LL Cool J Archives - New Hip Hop News

LL Cool J & Eminem Newest Leak Victims As Potential Album Cut Loses Hype Amongst Fans

June 18, 2024 by newhiphopnews

LL Cool J and Eminem are both making major comebacks to hip-hop very soon, as both have impending albums on the way. For the former MC hailing from New York, his return has been 11 years in the making. THE FORCE, which is slated for a fall release according to HipHopNMore, is already shaping up to be a massive moment for the genre and longtime fans of the hitmaker. LL put out the lead single this past Friday (June 14), “Saturday Night Special”, which features Rick Ross and Fat Joe. Then, there is Eminem. The Detroit icon started his album rollout for The Death of Slim Shady already by releasing the controversial track “Houdini”.

With two mainstays looking to reaffirm their positions in hip-hop lore already being big news, there could not be anything that could top that right? Well, think again, as rumors are swirling around X circles that LL Cool J and Eminem have a collaboration potentially in the works for the first time ever. The track is called “Murdergram” and there is a strong belief that it could land on THE FORCE. However, there is some good news and some bad news.

Listen To “Murdergram” Leak By LL Cool J & Eminem At Your Own Risk

LL Cool J x Eminem – MURDERGRAM LEAK pic.twitter.com/UhxLLJUadr

— LH (@Liam4J) June 17, 2024

NEW LEAKED SNIPPET

LL Cool J – Murdergram Deux Ft. Eminemhttps://t.co/tlcndXYVWX

Full song leaks very soon, recorded 2022

— icey (@iceymenace) June 11, 2024

Let us start with the negative’s first. The song is already losing hype amongst the fans, as the song was leaked to X in full yesterday, potentially ruining the chance that it officially drops. Furthermore, the people that did check out the leak felt that Emimen put in a forgettable performance. Now for the positives. Social media users who decided to not play the unreleased version can feel even better about it, as at the time of writing, the leak was hit with a copyright strike. This could mean that Cool J or Eminem’s team came across and did not want to spoil the anticipation any further. Overall, it is an odd situation, but the leak community is still a huge problem, especially this year.

What are your thoughts on this LL Cool J and Eminem leak “Murdergram”? Do you have an issue with the leak culture, why or why not? Are you going to listen to it or wait until Cool J’s album drops later this year? If you did listen to it, who do you think performed better on the track? We would like to hear what you have to say, so leave your thoughts in the comments. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding LL Cool J and Eminem. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on in the music world.

[Via]

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LL Cool J Thinks Drake Vs. Kendrick Lamar Battle Was Great For Music

June 18, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar has transcended the battle. The back-and-forth between the two superstars has powered the entirety of hip-hop media in 2024. Every media personality has given their two cents on who won, and every legendary rapper has gone on a podcast to offer perspective. LL Cool J is one of the few who didn’t have much to say about Drake vs. Lamar while they were battling. Now that the dust has settled, though, LL has nothing but praise for both sides.

LL Cool J recently sat down with Bootleg Kev to talk shop about the battle of the decade. The rapper clarified that he was coming at from a fan perspective, and was thoroughly entertained by what Drake and Dot put on display. “I thought it was great for hip-hop,” he noted. “Thought it was the right thing. I thought they both did well, they held their own.” LL Cool J did make a ruling on which rapper he thought won, though, and it was not a surprise. “I thought Kendrick won,” he noted. “But I thought that Drake, by no means did he embarrass himself… He definitely showed up.”

LL Cool J Compared The Rappers To LeBron And Steph

LL Cool J is a battle-tested veteran, himself. He’s gone at Canibus and Wyclef Jean among countless others. He was happy to see that competition is still a big part of hip-hop’s appeal. “The key to that stuff is as long it doesn’t distract you from your ultimate goal,” he stated. “It’s a wonderful thing to participate in. I love it, man.” LL took things a step further than comparing Drake and Kendrick Lamar to some of the great rivalries in sports. “This is no different from LeBron and Steph. Jordan, when he was coming in, and Magic was going out. It ain’t no different.”

One rapper who LL has been less thrilled with, lately, is Andre 3000. He recently gave his opinion on Three Stack’s flute album, and told The Shop‘s Lena Waithe that he was disappointed. “I need him to spit,” the rapper noted. “Flutes? Man, come on, bro. His bars is all the way up. I’m very clear. Not the flute, B. Not the flute.” LL Cool J put his money where his mouth was, too. He just dropped the single “Sat urday Night Special” with guest appearances from fellow legends Rick Ross and Fat Joe.

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LL COOL J Returns with New Single “Saturday Night Special” Featuring Rick Ross and Fat Joe

June 14, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and two-time Grammy® Award-winning hip-hop icon LL COOL J triumphantly returns to music with his new single “Saturday Night Special” featuring Rick Ross and Fat Joe. Released via Def Jam Recordings and Virgin Music Group, the track marks LL’s comeback after a decade-long hiatus.

The new single, produced by Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Q-Tip, kicks off with an innovative sonic approach. LL COOL J, Rick Ross, and Fat Joe navigate the track with lyrical finesse, depicting life’s harsh realities and intricate dynamics and the code of ethics that governs it. Named after the revolver class “Saturday Night Special,” the song explores key players in the hustle, such as the “greedy killer” who reacts violently to disrespect and the “daredevil type” who seeks attention. Emphasizing self-preservation and strategic interaction, the song’s core message revolves around trust and reciprocity in the hustle.

The minimalist, black-and-white music video, directed by JakeTheShooter with creative direction from HiHat, brings the hustler anthem to life. Shot in Miami, Florida, the video features LL, Fat Joe, and Rick Ross performing together.

“‘Saturday Night Special’ is just the beginning,” LL said. “There’s a lot more where this came from, and I’m hype for y’all to hear this new record. We’re doing this for the fans and for Hip-Hop culture.”

The single is the first release from LL’s highly anticipated 14th studio album, The FORCE (Frequencies of Real Creative Energy), set for release this fall. Executive produced by Q-Tip of A Tribe Called Quest, the album celebrates the 40th anniversary of Def Jam Recordings, the label that first launched LL’s career.

The post LL COOL J Returns with New Single “Saturday Night Special” Featuring Rick Ross and Fat Joe first appeared on The Source.

The post LL COOL J Returns with New Single “Saturday Night Special” Featuring Rick Ross and Fat Joe appeared first on The Source.

Today In Hip Hop History: LL Cool J Released Third LP ‘Walking With A Panther’ 35 Years Ago

June 10, 2024 by newhiphopnews

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On this day in Hip Hop history, LL Cool J released his third studio LP Walking with a Panther on Def Jam Recordings in 1989.

Peaking at #1 on the Billboard R&B/Hip Hop chart and #6 on the Billboard 200, this album continued LL’s streak of commercially successful albums as well as served as one of Hip Hop’s early crossover projects.

During that era, Def Jam was working to bring Hip Hop to the forefront of the mainstream, and this album was geared to reinvent LL Cool J’s sound while retaining its Hip Hop integrity. Although it may have been publicly successful at achieving its goal, some critics have said this project may have brought LL’s street credibility into question.

Regardless of critical opinion, the appeal of this album outshines anything negative that could be said about it. The most impressive and respectable feat of this project is LL’s introduction as a self-produced MC. Throughout Walking with a Panther he proved that not only was he capable of knocking out hit after hit but was also a proficient beat maker. The original production team used to create the majority of LL’s better-known songs prior to this album, L.A. Posse, decided to part ways with Def Jam following a contractual disagreement. This altercation left only one member of the team, Dwanye Simon, left to work with LL Cool J in producing the entirety of the LP.

This project also toted some of LL Cool J’s biggest hit singles including: “Going Back to Cali” and “Jingling Baby.” Both of these singles are hallmarks of LL Cool J’s career and in their own way describe his career as a whole. LL’s appeal was from the beginning catered toward the female demographic while still retaining his “cool guy” demeanor in a way that it wasn’t awkward for males to also be in huge support of his music and style. Much like a proto-Drake, LL Cool J through this album was able to deliver enough to keep the streets happy all while maintaining the attention of his female fan base.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: LL Cool J Released Third LP ‘Walking With A Panther’ 35 Years Ago first appeared on The Source.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: LL Cool J Released Third LP ‘Walking With A Panther’ 35 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Today in Hip-Hop History: LL Cool J Dropped His ‘Bigger and Deffer'(B.A.D.) LP 37 Years Ago

May 29, 2024 by newhiphopnews

On this date in 1987, LL’s Bigger And Deffer album was released via Def Jam/Columbia/CBS Records. As his second release, the critics expected the “sophomore jinx”, but received the exact opposite. In fact, B.A.D. was the album that catapulted Cool J to superstar status immediately following his cameo appearance as a crate carrying, up and coming “LL Kool J” in Krush Groove. At the time, LL also had two DJs; DJ Cut Creator and West Coast super-producer DJ Bobcat.

Recorded at the legendary Chung King Studios and produced by DJ Pooh and L.A. Posse, Bigger And Deffer contained two of LL’s biggest singles to date; “I’m Bad” and the feminine driven “I Need Love”. This was the first successful Hip Hop love song, however, it set the precedent for many more to follow.

The album made our Top 100 Best Rap Albums list while selling over 3 million copies here in the U.S. Salute to Uncle L, DJs Cut Creator and Bobcat, E Love, and the whole Def Jam team for this classic!

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: LL Cool J Dropped His ‘Bigger and Deffer'(B.A.D.) LP 37 Years Ago first appeared on The Source.

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: LL Cool J Dropped His ‘Bigger and Deffer'(B.A.D.) LP 37 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

LL Cool J Criticizes Andre 3000 For Playing Flute: “Come On, Bro”

May 9, 2024 by newhiphopnews

LL Cool J is a hip-hop legend. He’s been relevant for longer than some rappers have been alive, so he gets to say what he wants during interviews. LL went on The Shop with Lena Waithe recently, but rather than target younger rappers, he had criticism for another legend. The NCIS star took Andre 3000 to task for refusing to put out a rap album, and instead give fans an album of flute instrumentals. He was baffled by Andre’s decision. He’s only confused by the flute album, he’s frustrated thinking about the rap album that Andre could have made.

The whole thing came about when Waite asked LL Cool J about inspiration. The rapper noted that he likes to express himself in different mediums, whether it be acting or music. “Sometimes some things are more fascinating to an artist,” he conceded. The thing he couldn’t understand was abandoning a calling. Which is the very thing he felt Andre 3000 did when the Outkast member gave up rapping. “Andre,” he called out. “Do we want him to make a rap album? Sure. But he’s like, ‘I’m on this flute game.’ This is my jam right now, I’m super into this.’”

LL Cool J Says He Needs Three Stacks To “Spit”

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A post shared by The Shop (@theshopun)

The man born James Todd Smith appreciates Andre’s artistry, but he wants bars. “I need him to spit, though,” he asserted. “I need him to spit. Flutes? Man, come on, bro. His bars is all the way up. I’m very clear. Not the flute, B. Not the flute. Don’t do the flute.” Lena Waithe came to the defense of Andre’s flute album, New Blue Sun, by describing it as calming. LL Cool J wasn’t having any of it. He likened the album to the notion of him making a violin album. “You wanna hear me do a violin,” he asked Waite. “You might not wanna hear me do sh*t, but do you wanna hear me do a violin?” The comment won over The Shop co-host, Maverick Carter. He agreed that he wanted to hear Andre 3000 “spit” again.

LL was not just critical of other artists, however. He was willing to be brutally honest about his own work. He wait Waite and Carter that he’s put out some bad albums over the course of his career. “I make bad albums, but I also have some smack, some crazy shit too,” he noted. “But I made bad sh*t, or sh*t that people didn’t respond to because that was where I was at.”

He went on to explain that sometimes he made albums knowing they wouldn’t connect with the public. “Sometimes I make records in a vacuum,” he concluded. “Just because it’s for me and then sometimes I make albums for the culture.” Who knows, maybe fans will get that violin album he joked about one day.

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Wyclef Jean Supports Drake Vs Kendrick Lamar Battle: “Anything Goes”

May 8, 2024 by newhiphopnews

You aren’t a viable member of the hip-hop community if you don’t make a statement on the Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar battle. At least, it feels that way. Every notable rapper from the 1980s to the present has weighed in on the conflict and chosen sides. Some have criticized Drake and Lamar for going too far and making the battle personal. Others have championed their dedication and their willingness to push the boundaries. Charlamagne tha God dubbed it the greatest rap battle he’s ever seen. Wyclef Jean is the latest legend to give his two cents, and he mostly agrees with Charlamagne.

Wyclef Jean, who rose to fame in the 1990s, fully supports the Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar battle. He neglected to mention which artist he picks as the current winner, but he had praise for both sides. He was even okay with the fact that Drake and Lamar were hitting below the belt with their disses. Wyclef shared his thoughts on X (formerly Twitter), along with some context. “As someone who came up with Battle Rap being part of our culture in New Jersey and Brooklyn her[e] is my opinion as a Fugee,” he prefaced.

Wyclef Jean Encourages Drake & Dot To Keep Responding

As someone who came up with Battle Rap being part of our culture in New Jersey and Brooklyn her is my opinion as a Fugee pic.twitter.com/unX2FbjVDx

— Wyclef Jean (@wyclef) May 6, 2024

From there, the Fugees frontman laid out the ground rules for a rap battle as he sees them. The most important rule? That anything was up for grabs. “Drake Vs Kendrick,” he posited. “In True Form of Battle Rap, anything goes.” Wyclef Jean went as far as to endorse multiple responses if it meant getting the upper hand in a battle. “The key is to be ready with what’s called a Rebuttal,” he posited. “Which means you get to respond back to every Diss track as it comes out. You get to put facts to any lies that you feel your opponent has cast on you…”

Wyclef Jean may be best remembered for his genre fusions, but he does have battle experience. He went at it with LL Cool J on the 1998 song “Retaliation.” The rappers eventually squashed their beef at Big Pun’s funeral two years later. Wyclef also had tension with Fugees bandmates Lauryn Hill and Pras, with the former putting out the Grammy-winning diss “Lost Ones” about him. The group has since made up and even performed together onstage.

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Today in Hip-Hop History: LL Cool J Dropped ‘Mama Said Knock You Out’ 33 Years Ago

February 26, 2024 by newhiphopnews

On this day in Hip Hop history, the self-proclaimed G.O.A.T., LL Cool J released his number one hit single “Mama Said Knock You Out.”

Not only was this song a GRAMMY-winning success, but the story behind it is an interesting one. The track came at a time in LL’s career where his commercial success was beginning to dwindle. He had yet to break into his acting career in a large way and his sales were starting to drop. It’s said at this low moment LL sought counsel from his grandmother who told him to “knock out” all the disbelievers. This inspiration was obviously exactly what LL needed and gave him the power to write one of the most popular songs of the year.

“Mama Said Knock You Out” won Best Rap Solo Performance at the 1992 Grammy Awards. LL Cool J beat out MC Hammer, Monie Love, and Ice- T for the award. The song also peaked at #17 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and 1 on the Billboard Rap Singles chart.

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: LL Cool J Dropped ‘Mama Said Knock You Out’ 33 Years Ago first appeared on The Source.

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: LL Cool J Dropped ‘Mama Said Knock You Out’ 33 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Rappers Who Own Their Masters

February 12, 2024 by newhiphopnews

One of the greatest business moves artists and rappers can make is owning their masters. This means they control where their music is licensed (in TV, film, and advertisements) and, as a result, reap the financial rewards. Record labels began taking ownership of artist’s masters in the 1950s. During the “golden age of vinyl,” they cornered the market. And yet, to this day, “…a label is still contractually owning the voices of people who spent their whole lives honing their craft and becoming great writers, vocalists, and superstars, ” said Chance the Rapper in an interview with Success. Many of today’s rappers were inspired by trailblazing artists like Ray Charles and Prince, who took control of their legacies by regaining their masters. Here’s a list of rappers who have been wise enough to gain ownership of their masters.

21 Savage

In January 2017, fresh off the enormous success of his EP Savage Mode, 21 leveraged a deal with Epic Records. He has a 70/30 split with the label. “I make more money off my album sales than I do off touring. For a lot of rappers, most of their money comes from touring,” he admitted on the podcast A Million Dollaz Worth of Game.

The American Dream rapper says that his masters serve as generational wealth for his family. However, if the bag is long enough, he has no problem with handing them over. “But…if a m-thaf-cka come and say, ‘Aye…I got a billion for your masters,’ that m-thaf-cka’s gone,” he added.

Kanye West

“My children gonna own my masters…not your children, my children”.

Kanye West is currently without a record label or a music publisher but has made one thing clear: he has no intention of selling his catalog. Just last year, West acquired his masters from the 2013 Yeezy album up to the present. Def Jam owns the copyright to his recordings up to sometime in the mid-2010s and distributed subsequent releases up to last year’s Donda album. But his actual deal with the label ended in 2021. Sony Publishing will continue to administer his work (such as Vultures ) per the terms of the deal for an unspecified time.

Billboard estimated the songs generate $13.25 million in publishing royalties annually. Sources said West earns $5 million from his share, valuing the catalog at roughly $175 million. In an effort to give artists the same autonomy, Kanye also tweeted in Sept 2020 that he would be giving all of his G.O.O.D. Music artists back the 50 percent share of their masters. He also proposed an eight-point plan that would revolutionize the music industry. Artists and rappers would receive master ownership, short-term deals, an 80/20 split of royalty payments in the artist’s favor, and transparency.

Jay-Z

Media mogul Jay-Z demanded control of his Def Jam masters when he became president of the label in 2004. The rapper’s masters would later revert back to him in 2014, with his publishing rights returned to him around the same time in a separate deal with EMI. As of 2021, his music catalog was worth $95 million. In an interview last year with CBS Morning’s with Gayle King, he revealed that he’s not interested in selling his musical repertoire. “I want my kids to see my work and if they decide to sell it, then it’s up to them.”

Chance The Rapper

Chance The Rapper has mentioned many times the huge impact owning his masters has made on his career. In 2016, Chance declined a record deal with Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music, opting to stay independent. It paid off because he owns all his recording rights, publishing, and distribution. The rapper, who has a 50/50 royalty split, continues to influence rappers and emphasize being in control of one’s career. In 2022, he even helped iconic singer Anita Baker regain control of her master recordings after she asked fans to stop streaming her music.

Drake

In 2021, Drake received the largest deal in music history from Republic Records and Universal. The $400 million deal included recordings, publishing, merchandise, and visual media projects. Prior to the Scorpion rapper’s historic deal, Michael Jackson held the top spot as having the largest deal in music history. According to reports, $250 million went to his estate in 2010 from Sony Music.

LL Cool J

An OG in the game, LL Cool J has owned his masters for over 20 years. The Queens native has full authority over all 13 of his studio albums on Def Jam. In an interview with Million Dollaz Worth of Game, he revealed that being sampled by rappers like Rick Ross and The Notorious B.I.G. proves his legacy is cemented.

[via][via]

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