Checkmate (Jadakiss song)

Last updated

"Checkmate"
Promotional single by Jadakiss
ReleasedMarch 9, 2005 (2005-03-09)
Genre Hip hop
Length2:38
Label
Producer(s) The Alchemist

"Checkmate" is a song by the American rapper Jadakiss, released as a promotional single on March 9, 2005, by Ruff Ryders Entertainment/Interscope Records. The song uses the instrumental "Air It Out" from Big Noyd's album Only the Strong , produced by The Alchemist.

Contents

"Checkmate" is a diss track aimed at 50 Cent, a response to 50 Cent's diss track "Piggy Bank". "Checkmate" was in heavy rotation on hip-hop radio and reached number 56 on Billboard 's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

Background

50 Cent had a feud with Ja Rule since 1999. [1] In 2004, Jadakiss and Fat Joe appeared on Ja Rule's song "New York". 50 Cent saw it as them "helping" Ja Rule while 50 Cent was "destroying him", so he started feuding with them as well. [2] 50 Cent's second album, The Massacre , was released on March 3, 2005. [3] The album included the song "Piggy Bank" which contained mentions of a number of rappers 50 Cent had feuds with, including Jadakiss. [4]

According to Jadakiss, initially he wasn't interested in beefing with 50 Cent. "That was really a lot of media hyping it up", he said to Vibe magazine. He changed his mind once people, including his friends, started asking whether or not he had heard "Piggy Bank" and if he will respond to it. Jadakiss decided to use instrumental "Air It Out" from Big Noyd's album Only the Strong , produced by The Alchemist. [5] 50 Cent previously used this instrumental for his Murder Inc. diss song "I'm an Animal". [6]

Lyrics

Gnome-mime-sound-openclipart.svg
"Checkmate"
Jadakiss accuses 50 Cent of revealing too much in his song "Ghetto Qur'an", which, he believes, ultimately led to the arrest of Supreme. Numerous publications applauded Jadakiss for the lines "Yeah, you got a felony, but you ain't a predicate / Never the King of New York, you live in Connecticut". [7] [8] [9]
Problems playing this file? See media help.

"Checkmate" is a diss song, written with the goal to verbally attack 50 Cent. Jadakiss starts the song by congratulating 50 Cent on selling 1.1 million copies of his album The Massacre in one week. [10] Then, the first and only verse of the song starts. In the verse, Jadakiss raps about 50 Cent's perceived weaknesses and shortcomings, [8] including alleged snitching and his lack of originality. Jadakiss points out the assassination attempt being the primary theme of 50 Cent's lyrics, while simultaneously making fun of it by rapping "You had to get shot nine times to be rich" and "Since when has it become cool to get shot and not shoot back?". [9] [11] In the song, Jadakiss mentions the mansion in Connecticut owned by 50 Cent, [12] [13] asserting that one cannot be "the King of New York" while living there. Later in the song he also questions 50 Cent's lyrical abilities as a rapper, comparing him to other G-Unit members, and tells him to "just sell clothes and sneakers". According to XXL magazine, by mentioning 50 Cent's friends and business ventures, "Jada created the impression that he knew his nemesis inside and out". [11]

Release

"Checkmate" was released on March 9, 2005, a few hours after a press conference where 50 Cent announced the end of his feud with rapper The Game. [14] [15] Released as a promotional single on Ruff Ryders Entertainment/Interscope Records, [16] the song was premiered later that day along with Fat Joe's "My FoFo" on DJ Funkmaster Flex's radio show on Hot 97. [17]

According to Slate , after the release, "Checkmate" was in heavy rotation on hip-hop radio. [18] The song appeared on Billboard 's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, where it peaked at number 56. [19] The success of the song allowed Jadakiss to go on tour, [2] where he would perform the song. "Checkmate" was later included on the live album Jadakiss: Kiss Of Death – Tour 2005. [20]

Legacy

50 Cent and Jadakiss continued to release diss tracks aimed at each other throughout the year, [10] until they ended the feud when 50 Cent visited Jadakiss' studio and they spent a few hours talking to each other. [21] According to Jadakiss, he made "a lot of money" off the feud. [2] In 2011, he claimed the feud was "just a good marketing tool for 50 and his second album". [5]

In 2022, XXL magazine described the song as an "exercise in concision and rhyme technique" and called it "one of the very best clapbacks in rap history". [11] The Ringer placed "Checkmate" at number 11 on their list of the greatest diss tracks of all time, stating that "Jadakiss defeated him by reminding people that there was a reason why 50 was initially blackballed, that there was a reason real street dudes wanted him gone". The website's writer Jayson Buford viewed the song as the beginning of "50 Cent's transition into a wrestling heel–like celebrity who used to be a rapper". [12]

Chart performance

Chart (2005)Peak
position
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs ( Billboard ) [19] 56

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ja Rule</span> American rapper (born 1976)

Jeffrey Bruce Atkins Sr., better known by his stage name Ja Rule, is an American rapper, singer, and actor. Born and raised in New York City, Ja Rule became known as a leading figure in 2000s hip hop for his blending of gangsta rap with commercially-oriented pop sensibilities. He signed with Irv Gotti's Murder Inc Records, an imprint of Def Jam Recordings to release his debut studio album Venni Vetti Vecci (1999), which spawned his first hit single, "Holla Holla". Ja Rule peaked the Billboard Hot 100 thrice in 2001 with his single "Always on Time" and his guest appearances on Jennifer Lopez's "I'm Real " and "Ain't It Funny". His encompassing singles, "Put It on Me", "Mesmerize", "Livin' It Up" and "Wonderful" have each peaked within the top ten of the chart and spawned from commercially successful album releases.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">50 Cent</span> American rapper and actor (born 1975)

Curtis James Jackson III, known professionally as 50 Cent, is an American rapper, actor, television producer, and businessman. Born in South Jamaica, a neighborhood of Queens, Jackson began pursuing a musical career in 1996. In 1999-2000, he recorded his "debut" album Power of the Dollar for Columbia Records; however, he was struck by nine bullets during a shooting in May 2000, causing its release to be cancelled and Jackson to be dropped from the label. His 2002 mixtape, Guess Who's Back? was discovered by Detroit rapper Eminem, who signed Jackson to his label Shady Records, an imprint of Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records that same year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">G-Unit</span> American hip hop group

G-Unit was an American hip hop group formed by longtime friends and East Coast rappers 50 Cent, Tony Yayo, and Lloyd Banks. After amassing a string of self-released mixtapes in the early 2000s, the group released their debut album Beg for Mercy in 2003, which went on to ship over four million copies in the US and was certified quadruple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jadakiss</span> American rapper (born 1975)

Jason Terrance Phillips, better known by his stage name Jadakiss, is an American rapper from Yonkers, New York. He began his career in the 1990s and formed the hip hop trio the Lox alongside Styles P and Sheek Louch in 1994. The group signed with Puff Daddy's Bad Boy Records, an imprint of Arista Records to release their debut studio album, Money, Power & Respect (1998); their second album, We Are the Streets (2000) was released by Ruff Ryders Entertainment, an imprint of Interscope Records. Both peaked within the top five of the Billboard 200 and yielded critical praise; their two subsequent albums, Filthy America... It's Beautiful (2013) and Living Off Xperience (2020) were both released by Jay-Z's Roc Nation and met with continued praise.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Game (rapper)</span> American rapper (born 1979)

Jayceon Terrell Taylor, better known by his stage name the Game or simply Game, is an American rapper. Born in Compton, California, he initially released a series of mixtapes under the wing of fellow West Coast rapper JT the Bigga Figga. After releasing his debut album Untold Story independently in 2004, he was discovered by record producer Dr. Dre and signed to his Aftermath Records label imprint. The Game rose to fame in 2005 following the release of his major-label debut album The Documentary, which peaked the Billboard 200 along with its 2006 follow-up, Doctor's Advocate. The former album received double platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and two Grammy Award nominations—Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for its single, "Hate It or Love It".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shady Records</span> American record label

Shady Records is an American record label founded by rapper Eminem and his manager Paul Rosenberg in 1999, following the commercially successful release of The Slim Shady LP that same year. The label's name comes from the last name of Eminem's alter ego, Slim Shady.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Alchemist (musician)</span> American DJ and producer (born 1977)

Alan Daniel Maman, professionally known as the Alchemist, is an American hip hop producer, DJ, rapper, and entrepreneur. He began his music career in 1991 in the hip hop duo the Whooliganz under the moniker Mudfoot, along with now-actor Scott Caan. He has produced music since the 1990s.

"Ether" is a diss track by American rapper Nas, from his 2001 album Stillmatic. The song was a response to Jay-Z's "Takeover", released earlier that year. "Ether" has been called a "classic" diss track and the "wildest" in hip hop history by music publications.

"Piggy Bank" is the fifth track from 50 Cent's second album, The Massacre. It was not released as a single, but charted at eighty-eight on the Billboard Hot 100 due to controversy over its attack on long-time rival Ja Rule, as well as Jadakiss and Fat Joe, who had worked with Ja Rule on his song "New York". The song also takes lyrical swipes at rappers Shyne, Kelis, Sheek Louch, Cassidy, Lil' Kim and Nas. He also mentions Tupac Shakur, Jay-Z, Mobb Deep and Michael Jackson in the song, but not negatively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fat Joe</span> American rapper from New York (born 1970)

Joseph Antonio Cartagena, better known by his stage name Fat Joe, is an American rapper. He began recording as a member of hip hop group Diggin' in the Crates Crew (D.I.T.C.) in 1992 until pursuing a solo career with the release of his debut studio album, Represent (1993) the following year. Cartegena formed the hip hop group Terror Squad and its namesake record label in the late 1990s, through which he has signed fellow New York artists including Big Pun, Remy Ma, Tony Sunshine, and Cuban Link, as well as then-unknown producers DJ Khaled and Cool & Dre.

Marvin Watson Jr., better known by his stage name Messy Marv, is an American rapper who began his career in the Fillmore District of San Francisco, California. Messy was also known as a collaborator in the rap group Kaalman's Krew.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eminem</span> American rapper (born 1972)

Marshall Bruce Mathers III, known professionally as Eminem, is an American rapper. He is credited with popularizing hip hop in Middle America and is regarded as one of the greatest rappers of all time. His global success is considered to have broken racial barriers to the acceptance of white rappers in popular music. While much of his transgressive work during the late 1990s and early 2000s made him a controversial figure, he came to be a representation of popular angst of the American underclass and has been cited as influencing many musical artists. His best-known songs include "My Name Is", "The Real Slim Shady", "The Way I Am", "Stan", "Without Me", "Lose Yourself", "Mockingbird", "Not Afraid", and "Love the Way You Lie".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hail Mary (2Pac song)</span> 1997 single by Makaveli featuring Outlawz

"Hail Mary" is a song by American rapper Tupac Shakur from his fifth studio album, The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory (1996). It was released after his September 1996 murder under the Makaveli stage name as the album's third single. Hail Mary features rap verses by Kastro, Young Noble and Yaki Kadafi of the Outlawz rap group and vocals from reggae musician Prince Ital Joe. A music video was shot for the song and can be found on the DualDisc of The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New York (Ja Rule song)</span> 2004 single by Ja Rule featuring Fat Joe and Jadakiss

"New York" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Ja Rule, released October 27, 2004 as the second single from his sixth studio album R.U.L.E. (2004). The track, produced by Cool & Dre, features fellow New York rappers Fat Joe and Jadakiss. The song's chorus is based on Boogie Down Productions' 1990 song, "100 Guns".

This article summarizes the events, album releases, and album release dates in hip hop music for the year 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meek Mill</span> American rapper (born 1987)

Robert Rihmeek Williams, known professionally as Meek Mill, is an American rapper. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he embarked on his music career as a battle rapper, and later formed a short-lived rap group, The Bloodhoundz. He signed with T.I.'s Grand Hustle Records as a solo act in 2008, although he departed by 2011 and released no albums with the label. Meek Mill then signed with Rick Ross' Maybach Music Group (MMG) that same year, and rose to mainstream recognition following his performances on the label's Self Made Vol. 1 (2011) compilation album; his song "Tupac Back" served as the album's lead single while its follow up, "Ima Boss" entered the Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lil Durk</span> American rapper

Durk Derrick Banks, known professionally as Lil Durk, is an American rapper from Chicago, Illinois. He first garnered a regional following with the release of his Signed to the Streets mixtape series (2013–2014), which led to his signing of a recording contract from Def Jam Recordings. The label released his debut studio album, Remember My Name (2015) and its follow up, Lil Durk 2X (2016) to moderate commercial reception before parting ways with the artist in 2018.

"Lost Ones" is a diss song by American rapper and singer-songwriter Lauryn Hill. It was released on August 25, 1998, through Ruffhouse and Columbia Records. The song was written by Hill and produced by Hill, alongside Vada Nobles and Che Pope. It features an interpolation of "Bam Bam" by Sister Nancy. Despite not naming him in the song, the song is widely presumed to be about Hill's former Fugees bandmate Wyclef Jean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Weakest Link (song)</span> 2024 song by Chris Brown

"Weakest Link" is a diss track by American singer-songwriter and rapper Chris Brown. It was released via YouTube and Twitter on April 19, 2024. The song serves as Chris Brown's response to Quavo's diss track "Tender" that was released on April 12, 2024. Brown had previously dissed Quavo on "Freak" from the special edition of his eleventh studio album 11:11.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drake–Kendrick Lamar feud</span> Ongoing hip hop feud

The Canadian rapper Drake and the American rapper Kendrick Lamar have been involved in a rap feud since the early 2010s. The feud escalated in March 2024 after the release of "Like That" by Future, Metro Boomin, and Lamar.

References

  1. ↑ O'Connor, Roisin (November 7, 2018). "The history of 50 Cent and Ja Rule's long-running feud". The Independent . Archived from the original on February 16, 2023. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 Mahadevan, Tara C. "Jadakiss on 50 Cent Beef: 'I Made a Lot of Money' From Him". Complex . Archived from the original on February 16, 2023. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  3. ↑ "50 Cent Massacres Album Chart Competition". Billboard . March 9, 2005. Archived from the original on February 16, 2023. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  4. ↑ Shepherd, Julianne Escobedo. "50 Cent: The Massacre". Pitchfork . Archived from the original on November 4, 2022. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  5. 1 2 "Full Clip: Jadakiss Breaks Down His Catalogue Ft. The Lox, Biggie, DMX, 50 Cent, Rick Ross & More". Vibe . February 25, 2011. Archived from the original on February 16, 2023. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  6. ↑ "50 Cent – Top 20 Remixes That Are Better Than The Original". HipHopDX . June 18, 2014. Archived from the original on February 16, 2023. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  7. ↑ Ech, Joey. "The Game Has a New Song Dissing Eminem, Wack 100 Says". XXL . Archived from the original on December 11, 2022. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
  8. 1 2 "The 50 Best Hip-Hop Diss Songs". Complex . Archived from the original on February 4, 2023. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
  9. 1 2 "50 Cent's 10 Most Infamous Beefs". HipHopDX . June 3, 2014. Archived from the original on October 4, 2022. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
  10. 1 2 Diaz, Angel. "#TBT: Remember When Jadakiss Ethered 50 Cent?". Complex . Archived from the original on February 16, 2023. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  11. 1 2 3 Berry, Peter A. "These 25 Hip-Hop Diss Tracks Are Better Than the Songs They Respond To". XXL . Archived from the original on December 8, 2022. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  12. 1 2 Buford, Jayson (May 7, 2024). "The Greatest Diss Tracks of All Time, Ranked". The Ringer . Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  13. ↑ Swirski, Peter (2015). American Political Fictions: War on Errorism in Contemporary American Literature, Culture, and Politics. Palgrave Macmillan. p. 111. ISBN   978-1-137-51471-4 . Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  14. ↑ Reid, Shaheem. "Jadakiss, Fat Joe Retaliate For 50's 'Piggy Bank'". MTV . Archived from the original on February 16, 2023. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  15. ↑ "50 Cent, The Game Call A Truce In Harlem". Billboard . March 9, 2005. Archived from the original on February 16, 2023. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  16. ↑ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop singles & tracks". Billboard . March 26, 2005. p. 19. ISSN   0006-2510.
  17. ↑ "Throwback: XXL's 20 Greatest Diss Songs". XXL . Archived from the original on February 16, 2023. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  18. ↑ Rosen, Jody (March 24, 2005). "The Genius of Beef". Slate . Archived from the original on February 16, 2023. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  19. 1 2 "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard . January 2, 2013. Archived from the original on February 16, 2023. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  20. ↑ Jadakiss (2006). Jadakiss: Kiss Of Death – Tour 2005 (liner notes). ABC Entertainment. CHF-F1021SFD.
  21. ↑ Williams, Aaron (March 23, 2020). "Jadakiss Explains Why His Beef With 50 Cent Was So Short-Lived". Uproxx . Archived from the original on February 16, 2023. Retrieved February 15, 2023.


This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.