Jadakiss Stands Behind Irv Gotti's Def Jam Bashing, "They Don't Understand The Artists They Have"

The LOX's Jadakiss has stepped forward to vouch for Irv Gotti in light the recent criticism the former Murder Inc. Records CEO has received due to his interest in becoming Def Jam Record's next president.

Co-signing Gotti's sentiments, Jada said he completely understood where Gotti's remarks stemmed from.

"He said a lot of stuff that doesn't get said. He was able to [vent] without hating on the record labels or channeling any hate," Kiss said in an interivew. "Everything he said -- me being on the inside looking out and him being on the inside looking out but now on the outside looking in -- I think he nailed every point. I think everything he said was excellent, and almost everything was true. ... Def Jam and every other label, it ain't that they're bad record labels; it's just sometimes they don't understand the artists that they have -- It's hard for somebody ... when you not coming where I'm from every day. ... You live a whole totally different life than me, but you telling me this ain't the record. That ain't really what's up, and that sometimes happens. It doesn't always happen, but sometimes that's what happens, and that be the conflict of interest." (MTV)

In October, Def Jam co-founder Russell Simmons said Gotti is one of the few music executives he could see running the label.

The business mogul and co-founder of the historic hip-hop label told XXLMag.com that he thinks the Murder Inc founder would be one of three candidates fit for the job. "I like Irv," Simmons said. "I'd co-sign him. I like a lot of people lobbying. I like Irv, I like [DJ] Khaled. I'd co-sign [Violator Management President] Chris Lighty. These three people, I'd co-sign any of them in a second." Gotti hasn't been shy about throwing his name in the mix for the job, persistently mentioning that he would be the right man for the gig over the last few months. (XXL Mag)

A few days prior to Simmons' remarks, Def Jam's newly appointed Executive Vice President No I.D. weighed in on Gotti's desired goal.

"I know here he's coming from. Everybody got an opinion about it. I'm just there to do my job, to be honest," No I.D. said in an interview. "He's just strongly stating his opinion, and there are some facts in it and there are other parts to this business that have to do with how things be the way they are...I can't say [if he's the man for the job]. That's what I mean by I won't get into whether he can or can't because who's to say who can and can't? It would be cool to have somebody in that position, but me, I'ma just stay in my position and do the best that I can do for music in general." (WGCI)

In early October, Gotti revealed his aim and motivation to become Def Jam president.

"I wanted to speak on this because I love the hip-hop culture with a deep, deep passion," Gotti said in an interview. "Def Jam is the light of that culture; Def Jam personifies the hip-hop culture. There is no other hip-hop label like Def Jam...If you don't want to hire me -- the best man for the job, the man who will die for it --cool, I understand. You think I'm Suge Knight, you think the feds may come in here again if you hire me, cool...Put somebody in there, because you not giving any sign or any indication that you care about my culture." (RapFix)