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In this episode of People’s Party, Talib Kweli and Jasmin Leigh sit down with rapper, writer, and true curator of the culture -- Jadakiss. This comprehensive discussion kicks off with talk of Jada and Talib's shared birth year of '75, and their witnessing of hop-hop's biggest points of evolution at the perfect age, both having grown up in its epicenter of New York City. They also discuss Talib's appreciation of The Lox for showing him love at the beginning of his career, while he struggled for mainstream success. They reflect on Jada's growing up in Yonkers, and the emcees that inspired him most during those early years. The trio also explores what went into the makings of some of the classic recordings Jadakiss was involved with like "All About The Benjamins," "24 Hours To Live," "We'll Always Love Big Poppa," as well as albums such as "The Last Kiss," "Kiss Tha Game Goodbye," "Top 5 Dead or Alive," "Freddy vs. Jason," and his latest project "Ignatius" -- dedicated to his close friend and business partner Ice Pick Jay, who recently passed. Jada describes the challenges he had while recording that album, at times fighting back tears.

As the convo continues, the trio discusses the infamous Ruff Ryder studio sessions and the high level of competitive energy that kept everyone at the top of their respective games. They also touch on The Lox's strong family-like foundation that kept them close throughout the years, and Jada is asked about his short-lived beefs with 50 Cent and Beanie Sigel, as well as how they got squashed.

Deep into the episode, Jadakiss, Kweli, and Jasmin discuss Jada's close friendship with Notorious B.I.G. and his role as one of the few, true custodians of Biggie's legacy. Jada also gives insight into the "Free The Lox Campaign," the creation of D-Block Records, linking up with Gang Starr on "Rite Where You Stand", and his Grammy-nominated record "Why." Talib goes on to name his top 5 Jadakiss verses -- while urging the People's Party audience to do the same -- and Jada gives the whole truth on the story circulating about Mike Tyson supposedly stealing his seat at the recent Biggie tribute in Atlantic City.

2:56 -- Jada and Talib discuss the privilege they share, both being born in 1975, growing up in NY, being fully immersed in hop hop, and seeing first hand it's evolution from humble beginnings, throughout the golden age and beyond.

5:19 -- Talib thanks Jada and The Lox for the respect they expressed when first meeting Kweli at the height of their fame and when his career had plenty of underground acclaim but not the same air play that the Lox and so may others enjoyed at the time.

7:41 -- Jada talks about coming up in Yonkers and the frustration he felt about his hometown often being overlooked, not getting the same recognition as other New York locals.

11:57 -- Talib points to Jada's signature flow, and asks who were his biggest influences on him coming up. Jada responds with paying homage to greats like Big Daddy Kane, Nas, Biggie, and more. He also gives due credit to his Mom for exposing him to hip hop at such a young age.

16:18 -- Jada speaks on the classic "24 Hours To Live", who came up for the concept for the song and how it all came together.

18:02 -- Jasmin asks Jadakiss about "All About The Benjamins," specifically who wrote Puff Daddy's verse on the hit. The convo turns to writing verses and how Kweli once did some writing for Diddy as well. They also discuss Kanye's rhyme about The Lox and Jadakiss says he always wondered if Mase wrote that verse for Kanye.

22:59 -- Jada describes what the Ruff Ryder studio sessions were like, and the competitive energy during those recordings that brought out the best in everyone. He also digs into the history of Ruff Ryders, how it was founded, and it's transformation into such an iconic movement.

25:51 -- Jada reflects on The Lox crew's lasting foundation, averting petty disagreements that would potentially fragment the strong bond that they were able to maintain over so many years.

28:06 -- Talib asks Jada about "The Last Kiss", and it felt to get so much industry support for that album.

29:31 -- Jada is asked about the mystique he carries as a legitimate voice of the streets, while avoiding jail time his whole life, and Talib asks him if that credibility comes from the realistic storytelling in his raps or his younger days hustling on the streets of Yonkers.

32:05 -- Jasmin asks Jada if he turned down any projects because he thought it might tarnish his reputation.

33:27 -- Talib Kweli and Jada look back at Jada's short-lived beef with 50 Cent, including his classic diss track "Checkmate," with Talib asking how it all got squashed. They then move on to discuss Jada's signature laugh, its origins, and how it's stuck around.

35:26 -- Jada frames the concept for his album "Top 5 Dead or Alive", and responds to people giving him credit for the phrase. Talib also recounts a quote from him stating that if you have a ghostwriter you can't be in the Top 5 conversation.

42:16 -- Talib asks Jada how important were New York mix-tapes to his ascension to the top 5 status. Jada also speaks on his battle rap mix-tape days with Beanie Sigel, and details how the beef was squashed.

45:36 -- Talib discusses the legacy of the Notorious B.I.G. with Jada, including the relationship they developed recording "Last Day" for "Life After Death." Jada then goes into the part he played in getting Lil' Cease and Lil' Kim back together before the Junior M.A.F.I.A. reunion, and Talib touches on how Jada is one of the few custodians of Big's legacy.

50:08 -- Jada reflects on the recording of the song "We'll Always Love Big Poppa", the idea for the song inspired during the funeral planning for Biggie. He also expresses how deeply heartbroken he was in the wake of Biggie's passing.

54:26 -- Talib asks Jada about what led up to "Free The Lox Campaign", and what transpired during that epic show.

58:36 -- Jada speaks on the creation of D-Block Records, the term was coined as a result of all the tension during the recording of Jada's album "Kiss Tha Game Goodbye". Talib also brings up J-Dilla's sampling of Jada's laugh on one of the last recordings before his passed, and they also discuss Jada's prominent feature on the Gang Starr classic "Rite Where You Stand".

1:02:43 -- Jada and Talib discuss their close mutual friendships with Styles P, and Talib asks how their back and forth rapping style started. The also speak on Sheek Louch's notable ability to keep evolving as an emcee after so many years.

1:07:56 -- Jada talks about his "Freddy vs. Jason" collaboration with Fabolous, and Jasmin asks Jada how the "SoRaspy" brand came about.

1:10:24 -- Jada gives detail on his latest project "Ignatius", and it's dedication to his close friend and business partner Ice Pick, who recently passed. He talks about how difficult it was getting through the making of that album as he would fight back tears during studio sessions. They go on to discuss the misconception of vulnerability being a sign of weakness.

1:15:28 -- Jada is asked about his recent collaborations with Pusha T, made possible by Ice Pick. Talib also asks Jada about his take on people blaming the youth for the violent conditions of the hood.

1:18:49 -- Jada talks about what inspired his thought provoking, Grammy nominated song "Why". He also notes his satisfaction when that song got the attention of Bill O'Reilly.

1:21:04 -- Talib calls out his top 5 Jadakiss verses of all time and asks the People's Party audience to weigh in on their favorites in the comment section.

1:23:45 -- Jada tells the whole truth about the story of Mike Tyson supposedly crashing the Biggie tribute in Atlantic city, stealing Jada's seat.

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