LL COOL J is set to make a triumphant return to the hip-hop scene with the announcement of his first studio album in over a decade. The iconic rapper-turned-actor took to Instagram on Friday, June 7, to share the exciting news with his fans. He revealed that a new single titled “Saturday Night Special” will be released on June 14, serving as a prelude to the highly anticipated album, which is slated for a fall release.
“The album is coming in the fall. It’s the real deal, baby. It’s time to go,” LL COOL J declared in his Instagram post. He also promised to share the album’s features and tracklist in the coming days, building anticipation among his followers.
LL COOL J’s last studio album, “Authentic,” was released in 2013. It marked his thirteenth studio effort and his first project after parting ways with Def Jam. The album debuted at number 23 on the Billboard 200, selling 14,000 units in its first week.
Earlier this month, LL COOL J reflected on his illustrious career during a visit to LeBron James’ show, “The Shop.” He candidly admitted to having made a few “bad albums” and expressed his understanding of André 3000’s recent pivot to playing the flute. “I make bad albums, but I also have some bullshit, too,” he confessed. “But I did some bad shit, or some stupid shit that people didn’t respond to because that’s where I was.”
During the conversation, Lena Waithe, who was also a guest on the show, chimed in, saying, “But at the time you thought it was good!” LL COOL J responded bluntly, “Not always. I’m a little weird, B. Sometimes I make records in a vacuum just because it’s for me and sometimes I make records for culture. I’m very different in that regard, so you can’t really rate my albums like that because I don’t make all my records for the culture.”
LL COOL J’s revelation about his creative process sheds light on his unique approach to music-making. He theorized that André 3000’s recent instrumental album, “New Blue Sun,” which showcased his woodwind skills, might have been a similar personal expression. “Maybe that’s what André was doing with the flute,” he speculated. “I can understand it from that point of view. He just expressed it differently.”
LL COOL J, born James Todd Smith on January 14, 1968, in Bay Shore, New York, is a pioneering figure in hip-hop. He achieved commercial success alongside fellow new school hip-hop acts like the Beastie Boys and Run-DMC. Signed to Def Jam Recordings in 1984, LL COOL J’s breakthrough came with his single “I Need a Beat” and his debut album, “Radio,” in 1985. He continued to achieve critical and commercial success with albums like “Bigger and Deffer” (1987), “Walking with a Panther” (1989), “Mama Said Knock You Out” (1990), “Mr. Smith” (1995), and “Phenomenon” (1997).
In addition to his music career, LL COOL J has appeared in numerous films, including “Halloween H20,” “In Too Deep,” “Any Given Sunday,” “Deep Blue Sea,” “S.W.A.T.,” “Mindhunters,” “Last Holiday,” and “Edison.” He also played NCIS Special Agent Sam Hanna in the CBS crime drama television series “NCIS: Los Angeles” and hosted “Lip Sync Battle” on Paramount Network.
LL COOL J’s contributions to hip-hop have earned him numerous accolades, including two Grammy Awards. He is known for iconic hip-hop songs like “Going Back to Cali,” “I’m Bad,” “The Boomin’ System,” “Rock the Bells,” and “Mama Said Knock You Out,” as well as R&B hits like “Doin’ It,” “I Need Love,” “Around the Way Girl,” and “Hey Lover.” In 2010, VH1 placed him on their “100 Greatest Artists Of All Time” list. In 2017, he became the first rapper to receive the Kennedy Center Honors, and in 2021, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with an award for Musical Excellence.
As LL COOL J prepares to release his new album, fans eagerly await the return of one of hip-hop’s most influential figures. With a career spanning nearly four decades, LL COOL J continues to leave an indelible mark on the music industry, and his upcoming album promises to be a significant addition to his legendary discography.
