AMG Review of I Love You (A Dedication to My Fans): The Mixtape

David Jeffries
All Music Guide

They may have hoped for a free download or a Lox reunion, but Jadakiss’ 2011 “gift to the fans” is a commercially released half-EP, half-mixtape that’s all good. “I call it a good summertime introduction CD," is the way its creator correctly explains it, beginning with the light-as-a-feather club track “Hold You Down” with Emanny, and ending with the pleasingly off-kilter, back-from-prison ballad “Gone Too Long.” Along the way, there’s the prime hood power ballad “In the Streets,” the polished gangster celebration “Toast to That,” and the worthy trunk-rumbler “Inkredible Remix,” which nails Rick Ross’ style so hard, the Teflon Don himself had to show up for a verse. Styles P. and Fred da Godson are the other guests of note, while producers like Duane “DaRock” Ramos, J. Butta, and Black Saun contribute the brand new -- not mixtape-recycled -- beats. Serious and sometime fans should be more than cool with all the familiar, safe, and comfortable “love” Jadakiss throws at them, while his detractors will find little to love on -- or for that matter, hate on - during this sideline release.