The Last Kiss (album)

The Last Kiss
Studio album by Jadakiss
Released April 7, 2009
Recorded 2005-2008
Genre East Coast hip hop
Label D-Block, Ruff Ryders, Roc-A-Fella, Def Jam
Producer Baby Grand, Buckwild, Chophouse, Legion of D.O.O.M., Eric Hudson, Fiend, Mr. Devine, Mr. Porter, Needlz, Neenyo, Neo Da Matrix, Sean C & LV, Snagz, Swiff D, Swizz Beatz, The Alchemist, The Inkredibles, The Neptunes
Jadakiss chronology
Kiss of Death
(2004)
The Last Kiss
(2009)
TBA
(TBA)
Singles from The Last Kiss
  1. "By My Side"
    Released: October 7, 2008
  2. "Can't Stop Me"
    Released: February 17, 2009
  3. "Death Wish"
    Released: March 24, 2009
  4. "Who's Real"
    Released: June 16, 2009
Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
About.com [1]
AllHipHop (7/10)[2]
Allmusic [3]
Entertainment Weekly (B)[4]
Okayplayer (73/100)[5]
Pitchfork Media (5.2/10)[6]
RapReviews (7.5/10)[7]
Spin [8]
USA Today [9]
XXL [10]
DJBooth.net [11]

The Last Kiss is the third studio album from rapper Jadakiss, released April 7, 2009 on D-Block Records, Ruff Ryders Entertainment, Roc-A-Fella Records and Def Jam Recordings, after numerous delays.[12] To date, Jadakiss has released 3 music videos for the singles "By My Side", "Can't Stop Me" and "Who's Real".[13]

Contents

Background

After securing a new deal with Jay-Z and Roc-A-Fella Records, Jadakiss began recording in 2008. After multiple push backs, the album was given an April 7, 2009 release date. The first official single, "By My Side" featuring Ne-Yo was released on October 7, 2008 and the second single, "Can't Stop Me", which has peaked at #78 on the Billboard Hot Rap Tracks, was released on February 17, 2009. "Letter to B.I.G" was released as a promo single from the album and was also included on the soundtrack to the motion picture Notorious released on March 10, 2009. "Letter to B.I.G" contains an interpolation of Roberta Flack's "This Time I'll Be Sweeter." "Death Wish" was released as the third official single on March 24, 2009 and features Lil Wayne. The fourth and final single "Who's Real" was digitally released on May 5, 2009, released for airplay on June 9, 2009 and officially released on June 16, 2009. The album was given positive to mixed reviews from music critics.

The original album title was "Kiss My Ass," however Jada decided to change the album title:

I had to change the name of my album because "Kiss My Ass" wasn’t testing well at retail; not even with the exclamations or none of that so we had to change it to The Last Kiss, Jada explained during an interview with music website, BestofBothOffices.com.[14]

As "The Last Kiss" might lead some to believe that it could be Jadakiss' final album, he immediately stated that he has no plans to retire anytime soon and explained the meaning behind the album's title.

Some people asked me if this was my last album, nah, it’s just the first album was Kiss tha Game Goodbye, the second album was The Kiss of Death, so this one is The Last Kiss; it’s the closing of a trilogy. This is the last time the word "Kiss" is going to be in any of my album titles.[14]

The song "Grind Hard" was also used by Rick Ross but it is an earlier version of the song.

Sales

The album debuted at #3 on the Billboard 200, selling 134,520 copies in its first week.[15] Jadakiss later responded to the sales, by explaining he was pleased with the album's overall success, and that it has since been attributed to traditional marketing.[16]

Track listing

No. Title Producer(s) Length
1. "Pain & Torture"   Buckwild 3:09
2. "Can't Stop Me" (feat. Ayanna Irish) Neo da Matrix 3:52
3. "Who's Real" (feat. Swizz Beatz & OJ da Juiceman) Swizz Beatz & Snagz* 3:11
4. "Grind Hard" (feat. Mary J. Blige) The Inkredibles 5:06
5. "Something Else" (feat. Young Jeezy) Fiend 3:35
6. "One More Step" (feat. Styles P) Sean C & LV 4:26
7. "Stress Ya" (feat. Pharrell) The Neptunes 3:39
8. "What If" (feat. Nas) Chophouze 3:55
9. "Things I've Been Through"   Mr. Devine 3:40
10. "I Tried" (feat. Avery Storm) Baby Grand 3:39
11. "Rockin' With the Best"   The Neptunes 3:20
12. "Smoking Gun" (feat. Jazmine Sullivan) Mr. Porter & B. Williams* 3:42
13. "Cartel Gathering" (feat. Ghostface Killah & Raekwon) Swiff D & Eddie F* 2:53
14. "Come & Get Me" (feat. Sheek Louch & S.I.) Neenyo 3:07
15. "By My Side" (feat. Ne-Yo) Eric Hudson 3:29
16. "Letter to B.I.G." (feat. Faith Evans) Needlz 3:59
17. "Something Else" (Remix) (feat. Young Jeezy, Snype Life, Bully, A.P., Boo Rossini & Blood Raw) Fiend 5:23
18. "Death Wish" (feat. Lil Wayne) The Alchemist 3:24

(*) indicates Co-Producer

References