Kiss Of Death

Ruff Ryders presents Jadakiss `Kiss Of Death'. The follow up to 2001's acclaimed debut and near platinum 'Kiss Tha Game Goodbye' is packed with enough variety to please die-hard Jadakiss fans and invite newcomers alike.

The bass heavy 'Times Up' produced by Scott Storch and featuring Nate Dogg is a stand out track. Over the rough soundscape, the stoic vocalist levies harmonious warnings. 'Hot Sauce' is another bass-infested stomper, with an instrumental devised by the Neptunes Pharrell Williams. 'Kiss of Death' doesn't find Jada constrained to his much beloved rhyme of guns and drugs. Jada shows evolution, reflecting on life, trying to give hope and leaving the listener with a message. 'Why?' featuring Anthony Hamilton on the hook, may be his most poignant and honest record to date. On the album he broaches such topics as California letting "the Terminator win the election", Aaliyah's plane crash, Denzel Washington not winning a best actor Academy Award until he played a crooked cop, the debilitating effect on the community and his own lack of record sales.

'Still Feel Me' gives insight to Jadakiss' alter ego, Jason Phillips, and he speaks with candor about family problems and being robbed of £100,000. Kanye West and Aja are among the other contributors, Kanye on 'Get It On'. Jada's musically bonded brothers, fellow LOX members Styles and Sheek both appear on the LP. Styles graces the deadly Red Spyda-produced title track, and he and Jada exchange their in-and-out flow of lyrics on 'Written in the Stars', while Sheek enters the opus via 'Real Hip-Hop'. Production credits also include Swiss Beats, Alchemist and Neo.