Jadakiss is without question one of the dopest, most respected lyricists in the game. Every one from B.I.G. to Nas to Jay to Mary J. has given him the cosign, and he's remained among the elite in the game since he came in the game with The Lox during Bad Boy's glory days. However, his first two albums failed to deliver what all knew he was capable of. Don't get it twisted, Kiss Tha Game Goodbye (2001) and Kiss Of Death (2004) were solid albums, but with the lyrical ability he possess, he's held to a higher standard than most rappers. Many felt that his mixtape, "The Champ Is Here", was in fact better than the succeeding album - Kiss Of Death.
The Last Kiss hits hard right out of the gate. The first track, "Pain & Torture", is that short, scrunch-your-face-up intro, where rapper's come with nothing but BARS. The albums moves strongly after that, with the current single, "Can't Stop Me"; down-south pleasers, "Who's Real", featuring OJ Da Juiceman and Swizz Beatz, and "Something Else", featuring Young Jeezy; and a soulful joint, "Grind Hard", on which Mary J. Blige supplies some fierce vocals.
'Kiss has plenty for the "Heads" on the album, as well. "One More Step" is the Kiss/Styles P. tag-team that they've perfected-- as well as - if not better than - any other tandem in the history of the game, and on "Cartel Gathering", he brings in the gods Ghostface & Raekwon (are these the 3 top dogs from NY right now?).
Jada hits on the introspective tip, too. On "What If", featuring Nas, he poses a laundry list of "What If" questions, such as "What if Peyton was fightin' dogs instead of Mike Vick?" (It's very similar to "Why?"). Jada talks to Notorious B.I.G. on "Letter To B.I.G.", and gives him an update on the current state of the game, and what he's missing - or not missing - out on.
All that being said, there's still filler. The two Pharrell tracks, "Stress Ya" and "Rocking With The Best", are WACK. And "Smoking Gun", featuring Jazmine Sullivan is just unnecessary. Lastly - and surprisingly - the joint with LOX teammate Sheek Louch, "Come And Get Me" is disappointment.
As you can see, the album's a little heavy on the features. And minus the four tracks mentioned in the above paragraph, we might be looking at one of the best albums in recent memory. Instead, we've got another strong, but flawed Jadakiss album, and again, the preceding mixtape, "Kiss My Ass: The Champ Is Here Pt. 2", is better than plastic-wrapped product.
All in all, The Last Kiss is packed with plenty of heat, and is no doubt better than most of the garbage coming out now, and is definitely worthy of your $10-$15.
Jadakiss - Can't Stop Me...
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