Jadakiss got real in a deep dive with Melyssa Ford on her season finale of ‘Hot & Bothered’ this week.
About 16 minutes into their chat, the Lox veteran broke down how radio played a key role during their battle with Diddy’s Bad Boy Records. Kiss pointed out they weren’t as naive as people thought.
“We just knew, something felt off about our contract,” the ‘Ignatius’ rapper shared. “Going up against them back then was a huge gamble… Could’ve cost us big money, eaten up tons of time, or both. Plus, your career would be done.”
While their ’98 hit ‘Money, Power & Respect’ dropped under Bad Boy, they switched it up for their 2000 album ‘We Are the Streets,’ linking with Ruff Ryders and Interscope instead.
The crew’s switch to a new label came after butting heads with Diddy and Bad Boy. Things hit the fan when The Lox got fed up with where their music was heading – while they were all about that raw street sound, Diddy was pushing them toward a glossier, pop vibe.
In the late ’90s, they kicked off their “Free The LOX” movement, demanding Diddy let them bounce to a label that got their hardcore style. The beef blew up all over New York radio, and things got so heated that Styles ended up launching an office chair at Diddy during one wild moment.
During his chat, Kiss got candid about nearing the big 5-0, jokingly suggesting he deserves a Men’s Health or GQ cover for the milestone.
“Are you crazy? This is a young man’s sport,” he laughed. “I got no business being here at 50.”
When it comes to fans calling him an “icon” or “legend,” Kiss keeps it real. He thinks these days, people throw around big titles too easily, making them mean less than they should.
“I appreciate it but they toss those words around too freely nowadays,” he explained. “Some of these words shouldn’t come so easy. Me? I’m grateful, but I’ve still got more to serve up. Save those titles until I’m done cooking.”
Catch the full conversation between Jadakiss and Melyssa Ford above.
