economic trends.
I be in the malls
We frequently shop in malls.
But my chain is dancing
We wear flashy jewelry that catches people's attention.
More than 200 on the dash?
We drive faster than 200 miles per hour.
I'ma tear it
We will continue to drive fast and aggressively.
But you ain't gotta be nice
We don't expect or need anyone's kindness or approval.
Pass off for parents
We don't hesitate to hurt or harm someone, even if it would devastate their parents.
44 mag is the last thing you hearing
We are willing to use guns and violence as needed.
If the work don't make it, that's a pass interference
If we fail or experience setbacks while working, we consider it an obstacle and keep moving ahead.
Shots of tequila, spending car money at the jeweler
We indulge in luxury and expensive items, such as spending money on jewelry after drinking tequila.
Spending house money at the dealer
We spend money designated for our homes on expensive cars.
Rubber bag of piff
We possess and use high-quality weed.
Sour need a sealer
The quality of our weed is so good that it requires airtight packaging.
Wanna see a real nigga?
If you want to see a genuine and authentic man, you can look at me.
I just look into the mirror.
We are self-made and self-sufficient, and we take pride in that fact.
We about dough
Our focus is always on making money and generating profit.
Never without dough, moving work out of state
We always have access to money and sell drugs in other states.
In and out flow
The illegal drug business we are involved in is successful, and we move the products quickly.
Real lyrical
We are skilled artists and rappers, and we produce authentic and genuine work.
Ralph lauren table, ralph lauren couch, yo
Our home is decorated with expensive Ralph Lauren furniture.
Ralph lauren everything that fit up in the house though
We own a lot of expensive items from the Ralph Lauren brand.
Whaddup to them polo boys who know tony
We acknowledge and show respect to people who are familiar with and appreciate the Ralph Lauren brand.
Couldn't have been manolo's boy
We don't settle for low-quality or fake brands like Manolo.
Cartier frames, clear lens tho!
Our glasses are Cartier brand with clear lenses.
8 series beemer, 7-series benzo
We drive a BMW 8 series and a Mercedes-Benz 7 series.
Mobster: I probably go to hell if my friends go
We are loyal to our friends and willing to go down with them if they face trouble.
Never shoot in a blind fury
We are strategic and calculated in our actions, never acting impulsively.
Diamonds like sprite!
Our flashy jewelry is shining and sparkling like the carbonated drink Sprite.
It's lemon and lime jewelry.
The color of our jewelry resembles the flavors of lemon and lime.
Rap with the connect, it's ok!
We connect and collaborate with other musicians and drug dealers to succeed.
Hope you force somebody to test it, it's ok!
We don't worry about the quality of our drugs because we believe they'll sell regardless.
Lookout on the lookout, it's ok!
We remain vigilant and watchful of law enforcement while conducting our illegal activities.
We gonna have the fiends singing like Michele
Our high-quality drugs will have our customers addicted and returning for more.
Bang hard like the niggas out in east la
We are tough and rough like the people in East Los Angeles.
Know we from the bay in the pink all day
We are from the Bay Area and proud to wear the color pink all day.
Still dope money in the grey mink all day
We continue to make large sums of money and wear expensive grey minks.
Just do it right, don't sit around and think all day
We take action and avoid wasting time and opportunity by overthinking or procrastinating.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DARIUS JOSEPH BARNES, DAVID STYLES, JASON PHILLIPS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MumblzDelusional
They have the best chemistry ever 💯💯💯🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
@jimolympic
Damn Sheek! It must be hard being in a group with two of the best mc's ever....
@mspebbles1027
Jadakiss and Styles P need to make a LP together. thumbs up if you feel me. I been waiting for that for a long time now.....
@DeepFlex79
Luv it!! jada & styles showing why east rappers are the best !big up 4 the lox aka d-block
@ymadison81
East Coast is BAAAACCKK!
@TheAllin1der
This feels like that sick as* 90s NY rap I grew up to.
@gaganhanjra
the vibe never gets old. still can relate with what goes around .just like i used to 7-8 years ago
@Power-9Hunnid
Happy 46th Birthday to Styles P. 2020!!!!
@skelter
This is a perfect example of rhyming back and forth. This track is a modern rap classic. Fact! It sounds better in 2016!
@Ezekiel144k
styles is baaaacccckkk!!!!!!