LL Cool J returns with his highly anticipated 14th studio album, The Force, which dropped on Friday, Sept. 6.
The release comes after a 10-year break from music, during which the Long Island-born, Queens-raised rapper focused on other ventures, including his acting career and hosting gigs.
In a recent interview with E! News, LL Cool J explained the reasons behind his decade-long hiatus and why this album was worth the wait.
“I didn’t want to cheat the fans. I wanted them to have a real LL Cool J album,” he shared, adding, “This project is more about the people and cultural impact than anything else.”
The Force also marks a milestone in LL’s career, as it coincides with the 40th anniversary of Def Jam Records, the label where his legendary journey began at just 16 years old.
Reflecting on his early days with the label, he said, “I called that [Def Jam] phone number every day for a week and a half. That demo led to the creation of Def Jam. Now, 40 years later, here I am putting out this record on Def Jam again.”
It marks LL Cool J’s first album since Authentic in 2013, which featured collaborations with artists like Eddie Van Halen and Seal.
Produced by Q-Tip from A Tribe Called Quest, The Force boasts a lineup of collaborations with heavyweights like Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Nas, Busta Rhymes, and Rick Ross. “He [Q-Tip] produced the s–t out of these joints and did his thing. He’s a brilliant dude,” LL said about working with the producer.
The album also features the long-awaited collaboration between LL and Eminem on the track “Murdergram Deux,” which dropped just ahead of the album’s release.
Stream LL Cool J’s The Force below.