The title of LL Cool J’s11th album
on Def Jam Records is DEFintion and it finds the veteran
crowd pleaser and lyricist headed for the club and banging
out bass blessed, up tempo jams that are sexy, summery and
totally LL. Working with a host of top notch producers key
among them Timbaland, (who contributed among others the sizzling
single “Head Sprung”) as well as 7, Clark Kent
and Dame Grease, recorded in Miami and NYC and featuring
collabos with Timbaland and R Kelly DEFfintion is more than
just another hot LL Cool J record: it is one more step in
a journey that has continuously pushed the limits of what
hip hop is and can be.
Drawing its vibe and vitality from late
night parties, club beats, good times and wild nights, DEFintion,
LL declares is” a DJ’s dream” and as such
celebrates partying and abandon and does so with a boombastic
sound that will get hips moving, lips smacking and head bobbing.
Offers LL, who says he “researched” DEFinition
by hitting parties, after parties gigs and jams from LA to
Miami, “I wanted to make music that allows people to
have a good time. I enjoy the romantic stuff and DEFintion
has some of that, as well but I really wanted something that
was up in the club. . I think that the people that have been
listening to me should expect a really energetic club record.” On
joints such as the fired up, Timbaland produced first single “Head
Sprung”, the people get what they want. . Asked to
describe the song and LL grins.” It means go nuts,
basically black out by whatever means and go crazy up in
the club. Whatever getting your head sprung means to you,
that’s what it represents.” “Head Sprung's
B-side, “Feel The Beat” flips the sonic script
as LL embarks upon ”a throwback b boy moment” embracing
a stance that is street smart and late night cool.
Another hot and cool track is “Rub
My Back”, which delivers the loving as only LL has
proven he can. Utilizing guitars and horn in an intriquing
mix, “Rub My Back” is another LL/Tim project
that goes down smooth. Like wise “Hush”, produced
by 7. Explains LL, “That song is real melodic and tells
a beautiful story about 2 people who are destined to be together
no matter what, what occurs and how we all need to just hush
and have faith that we can make it”.
In an industry seemingly built upon hype
and overstatement of the obvious the basic facts at the core
of LL Cool J’s remarkable career require little embellishment.
The native of Queens, NYC has been a standard bearer for
rap music since 1984 when, at the age of 16, he dropped the
breakthrough single “I Need A Beat” on a then
fledgling label called Def Jam. “I Need A Beat” would
sell 100, 000 copies and in the process not only put Def
Jam on the map but establish the teen age microphone fiend
as well.
The following year 17-year-old LL released
his full-length debut Radio. Containing the smash “Rock
The Bells”, Radio went platinum and introduced LL’s
stylistic blend of hard-hitting and romantic verses. That
ability to switch up the tone helped solidify his unique
position as a B Boy the guys admired and the girls sweated.
Two years after Radio came Bigger and Deffer and thanks to
strong sales, critical acclaim, the love of the fans and
singles like “I’m Bad and “I Need Love”,
LL had hip hop on lockdown. That trend continued through
1989’s Walking With A Panther, which, like the previous
albums, went platinum. Yet it was the triumphant assault
1990’s Mama Said Knock You Out that brought James Todd
Smith to a level of creative prowess and mass appeal most
rappers can only dream of. Lean, mean and seething with attitude
Mama Said Knock You Out reminded anyone who dared harbor
doubts that LL Cool J was still at the top of his game. That
game continued to pick up steam, sales and more fans through
out the 90’s thanks to chart topping albums 14 Shots
to the Dome (1993) 1995’s double platinum Mr. Smith
(which contained the top 10 hits “Hey Lover” and “Doin
It”, All World (96) the following year’s Phenomenon,
G.O.A.T (2000) and 2002’s 10 which delivered the hit “Luv
U Better” and, as the title would indicate, was LL’s
tenth CD.
. Asked to what he attributes his two decade
long tenure in a game that isn’t known for brand loyalty
and LL reflects.” I’m always expressing myself
as an artist in different mediums.” He’s referring
to an acting career that includes over 20 feature length
films, (including 2003’s surprise hit “Deliver
Us From Eva” and box office champ “SWAT”)
and numerous roles on the small screen chief among them his
starring role in the mid 90’s sit com” In The
House”. Look for LL in 3 major films including the
much anticipated “Edison” starring Kevin Spacey
and Morgan Freeman.” I have a complete and total career;
I'm not just a rapper that’s trying to be an actor.
I’ve kind of tapped into more of what’s inside
of me and allowed myself to grow in different areas. Doing
the same thing over and over, whether its making movies or
albums can be boring and that can affect your creativity
but by always doing so many things its always exciting. Because
I’ve spent the last 2 years doing movies I am really
excited about DEFintion”.
That excitement is what we have come
to expect from an artist of LL’s caliber and on DEFintion
he doesn’t disappoint, Asked what his own definition
of the music he’s helped make the sound track of
young America and LL replies, “Hip hop is…”.
Translation? It can be all things to all people and in
the hands of the right practioner shows little if any signs
of slowing down or being contained.
Just like LL Cool J.
LL COOL J
Album: The DEFinition
Single: Headsprung
Official site: http://www.defjam.com/llcoolj |
