Spring Break
REVIEW: Jadakiss thinks deep, delivers mediocrity
2 and a half out of 5 stars
Stephen Ortiz
Issue date: 4/9/09 Section: Focus
It's been a while since the release of "The Kiss of Death" - an album that found success in heavy radio rotation of hits like "Why?" and became Jadakiss' first platinum record. Now fast-forward five years and multiple delays, and the New York rapper's latest, "The Last Kiss," is upon us, and to be honest, wasn't really worth the wait.
"The Last Kiss" finds Jadakiss digging deep for meaningful, street-inspired rhymes, but only manages to get as inspirational as hood dramas found at your local bookstore. The problem here is that there's nothing really original to be found.
"The Last Kiss" finds its spiritual successor to "Why?" in "What If?", but instead of flying solo, he employs the lyrical talent of one of New York's finest, Nas. All in all, the track seems a bit gimmicky just because it's very similar to his previous hit - a series of thoughts in question form - but instead of asking why, Jadakiss has gone more open-ended and is now asking what if.
Jadakiss finds a groove in songs "Grind Hard" with Mary J. Blige and "Something Else" with Young Jeezy. The former samples Nas' "Untitled" hit "Hero," and Blige is always a delight to listen to - definitely check it out. The latter is a gritty guilt pleasure. Sure, it's loud and pretty average, but it's fun and that should be reason enough to give it a spin. The album also features a remix version of "Something Else," which doesn't change besides the guest list.
Now, even if Jadakiss isn't for you, download "Cartel Gathering" featuring Ghostface Killah and Raekwon, arguably the two finest lyricists the Wu-Tang Clan has to offer. All three rappers are on their game with a combination of smart punch lines and crude humor. It's brief and has a mixtape-eque feel to it, but believe it - it's great.
"One More Step" features Jadakiss and Styles P. in what could have been a glimpse at the forthcoming new Lox album, but instead we get the two trading lines lazily - and not even in a clever way. They just take turns finishing each other thoughts over an uninspired beat that'll just make you hit "next." Remember how great "Stomp da s--- out you" was with C.N.N. and M.O.P. trading blows? Yeah, well you were listening to that instead.
At least take this as a consolation - "The Last Kiss" is not Jadakiss' final album, as the record's title might allude to; it's just the closing chapter in the "Kiss" trilogy. Hopefully whatever "sequels" that might be in the works will turn out better.
"The Last Kiss" finds Jadakiss digging deep for meaningful, street-inspired rhymes, but only manages to get as inspirational as hood dramas found at your local bookstore. The problem here is that there's nothing really original to be found.
"The Last Kiss" finds its spiritual successor to "Why?" in "What If?", but instead of flying solo, he employs the lyrical talent of one of New York's finest, Nas. All in all, the track seems a bit gimmicky just because it's very similar to his previous hit - a series of thoughts in question form - but instead of asking why, Jadakiss has gone more open-ended and is now asking what if.
Jadakiss finds a groove in songs "Grind Hard" with Mary J. Blige and "Something Else" with Young Jeezy. The former samples Nas' "Untitled" hit "Hero," and Blige is always a delight to listen to - definitely check it out. The latter is a gritty guilt pleasure. Sure, it's loud and pretty average, but it's fun and that should be reason enough to give it a spin. The album also features a remix version of "Something Else," which doesn't change besides the guest list.
Now, even if Jadakiss isn't for you, download "Cartel Gathering" featuring Ghostface Killah and Raekwon, arguably the two finest lyricists the Wu-Tang Clan has to offer. All three rappers are on their game with a combination of smart punch lines and crude humor. It's brief and has a mixtape-eque feel to it, but believe it - it's great.
"One More Step" features Jadakiss and Styles P. in what could have been a glimpse at the forthcoming new Lox album, but instead we get the two trading lines lazily - and not even in a clever way. They just take turns finishing each other thoughts over an uninspired beat that'll just make you hit "next." Remember how great "Stomp da s--- out you" was with C.N.N. and M.O.P. trading blows? Yeah, well you were listening to that instead.
At least take this as a consolation - "The Last Kiss" is not Jadakiss' final album, as the record's title might allude to; it's just the closing chapter in the "Kiss" trilogy. Hopefully whatever "sequels" that might be in the works will turn out better.
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