Top 5 Dead or Alive

With his fourth solo album, Jadakiss adapts to hip-hop’s constant evolution while proving that old-fashioned bars still matter. On “You Can See,” the Yonkers native recruits Auto-Tune savant Future for an ominous, Atlanta-inspired trap boomer, while “Kill” cranks up the energy with a horns-on-steroids Bangladesh beat and a verse from an amped-up Lil Wayne. But Jada holds fast to his roots, evoking Tunnel-era NYC swagger on the Diddy-featuring “You Don’t Eat” and trading triumphant, nostalgic bars with fellow The LOX alum Styles P on “Synergy.”

Jadakiss's first LP in over six years features Jeezy, Puff Daddy, Future, and others. At a point in his career when he should be completely free from commercial expectations to make whatever music he wants, one of the world's best and most frustratingly aimless rappers ends up in the same no-man's land he always does.

Discover Top 5 Dead or Alive by Jadakiss released in 2015. Find album reviews, track lists, credits, awards and more at AllMusic.