Anybody who remembers the Ruff Ryders likely remembers Drag-On, who played a pivotal role in rounding out the legendary collective’s compilation series Ryde Or Die. And while it’s been a minute since the Double R moved as a unit, it’s clear that some ties will never be unbound. Upon hearing word that Jadakiss had kicked off a “Huntin Season” challenge, which invites emcees to lay down their best verses over the haunting Ignatius banger, Drag came through to lend his voice to the cause.

Brad Barket/Getty Images

“Muthafucka it’s huntin season / run up in the bank at closing time, no one’s leavin'” begins Drag, seeming right at home over the beat. “Last hater feds found him and he wasn’t breathin’ / he killed my man, we killed his bitch — we still ain’t even / been stopped shaking n***as hands, fuck a virus / been walkin’ with the hammer showin’, fuck hidin’ it / got some rudeboy Jamaicans and you lookin’ like curry to em’ / extra kick on the pump, I’ll make them bullets hurry to em’.”

Natrually, Jada was quick to share Drag’s verse on his own page, marking a mini-Ruff Ryders reunion in a sense. “Drag_on1 came through with straight fire,” captions Kiss, an allusion to his former collaborator’s status as the Opposite Of H20. Check out the verse for yourself, and sound off – who has love for Drag-On? 

We have love for Nate Dogg‘s “I Got Love” and apparently, Jadakiss does, too. The New York rapper stopped by Power 106 in Los Angeles to visit the L.A. Leakers to show off his impressive freestyle skills and he did so over the late Long Beach legend’s classic track. Jadakiss is known near and far as an emcee who can bring hard bars, and he didn’t disappoint with this latest freestyle look.

Mike Coppola / Staff / Getty Images

“You know I will let the nine burst / West Coast mixtape kiss my converse / ‘Fore you play your part gotta read your lines first / ‘Fore it’s in your heart gotta be in your mind first,” Jadakiss rapped effortlessly. “Album is out now / I’m hearin’ ’em chant that / You know it’s heroin whenever I stamp that / Know how I do n*ggas / You know that I chew n*ggas / Seasoned veterans or one of these new n*ggas / Gotta be kiddin’ me / Could never get rid of me / Even if they kill me I’m still the epitome.”

That was just the beginning of Jadakiss’s freestyle and he continued to dominate for another minute and a half. His recent release, Ignatius, is being hailed as the album hip hop needed in 2020, so check out the project here and watch Jadakiss drops bars with the L.A. Leakers below.

Can you still be considered one of the top rappers in the game if you use a ghostwriter? Jadakiss weighed in on the subject with two answers that he called “politically correct.” The veteran emcee recently shared his anticipated and acclaimed project Ignatius, so he stopped by Sway in the Morning to chat about the record. While there, Jadakiss was asked if an artist can be considered one of the “Top 5” emcees if they use a ghostwriter, and the rapper answered both yes and no.

Robin Marchant / Stringer / Getty Images

“In our era, no way at all,” Jadakiss said. “In today’s [era], it don’t matter.” He added, “In our era, it wasn’t even a thought. You wouldn’t even think…once that happens, you outta the thing. You ain’t gettin’ a yellow jacket after that. Today, that don’t even matter. If you can turn up to it and do whatever crazy-ass dances they do, they don’t care. And that’s what I don’t like that’s happening to the game.” Jadakiss added that he’s happy that the young artists are able to make money and have success, “but…when we’re just erasing things out of the original black book of hip hop, I can’t really condone that.”

During his talk, Jadakiss also revealed why the early days in his career were more “fun” for him. “In this particular business, when you get success, you get a target on your back,” he said. “You gotta move different and accordingly. Watch family, friends, the snakes, spiders, things of that nature. It takes some of the happiness out of it. Opposed to when you going for that, that journey in the beginning is more fun ’cause the valleys and peaks and meeting people and learning new stuff. Then after you cross that line, the financial situation, everything is much better, but it’s also that much dangerous and that much more snakes.”

Check out more from Jadakiss including his take on why he agrees with Young M.A about a lack of R&B in the current music culture below.

On Friday, Jadakissdropped off his fifth studio album Ignatius, featuring guest appearances from Rick Ross, Emmany, John Legend, Pusha T, and more. For the most part, it’s Mr. Raspy himself who captivates the attention on the strength of his own invaluable skillset, one well-honed after twenty-five years of delivering quality music. Following the project’s release, Kiss hit up The Breakfast Club to discuss a variety of topics, speaking fondly about the man who inspired Ignatius, the late “Icepick” Jay Jackson.

Mike Lawrie/Getty Images

Explaining that Ignatius was made as closure, Kiss notes that Icepick “A&R’d the album from heaven,” as many of the features were personal favorites. “This is the first album where I did a lot of post-production,” explains Jada. “We had live instruments come in and play, all of that. Real musical. That’s something that he always wanted. He would always try to get me to do it…I kinda did all the stuff he ever asked me to do when he was alive. Little stuff, I tried to do everything.” He also reveals that Icepick used to encourage him to sing, to “use his voice” in different ways — a request he honored by singing on “Angels Getting Pedicured” and “Keep It 100.” 

After Charlemagne mentions that he caught a few genuine “love songs” on the record, Kiss admits that Icepick’s passing left him determined to do right as a family man. “I moved out of Yonkers and got a house,” he reflects. “My family situation is really in a good place. I think it’s all due to him. Everything happens for a reason — sometimes you get a positive out of a negative. That’s what happened. That’s all he wanted to see. Me, Styles, and Sheek evolve and be good fathers, good artists. Open up Juice Bars and go to art events.”

Rest in peace, Icepick Jackson. Check out our own interview with the legendary Jadakiss right here. 

Following a last-minute delay, Jadakiss has officially released the fifth studio album of his legendary career, Ignatius. A recurring placement on top ten lists from the barbershop to the booth, Jada’s prolific catalog and deadly bars have earned him respect in a game where steel sharpens steel. Many might even call him the blacksmith — an inspiration to the likes of Pusha T, a collaborator to legends like Nas, Eminem, Jay-Z, DMX, Ghostface Killah, and countless more. You can hear his laugh the moment you read about it. Jason Voorhees during hunting season.

Being a longtime fan of Jadakiss, I jumped at the chance to interview the LOX lyricist following his “Fuck Cancer” event at the end of November last year. A second conversation was then scheduled in February, once the album’s initial release date was inching closer. As such, today’s feature arrives in two parts, both of which span topics ranging from Ignatius, the man behind the album’s title, and Jada’s own wide-ranging career.

Check it out now, and show some love to one of hip-hop’s most formidable lyricists of all time. This conversation has been edited for clarity. 

Johnny Nunez/Getty Image

PART ONE

Originally recorded on November 27th, 2019. 

Hey Jada, how are you?

How you doing?

How’s your day going so far?

It’s alright, I just got to Detroit.

You and Fuck Cancer just put together an event honoring your friend Icepick. How’d that go?

It was cool. It was dope. Nice turnout.

How did you end up linking with Fuck Cancer?

Swizz and my man Rob Walker. They plugged us in, we did a little piece a few months back on Icepick.

Looking back on Icepick and everything he helped build –I’ve been seeing his name for years, since I was buying Ruff Ryders albums– how did you guys first meet and develop such a close friendship?

We met when he was doing jewelry. He’s also a jeweler, that’s why his name is Icepick. He was doing jewelry on 125th and Harlem. Ruff Ryders hired him. We had a close relationship working on all those compilations, group albums, and solo albums. When Ruff Ryders kind of went down, I hired him to work with me.

What was his dynamic like in such a big group like the Double R? He’s clearly impacted so many people within the Ruff Ryders camp, working with you, Eve, DMX.

He’d just get things done. He was the person who’d go get the features, go get the producers, go get everything you wanted. He’d make it happen.

Was he ever giving creative input?

A little bit. He was more of my A&R slash partner. He’d go get me production, get me different sounds. He’d do all the running around, the fieldwork. Sample clearances. He’d do everything.

Was there ever a feature you didn’t think would come through, only for Icepick to make it happen? Was there ever a feature he wanted you to do?

On the Kiss Of Death album, we were trying to wrap the album and we needed Snoop. Snoop was in New York at the time, at a party. Pick actually went to the party, came back and brought Snoop back to the Sony studio and got him to lay the verse. He got him to leave the party and lay the verse on a song called “Shine.” That was the beginning of his dopeness. He’s been doing that kind of thing ever since. He’d always drag me to the studio if I didn’t want to go. He always had good insight on things.

Looking toward your upcoming album Ignatius—

That’s his real name. That’s his government name. Ignatius “Icepick” Jay Jackson.

Were you working on that album before his passing?

I was working on a project. We were just gathering production, getting beats together. It wasn’t going to be the Ignatius project, that came after his passing.

Did the direction of the music change in light of it?

Definitely. It all went around him. Going back to the last question, he always wanted me to do a feature with Pusha. Just me and him. Me and Styles have a song on the Clipse album, but he wanted me and Pusha to work just me and him. He always wanted me to do a song with John Legend, I got that on this project. Production from Pitchshifters, they did “One More Mile To Go” on the Top 5 DOA project.

There’s a lot of things inspired by him. That’s why I named it after him, to give myself some closure from his untimely demise. He’ll still be with me in spirit, but I can move on and do other stuff.

My condolences. I can’t imagine losing such a close friend. Was the writing process ever particularly difficult on this album?

The intro, the outro, the song with John Legend. Even some regular songs. Just thinking about him will put you in a somber place, a dark place. But I didn’t want the album to be all somber. That’s why the first single is “Me.” Soulful, not sad or nothing. The album’s not sad, it’s just in his name. A couple of sad moments there.

When you guys used to talk about music, was there a particular style he liked to see from you? A favorite verse or track?

Nah, he was always trying to find that next big hit. He always wanted me to be bigger and better every project, every opportunity.

I recently say you make an analogy to hip-hop being a Ferris wheel, with the goal being to get as many go-arounds as possible. To sustain that longevity. Looking at your own career — platinum records, unanimous respect from your peers– is there anything you’re still looking for?

Just to give the fans good music. I was able to buy my mom a house off hip-hop. Put my oldest son through college. My second oldest kid is about to go to college in a year or two. I’m pretty much happy with my achievements and accolades as far as financially and respect from my peers. Those that passed before me, the Bigs, the Puns. I’m pretty much cool. I just do it cause of the passion. It’s still a lucrative way to take care of my family and enjoy life, but for the most part it’s the passion still.

How’s The Lox’s documentary coming?

Dope, it’s going to shock everybody. You gonna see a bunch of different sides of me, Styles, and Sheek that’s never been really seen by the public. There’s some sad moments on there also. That’s how life is, there’s going to be ups and downs in life. A lot of people keep those things private, which they should, but it’s a documentary about us. We had to share some things with the people.

When’s that dropping?

It’ll probably come out at the beginning of the year. February, March. After my album comes out. It’s going to come out with the new Lox album.

Anything you’d like to share about Ignatius moving forward?

Make sure you absorb it. For all the fans, I appreciate the D Block support, the Jadakiss support. Check out that new Styles album that’s out now, Present. Look out for the new Lox album coming out after my solo album. As far as the Ignatius project, if you know me, if you knew Icepick and his history working with Ruff Ryders and The Lox, you know the significance and importance of this album. You’ll appreciate it if you really sit down and listen to it.

Looking back, how do you feel about the Ruff Ryders movement?

The Ruff Ryder movement was very therapeutic for my career. Those my big brothers. They took us somewhere we wanted to go in hip-hop. A world tour, making big records. Making a lot of money young. Doing things like that. It’s beautiful to be a part of that. It’s like being a part of the Lakers, the Bulls, the Dallas Cowboys. One of them teams that’s America’s favorite, for a nice amount of years. Especially to be a part of that so young.

The Ruff Ryders movement was legendary.

The Ruff Ryder movement was very therapeutic for my career. Those are my big brothers. My managers. They took us somewhere we wanted to go in hip-hop. As far as seeing the world, making big records, making a lot of money young. Doing things like that. It’s beautiful to be a part of that. It’s like being a part of the Lakers or the Bulls or the Dallas Cowboys. One of those teams that’s America’s favorite for a nice amount of years. Especially to be involved in that so young.

Man, I got Volume 3: In The R We Trust for Christmas one year. I listened to that so many times.

[Hearty Laugh]

That actually put me onto your music in the first place. Kiss Tha Game Goodbye dropped, and then Gangster And A Gentleman dropped. Both those albums are classics to me. Just wanted to say that. I’m a big supporter of everything you’ve done.

I appreciate it, definitely.

PART TWO

Two days before the initial release date of Ignatius on February 26th.

Hey, how are you doing?

How you doin’ brutha?

I’m doing pretty well. Can’t complain. You in the studio?

Yes.

Nice. What are you working on?

Just tightening up some last little things on the album I had to lay on top of the masters. Couple words, couple tweaks.

Are you excited for the big release?

Hell yeah, always excited. Always thankful. Always honored to still be in this position twenty-plus years later.

Could you walk me through what it’s like to put out a big release into the world? You’ve been working on this for a long time and it’s got a lot of emotional weight as well.

The recording process is always the easiest process, the least stressful. It’s when it gets to the end, where we at now — closing out of an album with the samples and the payments and the producer splits, who did this and that. That’s when it becomes a headache. That’s when you just want to throw in the towel. But for the most part, it was one of the easier albums to make. I think that’s because of the aura. The energy of Icepick was with me, making it.

And you got the Pusha T collaboration! I know he really wanted you guys to link up and drop something, and the track is crazy.

Appreciate it.

How did you come up with the concept of “Hunting Season?”

That’s just how I felt when I got the track. My in-house producer, he actually picked the track from another in-house we got. He was like ‘yo unk, this track right here is one of the most knocking-est tracks I heard in a minute. I’m bringing it to you.’ As soon as he threw it on, I was like damn.

“Hunting Season” just came to me. I recorded my part and sent it to Push. We actually recorded it months ago. He was on me to put it out, like ‘when are you going to put it out?!’ I was like dawg, I gotta finish the whole album first! He had a relationship with Icepick as well. Pick used to work at Star Track for a minute. Double families.

I like how you’re warning people you have a crossbow and bear traps in your arsenal. You really are Jason.

I tried to keep the comparisons of really hunting. Talk some real talk on hunting.

You even have all the good strategies. I’d be scared at that point. The bear trap line in particular.

[Laughs]

Theo Wargo/Getty Images

With this being a brand new album, I want to take it back to the beginning. When did you first realize you had a skill for rapping, for putting words together? What was the scene like when you were a kid?

Coming from Yonkers, it’s north of the boroughs. We always had a chip on our shoulders cause they always called it upstate. We never got the recognition that The Bronx, or Brooklyn, or Manhattan or Queens or Staten Island got. They always overlooked us. One of the gripes we always had was: ‘we going to show them how nice we are.’ Make them know about this demographic where we from.

I started off just snapping on my friends. Around seven, eight years old. Maybe nine, ten. Maybe even eleven, twelve. That’s how I started with it. One of my bigger homies used to make me rhyme. We used to rock with one turn-table. He would come with all sorts of makeshift beat machines and ways to provide the production. I would just be doing what I could do.

As I got to junior high school I got better. In high school, me, Sheek, and Styles were making tapes. We started hustling to pay for the studio. And then once we were able to make good enough songs for a demo, we gave it to one of the dudes that was in our everyday entourage, my manager Marco. He’s actually Mary J. Blige’s first cousin. The rest is history. He passed it to her while she was on tour with Jodeci and Puff. That caused Puff to set up the meeting. The rest is history.

Was there something specific about the Yonkers sound that was setting it apart from the other boroughs?

The way that we was spitting! You hear the young Lox. You hear the young DMX. That took the world by storm! Whatever’s going on in Yonkers. Mary on top of that — we busted the door down.

Getting into the industry, it must have been a major change from what you were used to. Did you ever feel overwhelmed?

We was definitely overwhelmed. But we was hungry, thirsty to get in the game. We didn’t learn as much as we should, which caused us to sign the contract we signed. It was all a learning experience. But we was more eager to just rap. We didn’t care about the business. We didn’t know none of that stuff, publishing, splits. We was just trying to rhyme. Hit hard and as fierce as we could. Any time we could.

Look back at that whole era, it feels like there’s this notable sense of healthy competition. There were song structures you don’t quite see anymore. Posse cuts! You, Styles, Sheek, DMX, Jay-Z on the same track, killing verses — was that competitive spirit always there? That chip on your shoulder?

It’s still always there, due to the politics of game. The stuff the people want to see and hear. There’s always a sense of hunger and fierceness in it. You gotta look at it like that, cause you know — somebody always trying to steal your spot. Steel sharper steel. Sometimes you have to sharpen your own steel.

On that note — I wanted to ask about your relationship with Biggie. What brought you guys together? Was it an artistic thing, a genuine friendship?

It was both. Artistic and friendship. We were like his little brothers! He was happy we was on the label. He had big plans to work with us and do big shit with us in the future. As far as music and touring and things of that nature. The sky was going to be the limit for us. He welcomed us on Bad Boy with open arms.

He was a master at his craft. A great storyteller. It’s cool to know he saw something in you guys. I can see how you forged that bond. Moving away from the Bad Boy era, how did you end up connecting with Ruff Ryders?

Ruff Ryders was our managers when we were on Bad Boy. After we got on, and DMX got on, they got their own label. The object for us was to get back home and make the music we wanted to make. Which would be on Ruff Ryders label. And that’s what we were able to do.

Was a solo album always part of the plan?

Nah. They presented that after. The solo album wasn’t in the plans for nobody until it was presented.

Were you looking forward to that at the time? Especially when Kiss The Game Goodbye started taking shape…

Yeah, I was cool with it. The people wanted it. You gotta give the people what they want. It wasn’t forced, they asked me for it.

Do you still look back at that album today?

I loved it. I loved making it. I loved the times, the budgets they gave. I loved everything that had to do with it. Those were the golden eras. The great years.

One of my favorite songs of yours was on that album — Show “Discipline” with Nas. Did you record that together?

Yeah, we recorded that together in L.A. In the Interscope studios. It was dope.

A song that has come to be representative of your story is “Feel Me” off that album. What was it like opening up to an audience that might not have known that story?

It was exciting for me. The fans want you to open up to them, and I was giving them me. Feel me?

Moving through the early millennium, when everything was so big — album budgets, CDs were selling, music videos were the most popular way to discover new music — how do you look back on the Kiss Of Death era?

It was beautiful. There was even more money being spent. It was royalty. Those were the royal days. The money they were spending, they wasn’t saying no to nothing. We were making so much money and they were spending the same.

Streaming really changed the game. Do you ever miss the CD days?

Yeah, and no. I like this new digital shit. But I liked the CD era, it was the best era for me. In the same token, there’s still a lot of money on the table.

Plus the convenience. It’s mostly good, but sometimes the deeper cuts don’t always get enough shine. When you own the CD, it’s easy to live with the whole album. Now, I can listen to songs from Kiss Tha Game Goodbye and songs from Ignatius in the same five-minute span.

Yeah.

Back to Ignatius — did you have a specific writing process in mind, given the importance of the subject matter?

It depends. But this project was very meticulous. Usually I’m meticulous but if it’s an on-the-go type of situation, if that’s what the beat is saying, we make it happen. But for the most part, I like to sit down and be particular.

When you’re piecing together a project like this, do you have the structure in your mind already?

I build it piece by piece. Throw a storyboard up and start to build around it. Make sure all the songs fit.

In terms of collaborations, you’ve recorded with every hip-hop legend in the game. Is there still someone on your bucket list?

My all-time bucket list track is with Andre 3000 and Stevie Wonder.

That would be monumental.

Correct.

It sounds pretty specific. I assume you’ve thought it through.

Stevie Wonder on the hook. Me and Andre 3000 have the same birthday so we base the song around there somehow.

I have one last question for you, and it’s about you and Styles’ juice bar.

Juices For Life, baby.

Who is the bigger juice connoisseur — you or Styles?

Styles is definitely the bigger juice connoisseur. I’m actually learning from him. He damn near a doctor right now. He knows so much about the remedies and tonics. Blac seed oil and things like that. I learn from him as we go.

Juice of choice?

They switch up. Yesterday I had a banana shake with a bit of peanut butter in it. Tasted awesome so I’ma be on that for the next two or three days.

Anything else you’d like to share before the album drops?

Look out for the tour — they’re routing that now. Look out for the merch. I appreciate everybody who supports Jadakiss, D Block, LOX, So Raspy. Anything affiliated.

Stream Ignatius right here.

Pusha T is among rap’s elite in 2020. With over two decades in the game, he’s innovated and maintains his position as a top tier lyricist in this rap shit. However, before he was the Pusha T we know now — hell, even before he was the Pusha T we knew in the Clipse, the rapper was doing like most young rappers do and emulate someone as they develop their own voice. That person just so happened the be Jadakiss.

“Fun Fact: I spent all of my amateur rap career trying to sound like @jadakiss,” Push wrote on Instagram. “96-98, fortunately I found myself and have gotten to rhyme along side an inspiration of mine a few times, here’s another one… #HuntingSeason from the album #Ignatius dropping Midnite (3/6) RIP @icepicjay we miss you.”

“Hunting Season” initially dropped as a single off of Jadakiss’ forthcoming album. In wake of Pop Smoke‘s death, though, Pusha T announced that he and Jadakiss would be pulling it off of streaming services out of respect. “Hunting Season’ was a request that IcePick Jay (RIP) always had and in light of his death me and Kiss mad an incredible song,” he explained on his Instagram page. “With that being said, the whole concept of hunting season and the hypothetical ideas of ‘killing rappers’ isn’t setting well with me while mourning the recent death of Pop Smoke. Rest In Peace POP and condolences to his family.”

Ignatius drops tonight. 

Jadakiss is set to drop off his long-awaited new album Ignatius this Friday, with appearances from John Legend, Rick Ross, Pusha T, Ty Dolla $ign and more. Should you be so inclined, you can check out the full tracklist right here. With only a few more days until launch, Jadakiss came through to brave the early morning hours for an appearance on Everyday Struggle, where he linked up with Akademiks, Nadeska, and Wayno to discuss his new album, his place in the industry, Diddy and Mase’s recent feud, the construction of the classic “Blackout” posse cut, and much more.

Robin Marchant/Getty Images

Following the revelation that Styles P was firing subs at Jay-Z on “Reservoir Dogs,” Wayno asked if the same process occurred on the classic DMX posse cut “Blackout.” “When we did ‘Blackout,’ Ruff Ryders was where we wanted to be in a sense,” says Jada. “At that time we used to work on a couple albums at a time. If X’s budget was open we were able to work on The Lox album off of X’s budget. It could be The Lox budget, and Drag-On would be able to come in. We’d always get a two-for-one on whoever’s budget we was working on. At that time, we were working on X’s project and going to Cali to do it. We went to LA and went to the studio, that was the first song we did.”

“It was me, Styles, Louch. X didn’t record his verse yet, and Hov didn’t record his verse yet,” continues Jada. “Hov was going overseas on tour. He was actually sick. You can hear it, he had a cold if you hear his verse. That was the camp, it was just working. Nobody had an issue…For me that record was big cause I got a hip-hop quotable, which at that time was the thing to get.” Check out the full story below, and show some love to the legendary rapper right here in the comments.

The hype surrounding Jadakiss‘s forthcoming album Ignatius has been a well-crafted rollout. The New York rapper has been making the media rounds to discuss his upcoming record that was initially slated for release on Friday, February 28. There was even a song, “Hunting Season” with Jadakiss featuring Pusha T that made its way to TIDAL, but almost immediately it was taken down. Pusha T would later come forward and say that they decided not to move forward with the track’s release at this time because of Pop Smoke’s murder, and since the song talks about hunting fellow rappers, it didn’t seem appropriate.

Mike Coppola / Staff / Getty Images

During a chat with For The Record, Jadakiss explained that both he and Pusha didn’t even talk about taking down the song but they were on the same page about its removal. In fact, Jadakiss delayed the release date of his album altogether. “Yeah, we held back to pay respect for Pop Smoke, the untimely passing and demise of Pop Smoke,” said Jadakiss. “We actually pulled that song back and we pulled the project back as well [by] a week. Instead of February 28, the album is gon’ come out March 6. The song, the video is very artsy but it’s a little crazy so, just to pay respect and shed light on that whole…you know.”

“Even with Kobe and his daughter and the memorial and all that, it just didn’t seem like the right time to release the song or the visual,” Jadakiss added. “Or the project, so we just pulled it back for a week. The song will be on the album…just after stuff dies down a little we’ll let the visual out.” Watch Jadakiss chop it up with For The Record below.

Jadakiss has been giving us excellent music for decades, building a reputation as one of the game’s most consistent lyricists. With albums like Kiss Tha Game Goodbye, Kiss Of Death, The Last Kiss, and Top 5 DOA under his belt, his upcoming fifth project Ignatius feels like a defining moment in a storied career. Though the project, a tribute to his longtime friend Ignatius “Icepick” Jackson, was originally meant to be released tonight at midnight, Jadakiss has officially made the decision to delay the release by one week. 

Theo Wargo/Getty Images

Jada’s camp confirmed to HNHH that Ignatius will be released on March 6th, though a reason as to why was not provided. It’s possible that he wanted to put a few finishing touches, but that’s purely speculative. Some have reasoned that the delay had something to do with “Huntin Season,” a hard-hitting Pusha T collaboration that was originally meant to be included. Unfortunately, after Pop Smoke‘s murder, Pusha T felt the violent subject matter wasn’t settling well, and requested that the song be removed from streaming services.

In any case, Ignatius isn’t far away. There’s no telling if “Huntin Season” will be included, but the Rick Ross & Emmany-assisted “Kisses To The Sky” and lead single “Me” are confirmed additions. Look for the album to arrive next Friday, marking another strong chapter in the book of Kiss. When all is said and done, where does Jada rank in your pantheon of rap greats? Think about it — he might be the rapper who has collaborated with the most legendary artists in hip-hop history. Support Ignatius when it drops March 6th. 

Anybody who knows anything can tell you that Jadakiss is one of hip-hop's best lyricists of all time. Not to mention one of the most respected, having collaborated with basically every dominant emcee in the game at least once. In the process, Jada has assembled a respectable solo catalog, his most recent project being 2015's Top Five Dead Or Alive. Now, Jada has officially unveiled the release date for his fifth studio album Ignatius, named after his longtime friend Ignatius "Icepick" Jay Jackson.

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After Icepick passed away to cancer in 2017, Jadakiss decided to pay homage through his art. Speaking with HipHopDX, Kiss revealed that the album "is beautiful. It’s not like nothing out there. It’s not turn-up; it’s real pain. It’s just real music." We've already heard a standout joint from the upcoming Ignatius, the triumphant and reflective lead single "Me." If that's any indication, Ignatius will run a gamut of emotions, conveyed with honesty, vulnerability, and formidable swagger as only Kiss can.  

Look for Jada's fifth studio album to arrive on February 28th, another one for the books in an already stacked 2020. Where does Jadakiss rank in your best of all time lineup?