JadaKiss

3 MONEY BAGS

2 MONEY BAGS

1 MONEY BAG

4 MONEY BAGS

Jadakiss says he was interested in rap from a very early age. When his parents told him to get a job and earn his own keep, Jadakiss was lured into the life of drug-dealing on the streets by friends, and his interest in rap music started there. Jadakiss became a popular freestyler, engaging in competitions by the time he was twelve. He and some of his early friends, such as Sheek, were given the opportunity to compete in the Jack the Rapper competition in Florida, and Jadakiss did quite well, making friends with the Ruff Ryders. As a teen, he was given the opportunity to get into a recording studio, and has blossomed ever since.

Jada and his squad have been featured on many underground mix tapes, including the legendary DJ Clue. He and his friends formed the rap group the L.O.X. in 1994, which became popular in the summer of 1997 with their multi-platinum tribute to the Notorious B.I.G. called "We'll Always Love Big Poppa" (the B-side to Puff Daddy's "I'll Be Missing You"). In 1998, the Lox released Money, Power, Respect. Following this album, the Lox left Bad Boy Records after the famous 'Free the Lox' campaign. In 1999, Sheek Louch, Styles P, and Jadakiss joined with the Ruff Ryders.

Jada's debut solo album, Kiss the Game Goodbye, was released in August of 2001 under the Ruff Ryders/Interscope label. This album featured guests Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg, Nas and DMX to name a few. Although it featured hits such as the Alchemist-produced "We Gon' Make It" the album failed to go platinum. During this time, Jadakiss and his D Block camp were emboiled in lyrical warfare with Beanie Sigel and the Roc-A-Fella/State Property crew.

This beef apparently stemmed from an article in The Source magazine, where Jadakiss was to have allegedly stated that Philly rappers stole is style and flow (Sigel and State Property are from Philly). Numerous disses on mixtpes could be heard most notable 'Fuck Beanie' and 'Fuck Jada'. The beef was eventully squashed when both camps united in an undisclosed part of Harlem, NY. Jadakiss released his second solo album, Kiss of Death, in June, 2004. Before the release, Kiss asked advice of his fans in the form a poll; most claimed the rapper wasn't personal enough in his lyrical stylings, and he released a single with the purpose of bearing his inner thoughts. The song, "Why?", became one of the biggest hits of that year, spawning a remix featuring Styles P, Common, Nas, and Anthony Hamilton.

Jadakiss attracted some controversy (and condemnation from Bill O'Reilly, who labeled him a "smear merchant") with "Why," which features lyrics that seem to imply a link between George W. Bush and the September 11, 2001 attacks. The track, which peaked at #11 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in September 2004, was banned on some radio stations or played only with the lyrics in question censored.

Kiss of Death did not reflect the popularity of its lead single, and though it was better-received than his first effort, did not see excessive sales. He speaks about such current events as Arnold Schwarzenegger becoming the governor of California, Aaliyah's death, & Denzel Washington finally winning an Oscar. He also tries to give insight into events in his personal life, such as family problems and being robbed of $1,100 by fellow rapper Gucci Mane.