Stanisland Magazine

We preview the September release as the rapper lays down stunning vocals alongside Q-Tip’s musical production brilliance.

It’s not often I get excited for an LL Cool J album despite his track record that speaks for itself. His fluidity and legacy is one of legend, with a potency of style he has reinvented time and time again through a signature that doesn’t seek approval from fans or casual listeners. Instead, it comes from an authentic place only he can create, one that appears to be brewing again for his upcoming album – ‘The FORCE.’

After stepping back from the game for 11 years (yes, it’s been that long), the smooth lyricist known for songs including ‘Phenomenon’ said he had to relearn several elements of the craft.

In an interview with Associated Press, LL (real name James Todd Smith) told journalist Maria Sherman he was “…going back to the drawing board and learning how to rap again.”

Who is featured on the album?

We are in for a treat, given the entire project is produced by Q-Tip (A Tribe Called Quest). To add to that, fellow hip-hop luminaries Snoop Dogg, Nas, Busta Rhymes, Saweetie and Eminem, among others, are set to add verses.

What’s it like?

With two tracks released, we’ve heard a taster of what’s to come based on the cover art, featured artists and the music.

‘Saturday Night Special’ features two other legendary rappers: Slick Rick and Fat Joe, both landing a formidable equilibrium of flow and cadence, over a production that echoes sounds of the late ‘90s to early ‘00s.

‘Passion’ maintains a similar tempo which embraces a consistency synonymous with Mr. Smith. It is laced with samples and a warmth that hip-hop heads will appreciate if they’re attuned to the discography of artists of the time.

The artwork offers further clues, with words such as ‘creative’, and ‘real’ scrawled on to it in colourful chalk fonts. LL is also present on the cover, with an ambience familiar with that of his debut era.

Classic rap motifs are evident for the promotional drops on offer for an album that is shaping up to be a quality release. Efforts for the first two singles gear it up to be one to anticipate, and with a fresh mind switched on for new music, we could get some truly epic music.

Anticipatory verdict

Considering the classic rap motifs on show, ‘The FORCE’ is shaping up to be a quality release. Based on efforts from his first two singles, it appears the ‘G.O.A.T.’ benefited from his movie sabbatical. Such a fresh perspective appears to have electrolysed a bewildered craft, evident from the incredible work he has put forward so far.

When will it be released?

It’s scheduled for an official release on September 6th 2024.

A look behind the scenes ‘Saturday Night Special.’