LL Cool J is one of only a handful of emcees who could legitimately claim No. 1 D.O.A. status.
The Queens, New York legend, born James Todd Smith, has been in the rap game over 30 years, released 13 solo albums, sold over 13 million records and never took an L on wax.
On Monday, March 14, LL shook things up for a bit when he announced his retirement via Twitter, only to come back and un-retire on the same day. At that time he let fans know that a new album is forthcoming.
The "Mama Said Knock You Out" hit maker chopped it up with Billboard on Tuesday, March 15, about recently linking up with Dr. Dre, his not-yet-titled new album, collaborating with Eminem, how quickly fans forget and more.
Billboard: How did you link up with Dr. Dre in the studio?
LL Cool J: I went to the studio to see my man Pooh and hang out with Dre and Preemo. One thing lead to another and they were like, 'Yo, you wanna do a drop?' I was like, 'Nah, let me spit something'; Dre went and grabbed the titanium laptop. He pressed play and the rest is history. I grabbed the pen and pad and did it right there. That’s what it’s about. I love the culture. The same spirit that got me to where I’m at is the spirit that was there in that moment. It’s just rhyming because you love to rhyme, and because you love the beat, and because you’re around your friends just having a good time.
Is that the same spirit you want to bring to G.O.A.T. 2?
I put G.O.A.T. 2 on hold. It was good but I didn’t feel like it was ready yet. I am working on another project that will be real special. If people like that freestyle [on Dr. Dre's show], they’re gonna go crazy over this album. It’s going to change a lot of what’s going on out there. People will take a second look at what they’ve been listening to after it comes out.
Do you have a title for it yet?
Nah, I haven’t titled it yet. It’s going to be real special. It will be at the level of being worthy for me to put it out. I want to give this era a taste of LL Cool J. With hip-hop today, in this era, I feel like I have to make a contribution. I’ve made a contribution in every other era. I haven’t made a high powered one in this era yet. I look forward to doing that. I think it’s going to set a standard for the culture in general. It’ll make things a lot more fun.
With this upcoming album, who can we expect to hear in terms of features and production?
As far as features, I don’t know if it will have any. In terms of production, I’ll be making an announcement. Believe me, when I make the announcement people will definitely stand up and pay attention. [laughs] The world will be excited. I think it will be good for our culture and for all these new fans who grew up in this era. The most fun for me will be introducing music to people who only know me for my acting, my hosting and all of that stuff. They’ll get a chance to see me in my original element.
One collaboration you had talked about in the past was with Eminem. What's causing the delay in release?
He actually did his vocals and everything. It really happened. I want the overall project to be good. Em is my man and I love him. He’s also a friend of mine, so we’ll definitely get it poppin’. The world has been waiting for that. They’ll get it the right way and it’s gonna be amazing. People should just gear up for this project. Quote me on the things I said about it, and hold me accountable when I deliver it.
According to Em’s infamous prank call on you years ago, the first time you two met was at a Foot Locker. Can you share more of that story?
It’s funny, I hardly remember it. I just know that meeting Em and talking to him, he’s such a student of hip-hop. He knew all of my music. He called up the radio station singing “Go Cut Creator Go” and that’s a song nobody knows until you’re a diehard LL aficionado. Every time I’ve met Em, he’s had a great spirit. We’ve hung out many times. When I got my [Hollywood] star, he did something cool for me -- he bought me a cool ad in a mag. He’s always given me love. I respect and appreciate what he’s done in his career. It always made me feel good to see somebody that I inspired take it to that level. These are the kinds of people that, at one time in their lives, saw me on TV and they were rapping along then went on to have such a illustrious career. I love Em and look forward to including him in this next project.
On Twitter, you went on a little rant about people forgetting that you’re one of the greatest to ever touch a microphone. Do you think you’re underappreciated as far as what you’ve achieved in hip-hop?
No, I don’t feel like I’m underappreciated. I do think sometimes people forget. The reality is hip-hop culture, not unlike a lot of cultures, is 'What have you done for me lately?' Sometimes people need to be reminded, that’s all. They see when you’re off having success in LaLa land, doing your thing, hosting shows in tuxedos, doing these lip sync battles, and running around catching terrorists on NCIS: Los Angeles, people might think that he doesn’t have the bars or [is] beyond us. Maybe they think it was a fluke, but there’s no telling. That’s what makes me a little more unique than the average artist -- I’ve done many things at a high level.
To read the full interview head over to Billboard. (http://ow.ly/ZvQe8)
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