Jadakiss Biography
In several songs, Jadakiss has boldly stated that he is in the "top five dead or alive" among rappers. Judging from the respect he has received from critics and fans alike, he may be not be far off the mark. Through his consistent presence on mainstream radio, underground mix tapes, and commercial albums, Jadakiss has built a reputation as one of hip-hop’s most talented MCs.
Born Jason Phillips, Jadakiss spent his early years honing his craft in his native Yonkers, New York. At the age of 12 he began to perfect the distinctive delivery and clever lyricism that has since propelled him to all-star status within the hip-hop industry. From the street corners of Yonkers to his middle school cafeteria, Jadakiss would enter rhyme battles with anybody who dared to challenge him. "If anybody was winning a battle it was me," he recalled on his website. "I had millions of rhymes that just tore people’s heads off." His success in these battles gave him the confidence to take his rapidly improving skills seriously and begin to pursue a career as a rapper.
By 1994 Jadakiss’s reputation as a lyrical phenomenon spread to future rap superstar DMX, who was an established talent on the Yonkers hip-hop scene. DMX introduced him to David Styles ("Styles P"), with whom he formed the Warlocks. Word of the group’s talent spread through Yonkers quickly, and eventually reached the ear of R&B superstar and fellow Yonkers resident Mary J. Blige, who promptly brought their demo tape to Bad Boy Records executive Sean "Puffy" Combs. Combs quickly signed the group, which also included Sean Jacobs (Sheek) and was now known as "The Lox," and began to market them as Bad Boy’s hardcore alternative. In 1998 the group released their first LP, Money, Power, Respect, which earned platinum sales and cemented their reputation as an underground powerhouse.
Born Jason Phillips, Jadakiss spent his early years honing his craft in his native Yonkers, New York. At the age of 12 he began to perfect the distinctive delivery and clever lyricism that has since propelled him to all-star status within the hip-hop industry. From the street corners of Yonkers to his middle school cafeteria, Jadakiss would enter rhyme battles with anybody who dared to challenge him. "If anybody was winning a battle it was me," he recalled on his website. "I had millions of rhymes that just tore people’s heads off." His success in these battles gave him the confidence to take his rapidly improving skills seriously and begin to pursue a career as a rapper.
By 1994 Jadakiss’s reputation as a lyrical phenomenon spread to future rap superstar DMX, who was an established talent on the Yonkers hip-hop scene. DMX introduced him to David Styles ("Styles P"), with whom he formed the Warlocks. Word of the group’s talent spread through Yonkers quickly, and eventually reached the ear of R&B superstar and fellow Yonkers resident Mary J. Blige, who promptly brought their demo tape to Bad Boy Records executive Sean "Puffy" Combs. Combs quickly signed the group, which also included Sean Jacobs (Sheek) and was now known as "The Lox," and began to market them as Bad Boy’s hardcore alternative. In 1998 the group released their first LP, Money, Power, Respect, which earned platinum sales and cemented their reputation as an underground powerhouse.
Profile
Born Jason Phillips on June 1, 1974, in Yonkers, NY.
Contact Information
Address: Record company--Interscope Records, 2220 Colorado Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90404
Website: http://www.interscope.com
Website: http://www.interscope.com
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