LL Cool J, the Grammy-winning rapper, is set to release his first album in 11 years, titled “The FORCE,” on September 6. The hip-hop legend has been in the music industry for 40 years. Despite not releasing an album in over a decade, LL Cool J never stopped making music. “I’ve always tinkered around in the studio here and there,” he shared with The Associated Press.
Inspiration Strikes
Over the past two years, LL Cool J felt a renewed inspiration to create. However, he hit a creative block, feeling his new songs didn’t match the quality of the beats he received. This changed when the late Phife Dawg of A Tribe Called Quest appeared to him in a dream. “He told me, ‘Yo, man, that new music you’re working on is great, man.’ But he had a look on his face like a Cheshire cat, like he was lying to me,” LL Cool J recalled.
This dream was a wake-up call, prompting him to reach out to Q-Tip of A Tribe Called Quest. Q-Tip ended up producing the entire album. “The move worked,” LL Cool J said. “Q-Tip produced every track and made all the beats on ‘The FORCE.’”
Learning to Rap Again
LL Cool J described the process of making his 14th studio album as “going back to the drawing board and learning how to rap again.” He aimed to ensure his lyrics were meaningful and inspired. “That’s why there isn’t a lot of fluff on this album,” he explained. He wanted the album to be fresh and innovative without relying on nostalgia.
“The LeBrons, the Stephs, the Jordans, and the Kobes, they all go back to the drawing board,” LL Cool J said. “They always try to make themselves better.”
A Star-Studded Collaboration
“The FORCE” features collaborations with notable artists like Eminem, Rick Ross, Fat Joe, Saweetie, and Snoop Dogg. The album touches on various themes, including self-motivation, confidence, and social issues. The lead single, “Saturday Night Special,” featuring Rick Ross and Fat Joe, has already generated buzz.
“The FORCE,” which stands for “frequencies of real creative energy,” became an unofficial mantra for the release. “It’s about wanting to vibrate at a high level,” LL Cool J said. He wanted to prove that seasoned artists could still make significant contributions to hip-hop.
LL Cool J emphasized that he wasn’t trying to be trendy or preachy. Instead, he aimed to express his artistic evolution. “I wanted to meet people where I’m at now,” he said. “I did want to express with people where I’m at artistically at this point in my life and give them that.”