Album Review: The FORCE by LL Cool J

LL Cool J makes a comeback to Def Jam since ‘Exit 13' with his fourteenth studio album, his first in eleven years, and partners up with producer Q-Tip to deliver frequencies of real creative energy.

Courtesy of LL Cool J, Inc.

Before we start this review, let’s have a quick history lesson taught here.

Born James Todd Smith, LL Cool J became a trailblazing figure in hip-hop, reshaping the genre’s landscape and paving the way for future artists. His journey began in 1979 when his grandfather gifted him essential DJ equipment in Queens, New York—this critical moment sparked Smith’s creative fire, allowing him to explore the limitless possibilities of words and music. At 16, Smith’s demo tape caught the attention of Def Jam, a fledgling label operating out of an NYU dorm. His debut single, “I Need a Beat,” featured a rhythm created by Adam Horovitz (Ad-Rock) of the Beastie Boys on Rick Rubin’s drum machine. This release, T-La Rock & Jazzy Jay’s “It’s Yours” and the Beastie Boys’ debut marked Def Jam’s initial offerings.

Smith’s influence proliferated. His 1985 album Radio helped define early rap’s stripped-down sound, achieving remarkable sales and propelling hip-hop into the mainstream alongside Run-DMC’s King of Rock. In 1987, “I Need Love” broke new ground by blending rap with R&B’s emotional depth, solidifying LL Cool J as hip-hop’s premier heartthrob. The artist’s career trajectory continued upward. By 1990, Mama Said Knock You Out, Smith had become a cultural icon at just 22. His subsequent albums, including Mr. Smith (1995), G.O.A.T. (2000), and The DEFinition (2004), showcased his ability to adapt to changing musical trends while maintaining his signature style: smooth, self-assured and always with an edge of swagger.

LL Cool J’s impact extended beyond music. He became a multi-faceted celebrity, hosting the Grammys and venturing into film and television. This versatility set a precedent for future artists like Drake, Will Smith, and Eminem. His contributions to the genre were recognized in 2017 when he became the first rapper to receive Kennedy Center Honors. Reflecting on his creative process in his 1998 memoir I Make My Own Rules, Smith described his freedom in writing: “I can craft tales of time travel from plantations to spaceships. Through words, my imagination knows no bounds.” This sentiment encapsulates the transformative power LL Cool J found in his art, allowing him to transcend his circumstances and inspire generations of artists to follow.

However, like most rappers, some of his albums have some misses. Following trying to fit in with the gangsta rap persona on 1993’s 14 Shots to the Dome, riding the Bad Boy wave with 1997’s Phenomenon, the feature-heavy 2006’s Todd Smith, the utterly forgettable 2008’s Exit 13, and the uninspired 2013’s Authentic, despite some prolific features. He also paired up with Brad Paisley to deliver one of the worst songs in existence, “Accidental Racist.” Despite all this, he appeared in various films and hosted multiple shows while being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2021.

The long-anticipated return of LL Cool J to the music scene has materialized with his latest offering, The FORCE. Rumors of new material from the actor-turned-rapper-turned-actor-again have circulated since his previous album, but the wait is over. LL’s comeback single, “Saturday Night Special,” features collaborations with notable hip-hop figures Rick Ross and Fat Joe, though the latter’s inclusion raises questions. The track is accompanied by a stylish video showcasing the trio in fashionable attire, with a luxurious Maybach prominently displayed.

At the helm of this project is the esteemed Q-Tip, a member of A Tribe Called Quest. Recently, Q-Tip has focused on producing for other artists, including his work as executive producer on Danny Brown’s 2019 release uknowhatimsayin¿. For LL’s track, Q-Tip ingeniously repurposed Caravan’s “Bobbing Wide” instrumental, providing a backdrop for LL to expound on street wisdom. The collaboration between LL and Q-Tip was first hinted at when LL announced he was working on a new album with the respected producer.

Before we got an official single, the premiere of the title track was released in May of last year as a SiriusXM exclusive. While borrowing the chopped-up spoken word intro from Michael Jackson’s “Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough,” it is a deft blend of braggadocio, nostalgia, and aspirational luxury to remind folks that Todd Smith hasn’t lost a step. His verses convey vivid imagery in tandem with his humble beginnings and current opulent lifestyle, painting interspersed with modern references like “boppin’ to Pop Smoke.” His use of luxury items—“sip Pétruses in Bordeaux,” “Shorty took the pics solo”—antithesis his present elevation and past struggles just like with any today’s rappers. 

This partnership sparked excitement among fans eagerly awaiting LL’s musical resurgence. Fast-forward a year later, and while Rick Ross’s contribution to “Saturday Night Special” is sonically pleasing, it doesn’t significantly enhance the narrative. As for Fat Joe, he does nothing to stand out, and sadly, it doesn’t help that the hook is corny. Nevertheless, the track marks LL Cool J’s official return to recording, satisfying the prolonged anticipation of his supporters and potentially signaling a new chapter in his multifaceted career.

In “Passion,” LL raps his ass off by embedding cultural references, boasting, and street wisdom over a Herbie Hancock, but Q-Tip masterfully freaked it. The song opens with a clever analogy, “Y’all need a new team like a girl with a BBL need new jeans,” and countless wordplay that continues to impress with phrases such as “Whether Fahrenheit or Celsius these niggas know, below zero,” where he plays with temperature scales to underline his icy demeanor. Furthermore, his acumen in social commentary shines when he addresses the glorification of flawed icons, “I love Scarface, but that nigga with the chainsaw fell on the mat/We just act like we don’t see that.”

“Murdergram Deux” showcases LL and Eminem’s masterful wordplay and competitive spirit. This lyrical battle demonstrates their individual styles while highlighting their shared excellence as MCs. LL Cool J opens with boastful lines (“Reincarnation of the Ripper, I give stitches and chest zippers”), setting a tone of menace and bravado. Eminem responds with his signature rapid-fire delivery and outlandish metaphors: “I call that fucking hoe Katrina, somebody better give her a cane (hurricane).” The back-and-forth structure allows each artist to display their unique strengths—LL’s butter-smooth flow and street-smart references contrast with Eminem’s frenetic wordplay and pop culture allusions.

However, The FORCE opens with “Spirit of Cyrus” as he and Snoop Dogg rap from the perspective of an armed person fleeing the police. LL pointed out that this song was based on the Christopher Dorner (a former LAPD officer) incident on February 12, 2013.

“Racism’s a disease; it’s only right I kill it

Black blood, you’re quick to spill it.”

If you know about LL Cool J, he is no stranger to making songs for the ladies, but it’s far and between. “Proclivities” with Saweetie is an explicit, sexually charged hip-hop track that pulls no punches in its depiction of carnal desires. Although not one of the standouts, LL employs solid lyricism and double entendres to craft a provocative decent song that exemplifies the frank approach to sexuality often found in contemporary hip-hop. “30 Decembers” paints a picture of LL returning to his old neighborhood after three decades, confronting a transformed environment and his evolved perspective. His storytelling chops are personal and observational, touching on racial tensions, generational gaps, and the struggle to maintain one’s essence in a rapidly changing world (“I’m home/But damn, this shit don’t feel like I remember”).

Continuing some of the themes of Black excellence on the record, “Black Code Suite” is a lyrical tour of African American culture, history, and identity as Sona Jobarteh closes the song. He details family life, culinary traditions, and social commentary. It opens with domestic scenes: “Look at mama, she’s in the kitchen, she’s swinging her hips and dipping the chicken in flour”—before transitioning into broader themes of heritage and reparations (“I’m the ingenuity, the mental acuity/Duke Ellington dexterity, I’m truly a rarity”), a subject matter LL rarely discuss, but makes it one of the true highlights of the album.

This exuberance of lyrical dexterity and cultural acumen continues on the uptempo “Basquiat Energy” and “Praise Him.” The former references wealth, street culture, and artistic pursuits throughout the verses, creating a multifaceted portrait of success and creative energy, and the latter seamlessly blends spiritual themes with social commentary where he and Nas, who undoubtedly steals the show, go in on faith, knowledge, and personal growth. Throughout “Post Modern,” LL employs metaphors and allusions to mythology, demonstrating his ability to blend street-smart authenticity with intellectual references over a hard-hitting Q-Tip beat as “Runnit Back” reminisces on his past.

“Huey In the Chair” employs a Blaxploitation vibe, continuing to pay homage to Black revolutionary thought and iconography. LL’s verse is replete with allusions to Black power symbols and revolutionary rhetoric, as Busta Rhymes continues this theme in the second verse with even more grandiose imagery, positioning himself as “the Father of civilization” and warning those to “prepare for dinner,” suggesting an impending ideological feast. Remember when you purchase an album, and it ends with a posse cut? “The Vow” does that. It’s the only song not produced by Q-Tip (J-S.A.N.D. and Kizzo produced the track), as LL, Mad Squablz, J-S.A.N.D. and Don Pablito spit bars over a menacing James Brown-sampled backdrop.

Not a single song was out of place on The FORCE, and you can hear that LL and Tip were locked in for years and showcased the best of their abilities. LL crafted some of his best work in twenty years since The DEFinition, which gives him an updated sound that makes him feel refreshed and reborn. Q-Tip is often underutilized as a music producer, giving him various sounds of boom bap, uptempo, and banging joints while keeping everything concise and cohesive. We didn’t expect the pairing to happen in real-time, but we can only hope they continue on this path as they continue to deliver frequencies of real creative energy.

Great (★★★★☆)

Favorite Track(s): “The FORCE,” “Black Code Suite,” “Praise Him”