Jadakiss: The Last Kiss
7/10
Raspy voiced MC Jadakiss has a lot to live up to on his third offering "The Last Kiss", his first on Jay-Z's Roc-A-Fella records. Jada has gained a following as being the most underrated rapper of the last decade, and this LP is his chance to prove his worth in the game, and besides a couple of setbacks he manages to deliver his strongest work yet.
His signature style of gangster rap mixed with razor sharp lyricism is not lost on tracks like "Pain & Torture" where he offers his opinion of the state of the industry ("I' take the responsibility for bringing it back/They rappin' with hostility, meanin' they whack"), and the dream team collabo with Lil' Wayne on "Death Wish".
"Smoking Gun" has Jada in familiar territory, lyrically approaching a story about an emotionally abused girl while ending every verse with a reference to a gun ("Inside that was crushing her/I got something to discuss with her/I'm coming with the tech/
With the ear holes and the mufflers"). "What If" is like a sequel to his 2004 hit "Why", as he teams with Nas to pose their own intuitive (if not impossible) questions about society.
The album's biggest problem is that it feels bloated. of the 18 tracks there is at least one featured artist and a new producer with a completely different sound. While some collaborations fit excellently (see "Cartel Gathering" with Ghostface Killah & Raekwon), some are "WTF" worthy (who invited OJ Da Juiceman?). The album has no real feel like his other albums have, making it feel like a big budget soundtrack.
"The Last Kiss" has it's ups and downs, but this should finally solidify Jadakiss as a real contender in the ever changing landscape of hip hop.
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