If we're keeping it a buck, Kiss of Death fell short of classic status, but it definitely had a handful of solid joints. With Kiss of Death, Jada's well on his way to achieving hip hop immortality. On the impressive 'Air It Out,' Jada spits, 'All I got is my balls and my vocals / And the only security I roll with is my social.' He has more than that. Also, West Coast hook master Nate Dogg assists Jada on the G-funked lead single, 'Time's Up.' The hypnotic 'By Your Side' and love-themed 'You Make Me Wanna' show that Jada has more to offer than body counts and gun talk.

West drops galloping kicks (sans vocals) for 'Gettin' It In,' while Swizz gets fish-grease funky with the blaxploitation groove of 'Real Hip Hop.' Guests Snoop Dogg and Anthony Hamilton join with LOX cohorts Sheek and Styles on an assortment of street cuts. A swarm of A-list producers-the Neptunes, Kanye West, Swizz Beatz-contribute to Death, switching up their trademark sounds to Jada's benefit. His sophomore salvo, Kiss of Death, places him as a contender for the title of King of New York, unwilling to go down without a fight. With Southern crunk dominating hip hop, Jadakiss represents a dying breed of great East Coast lyricists.

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