GeoReview: Jadakiss, The Last Kiss

GeoReview: Jadakiss, The Last Kiss

Posted on 24 September 2009 by Clayton

By Clayton Ruley

Kiss is back with the third LP.

Jadakiss signing with Roc-a-fella Records would seem to be like Kobe Bryant joining the Boston Celtics. On second look though, Kiss despite the beef with many of the old school Roc team has made music with them in the past and the Roc is a shell of its former self. The veteran has been in the game and finally on Def Jam, the legendary label so what now? Will he disappoint or give any reasonable credence to the claim (self proposed but not far fetched in many people opinion) that he’s “top five dead or alive and that’s just off one LP”? Well this LP lends itself to the latter rather than the former.

First he starts off his first Def Jam LP, The Last Kiss with “Pain &Torture” produced by Buckwild. This is a slick cut that really lets you know why he’s different than a large majority of his fellow rappers and it’s because he’s always been able to speak about flash and cash and also speak on the streets with great authority, respect and skills.

“Can’t Stop Me” feature Ayanna Irish on the chorus and Kiss talks about being unstoppable in the rap game despite the trial and tribulations he’s been through on and off record.

“Who’s Real” is Kiss’s greatest single on the LP and Swizz Beatz (with Snagz) give him a crazy beat to talk about who is real and who is fake. OJ Da Juiceman joins Kiss on the track and doesn’t make you want to skip either giving you a line or two worth notice. This song may have been the song of the summer when it came to rap as you saw plenty of cars bumping and people in the club dancing to this cut (and the remix with DMX, Eve, and the remaining members of the Lox). OJ Da Juiceman will be remembered for the clap if you can relate.

“Grind Hard” sounds like a song you get up to in the morning when you don’t want to go to work and feature Mary J. Blige. Kiss talks about his history in the game and why he is still hear. Mary sounds good and the beat sounds like sunshine rays in the chorus.

“Something Else” is for the people who like the South sound and Kiss is joined by Young Jeezy on a verse. Kiss and Jeezy talk about being those dudes who are exceptional. The end of the album also has the remix featuring Snype Life, Bully, AP, Boo Rossini and Blood Raw.

My favorite cut is “One More Step” featuring one of the best tag teams as Styles P. joins Kiss as they do their back to back rap style to perfection. The topics they cover are diverse but the point is don’t mess with them on a track together. It’s not fair when these two together and they don’t disappoint as they speak on striving for the top of their profession over a beat with samples from Michael Jackson’s “We’re Almost There”.

“Stress Ya” is a good song for the club, home or car. The track features Pharrell on the chorus and Kiss talks about a woman eyeing him from a distance and his daily activities that make him attractive in and out the booth.

“What If” is a concept track that follows up “Why” and Kiss asks questions about his life and the world we live in. Nas joins in the fun and these two make up some profound questions that would change the reality we participate in.

Luther Vandross is alive and well on the cut “Things I’ve Been Through” as he’s sampled for the chorus and Kiss talks about his progression in the rap game from Bad Boy to now. It’s a really poignant song and on so many levels as Kiss gives the listeners his perspective on his experiences and also understands the fans expectations of him at times.

Upcoming crooner Avery Storm joins Jada on “I Tried”. The cut is about a lot of different situations where trying is the best you can do because you don’t what’s coming up next.

“Rockin’ With The Best” is for the ladies and the couples on a late night ride. There is a slow poppin’ beat done by the Neptunes and Pharrell with Bobby Valentino do their individual thing on the chorus and bridge respectively.

Mr. Porter gives a great beat to Kiss for a song with a message called “Smoking Gun”. The song features Jazmine Sullivan on the chorus and Kiss talks about a father who sexual abuses a child  (the child later gets pregnant) and the child’s self-esteem among other scenes around that. Kiss talks about being ready to protect that girl and Sullivan pours her passion on to the song and it’s amazingly vivid. Kiss is an impressive storyteller and those unfamiliar to that fact but with knowledge of sexual abuse will feel this cut.

Next up comes Raekwon and Ghostface Killah joining Kiss on “Cartel Gathering” a slamming track with the sports’ best participants. Real recognizes real and that can’t be more true than on this cut.

“Come and Get Me” features the tough side of Kiss and Sheek Louch and S1 come thru on a track that reminds you of D-Block.

“By My Side” is another single from Kiss and features Ne-Yo. The song is really lively with a thumping beat and Kiss talks about being there for someone. Ne-Yo doesn’t come up small on this track and makes you believe he will be there for you.

“A Letter To B.I.G.” was featured on the Notorious soundtrack and it’s on here too! The track features former Bad Boy labelmate and wife of B.I.G.: Faith Evans and Kiss talks about his friend and mentor in a moving way.

Another bonus besides the “Something Else Remix”  is “Death Wish” featuring Lil’ Wayne. The beat, done by The Alchemist, sounds like a death wish and the old veteran and the newer veteran talk about some violent scenarios. Wayne makes sure he comes particularly hard on this track and impressed me and Kiss lived up to the hype of someone whose group is known for being the streets.

Overall an excellent LP, I’ll give it 4.5 GeoGlobes.