10th Time's The Charm
LL Cool J shows that he has not left the rap game just yet. With his tenth album (appropriately named) he gives hip-hop lovers what they want to hear. Uncle L has changed it up once again by getting assistance from The Neptunes, the trendy producers who have worked with everyone from Busta Rhymes to Justin Timberlake. LL shows an abundance of talent by not using any profanity throughout the album. He also promises to stay true to his millions of adoring female fans with such songs as "Luv You Better" and "You Should". Ten also features R&B talents such as Amerie and hip-hop mogul P.Diddy. Ten is a fun journey through the life of long time crowd pleaser LL Cool J. Here is a look at the track list.
1.Intro
2.Luv You Better
3.Niggy Nuts
4.Clockin G's
5.You Should
6.Born To Love You
7.Paradise
8.Mirror Mirror
9.Fa Ha
10.10 Million Stars
11.Throw Your L's Up
12.Untitled
13.Big Mamma
14.Outro
15 years and counting ...................LL takes us to "10"
LL brings us another one for the '02 in a way that I still respect that he can do. He is one of the few rappers who has grown older and still raps and is sucessful. He also dosent come off as being "too old" or "corny" and makes it work. With this album he ends his contract with Def jam and makes way for anything new on the rise. He has given a lot of classics and everything in the past and this new one dosent stop here. Luv you better adds to the list making it the obvious best song on the album. Now on to the tracks...whats good here? Born to love you, Luv you better, Paradise(Amerie give a nice r+b mix to make a nice mid tempo jam), Fa Ha(they sample an old song im not sure about, and back it up with a tight beat), amazin(another tight R+B/rap midtempo jam.......good), Clockin G's( tight slow jams), Lollipop, After School, Throw ya L's up, U should (Mark dorsey replaces usher on this track...but keeps it just as hot), 10 million stars (Tight sample of operatic song mixed with hard beat), Big Mama (Dru hill keep it flowing with a rap/R+B song song from the heart dedicated to LL's grandmother).
All these tracks are the hot ones im feeling on the album. This time around Ll brings a good mix that should not be compared to his last. Its his most honest and laid back record to date that should be spining for a while. He might not be on def jam after this but ends it off in a good way..."10".
Overall, it was a real good album and LL came strong for the '02. He left no table unturned and anyone listening to this well at least feel soemthing. Get it!
He's Still The Legendary Jack The Rippa/Clark Gable of Queen
You've got to respect Mr. Smith, he's still "doin it well". 10 is definitely a "10". I was very impressed with this CD which is a milestone in his career. Queens' Clark Gable really put it down with this one, he has longevity like no other a true "phenomenon". You have to respect it, it's "all love"!! Every track is "HOT", this is J.T.'s all time BEST. All I can say is "L" Keep Bringin The Hottness Baby, and I will always "Throw My L's Up", these young rappers don't have nuthin on the "veteran", don't ever change!! Ladies "still" Love Cool James....
Not "Mama Said Knock You Out", but entertaining.
LL Cool J has been going strong in the here today, gone tomorrow business of hip hop since 1984, back when everyone was doing the wop. He's had more hits than anybody else and when he proclaimed he was the greatest of all time, nobody disputed that. But LL decides to take a chill pill on "10", which is the last album on his contact with Def Jam. "10" is just a collection of soulful, entertaining hip hop tracks. Nothing too special here. He relies on his lady-killer lyrics and pulls off a few hat tricks. "Luv u Better" is a soulful slow jam any regretful fella could sing to his woman, and "Paradise", featuring the beautiful Amerie, is a cruise on LL's loveboat. LL makes the fellas take out their notepads with "U Should", where he tells the right way to treat a woman. But "10" has its moments for the hardcore. "10 Million Stars" shines bright, as L proclaims that he's still the king of the hill. "Unconditional Love" has him honoring his late Grandma behind a sweet church beat. Basically LL's been there, done that. He's just chillin' and countin' money. No matter how much people deny, there will never be another LL. Greatest of All Time? Sure. Another good album? You bet.
Smooth
This album is smooth and ll has the greatest bodys ever, Move over feminem, LL is better than he could have.
LL Cool J may have progressed from "future of the funk" to hip-hop icon, but he's still dropping enjoyable sets of sensual pop hip-hop. The veteran artist's appropriately titled 10th release is by no means groundbreaking, but it is nevertheless a welcome arrival for faithful fans. By now, fans don't expect cutting-edge music from LL. His production team, which includes the Neptunes, DJ S&S, and Amen Ra, layers catchy melodies with laid-back drum patterns and familiar samples. "Paradise," featuring LL's warm, women-friendly lyrics, a guest appearance by brainy R&B beauty du jour Amerie, and the thoroughly recognizable sample of "Rising to the Top," best exemplifies the artist's patented style. Interview segments with upstart hip-hopper Free are interspersed through the disc, offering an up-close-and-personal look at the legend and his legacy. --Rebecca Levine
