By Jamil Weeks

LL Cool J was my introduction to hip hop. The first rap album I ever had was the Bigger and Deffer album, a.k.a. the BAD album, when I was just seven years old. LL was the first superstar in rap. Following in the footsteps of Spoonie G, Kurtis Blow, and UTFO, LL was one of the pioneers in making love rap ballads popular. One of the few 80s rappers that was able to adapt to the times and extend his career with hits in the 90s and beyond. In addition, he was able to have a successful acting career in movies and television, getting his start in the hip hop classic, Krush Groove. Battle tested as an emcee, LL has survived numerous beefs/feuds against formidable opponents, such as 2Pac, Ice T, Hammer, Kool Moe Dee, and Canibus. The rapper that coined the phrase G.O.A.T. (Greatest of all time). Make no mistake about it, LL has had one of the greatest careers of any rapper in the history of the genre to earn that title. At the age of 56, LL has shown no signs of slowing down. 2024 has been the year of the rap veteran, with hip hop fans being treated to albums from Masta Ace, MC Lyte, and Rakim. Crashing the party, LL linked up with fellow Queens native, Q-Tip, for a brand new album, The FORCE ( Frequencies of Real Creative Energy). An unlikely pairing, The FORCE was a risky endeavor. The duo put their legacies on the line in making an album that could either be a triumphant comeback album like Mama Said Knock You Out or a critical misfire like 14 Shots to the Dome.

The FORCE came about because LL was working on an album with a different producer. Unhappy with the output, LL decided to scrap that album. As he was sleeping one night, LL expressed to the media that the ghost of Phife Dawg from A Tribe Called Quest visited him in his dreams. The dream inspired LL to reach out to Q-Tip to collaborate on an album together. Even after death, Phife is still having a positive effect on hip hop. Despite their monumental contributions to the genre and culture, you would think there is nothing left to prove for both legends. LL and Q-Tip are considered as royalty as an emcee and producer respectively. Both have released classic albums that have received both critical and commercial success. Also, both have inspired the artists that came after them. The rap veterans, however, challenged themselves to produce a collection of songs that would shatter the increasingly outdated narrative that rap is a young man’s game.

LL’s pen is as sharp as it has ever been. Reportedly, LL had to teach himself how to rap again to appeal to modern fans. From the conceptual storytelling intro song, “Spirit of Cyrus”, LL did not take rapping over Q-Tip production lightly as he raps from the perspective of the late Christopher Dorner, who was killed in a manhunt in his quest to expose police corruption. What is refreshing about The FORCE is the music does not sound disingenuous. On “30 Decembers”, LL raps about not recognizing his hometown when returning after a long hiatus. Lines like “you standing too close/ain’t nothing sweet, no sugar, no glucose/move for the bread, and you toast” is proof his penmanship should still be respected. As evidence, LL goes toe to toe with Eminem on “Murdergram Deux”, arguably getting the best of one of this generation’s most technically proficient lyricists. LL does not completely abandon his old formula on the Saweetie-assisted “Proclivities” doing what he is best known for, which is penning songs that cater to the ladies. LL is not just some one trick pony as an artist. Songs like “Black Code Suite” allow LL to explore his more conscious side on the album. Perhaps, what makes The FORCE a worthy album in LL’s catalogue is the diversity in the content and how it all comes together under the direction of Q-Tip.

A reason why Q-Tip is heralded as one of the greatest hip hop producers is his penchant for being a perfectionist. By teaming up with another Queens icon, you knew Q-Tip would rise to the occasion. After all, this is the same man who has contributed beats for some of the most groundbreaking albums of the 90s, such as Mobb Deep’s The Infamous, Nas’s Illmatic, and his own group’s Low End Theory and Midnight Marauders. The production on The FORCE can best be described as traditional hip hop with a contemporary twist. Upon a first listen, you probably needed to approach this album with an open mind. The beats stylistically sound like Q-Tip but feel futuristic in terms of sonics. Songs like “Post Modern” best illustrate this point as you can hear an 80’s Rick Rubin influence in the beat. Q-Tip is a master at juggling different types of sounds together. An example is “Passion” where Q-Tip justifies his “Abstract” sobriquet by blending different unorthodox sounds together that inspires a smooth but uptempo vibe simultaneously. Then there are album cuts like “Runnit Back”, which sounds like a beat that could easily fit on a Tribe album, where Q-Tip channels a mid 90s vibe for all those “trapped in the 90s” purists that want that old thing back. Q-Tip excels at providing LL with high energy instrumentals, like “Basquiat Energy”, that inspires LL to rap with an exuberant delivery reminiscent of a young LL on Farmers Boulevard in the 80s. The album is excellently sequenced where you cannot distinguish when a song ends and the next song begins in certain moments. The FORCE is a true partnership by LL and Q-Tip in supplying fans with the best qualities of the music they are known for while enhancing their craft.

The features on The Force are complimentary while not overshadowing LL. The hard but polished lead single, “Saturday Night Special”, features LL trading bars with Rick Ross and Fat Joe on the importance of being trustworthy and someone people can count on. LL further proves he can hold his own against any emcee with “Huey in the Chair” squaring off with Busta Rhymes as they rhyme on how revolutionary their music is to the culture. Perhaps the most standout feature on The FORCE is Nas on “Praise Him”, with Nas spitting a potential verse of the year. LL even gives some lesser known young rappers a chance to spar with him on the only song not produced by Q-Tip on the album, “The Vow”, which features Mad Squablz, Don Pablito, and J-S.A.N.D. (who, along with Kizzo, produced the record). Even West Coast rap superstar, Snoop Dogg, pops up on the album to lend his vocals to the opening song. Thankfully the album is not completely saturated with guest appearances as LL Cool J holds down the majority of the album by himself. Each feature makes sense thematically to enhance the vision of the album.

Weeks before The FORCE was released, LL boldly proclaimed on social media that his latest offering was his best album. An audacious statement for a man with albums like Radio, Mama Said Knock You Out, and Mr. Smith in his discography. Only time will tell if Mr. Todd Smith’s sentiments ring true. After multiple listens over the past week or so, I can confidently say this album is a top-tier LL Cool J album. LL proved why he remains as one of my favorite emcees since I was a snot-nosed kid growing up in Fayetteville, North Carolina. In fact, LL was my first favorite rapper. The rap artist who made me become enamored with hip hop. Getting the opportunity to see LL perform live at The FORCE Tour in 2023, I witnessed the best concert I had ever attended. Seeing LL share the stage with De La Soul, The Roots, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Juvenile, and Rakim was a highlight of my life. LL is a true master of ceremonies. The album only cements LL and Q-Tip as two pillars of rap music. The FORCE is a well-produced, conceptually well-thought out album. The quality of the album is proof these two rap giants took their time in making an album that lives up to their reputations as artistic geniuses. The FORCE proves hip hop is not suffering from a mid life crisis, but instead widens the lane for rap veterans to get back in the lab through elevating craftsmanship.