It’s been a year since hip-hop artists The Lox and Dipset battled it out on “Verzuz,” but lyricist and member of The Lox Jadakiss is still reaping the benefits of the group’s victory. Coming home the winner helped him renegotiate his solo artist contract with Def Jam.
“My numbers went up for hostings and walkthroughs, for shows, and TV cameos,” Jadakiss told Complex. “It also showed Def Jam that they got to do the right thing [and] restructure my contract. It really showed the world my true worth, what I can do.”
Artists see an average of a 88 percent bump in streaming numbers within the three days following a “Verzuz” battle, according to Alpha Data
‘Money, Power & Respect’
With the boost from his “Verzuz” appearance, Jadakiss, who was named named All HipHop’s 2021 Person of the Year, proved he knew how to take an opportunity and turn it into a financial boost. He is one artist who keeps his hands in business. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Jadakiss has a net worth of $6 million. He built his wealth from his music and various business ventures.
He launched a multimedia content platform, SoRaspy, with his friend Jay Jackson in 2010. It included a short-lived an online lifestyle publication, an apparel line, and a record label, D-Block Records. In 2015, he rebranded SoRaspy as an umbrella company for his label and YouTube channel. While his SoRaspy movement didn’t hit with the public as expected, he continued pushing ahead with other business ventures.
In 2014, Jadakiss opened the Juices For Life juice bar with fellow hip-hop veteran Styles P. Today, there are locations across New York, including Yonkers, Brooklyn, and two in the Bronx.
Building with The Lox and the Solo Experience
Jadakiss is a member of the rap collective The Lox along with Styles P and Sheek Louch. Jadakiss, along with other group members, are owners of the imprint D-Block Records. The group first rose to fame in 1998 when they were signed to Sean “P-Diddy ” Combs’ Bad Boy Records before leaving and signing to Ruff Ryders Records. With The Lox, Jadakiss has released four albums and six solo albums.
Jadakiss has appeared in the “Verzuz” battle twice. His first appearance came in June 2020 as a solo artist against fellow hip-hop artist Fabolous. The second appearance came in August 2021 as part of The Lox, battling against Dipset.
Following his second “Verzuz” appearance in August 2021, Jadakiss received accolades from fans as well as fellow hip-hop artists. Fat Joe, for instance, famously said following the battle, “Yesterday’s price is not today’s price.”
Following the “Verzuz” performance, The LOX also saw a 215 percent increase on various music streaming platforms, Jadakiss told Complex.
Preparation For The Main Event Helped Differentiate The Lox
The concept of “Verzuz” began in March 2020 at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Launched by a battle between music producers and creators Swizz Beatz and Timbaland, the webcast series has featured 43 events.
As a two-time veteran of “Verzuz,” Jadakiss and other members of The Lox knew that preparation would set them apart from their opponents, Dipset.
“More artists should prep for ‘Verzuz’ and take it serious,” he told Complex. “It’s a celebration. It’s somewhat of a battle … You show your craftsmanship, as well as display your catalog … [Our rehearsals were about] process of elimination, trying shit, preparing shit. With me already doing Verzuz against Fab, I already had a little bit of tactics, and a little preparation. I knew you want to have more than one playlist ready.”
