Jadakiss — Ignatius

Record that leaves a little dumbfounded. It's generic stuff. And don't expect it from Jadakiss. It's generic stuff and you don't expect it from those who proclaim himself top five dead or alive.

For his fifth studio album, Jada enlists S. Dot and Buda da Future as main producers, while the set is completed by Chayse, Khardier da God, Shroom, Noc, LosHendrix, Jimmy Dukes, Money-Matt, Poobs, Smiley's People, Bryan-Michael Cox, Ayo n Keyz, BlameRonnie, Justen Robinson, E Major, Buckwild, Posta, Supa Dups, JG, Pitchshifters and Hitmaka. The guests are Pusha T, Justin Jesso, 2 Chainz, Ty Dolla Sign, Rick Ross, Dej Loaf, Nino Man, John Legend, Chayse, Millyz and Emanny.

The rhythms are jazzy, good for anyone who is an East Coast die hard, but they are quite flat, average: "Keep It 100" is an attempt to ethereal production (with 4 beatmakers: Buda da Future, S. Dot, Poobs and Noc), unsuccessful, seasoned with a lukewarm pseudo-soul hook from an uncredited guest and with the subdued delivery of Jadakiss. He practically never delivers inspired, his energy-free delivery does little to attract attention, despite some bars being quite good and well-constructed verses. Guests add little or nothing to the disc, with the exception of Pusha T which brings back some energy and freshness to the disc. Maybe John Legend, who does his homework towards the end with a pop chorus. But the heart of the disc, where the MC should dominate, does not present true highs or strengths. 6/10.