Jadakiss Talks Delaying "Ignatius" Out Of Respect To Pop Smoke

BY Erika Marie 3.7K Views
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Jadakiss Pop Smoke
Jadakiss's forthcoming album was slated to be released on Feb. 28, but the rapper decided to push the drop date back one week.

The hype surrounding Jadakiss's forthcoming album Ignatius has been a well-crafted rollout. The New York rapper has been making the media rounds to discuss his upcoming record that was initially slated for release on Friday, February 28. There was even a song, "Hunting Season" with Jadakiss featuring Pusha T that made its way to TIDAL, but almost immediately it was taken down. Pusha T would later come forward and say that they decided not to move forward with the track's release at this time because of Pop Smoke's murder, and since the song talks about hunting fellow rappers, it didn't seem appropriate.

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During a chat with For The Record, Jadakiss explained that both he and Pusha didn't even talk about taking down the song but they were on the same page about its removal. In fact, Jadakiss delayed the release date of his album altogether. "Yeah, we held back to pay respect for Pop Smoke, the untimely passing and demise of Pop Smoke," said Jadakiss. "We actually pulled that song back and we pulled the project back as well [by] a week. Instead of February 28, the album is gon' come out March 6. The song, the video is very artsy but it's a little crazy so, just to pay respect and shed light on that whole...you know."

"Even with Kobe and his daughter and the memorial and all that, it just didn't seem like the right time to release the song or the visual," Jadakiss added. "Or the project, so we just pulled it back for a week. The song will be on the album...just after stuff dies down a little we'll let the visual out." Watch Jadakiss chop it up with For The Record below.


About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.