Jadakiss

Biography

Jason Terrance Phillips (born May 27, 1975), better known by his stage name Jadakiss (, JAY-də-kiss), is an American rapper who began his career in the 1990s and formed the hip hop trio the Lox alongside Styles P and Sheek Louch in 1994. The group signed with Puff Daddy's Bad Boy Records, an imprint of Arista Records to release their debut studio album, Money, Power & Respect (1998); their second album, We Are the Streets (2000) was released by Ruff Ryders Entertainment, an imprint of Interscope Records. Both peaked within the top five of the Billboard 200 and yielded critical praise; their two subsequent albums, Filthy America... It's Beautiful (2016) and Living Off Xperience (2020) were both released by Jay-Z's Roc Nation and met with continued praise.
After the Lox's second album, the trio each began pursuing solo careers, and Jadakiss signed with Ruff Ryders as a solo act to release his first two solo albums, Kiss Tha Game Goodbye×Kiss tha Game Goodbye7 August 2001 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 21 tracks1Intro1:002Jada’s Got a Gun4:293Show Discipline3:424Knock Yourself Out3:355We Gonna Make It3:366None of Y’all Betta3:397Stick Yourself (skit)1:518I’m a Gangsta3:339Nasty Girl3:5910Put Ya Hands Up3:3011Jay Jerkin’ (skit)2:4412On My Way4:2413Cruisin’3:5714Kiss Is Spittin’3:5815Fuckin’ or What?3:4416It’s Time I See You4:1317What You Ride For?4:3218Un‐Hunh!4:2419Feel Me (skit)2:0320Keep Ya Head Up5:3021Charge It (skit)5:07 (2001) and Kiss of Death×Kiss of Death22 June 2004 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 18 tracks1Intro1:132What You So Mad At??3:373Shine5:004Bring You Down3:395Time’s Up3:366Why4:007U Make Me Wanna4:548Hot Skit0:189Hot Sauce to Go3:5710Real Hip Hop2:5811Shoot Outs4:1912Still Feel Me2:4213By Your Side3:5214Gettin’ It In3:3715Air It Out4:0416Welcome to D‐Block4:2517Kiss of Death3:1218I’m Goin Back3:38 (2004). Both met with positive critical reception, the latter debuted atop the Billboard 200 and spawned his highest-charting single, "Why?" (featuring Anthony Hamilton). He then signed with Def Jam Recordings to release his third and fourth albums The Last Kiss×The Last Kiss7 April 2009 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 19 tracks1Pain & Torture3:092Can't Stop Me3:533Who's Real3:124Grind Hard5:065Something Else3:366One More Step4:267Stress Ya3:398What If3:579Things I've Been Through3:4110I Tried3:4011Rocking With The Best3:2112Smoking Gun3:4313Cartel Gathering2:5414Come And Get Me3:0815By My Side3:3016Letter To B.I.G.4:0117Something Else (Remix)5:2418Death Wish3:2419Respect My Conglomerate (Bonus Track)3:36 (2009) and Top 5 Dead or Alive×Top 5 Dead or Alive20 November 2015 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 18 tracks1First 48 (intro)3:242Shop Talk (skit)0:563You Don’t Eat3:014You Can See3:155Y.O. (Youthful Offenders)3:536Jason4:067Kill2:488Man in the Mirror3:589Synergy3:5210Aint Nothin New3:4711So High3:2112Ahaa Interview (skit)1:3213Critical3:1514Confetti2:2715Cutlass3:4416Realest in the Game5:4317Rain4:5518One More Mile to Go3:42 (2015), which peaked at numbers three and four on the chart, respectively. He has since released the collaborative album Friday on Elm Street (2017) with hometown rapper Fabolous, and his fifth solo album, Ignatius×Ignatius6 March 2020 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Pearly Gates3:172Huntin Season4:383Keep It 1004:124Catch & Release4:365ME3:466Anna May0:287(NYB) Need Your Best3:198Angels Getting Pedicured4:129Kisses to the Sky5:0810My Condolences0:4311Gov’t Cheese5:1812I Know4:0313Closure2:57 (2020) both to critical acclaim.

Early life

Jason Terrance Phillips was born on May 27, 1975, in Yonkers, New York, and had an interest in hip hop from an early age. At age 12, he began hustling after his parents asked him to earn his own money. He began freestyle rapping for money after watching other people do it on the street corner. While freestyling, he eventually met longtime friends Sheek Louch and Styles P. The three would eventually go on to form the hip-hop trio The Lox.

Career

Phillips quickly developed a small underground fanbase and at the age of 12, entered himself into a freestyle competition in Florida where he attracted the attention of the owners of Ruff Ryders. Along with Styles and Louch, he formed a group known as The Warlox, and the trio began rapping together. They eventually met Mary J. Blige, who, impressed with their lyrics, handed their demo to Puff Daddy, who signed the group to his label Bad Boy. Phillips initially used the name J. Ski; "Jadakiss" originated as a mispronunciation or spoonerism of his name.

1994–2000: The Lox

Upon signing with Bad Boy, Puff Daddy shortened the group's name from The Warloxs to simply The Lox. They made their first appearance on Main Source's 1994 LP Fuck What You Think on the track "Set it Off". They immediately began writing and performing on hit songs with fellow Bad Boy artists, including Puff Daddy's "It's All About the Benjamins" and "I Got the Power", Mase's "24 Hrs. to Live", Mariah Carey's "Honey", Mary J. Blige's "Can't Get You Off My Mind" and The Notorious B.I.G.'s "Last Day". The group developed a close relationship with B.I.G., during which time Jadakiss especially was taken under his wing. The Lox's first hit song was a tribute to The Notorious B.I.G. in the wake of his 1997 death, titled "We'll Always Love Big Poppa". The song was chosen as the B-side to Puff Daddy's smash hit B.I.G. tribute song "I'll Be Missing You", and received widespread commercial success, achieving multi-platinum status from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The success and reception of the song opened the door for them to write more of their own songs, and in 1998, the Lox released their debut studio album, Money, Power & Respect. The album was both a commercial and critical success, peaking at number 3 on the Billboard 200 and number 1 on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and went on to achieve platinum status. Though the record was successful, The Lox grew unhappy with Bad Boy and Puff Daddy's glossy, radio friendly production, feeling it conflicted with their grimier street aesthetic. Following the release of their debut album, the group left the label to sign with Ruff Ryders. They released their second album, We Are The Streets, in 2000, through Ruff Ryders. The album was once again a success, peaking at number 5 on the Billboard 200 and number 2 on the US Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart. It featured production from Swizz Beatz and Timbaland, and spawned one single, "Ryde or Die, Bitch", featuring fellow Ruff Ryders artist Eve.

2001–2007: Solo career

Jadakiss began embarking on a solo career in 2001 and his debut album, Kiss Tha Game Goodbye×Kiss tha Game Goodbye7 August 2001 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 21 tracks1Intro1:002Jada’s Got a Gun4:293Show Discipline3:424Knock Yourself Out3:355We Gonna Make It3:366None of Y’all Betta3:397Stick Yourself (skit)1:518I’m a Gangsta3:339Nasty Girl3:5910Put Ya Hands Up3:3011Jay Jerkin’ (skit)2:4412On My Way4:2413Cruisin’3:5714Kiss Is Spittin’3:5815Fuckin’ or What?3:4416It’s Time I See You4:1317What You Ride For?4:3218Un‐Hunh!4:2419Feel Me (skit)2:0320Keep Ya Head Up5:3021Charge It (skit)5:07, was released in August 2001 on the Ruff Ryders/Interscope label. The album featured popular guests and producers such as DJ Premier, The Alchemist, DMX, Eve, Snoop Dogg, Nas and Swizz Beatz and was commercially successful, going on to be certified gold by the RIAA and selling over 200,000 copies during its first week of release. Despite commercial success, the album received negative reception from critics who criticised the album for being repetitive and uninspired. Jadakiss has acknowledged the criticism as valid, saying the record was done less out of inspiration but rather out of contractual obligations to Bad Boy. The album produced three singles, "We Gonna Make It×We Gonna Make It2001 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1We Gonna Make It (Clean Version)3:462We Gonna Make It (Dirty Version)3:463We Gonna Make it (Instrumental)3:46" featuring Styles P, "Knock Yourself Out×Knock Yourself Out2001 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Knock Yourself Out (clean version)3:362Knock Yourself Out (dirty version)3:353Knock Yourself Out (instrumental)3:33" and "Put Ya Hands Up". Jadakiss followed this album with Kiss of Death×Kiss of Death22 June 2004 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 18 tracks1Intro1:132What You So Mad At??3:373Shine5:004Bring You Down3:395Time’s Up3:366Why4:007U Make Me Wanna4:548Hot Skit0:189Hot Sauce to Go3:5710Real Hip Hop2:5811Shoot Outs4:1912Still Feel Me2:4213By Your Side3:5214Gettin’ It In3:3715Air It Out4:0416Welcome to D‐Block4:2517Kiss of Death3:1218I’m Goin Back3:38, released in June 2004. It features guest appearances from Snoop Dogg, Eminem, The Lox, Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, Nate Dogg, DJ Quik and more. His song "Why?", featuring Anthony Hamilton and produced by Havoc of Mobb Deep, became one of the year's biggest hits, spawning a remix featuring Styles P, Common and Nas. "Why?" remains Jadakiss' biggest hit, peaking at #11 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song also garnered controversy for a line in which Jadakiss claims that he believes George W. Bush planned the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Another single from the record, "U Make Me Wanna", featuring Mariah Carey peaked at number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album was both a commercial and critical success, receiving better reviews than his previous album and debuted at number 1 on both the Billboard 200 and the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums charts. In late 2007, Jadakiss signed to Jay-Z's Roc-A-Fella Records, a move Jay had been trying to arrange for a long time. The move came on the heels of increased D-Block/Roc-a-Fella collaborations; in 2006, Jadakiss and former rival Beanie Sigel collaborated on DJ Khaled's album Listennn... the Album, and in 2007, on Freeway's album Free At Last. Styles P appeared on a radio freestyle with Freeway and Sigel, and also appeared briefly in the video for Jay-Z's American Gangster single "Roc Boys", in which he throws up the famous Roc-A-Fella sign, "the Diamond".
In 2004, Jadakiss and Fat Joe were featured on a song by Ja Rule titled "New York". In this song, Ja Rule accuses 50 Cent of being a snitch, and also takes shots at G-Unit. In turn, 50 Cent released a song titled "Piggy Bank" in which he disses Fat Joe and Jadakiss among others for performing on the song. This caused Jadakiss to release numerous 50 Cent diss tracks, including "Checkmate", "Problem Child", "Shots Fired" and "I'm Sorry Ms. Jackson". 50 Cent along with his G-Unit crew responded with songs such as "I Run New York", "Window Shopper", and "Death Wish" by Lloyd Banks. Jadakiss challenged 50 Cent to an onstage battle in Madison Square Garden for 1 million dollars, but 50 Cent declined. The feud was later resolved, with Jadakiss and G-Unit performing together at 50 Cent's ThisIs50 Festival on October 3, 2009.
In 2004, Bill O'Reilly called Jadakiss a "smear merchant" due to lyrics in his hit song "Why?", in which Jadakiss lyrically implied George W. Bush coordinated the September 11 attacks, with the line "Why do niggas push pounds of powder? Why did Bush knock down the towers?" Jadakiss said the line was a metaphor for Bush administration not doing enough to stop the attacks. In the music video for "Why?", a man holds up a picket sign reading "Buck Fush" (a spoonerism of "Fuck Bush"). O'Reilly took the position that the President should be allowed to sue Jadakiss for slander. The track was eventually banned on some radio stations or played with the lyrics in question censored.
In 2005, Jadakiss released the 50 Cent diss track "Checkmate" under Ruff Ryders and Interscope as a promotional single on March 9, 2005. Despite releasing a single in 2005, Jadakiss focused on appearing on other artists' records. He contributed on records for Mariah Carey, Styles P, David Banner and also featured on Cuban Link's album Chain Reaction, appearing on the track "Talk About It".

2009–2015: The Last Kiss and Top 5 Dead or Alive

In 2009, Jadakiss released his much-delayed and anticipated third studio album, The Last Kiss×The Last Kiss7 April 2009 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 19 tracks1Pain & Torture3:092Can't Stop Me3:533Who's Real3:124Grind Hard5:065Something Else3:366One More Step4:267Stress Ya3:398What If3:579Things I've Been Through3:4110I Tried3:4011Rocking With The Best3:2112Smoking Gun3:4313Cartel Gathering2:5414Come And Get Me3:0815By My Side3:3016Letter To B.I.G.4:0117Something Else (Remix)5:2418Death Wish3:2419Respect My Conglomerate (Bonus Track)3:36. The first single, "By My Side" featuring Ne-Yo was released in October 2008. Two more singles, "Can't Stop Me" and "Death Wish" featuring Lil Wayne, were released in 2009. One more single, "Who's Real", featuring Swizz Beatz and OJ Da Juiceman released later that year. In 2010, Jadakiss left Roc-A-Fella records. In 2011, he was featured on two DJ Khaled tracks, one of them titled "It Ain't Over Til It's Over", featuring Mary J. Blige and Fabolous, and the remix of "Welcome to My Hood", also featuring Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, Twista, Mavado, Birdman, Ace Hood, Fat Joe, Game, Bun B and Waka Flocka Flame. On April 26, 2012, Jadakiss released his mixtape Consignment×Consignment26 April 2012 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 19 tracks1Intro2Nightmares and Migraines3Paper Tags4By the Bar5Respect It6Traffickin7Hustle Like a Muh8Back to the Money9Dope Boy10Count It11Without You12Cuz We Paid13Street Knock (Raspy mix)14I'm Good15Thangs on Deck16Turn Up3:2617I Want In18We Getin Money19Shaheem Reid Interview, hosted by DJ Drama.
On June 4, 2013, Jadakiss released the first single from his by then upcoming fourth studio album, Top 5 Dead or Alive×Top 5 Dead or Alive20 November 2015 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 18 tracks1First 48 (intro)3:242Shop Talk (skit)0:563You Don’t Eat3:014You Can See3:155Y.O. (Youthful Offenders)3:536Jason4:067Kill2:488Man in the Mirror3:589Synergy3:5210Aint Nothin New3:4711So High3:2112Ahaa Interview (skit)1:3213Critical3:1514Confetti2:2715Cutlass3:4416Realest in the Game5:4317Rain4:5518One More Mile to Go3:42 titled "Big Boy Dialogue", featuring vocals from The-Dream. The album was scheduled to be released during September or October 2013, but after much delay, the album was finally released on November 20, 2015. It features guest appearances from Akon, Future, Jeezy, Lil Wayne, Ne-Yo, Nas, Nipsey Hussle, Styles P, Puff Daddy, Sheek Louch, Swizz Beatz, Wiz Khalifa and Young Buck, and was supported by 2 singles, "Jason" featuring Swizz Beatz, and Ain't Nothin' New featuring Ne-Yo and Nipsey Hussle. The album debuted at number 4 on the Billboard 200, and received positive reviews from critics.

2016–present: The Lox reunion, Friday on Elm Street, Ignatius and "Mr. Verzuz"

In 2016, The Lox released their first album in 16 years, title "Filthy America…It's Beautiful". The album featured guest appearances from Fetty Wap, Mobb Deep and Gucci Mane, and peaked at number 42 on the Billboard 200.
On February 29, 2016, Fabolous posted a picture on Instagram with Jadakiss with the caption, "Freddy vs. Jason coming soon", hinting at the release of a joint project with Jadakiss, titled Freddy vs. Jason. On April 2, 2016, Fabolous and Jadakiss released a freestyle of Future's "Wicked" from Purple Reign that was scheduled appear on Freddy vs. Jason, but did not make the final cut of the album. They also revealed that it would not be a mixtape, but instead a full album. On October 31, 2017, the album's first and only single, "Stand Up" featuring Future was released. On November 21, 2017, it was announced that the album title was changed to Friday on Elm Street. The album was released on November 24, 2017, and features guest appearances from Future, Jeezy, Styles P, French Montana and Yo Gotti.
On March 6, 2020, Jadakiss's fifth studio album Ignatius×Ignatius6 March 2020 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Pearly Gates3:172Huntin Season4:383Keep It 1004:124Catch & Release4:365ME3:466Anna May0:287(NYB) Need Your Best3:198Angels Getting Pedicured4:129Kisses to the Sky5:0810My Condolences0:4311Gov’t Cheese5:1812I Know4:0313Closure2:57 was released. On June 29 of the same year, Jadakiss defeated Fabolous in a battle on Timbaland and Swizz Beatz' Verzuz held virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The following year, Jadakiss returned for another Verzuz battle, this time alongside the Lox against The Diplomats (DipSet) live with an audience at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden. The Lox were widely regarded as winning decisively, with decisive moments including Jadakiss calling out the Diplomats for using full songs including their own vocals instead of TV tracks and then performing his freestyle over The Notorious B.I.G.'s "Who Shot Ya?", originally released on his 2010 mixtape The Champ Is Here, Pt. 3, and answering Cam'ron's remark before performing "Welcome to New York City" that the Lox did not have a New York record that could not beat it with his verse on "New York" (Jadakiss also performed the verse when Fat Joe – who was in the audience for the Lox-Diplomats Verzuz – and Ja Rule faced each other in the subsequent Verzuz at the same venue).
Following their victory, streams of Lox music increased by 215%, including Jadakiss' "Who Shot Ya?" freestyle (both studio and live versions) being added to the iTunes Store and Apple Music 11 years after its initial release. Jadakiss was also dubbed "Mr. Verzuz" after becoming the first artist to win two battles and was able to restructure his Def Jam contract. Just over a year after the battle while they were performing at LL Cool J's Rock The Bells festival at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens, Jadakiss presented Styles P and Sheek Louch with Lox championship rings and unveiled his.

Business ventures

Along with longtime friend and business associate, Jay Jackson and Jadakiss launched an online multimedia creative collective called SoRaspy that also serves as an umbrella company for his business endeavors which include an online publication, record label, apparel, and a YouTube channel.
Reinvesting in their community, in the summer of 2014, Jadakiss and Styles P opened a juice bar in Yonkers, New York, called Juices For Life. Together, they have gone on to open two more branches in The Bronx and one in Brooklyn.
In October 2022, Jadakiss launched a family-owned coffee company called Kiss Café with his father and son.

In political discourse

Jadakiss' phrase "we outside" was mentioned by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani at his inauguration on January 1, 2026. Mamdani mentioned the phrase again on January 17, 2026 during his announcement of Tricia Shimamura as his New York City Parks Commissioner.

Legal issues

On July 5, 2004, Jadakiss was arrested in North Carolina on marijuana and illicit gun possession charges. Several months later, he reached a plea agreement on misdemeanor charges and was ordered to pay a $900 fine.
On October 7, 2006, Jadakiss was once again arrested in his hometown of Yonkers, New York, on gun and drug possession charges. A Yonkers Police Department spokesperson said Jadakiss was one of four men sitting in a 2006 Toyota Camry that was parked near the intersection of Nepperhan Avenue and Elm Street in Yonkers at around 5 a.m. Saturday. Officers said the vehicle's driver was behaving oddly and said they noticed a strong odor of marijuana while approaching the car. Inside the vehicle, police found a .38 caliber revolver that had been reported stolen. According to The Associated Press, the weapon was loaded. All occupants were charged with possession of a stolen firearm; Jadakiss was also charged with possession of marijuana (a small amount was found on his person). The driver, Darnell Frazier, was charged with driving under the influence. The other two men in the vehicle are listed as Benjamin Lockhart and Kristian Smith. All were remanded to Westchester County Jail and were held until at least Tuesday of the following week, when they were due in court.
In 2024, an investigation by Rolling Stone reported that Jadakiss was among several artists whose verified social‑media accounts were used to take money from aspiring musicians for promotions that, according to the report, never materialized.

House raid

Police arrested two men on multiple felony charges after they raided Jadakiss' Yonkers, New York, apartment and found heroin (5 grams) and marijuana (6.5 pounds). Jadakiss was neither present during the investigation, nor wanted by the law enforcement agencies. The incident took place on the morning of August 24, 2009, and started when an investigation revealed the presence of marijuana inside the vehicle driven by two men. Both men were reportedly in police custody and had been criminally charged.