Few artists can lay claim to the kind of respect as a lyricist that Jadakiss manages to maintain. Coming off of 2015’s Top 5 Dead or Alive (an album drenched in a celebratory tone), the Yonkers legend was looking to take yet another victory lap. Then the unthinkable happened: his longtime friend Jay “Icepick” Jackson lost his silent battle with cancer.
The two years that followed were an odyssey of mourning and overcoming, which Kiss attempted to capture with Ignatius, a 13-song LP dedicated to the memory of Icepick — a producer and A&R who had a hand in all four of Kiss’ previous solo efforts.
Maintaining steam across a celebration of life isn’t an easy task — especially when the subject of celebration was more of a behind the scenes figure with whom many listeners may be unfamiliar.
Kiss handles this task well, diversifying the subject matter and trading verses with guests like Pusha T on one of the brightest moments “Huntin Season” and Rick Ross on the toast to life that is “Kisses To The Sky.”
However, it’s a double-edged sword. Introducing more of the same old as well some rather generic production makes for a listen that at times feels forgettable.
A grand example of this is “Catch & Release” and the Ty Dolla Sign featured “Need Your Best.” Then there’s “Angels Getting Pedicured,” where Kiss and 2 Chainz drop overwhelmingly uncreative bars that feel like variations of the same stuff they’ve both said a million times.
Where the album hits is in its humanity; Kiss attempts to satisfy too many sounds, perhaps, but the theme of loss is omnipresent. It’s bigger than just Icepick, also. Kiss seems to be dealing with the fallout of his relationship with the mother of his children (whom he said in a 2015 interview he planned to marry). He explores it on the John Legend featured “I Know,” as well as makes reference to it on “Catch & Release” — calling the breakdown the reason for his insecurities when it comes to love.
He also examines the loss of friendship as a result of the 2009 drug bust at his home — which the rapper had no involvement with — on the song “Keep It 100.”
But really, that was never the point of Ignatius.
Originally started before Icepick passed, the album was built around him and his energy, as well as collaborations and ideas he had always wanted his longtime friend to explore.
“I want to give some of the proceeds to his kids and have some closure,” Kiss told HipHopDX last November.
In context, Ignatius was a thing he did out of respect to get through a difficult period in his life. We all mourn differently, but as this project demonstrates, things get better. Classic or not, it’s impossible to ignore its charm from that perspective.
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The new Jadakiss album is dope and this review is way off base. Jadakiss has given us another album that I can listen too 10 years from now and still call it dope. A lot of other rappers can’t say that including some of the biggest one’s (does anybody still listen to the last Jay-Z album). Jada is dope and consistent with the quality of his music. That is all I ask. Well done Jada!
Hov’s last album was waaaaay better than dis boring r&b experiment. Pusha dragged him on “hunting season” btw, Kiss’s legacy is secure but “top 5 d.o.a”……not with this.
Comparing 4:44 to this is near blasphemy. Jada needs to do something similar to that, or take it to full boom bap…Jada over pop/RnB beats is a waste, and this album is no better than his last, and that’s a shame.
Since when has paying homage become corny. Comments like this are the reason hip hop is in the stat it’s in.
Whoever wrote this doesn’t know shit about hip hop
I am not sure who was listening to this is a classic album. Every song is good, compared to the garbage that’s out there today.
The rating can’t be lower than the Jay-Electronica and Jay-Z duets album??? When will rap/hip-hop be about BARS & BEATS and not draycos, weed, and Balenciaga???
Jada is a legend his lyrics speaks the truth, that’s my favorite artist! These new rappers today talks nothing but nonsense
A great disappointment. This guy was one of the better MC’s left. After this boring ass project I’ve given up on him. That other weak album he made with Fab was several nails in his coffin. This is the last. Really disappointing.
You probably listen to lil yachty
U must be a fan of Soulja Boy tell em or somethn if Kiss ever said ANYTHING weak outta his mouth! When u have wits and integrity it’s impossible to spread misleading information
Why did jada drop an r&b album? Coming from a actual jadakiss fan this was thrash
You probably skimmed through it. Listen to the shit from start to finish
What the hell are ya crazy!?!?! This album is a classic!
This Album is some of Jadas best work as solo artist. The lyrics that he articulates shines throughout most of this Album.
TOP 5 D.O.A.
NY artists have always had crazy talented lyricists but hoooorrible album makers.. jada and fab are 2 who whn ir comes 2 album time turn feom rapper to rnb clown thinking the public wants that content..not from u tho..smh
Solid Album, wayyy better than I expected.
This website is a joke when it comes to rating albums…they’ll give this hot garbage that’s prevalent today a better rating than good quality music and lyrics like this album
So let me get this straight, when Kiss is introspective and versatile in content mofos criticize, when he talk guns, drugs, etc.. mofos criticize, I can’t keep up.
I had to listen twice, in fact me and a couple of homies listened twice and what I found was a mature, grown brother, who still bring the fire lyrically. That Dej Loaf hook is crazy, and ME is a banger. Lines like the Union was Soviet.. never mind yall goofies on here will never get it.
This album is really good. Classic, no, but really good.
I give it Ten Album is dope ?????
I love this album one of my favorite Kiss albums. Lyrics are stellar subject matter is mature all around grown man bars. Classic in my eyes
Fuck this ninja turtle looking ass nigga
Fuck you hater kiss better than your fav rapper clown
Kiss is my fav rapper of all time but i give the album a 4 out 5 its ???? like everything my guy put out no ?
4 the 1st listen i was like the album is okay no sheek no ghost. But after a couple basketball workouts bangin the album letting it play as how u r supposed 2 DO.Letting it play on the way 2 work after the workout and shower.It got better after each listen.Jada the lox always had my support.A Good artist comes from all angles hits u in different ways. the 1st line 1t song he sez AINT NO BENFITS WHEN U PART TIME WE DID ENUFF DUMB SHIT SO FROM HERE ON OUT WE ON SMART TIME…..dropped a gem basically telling u nigga get right.then he has anthems like ME..tuff song.some songs 4 your wifey while u in the whip with her.and govt cheese another 1 telling u step out of your old ways. Album is real good glad he dropped this. This is in this years album rotation with Eminem music 2 B murdered by Lil Wayne Funeral And that Royce da 5″9 the Allegory which is a runner up 4 hiphop album of the year. Bangin this jada album in southern CALI Isla vista santa barbra.I enjoy this album alot has a jam 4 every mood feel me U HERE MY HUNTING TALK “ELMER FUD STYLE”
Im a huge Jada fan.. I would appreciate if he dropped another album this year.. after several listens im disappointed by this joint bt i do understand y he made the album.. I feel he really needs to stop playin safe n make sum out of the box boom bap album.
“variations of the same stuff they’ve both said a million times”
At the end of the day, this is emceeing. You just got to be able to be creative enough to fool the audience. Like Nas said: “no idea’s original”
Solid!
Fire , Jadakiss Still One of Top 5,Rappers in the Game
I enjoyed the album
Guaranteed, years from now, like Relapse or Kingdom Come, this will be appreciated on a higher level. This is easily his most cohesive, introspective and DIFFERENT album he’s ever done. He deserves props for that…
Dope not great