Roc-A-Fella/Def jam
It’s been five long years since Jadakiss released a solo album, and the break seems to be exactly what he needed. Jada has never had a problem lyrically, but on The Last Kiss he elevates his pen game even further, mixing his classic one-liners with perceptive storytelling (“Smoking Gun” featuring Jazmine Sullivan) and hard-won revelations (“Letter to B.I.G.” featuring Faith Evans). Aided by top-notch production this go-around, tracks like “One More Step,” where he and Styles P do a classic back-and-forth, the poignant “What If,” featuring Nas and “Cartel Gathering,” featuring Raekwon and Ghostface, easily make this Jada’s best album to date and one of the best releases of the year. –rogue marie
