Jadakiss

Jadakiss, born Jason Terrance Phillips on May 27, 1975 in Yonkers, New York, is an American rapper and songwriter whose career has spanned more than three decades, making him a seminal figure in East Coast hip‑hop. He first entered the rap scene in the early 1990s, developing a reputation on street corners by freestyling for cash at age twelve, and soon formed the trio The Lox with longtime friends Sheek Louch and Styles P, a group that would become a cornerstone of the hardcore rap movement. After signing with Puff Daddy’s Bad Boy Records, The Lox released the platinum‑selling debut Money, Power & Respect in 1998, but grew dissatisfied with the label’s glossy, radio‑friendly production, prompting a high‑profile move to Ruff Ryders where they delivered We Are the Streets in 2000, solidifying their gritty street credibility. As a solo artist, Jadakiss launched his debut Kiss tha Game Goodbye in 2001, followed by the chart‑topping Kiss of Death in 2004, which featured the hit single “Why?” and earned a number‑one debut on the Billboard 200, showcasing his lyrical dexterity and storytelling. Throughout the 2000s and 2010s he continued to evolve, releasing The Last Kiss (2009), Top 5 Dead or Alive (2015), and the critically acclaimed Ignatius (2020), while also collaborating on projects such as Friday on Elm Street with Fabolous. Beyond music, Jadakiss has built a diversified business portfolio, launching the SoRaspy creative collective, opening juice bars in New York, and co‑founding Kiss Café with his family, reflecting his commitment to community investment. His reputation for lyrical prowess earned him the nickname “Mr. Verzuz” after winning two high‑profile Verzuz battles, cementing his status as a resilient and influential veteran of the rap industry.