The Last Kiss (album)
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The Last Kiss is the third studio album from rapper Jadakiss, released April 7, 2009, after numerous delays.[1] To date, Jadakiss has released 5 music videos for the singles "By My Side", "Can't Stop Me", "Death Wish", "Who's Real" and "Letter To B.I.G." and a sixth music video for the non-single "Who Run This?".[2]
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 released on the soundtrack to the motion picture Notorious was released on March 10, 2009. "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.[3]
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.[3]
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 135,000 copies in its first week.[4] 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.[5] overall the album has sold 320,000+ copies in the US
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 and OJ Da Juiceman) | Swizz Beatz and 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" (feat. Pharrell and Bobby Valentino) | The Neptunes | 3:20 |
| 12. | "Smoking Gun" (feat. Jazmine Sullivan) | Mr. Porter | 3:42 |
| 13. | "Cartel Gathering" (feat. Ghostface Killah and Raekwon) | Swiff D and Eddie F* | 2:53 |
| 14. | "Come and Get Me" (feat. S.I. and Sheek Louch) | 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, Bulley, APA, Booby Rossine and Blood Raw) | Fiend | 5:23 |
| 18. | "Death Wish" (feat. Lil Wayne) | The Alchemist | 3:24 |
| 19. | "Respect My Conglomerate" (feat. Busta Rhymes and Young Jeezy) (iTunes Bonus Track) | Focus... | 3:36 |
References
- ^ http://www.jadakiss.com/discography/detail.aspx?pid=11793
- ^ "Jadakiss Music Videos - Aol Music".
- ^ a b Ivey, Nile. "Jadakiss Switches Album Title, Preps Lp For December 9th Release" (Online interview). BET.com. Retrieved October 28.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); External link in|work=|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 4/12/2009".
- ^ "Jadakiss' Sales Success Attributed To Traditional Marketing".