2.5/5
Five years after The Kiss of Death, Jadakiss has risen from the underworld. (Remember No. 11 single ‘Put Ya Hands Up’? Didn’t think so.) The once-celebrated L.O.X. frontman has been re-upped as a member of the Roc-A-Fella team with the release of his third solo album, and while Jadakiss’ natural flow bleeds of his New York upbringing, cheap ringtone jingles plaster the production ‘mdash; resulting in a hodgepodge of almost-singles.
Jadakiss tries to bridge the gap from street rap to club yawns, unsurprisingly tripping over his laces on the way. Disjointed throwaways ‘Who’s Real’ ‘mdash; complete with the dull, third-grader-could-do-better hook, ‘If you’re real and you know it, clap your hands’ ‘mdash; and ‘Rockin’ With the Best’ only go skin-deep, not flashy enough to warrant the blatant materialism.
A lengthy guest list crowds the lineup and amps the schizophrenia. While some draw crowds and deliver (Lil Wayne, Raekwon and Young Jeezy), many don’t transcend party-crashing filler (Swizz Beatz, Mary J. Blige).
The Last Kiss could have used some of its fat cut out, but at a hefty 18 tracks, there’s still enough vintage Jada to keep fans salivating. ‘Pain and Torture’ sees the former Ruff Ryder rapping over a minimalist and jagged violin beat, spitting out street-smart, sharp-witted rhymes: ‘Give it to whoever deserve the rounds/ Hollow tips, move organs and nerves around.’
Staying true to his inner-city punk is Jada’s best bet at this point, but for such a starry resume (including former Biggie apprentice), this kiss ain’t much wetter than a loveless peck.