38 Spesh just turned up the temperature again, unloading on Jadakiss, Fat Joe, Jim Jones and DJ Khaled.
38 Spesh is not letting up. If anybody thought the Rochester lyricist was done after weeks of exchanging bars with Jadakiss and company, they may want to think again. His newest record, “Fool’s Mate,” suggests he is prepared to keep this chess match going for as long as it takes.
Spesh dropped the track Friday night and wasted no time taking aim at Jadakiss, Fat Joe, DJ Khaled and Jim Jones. But if you listen closely, it becomes obvious that Jim Jones and Fat Joe are carrying the biggest targets this round. And let’s just say Spesh is not interested in keeping things strictly about rap.
The record finds him revisiting familiar talking points while adding fresh personal jabs. Jim Jones catches heat over his finances, his street credibility and even his personal life. Fat Joe is dragged into the mix too, with Spesh taking an unnecessary swipe involving people’s wives and girlies. Rap battles into something much bigger like this.
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Last night, everything we said happened, happened. Spesh performed at Summer Jam, performed “Fool’s Mate” and got out safe. Remember, Summer Jam is a highly regulated event and security is fierce in the Prudential Center. The streets is another story.
On IG, Spesh pointed a finger directly at Jim Jones for making it hotter than need be, especially with the upstate New York v.s. the NYC convo.
“(Jim) is the reason the Upstate vs NYC rap thing started! Fools Mate Out Now! #38Spesh I got love for NYC and respect all the legends and OGs that paved a way for me to eat off hip hop! I came in the game working with Premo and Pete rock and independently on an album with Kool G Rap in a time when everybody was chasing radio play. I am a real child of hip hop. I have the right to talk my shxt. TRUST.”
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The whole situation started when Spesh publicly claimed Jadakiss stopped working with him because he did not want to get outshined after their collaboration on Benny the Butcher’s “Sunday School.” That accusation eventually inspired Jadakiss to fire back alongside Fat Joe and Stove God Cooks on “The Aroma.” DJ Khaled also found himself pulled into the drama after appearing on that record. Then, Spesh called him out over his public silence regarding the Israel and Palestine conflict. Low blow. We know Khaled can’t speak on that and live in the music game.
Then Jim Jones stepped into the conversation.
Jones initially defended Jadakiss and questioned whether Spesh belonged in the same conversation. Spesh responded by saying Jones was never the rapper people pointed to as having the best verse on a song. Jones answered by questioning Spesh’s success, only for Spesh to claim that Jones had once opened for him at a venue with roughly 1,000 people in attendance.
Now “Fool’s Mate” feels like a soft jab and an opportunity to avoid something serious. Most people think Jada will let this slide.
For all that “militia” talk, Jadakiss has largely let his music do the talking. Jim Jones has never been one to back away from confrontation. Fat Joe is pretty much an X factor…we gotta wait and see.
The title “Fool’s Mate” refers to the fastest possible checkmate in chess. Spesh clearly thinks somebody made a bad move.
Stay tuned.

