LL Cool J Album: “10”

LL Cool J returns with his 10th album effectively entitled "10". LL Cool J has been around for what seems like an eternity and people love to count L out. Self proclaiming himself the GOAT last year, he received much skepticism and doubt. No doubt LL has the skill, classic albums, classic songs, battles won, platinum plaques, record sales, notoriety, impact, and a mixed fan base of men and women. He's a sex symbol for the ladies and has also made his name in several blockbuster movies. His clothing line FUBU is worldwide. Not to mention 15 years under his belt in the rap game ( average time in the rap game for rappers is 2-3 years ) which in itself is amazing. Could he make this claim as the GOAT? Yes he could.

Nobody has survived a battle with a LL---every LL diss rhyme INSTANTLY ended that MC's career. (Canibus, Kool Moe Dee anyone?). Every rhyme he drops for the ladies becomes an anthem. ( Around the Way Girl, Hey Lover, Doin It, Imagine That, Big Ole Butt, Fatty Girl, I Need Love etc. etc. etc. His gangsta tracks ( I Shot Ya remix, 4,3,2,1, Ripper Strikes Back, Mama said Knock You Out, Fughidaabowdit, I'm Bad etc. etc. etc.) give him the street credibilty. LL is an emcee that young cats should study if they want to be successful.

Balance has been what has gotten LL Cool J his status as a Hip Hop Legend. But this album lacks that balance. It emphasizes his Ladies Love Cool James persona. Most of the tracks are for the women as witnessed by the first two singles; Luv U Better and Paradise feat. Amerie-both excellent singles. But that's not necessarily a bad thing though. This is definitely a cd you can ride to when you and your woman are just cruisin. And you can chill to this with your honey and dance with her. So you know it's not completely useless. But you can't play this if you riding by yourself...you might get jacked. The songs I'm feeling the most are as follows: Amazin ( best song on the album ), Lollipop, Luv U Better, Paradise, U Should, Big Mama, 10 Million Stars, and Fa Ha.

Overall, LL Cool J's new album is good enough to warrant a purchase if you like his "Ladies Man' style. Definitely a cd I was much surprised by the quality of songs and the excellent production. Support this!

LL Cool J shows that he has not left the rap game just yet. With his tenth album (appropriately named) he gives hip-hop lovers what they want to hear. Uncle L has changed it up once again by getting assistance from The Neptunes, the trendy producers who have worked with everyone from Busta Rhymes to Justin Timberlake. LL shows an abundance of talent by not using any profanity throughout the album. He also promises to stay true to his millions of adoring female fans with such songs as "Luv You Better" and "You Should". Ten also features R&B talents such as Amerie and hip-hop mogul P.Diddy. Ten is a fun journey through the life of long time crowd pleaser LL Cool J. Here is a look at the track list.

1.Intro

2.Luv You Better

3.Niggy Nuts

4.Clockin G's

5.You Should

6.Born To Love You

7.Paradise

8.Mirror Mirror

9.Fa Ha

10.10 Million Stars

11.Throw Your L's Up

12.Untitled

13.Big Mamma

14.Outro

LL Cool J has been going strong in the here today, gone tomorrow business of hip hop since 1984, back when everyone was doing the wop. He's had more hits than anybody else and when he proclaimed he was the greatest of all time, nobody disputed that. But LL decides to take a chill pill on "10", which is the last album on his contact with Def Jam. "10" is just a collection of soulful, entertaining hip hop tracks. Nothing too special here. He relies on his lady-killer lyrics and pulls off a few hat tricks. "Luv u Better" is a soulful slow jam any regretful fella could sing to his woman, and "Paradise", featuring the beautiful Amerie, is a cruise on LL's loveboat. LL makes the fellas take out their notepads with "U Should", where he tells the right way to treat a woman. But "10" has its moments for the hardcore. "10 Million Stars" shines bright, as L proclaims that he's still the king of the hill. "Unconditional Love" has him honoring his late Grandma behind a sweet church beat. Basically LL's been there, done that. He's just chillin' and countin' money. No matter how much people deny, there will never be another LL. Greatest of All Time? Sure. Another good album? You bet.

You can't be everything to everyone; some people aren't going to like you. But LL Cool J is desperate enough to try anyway. The result being just a whole lot of unfinished ideas. I actually wanted to like this album but it self-destructs on itself. LL Cool wants the "sensual lover" with a "thug image", which usually never gets pulled off (Jaheim has some issues to work out there too). Some songs he wants to impress the ladies by turning into the Al Green of hip-hop, which only goes so far because then he get raveled up into becoming the guy from the ghetto, which comes off as fake and obnoxious.

He starts his venture with 3 love jams: "Born To Love You", "Luv U Better" and "Paradise" featuring Amerie. "Luv U Better" and "Born To Love You" aren't all what they crack up to be. LL doesn't realize that a different kind of vibe needs a different kind of rap. Slow down a little and enjoy the ride. Even the stand out track, the breezy "Paradise" featuring the smart and sultry Amerie doesn't kick into full gear because he refuses to care about each track enough to put some heart into it and make them personable.

The thug image comes up next with "Clockin' G's", a strange beat, but still uninteresting, bouncer. "After School" goes for the reppin' the block idea, that Jennifer Lopez has butchered to death, but doesn't work. "...After school, I swim in the pool..." his lyrics haven't really been worked on after the first draft. The hidden track, "All I Have" the painfully horrible song with Jennifer Lopez lacks any chemistry, or for that matter, any vocal talent.

Maybe LL has gotten disconnected with who he is and what got him here. Maybe he is going through a transition phase. Maybe he should stop flexing his muscles and spend more time at the studio. But definitely don't get this album.

10 is a round up of the impressive legacy that is LL Cool J, but the G.O.A.T was better. I expected it to be paired up in a Double CD Package, with a Greatest Hits (So Far..) CD. However, LL doesn't disappoint. The lyrics are typical LL, which isn't a bad thing. He does rely heavily on the Neptunes production, which seems to work against him sometimes (Niggy Nuts, gets on your nerves after a while). There are also throw away tracks such as the Trackmasters' Mirror Mirror.

With that said, LL gives us what we want. Its obvious to seperate the hotness from the weakness. Obvious gems include the street anthem Fa Ha, the No.1 Luv U Betta, and the tribute to his grandma, Big Mama (Unconditional Love feat. Dru Hill).

LL does display why he is the legend that he is. However, much is expected of him for his next album. Rock Dem Bells, LL!!!