Current:Home > reviewsLL COOL J Reveals the Reason Behind His 10-Year Music Hiatus—And Why The Force Is Worth the Wait -Wealth Evolution Experts
LL COOL J Reveals the Reason Behind His 10-Year Music Hiatus—And Why The Force Is Worth the Wait
View
Date:2025-04-11 12:35:39
Some of the items featured below are from LL COOL J’s businesses. E! may get a commission if you purchase something through our links. Learn more. Unable to see the video above? Watch on TalkShopLive.
The king of crowd rockers is finally back (but don’t call it a comeback). LL COOL J has always been a force in pop culture, and now he’s set to elevate hip-hop culture with his 14th studio album, The Force.
The album, out September 6, marks the rapper’s first studio album in over a decade, following his 2013 release, Authentic. With a career spanning 40 years, this album is a milestone for both LL COOL J and the iconic label.
"I called that [Def Jam] phone number every day for a week and a half," he recounted. "That demo led to the creation of Def Jam. Now, 40 years later, here I am putting out this record on Def Jam again."
As the label's first signed artist at just 16 years old, LL COOL J’s dedication to his craft is clear in his approach to this album. After deliberately stepping away from music to focus on his acting career and other endeavors, he wanted to make sure his return was marked by a project that truly reflected his artistic vision. "I didn’t want to cheat the fans,” he noted. “I wanted them to have a real LL COOL J album."
"The idea of LL COOL J is just all things that elevate hip-hop culture," the two-time Grammy Award winner explained during a recent TalkShopLive event, "and personify excellence in hip-hop... musical excellence, in every sense of the word."
The Force is produced by A Tribe Called Quest’s Q-Tip, known for his innovative sound and artistic vision. "He produced the s--t out of these joints and did his thing,” the 56-year-old said of the deeply rewarding experience. “He’s a brilliant dude, and working with him was like a joy."
The album also features collaborations with some of hip-hop’s most influential figures, including Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Nas, Busta Rhymes, and Rick Ross.
"I’m so inspired by this record that I want to make another one," he said. "It’s fully inspired, and the quality is there."
As he prepares to release The Force, LL COOL J stays true to his roots, inspired by hip-hop's evolution. As a fan of the genre, he aims for his music to capture hip-hop's journey from the streets to the top.
"This project is more about the people and cultural impact than anything else," the "Mama Said Knock You Out" rapper said. "I feel like I was born to hold this space in hip-hop."
For a deeper dive into the album creation process, LL COOL J’s journey, and why he described his album as "pimento on a potato salad" to Dr. Dre, check out the full TalkShopLive livestream above.
When Does LL COOL J’s New Album The Force Drop?
LL COOL J’s new album, The Force, drops September 6, 2024. This highly anticipated release marks his first studio album in 11 years and includes collaborations with hip-hop icons such as Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Nas, Rick Ross, and Fat Joe. Make sure to mark your calendar for this major event and stay tuned for LL COOL J’s latest music release!
How Do I Get A Signed LL COOL J CD?
To get a signed CD copy of LL COOL J’s The Force, click the Shop button below the video replay of his exclusive livestream event on TalkShopLive. Don’t miss this unique chance to own a piece of hip-hop history and interact with LL COOL J live!
Where Can I Watch the LL COOL J Livestream?
You can catch the replay of LL COOL J’s exclusive livestream interview with Shaheem Reid on TalkShopLive, E! Online, and Facebook.
What Is TalkShopLive?
TalkShopLive is an innovative live streaming shopping platform where entertainment meets e-commerce. It lets creators, brands, and small businesses host interactive live shopping shows — like LL COOL J’s recent livestream event. On September 3, LL COOL J unveiled his new album The Force during a special livestream, offering exclusive signed copies and real-time interaction. TalkShopLive’s unique blend of live streaming and shopping creates a community-driven experience, making it the go-to platform for discovering new products and engaging with celebrities.
veryGood! (15893)
Related
- Trump suggestion that Egypt, Jordan absorb Palestinians from Gaza draws rejections, confusion
- An energy crunch forces a Hungarian ballet company to move to a car factory
- Fossil Fuel Companies Took Billions in U.S. Coronavirus Relief Funds but Still Cut Nearly 60,000 Jobs
- Inside Clean Energy: Net Zero by 2050 Has Quickly Become the New Normal for the Largest U.S. Utilities
- Could Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft reunite? Maybe in Pro Football Hall of Fame's 2026 class
- Trump skips Iowa evangelical group's Republican candidate event and feuds with GOP Iowa governor
- With a Warming Climate, Coastal Fog Around the World Is Declining
- Russia is Turning Ever Given’s Plight into a Marketing Tool for Arctic Shipping. But It May Be a Hard Sell
- Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
- California’s Strict New Law Preventing Cruelty to Farm Animals Triggers Protests From Big U.S. Meat Producers
Ranking
- Spooky or not? Some Choa Chu Kang residents say community garden resembles cemetery
- This $23 Travel Cosmetics Organizer Has 37,500+ 5-Star Amazon Reviews
- An activist group is spreading misinformation to stop solar projects in rural America
- An activist group is spreading misinformation to stop solar projects in rural America
- Friday the 13th luck? 13 past Mega Millions jackpot wins in December. See top 10 lottery prizes
- Biden Could Reduce the Nation’s Production of Oil and Gas, but Probably Not as Much as Many Hope
- Kate Spade 24-Hour Flash Deal: Get This $280 Crossbody Bag for Just $71
- Soccer Star Neymar Pens Public Apology to Pregnant Girlfriend Bruna Biancardi for His “Mistakes
Recommendation
The Best Stocking Stuffers Under $25
You'll Unconditionally Love Katy Perry's Latest Hair Transformation
Rep. Ayanna Pressley on student loans, the Supreme Court and Biden's reelection - The Takeout
Russia increasing unprofessional activity against U.S. forces in Syria
Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump
Looking to Reduce Emissions, Apparel Makers Turn to Their Factories in the Developing World
Your Super Bowl platter may cost less this year – if you follow these menu twists
Mission: Impossible co-star Simon Pegg talks watching Tom Cruise's stunt: We were all a bit hysterical