LL Cool J, a two-time Grammy Award winner, has never lost his rap bona fides. At age 56, the legend is rapping again on The FORCE — short for Frequencies of Real Creative Energy — his first album in 11 years.
His new album, out Sept. 6, is produced by Q-Tip of A Tribe Called Quest and features several of his contemporaries, including Nas, Eminem and Snoop Dogg. Across 14 tracks, the album tackles themes of social injustice and racism. But, it's not all heavy; in a collaboration with the rapper Saweetie, the two rap about seduction and lust.
The Queens, New York, native rose to fame in the ’80s. He made his first record, “I Need a Beat,” at age 16. Later came numerous smash hits, including his Grammy Award-winning rap performance in “Mama Said Knock You Out.”
LL Cool J's Return to His Roots
LL Cool J describes The Force as a return to his roots, likening it to “learning how to rap again.” The project reflects his evolution and unwavering dedication, with The Force opening with the powerful track “Spirit of Cyrus,” featuring a smooth hook by Snoop Dogg. The album also includes collaborations with Nas, Eminem, Rick Ross, Fat Joe, Busta Rhymes, Saweetie, and more. Notably, “Huey In Da Chair” pays tribute to LL’s aunt, Joan, a pioneering Black Panther.
LL Cool J Talks About the Challenges of Making Music After a Decade-Long Hiatus
In a recent interview with E! News, LL Cool J explained the reasons behind his decade-long hiatus and why this album was worth the wait. “I didn’t want to cheat the fans. I wanted them to have a real LL Cool J album,” he shared, adding, “This project is more about the people and cultural impact than anything else.”
The Force: A Testament to LL Cool J's Evolving Journey
The Force tackles themes such as racial injustice, isolation during the pandemic, and LL’s legacy in Hip-Hop, blending profound insights with compelling beats. With this release, LL Cool J continues to push boundaries, proving that greatness endures and continues to inspire.
A Collaboration That Took Shape at Dr. Dre's Studio
“Me and Em actually went to Dr. Dre’s studio and recorded it out in LA,” LL COOL J said. “We went together in the studio. And the way the process was: I would write my rhyme. Then I would lay it. He would come in, he would hear it, I would leave. He would write his rhyme. He would record. And we went back and forth in the booth without seeing each other record until we did the very last thing together, where I kinda come together with him a little bit.”
LL Cool J's Continued Influence on the Hip-Hop World
The release comes after a 10-year break from music, during which the Long Island-born, Queens-raised rapper focused on other ventures, including his acting career and hosting gigs. The Force also marks a milestone in LL’s career, as it coincides with the 40th anniversary of Def Jam Records, the label where his legendary journey began at just 16 years old. Reflecting on his early days with the label, he said, “I called that [Def Jam] phone number every day for a week and a half. That demo led to the creation of Def Jam. Now, 40 years later, here I am putting out this record on Def Jam again.”
LL Cool J's Legacy: A Timeless Sound
In his new song “30 Decembers,” LL Cool J takes a trip down memory lane. During the height of COVID, he would ride the subway in New York City and record his observations. “To write is to truly be inspired by something,” he said in an interview with NPR’s A Martínez. He also talked about how he’s not hanging up his hat anytime soon.
LL Cool J's Enduring Passion: A Force to Be Reckoned With
It marks LL Cool J’s first album since Authentic in 2013, which featured collaborations with artists like Eddie Van Halen and Seal. Produced by Q-Tip from A Tribe Called Quest, The Force boasts a lineup of collaborations with heavyweights like Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Nas, Busta Rhymes, and Rick Ross. “He [Q-Tip] produced the s–t out of these joints and did his thing. He’s a brilliant dude,” LL said about working with the producer. The album also features the long-awaited collaboration between LL and Eminem on the track “Murdergram Deux,” which dropped just ahead of the album’s release.
The Force: A Powerful Statement
LL Cool J has released his first album in more than a decade, THE FORCE (Frequencies of Real Creative Energy), on Def Jam/Virgin Music Group. Produced entirely by A Tribe Called Quest’s Q-Tip, the 14-track project taps into LL's network of hip-hop legends, with Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Nas, Busta Rhymes and Fat Joe among the LP's guests. Additional contributors include Rick Ross and Saweetie, as well as Mad Squablz, J-S.A.N.D., Don Pablito and Sona Jobareth. “It feels good to finally have this record out in the world,” LL confided. “As I’ve said before, this album brings a whole new vibe. I’m returning to my roots… You all better buckle up.”
The Force: A Timeless Legacy
In addition to previously released singles “Proclivities” f/Saweetie and “Saturday Night Special” f/Rick Ross & Fat Joe, LL COOL J dug deep for album highlight “30 Decembers.” Written during the pandemic, the track details the Queens native's experiment with anonymity, during which he'd don a black mask and shades under a black hoodie and take the train around NYC with no security, giving him the freedom to revisit his old stomping grounds. Listen to the album below while we try to decipher Shady's “Murdergram Deux” verse.
