Rick Ross fancies himself a businessman as well as a rapper. Hence all the “boss” talk. He runs MMG, and he’s been openly critical of labels who don’t properly deal with their artists. It’s part of the reason Ross and Birdman had such an ugly falling out. Rick Ross has decided to set his sights higher than the Cash Money founder, though. The rapper went on Instagram Live on August 23 to announce that a storm is coming in the music industry. And he wants to help wash away all the corruption that’s taken root.
“As an artist, but also as a businessman,” Rick Ross told his followers. “There’s been a lot of shakeups at the top of the industry. And I would like to know the ramifications.” The rapper went on to name several notable industry figures who have been let go in recent years. “When you see the titans in the industry being replaced, is it a good thing,” he questioned. “Is it a bad thing? How do you take it? Did they no longer have their finger on the pulse to find the next Ice Spice?” Rick Ross lets these questions settle with the viewer before continuing.
The MMG boss makes it clear that change is in the air, and he’s going to be involved in said change. Regardless of where it takes him. He even threw out a lengthy parallel to Game of Thrones, and the way that power is meant to change hands. “The kings and queens are being beheaded,” he noted. He then quoted one of his own songs. “The game ain’t based on sympathy,” he asserted. “So if the higher-ups could find someone better to do it for cheaper, your f*cking head will roll next.”
Rick Ross isn’t the only rapper who has been talking industry politics. Kanye West, a frequent Rozay collaborator, has been embroiled in a very public battle with Atlantic Records. West claimed that the label threatened to take his last two albums down from streaming platforms. He also said that Julie Greenwald, a longtime Atlantic CEO, has been let go. Rick Ross previously stated that he wanted to sign Kanye West to MMG. Now, however, it seems like both rappers are aiming to maintain control of what they have.
Drake is keeping it moving. The dust has barely settled on the rapper’s “100 GIGS” release, and now we have three new songs. A lot of the attention will go to “Supersoak,” the anticipated Lil Yachty leak that no longer features Lil Yachty. That said, “No Face” has the most fascinating bars. Drake and Playboi Carti go back and forth on a hard rage beat. Carti does his thing, per usual. Drake, however, takes the time to call out the rappers who dissed him in 2024. It’s a long list, and the Toronto superstar decides to side swipe them all with a couple lines.
We’ve heard Drake go the detailed route. “Push Ups” and “Family Matters” were instances of him dissing each of his enemies specifically. He found time to poke fun at The Weeknd, Rick Ross, A$AP Rocky, and of course, Kendrick Lamar. “No Face” opts for a different approach. The 6 God decides to go vague with it, and hint at what’s to come. “I’m just so happy,” he raps. “That n**gas who envied and held that sh*t in got to finally show it.” The second line, though, is more ominous. “I’m over the moon, yeah, we’ll see you boys soon,” Drake adds. This isn’t the only time on “No Face” the 6 God decides to address what went down between him and the rest of the rap game.
Drake Tells His Enemies That He’ll See Them “Soon”
Drake addresses the rap beef with Kendrick Lamar and others this year in a new song on his finsta ‘No Face’
“N*ggas got lit off the features I skated on, I gotta know, I gotta know How you get lit off the n*gga you hated on? Numbers untouchable, they got the data wrong… the… pic.twitter.com/MLYViGJ8tX
Much has been made about Drake’s diminishing ability to make hits. The “Drake stimulus package” that ran R&B and hip hop for over a decade has been labeled obsolete. The rapper doesn’t much care for that take. He reminds everyone that he helped people like Ross, Rocky, and The Weeknd blow up. “This is the sh*t that my daddy had raised me on. N**gas got lit off the features I skated on,” he spits. “I gotta know, I gotta know. How you get lit off the n**ga you hatin’ on?” Drake is planning something big, and the bulk of his verse at the something without every revealing what it is.
The rest of Drake’s first verse bears this out. He even makes reference to the advice that people like OVO 40 have been giving him behind closed doors. “40 keep sayin’ it’s time to be patient,” he explains. “It’s so many people we turnin’ the tables on. Capo got plans, but we’ll save that for later on. Hush’ll keep sayin’ they know that they played it wrong.” The 6 God is definitely back on his subliminal game. We’re curious and excited to see where the rest of Drake’s 2024 goes.
It only took ten years, but Travis Scott’s beloved mixtape Days Before Rodeo was finally added to streaming services today. The project arrived just a year before his official debut album Rodeo, and to this day, it still stands as one of the best projects in Scott’s discography. That was often the case for rappers, especially in the mixtape era. A lot of the projects that fans deemed to be their best work were indeed free mixtapes. At the time, mixtapes were a great promotional tactic for the album a rapper was about to put out, but now, many of them are going back in time to relive the success of the project, make some money off a great body of work, and also place the mixtape in the easily accessible and vast library of streaming services.
In celebration of Days Before Rodeo being available to stream on your favorite streaming service, we compiled a list of 12 mixtapes that also need the same treatment. Take a scroll and see our picks that include releases from Lil Wayne, Meek Mill, J. Cole, and more.
Dom Kennedy — Yellow Album
Dom Kennedy
Dom Kennedy’ ‘The Yellow Album’ artwork
Dom Kennedy is a West Coast legend, there’s no question about it. If you asked 100 Dom Kennedy fans, or even 100 West Coast rap fans, what his magnum opus was, most will tell you his 2012 mixtape Yellow Album. Kennedy is one of the many examples of an artists’ best project arguably being a free collection of music, many coming from the 2010s mixtape era. Still, the impact of Yellow Album on Kennedy himself as well as rap altogether is undeniable. It pushed Kennedy to new heights, as he would tour the US and Europe after the project’s release. As one of the leaders of West Coast rap’s new age, Dom Kennedy influence traveled past the generations of his own to present-day artists like Larry June. Yellow Album is stamped culturally and is absolutely needed in the ever-accessible streaming libraries. Kennedy just needs a cool $2 million to get the project cleared for streaming — which should be doable, right?
DJ Esco & Future — Project E.T.
DJ ESCO & Future
Future’s ‘Project ET’ album artwork
For the most part, Future’s vast mixtape catalog can be found on streaming services. 56 Nights, Beast Mode, Monster, and Purple Reign all live in between Future’s impressive batch of albums. One project that’s yet to receive this treatment is DJ Esco & Future’s 2016 collaboration Project E.T. At 16 songs, it features the Platinum-certified “Too Much Sauce” with Lil Uzi Vert and “Married To The Game,” one of Future’s best b-side tracks. We even have “Who” with Young Thug, the record that Future and Thug used to bury the hatchet in their brief beef. Project E.T. is one of the more fun projects Future has been apart of, but it’s also a great body of work with plenty of highlights and strong collaborations with a variety of artists. The mixtape is available to varying and unofficial extents on different streaming services, so making it available in full across the board would be incredibly ideal.
G-Unit — 50 Cent Is The Future
G-Unit
G-Unit’s ’50 Is The Future’
To understand the true legacy of 50 Cent and G-Unit is to understand and appreciate their mixtape catalog. No better example of the exists than G-Unit’s 2002 mixtape 50 Cent Is The Future. The project was a big turning point for both 50 Cent and G-Unit as a whole, which consisted of 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, and Tony Yayo at this point. 50 Cent Is The Future arrived after 50 Cent infamously escaped death as well as after he was dropped from Columbia Records and blacklisted from the industry. It was short-lived as 50 Cent released his classic debut album Get Rich Or Try Dyin’ in 2003. The promise of 50 Cent was on full display on 50 Cent Is The Future as he and his G-Unit compadres made street records out of R&B songs like Raphael Saadiq’s “Be Here” and Tweet’s “Call Me” while also massacring rap beats like Wu-Tang Clan’s “You’ve Been Warned” and Jay-Z’s “Lyrical Exercise.” 50 Cent Is The Future is key in understanding why 50 Cent became the superstar he is and why G-Unit became one of rap’s best hip-hop collectives.
J. Cole — Friday Night Lights
J. Cole
J. Cole’s ‘Friday Night Lights’ artwork
By the time J. Cole released his 2010 mixtape Friday Night Lights, the North Carolina rapper was already stepping into the star that we now know him as. The music on this project was originally intended for his debut album Cole World: The Sideline Story, but his label did not believe the project would do well with the music on it. But boy, were they wrong. Friday Night Lights became an instant classic and still remains one of J. Cole’s best projects. Though “In The Morning” with Drake is the undeniable standout from the mixtape, other higlights like “Too Deep For The Into,” “Back To The Topic,” and “Premeditated Murder,” helped to confirm that Cole would have a successful rap career. With its 15th anniversary coming in 2025, next year would be a great time to bring the project to streaming services.
Jadakiss — Consignment
Jadakiss
Jadakiss’ ‘Consignment’ artwork
Six years went by in between Jadakiss’ third album 2009’s The Last Kiss and his fourth album Top 5 Dead or Alive. The latter was a project he spent the better part of five years working on, but in the meantime, Jadakiss adding to his discography with a slew of mixtapes. One of those is 2012’s Consignment, a Gangsta Grillz collaboration with DJ Drama. The project arrived as Jadakiss transitioned into an elder statesmen in rap, but it was an early sign that Jadakiss’ rap skills would not falter after the solo career high of Kiss Of Death. Consignment is a mixtape standout in Jadakiss’ career and with tracks like “Traffickin,” “Respect It,” and “Paper Tags,” the project is absolutely needed on streaming services.
Lil Wayne’s Entire Mixtape Catalog
Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne’s ‘Da Drought 3’ & ‘Dedication 2’
Initially, Lil Wayne’s 2007 mixtape Da Drought 3 was the first that came to mind when thinking about mixtapes from him that need to be on streaming services. While that is certainly a priority, his 2006 mixtape Dedication 2 and 2008’s Dedication 3 are also a necessity on streaming. While we’re here, we can also add 2005’s Dedication and 2015’s Sorry 4 The Wait 2 because they’re also good projects from Wayne, and also, why not? With Wayne’s other mixtape standouts like No Ceilings and Sorry 4 The Wait already on streaming, there’s an argument to be made for Wayne to upload his whole mixtape catalog to be placed on streaming, or at least the mixtapes released during his impeccable 10-year run between 2005 and 2015. Regardless, what you can’t argue is that Lil Wayne is one of, if not the best mixtape rapper ever and that catalog of greatness needs to be more accessible.
Logic — Young Sinatra: Welcome To Forever
Logic
Logic’s ‘Young Sinatra: Welcome To Forever’
Though Logic’s public appeal may have wavered over the last half-decade, that was far from the case prior to his debut album. His 2013 effort Young Sinatra: Welcome To Forever is a project I would place at the top of his discography. With production from Logic himself, his longtime producer 6ix, as well as Don Cannon, Key Wane, No I.D., and others, Logic had the perfect sonic landscape to display his undeniable rap talents. Logic, who was months removed from beign a XXL Freshman Class inductee as well as signing a deal with Def Jam, pierced through beats laid before him with ease. “925,” “5AM,” and “Ballin” are bass-rattling highlights while “Break It Down” and “Walk On By” settle into a more reserved and relaxed pocket.
Meek Mill — Dreamchasers 2
Meek Mill
Meek Mill’s ‘Dreamcheasers 2’ artwork
A list about the mxitapes that need to be on streaming services cannot be complete without Meek Mill’sDreamchasers 2. The Philadelphia rapper’s 2012 mixtape was the most popular release of all-time on the now-defunct mixtape hosting site DatPiff as it tallied 1.5 million downloads within 6 hours and 2.5 million in its first day. It’s no shock that Dreamchasers 2 was an incredibly successful project as it carries excellent highlights like “Amen” with Drake, “Burn” wiht Big Sean, and the massive “House Party” remix with Fabolous, Wale, and Mac Miller. The mixtape — and its success — perfectly captures the anticipation that fans had for Meek as he neared the release of his debut album. He was bigger than a lot of artists who were a couple of albums into their careers, and bringing Dreamchasers 2 to streaming will be a much-needed reminder of Meek’s peak.
Pusha T — Wrath Of Caine
Pusha T
Pusha T’s ‘Wraith Of Cane’ artwork
More times than not, as seen with entries on this list, one of the better mixtapes in a rapper’s catalog comes when all eyes are them in anticipation of them breaking through the mainstream threshold. For Pusha T, his mainstream status had already been established through his career as one-half of Clipse, but as we entered the 2010s, it was time for him do the same for his solo career. Wrath Of Caine was a sweet appetizer ahead of his excellent debut album My Name Is My Name. Whether it be the triumphant “Millions” with Rick Ross” or the heavy-muscled “Doesn’t Matter” with French Montana or the tough-talking “Blocka” with Popcaan or Travis Scott, Wrath Of Caine helped Pusha make his mark on the rap game, independent of his brother.
Rich Gang — Rich Gang: Tha Tour Pt. 1
Rich Gang
Rich Gang’s ‘Tha Tour Pt. 1’
In a perfect world, Birdman, Young Thug, and Rich Homie Quan’s Rich Gang side project could’ve been more than the flash-in-the-pan moment that we know it as. In 2014, the trio released Rich Gang: Tha Tour Pt. 1 the first of what many thought would be many projects from them. The release carries highlights for rappers like “Givenchy,” “I Know It,” “730,” and “Tell Em (Lies).” After its release, the project was praised by fans and critics, and placed Thug and Quan in position to be the best rappers of hip-hop’s new wave. Unfortunately, only Young Thug reached those heights as a beef between him and Quan ruined their relationship and put a surprising halt to their undeniable chemistry. As great as Rich Gang: Tha Tour Pt. 1 is, the project equally represents what could’ve been and what actually was.
Rick Ross — Rich Forever
Rick Ross
Rick Ross’ ‘Rich Forever’ artwork
You know a mixtape is beloved and highly-regarded when the consensus is that it should’ve been an album. Rick Ross’ 2012 mixtape Rich Forever is one of the many projects from the mixtape era that left listeners with that feeling. This is no surprise though, as Rich Forever arrived in the midst of impressive project run from Ross that continued uninterrupted into 2014’s Mastermind. Rich Forever excelled as an epic and exhilerating experience provided by bangers like “King Of Diamonds” and the Drake and French Montana-assisted “Stay Schemin.” The luxurious and pristine Maybach Music touch also lives through the mixtape’s title track and “Keys To The Crib” with Styles P.
Tyga — Well Done III
Tyga
Tyga’s ‘Well Done III’ mixtape
Back during his days as a Young Money standout rapper, Tyga kept hip-hop fed with a consistent release of fun, strip-club friendly bangers, but the projects from his early days shouldn’t be slept on. His 2012 mixtape Well Done III, is a great example, putting together a strong combination of original tracks and freestyles over top hip-hop tracks. “Do My Dance” with 2 Chainz and “Switch Lanes” with The Game are great examples of the latter while the former can be found on “Desinger” (a remix of Kanye West’s “Mercy”). Well Done III, Tyga’s 2013 album Hotel California, and 2014’s Well Done IV make up Tyga’s best era as a rapper.
Young Thug — Slime Season 2
Young Thug
Young Thug’s ‘Slime Season 2’ artwork
Young Thug is the lone artist on this list with two separate entries, and it’s only right as the Atlanta rapper helped to push a new wave of rap to the massses with a workhorse approach that was similar to his idol Lil Wayne. Though Thug crept into the mainstream spotlight in the mid-2010s, his official debut album did not arrive until 2019. So until then, Young Thug was a mixtape artist — and he was a good one too. Jam-packed 22-song release Slime Season 2, released in 2015, stands at the pinnacle of Thug’s catalog. There are career highlights like “Thief In The Night” and “Pull Up On Kid” as well as other excellent inputs like “Don’t Know,” “No No No,” and “Big Racks.”
As a year full of hip-hop heavyweights linking up for chart-topping diss tracks, DJ Premier’s latest song “Ya Don’t Stop” proves there is still unity in the culture.
The record with features masterful bars from Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, and Big Sean is hip-hop at its purest. All emcees put on their best showing and demonstrated just how they’ve earned their stripes — one verse at a time. From Ross’ breezy Miami flow to Wayne’s clever wordplay and Big Sean’s triumphant storytelling, DJ Premier’s production finds a way to spotlight the best of each rapper’s lyrical worlds.
Yesterday (July 25), in a behind-the-scenes vlog captured by Poe, DJ Premier opened up about how the massive collaboration came to be. “[I reached out to Ross. He said, ‘Send me the joint.’ The same night he sent it back,” he said. “Boom, I reached out to Lil Wayne and said, ‘I have two songs.’ The same night, he says, ‘Take ’em both. Do whatever you want with [the verses].’ Done deal.”
As for how Big Sean came into the picture, that was a surprising turn of mutual admiration. “Big Sean hits me up,” he said. “He says, ‘I need a scratcher. What can I do in return?’ I said, ‘Do a hook for me on this [record].’ He sends it back, and I’m like, ‘That’s it. As a producer, and a DJ, you just know when its cooked. And now, we’re serving it.”
Dating back to the end of 2023, DJ Premier has been on a prolific run, releasing singles with Common, Russ, Snoop Dogg, Chance The Rapper and Nas. When Premier and Nas released “Define My Name,” in April, they also revealed that their long-awaited and landmark collaborative album would be released later this year.
Now, DJ Premier has brought more legends and icons together, or as Rick Ross asserts “It’s the biggest in the game”, as Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, and Big Sean join him on “Ya Don’t Stop.” Premier’s cyclone of strings sets the stage for Ross, Sean and Wayne’s distinctive styles and vivid storytelling from three of the genre’s most influential artists.
“I’ve been on a run, and releasing singles more consistently. I had an idea and wanted to initially get Wayne and Ross on the same track” DJ Premier recalled. “I reached out to Rozay first and he sent me back vocals the same day. I sent two tracks to Wayne to choose from and he sent both back the same night and told me to keep them both. Big Sean called me to do a scratch hook for him. In return, he hopped on as well. Cipher complete!”
DJ Premier can still bring out the A-list. The legendary producer confirmed that he’ll be dropping a brand new single on Friday, July 26. Big Sean, Rick Ross and Lil Wayne will contribute bars to the song, which is titled “Ya Don’t Stop.” We can practically hear the DJ scratch chorus already. It’s a stellar roster of talent, but the thing that caught most people’s eye has nothing to do with the song itself. Rozay has spent all of 2024 dissing one Aubrey Drake Graham. Lil Wayne, on the other hand, has been one of the few who has stayed in the 6 God’s corner. Is this not a conflict of interests?
Rick Ross and Lil Wayne have a working relationship outside of Drake, of course. The two rappers have been collaborating for nearly two decades. The thing is, Drake has served as the glue on their biggest hits. “I’m on One,” “No New Friends” and “Pop That” are anchored by Drizzy bars, and in some cases, Drizzy hooks. Ross has made it clear that he wants nothing to do with the Toronto rapper, dropping a diss record and making numerous jokes over social media. Ross has been blasting Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” all summer. Lil Wayne, on the other hand, has tried to rework the lyrics of “Not Like Us” and was booed for it.
DJ Premier is a name that commands respect, so one can assume that Ross and Wayne are going to set their differences aside. Ironically, the only rapper of the bunch who’s landed a DJ Premier beat on their album is Drake. The Toronto rapper enlisted Preemo for 2018’s “Sandra’s Rose.” To be fair to Ross and Wayne, the rappers have been in similarly tense circumstances in the past. Both men have had issues with Cash Money founder Birdman, and even taken out their frustrations on record. There was also the “Splash Brothers” drama in April.
French Montana planned to release the posse cut “Splash Brothers” with Drake, Ross, and Wayne. Then, at the last minute, French removed Drake from the final version. There was speculation that Drake was to blame for the change, but there’s been no proof either way. It seems like Ross and Wayne have been able to maintain their friendship in light of recent beef. We’re eager to hear them over DJ Premier production, especially with Big Sean thrown in for good measure. We’ll also be listening for any subliminals on Ross’ part.
Elliott Wilson used to have a solid relationship with Drake. He interview the rapper for his CRWN series in 2013, and again for Rap Radar in 2019. The latter is the most comprehensive interview the 6 God has had to date, in fact. Unfortunately, things have soured between the journalist and the hitmaker. Wilson’s very public critiques of Drake during the Kendrick Lamar battle have landed him on Drake’s no-fly list. In other words, Wilson is not welcome in Drake’s hometown of Toronto anytime soon. The journalist talked about this awkward situation during a recent appearance on BagFuel.
Elliott Wilson believes the Toronto ban is fair. “This is his country,” the journalist posited. “It should be respected, right.” He also reflected on the monopoly that Drake has with regards to Canadian hip-hop. It’s something Wilson noticed as soon as the rapper became successful. “I remember the first OVO fest,” the journalist recalled. “When he brought [JAY-Z] and Eminem out, it’s like you gotta go to his country, with your passport and sh*t.” Wilson knew that the experience signified a major change in hip-hop, and acted accordingly. “This is big,” he admitted. “So yes, if I’m not cool with him… I don’t feel comfortable going to Toronto.”
Elliott Wilson clarified that he didn’t fear for his safety, but wanted to respect Drake’s territory. He went on to admit that obsessive fans can sometimes be more dangerous than the artists and their entourages. “It could be fans nowadays,” he posited. “They thirsty and crazy. This Trumpian type era of n**gas. I don’t want that cornball sh*t.” This is not the first time Elliott Wilson has discussed his falling out with Drizzy. He revealed that the rapper unfollowed him on social media after he criticized the song “The Heart Part 6.”
Elliott Wilson also talked about his so-called “Toronto ban” during an appearance on the Bigger Picture podcast. He admitted that he was disappointed to see his relationship with the Toronto rapper go by the wayside. “I got my emotions about it,” he admitted. “But look it’s hard… That’s my guy, I respect him. You develop these connections with them, and then you have to manage these relationships and it’s ups and downs with that.” Hopefully the two men will be able to squash their differences down the line.
Drake and Rick Ross have given fans so many good songs. Then, 2024 happened. The two rappers decided to become enemies and endlessly diss each other. There were disses in the form of songs, which both Drake and Ross participated in, and disses via social media. The latter has largely been abandoned by the 6 God, but Rick Ross has not let up. The MMG honcho decided to poke fun at his former friend after his Toronto mansion was flooded.
Drake posted an Instagram video of his flooded mansion on July 16. The damage was severe, as water was seen filling up one of the rooms on the property. Drake tried to make light of the situation with a silly caption: “This better be espresso martini.” Ross, being the professional troll that he is, couldn’t resist a joke of his own. He posted a comment on the post and wrote back: “minor issues,” with a smirking emoji. Ross has developed a habit for kicking other rappers when they’re down. Especially if he’s already had beef with them.
Rick Ross targeted one of Drake’s so-called friends, The Game, on July 10. He saw a headline pertaining to The Game’s legal troubles, DM’d him the link, and proceeded to post the exchange on Instagram. The Game made fun of Rozay’s weight, but the latter clapped back with a ruthless jab. “Since we @’n n**gas, here you go b*tch,” he wrote. A few weeks prior, Ross went at Drake for having a flirty exchange with his baby mama, Tia Kemp. Kemp praised Drake for being a “GOAT,” and Ross clapped back in the comment section by typing: “pedo vs. granny.”
Drake, meanwhile, has taken a step back from beefing. He tried to take on half the rap industry earlier in the year. He did a pretty good job, even if he ultimately fell victim to the force of nature that is Kendrick Lamar. The rapper was recently pictured wearing a “rap is a joke” shirt on Instagram with the caption: “The pressure from being on top does more than just make your ears pop.” The shirt has led to lots of controversy, but the caption has mostly gone undiscussed. It’s clear Drake wants to move on and go about the business of making good music again.
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and two-time Grammy® Award-winning Hip-Hop icon, LL COOL J, has announced his 14th studio album, The FORCE (Frequencies of Real Creative Energy). Set for release on September 6th via Def Jam Recordings / Virgin Music Group, the highly anticipated 14-track album features an impressive lineup of guest artists, including Nas, Eminem, Rick Ross, Fat Joe, Busta Rhymes, Saweetie, Snoop Dogg, Don Pablito, J-S.A.N.D., Mad Squablz, and Sona Jobarteh.
The FORCE, LL’s first new album in over a decade, is a powerful testament to his enduring influence in the music industry. Produced entirely by Q-Tip of A Tribe Called Quest, the album showcases LL’s renewed vigor and lyrical prowess. The Queens emcee describes the creation process as “learning how to rap again,” resulting in a record that is both contemporary and deeply rooted in Hip-Hop tradition.
“It’s like a director going back to film school after he’s had blockbusters,” LL says, or “Denzel going back to acting class.”
This album explores various themes, from racial injustice and law enforcement abuses to the effects of the pandemic, isolation, and LL’s legacy in the Hip-Hop canon. With sharp writing and dynamic vocals, “The The FORCE blends serious topical content and energetic, fun tracks, demonstrating LL COOL J’s continued relevance and creativity.
“We’re talking 14 tracks of straight fire, all crafted by myself and the one and only Q-Tip,” LL said. “When you listen to this album, you’re not just hearing music, you’re experiencing a whole new vibe, a whole new level of artistic passion.”
The FORCE is set to inspire and challenge the genre, offering a new direction for Hip-Hop while celebrating its rich history. Fans can look forward to a modern, thought-provoking album that reaffirms LL COOL J’s place as a Hip-Hop legend.
Previously, LL COOL J triumphantly returned 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, intricate dynamics, and the code of ethics governing 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.”
You can see the tracklist below.
Spirit of Cyrus (Featuring Snoop Dogg)
The FORCE
Saturday Night Special (Featuring Rick Ross and Fat Joe)
Black Code Suite (Featuring Sona Jobarteh)
Passion
Proclivities (Featuring Saweetie)
Post Modern
30 Decembers
Runnit Back
Huey In Da Chair (Featuring Busta Rhymes)
Basquiat Energy
Praise Him (Featuring Nas)
Murdergram Deux (Featuring Eminem)
The Vow (Featuring Mad Squablz, J-S.A.N.D., and Don Pablito)
LL Cool J‘s long-awaited Q-Tip-produced 14th studio album has officially been given a title and a release date. The FORCE (Frequencies of Real Creative Energy) will be LL’s first new album in 11 years, and arrives September 6th via Def Jam Recordings/Virgin Music Group. Clocking in at 14 tracks, it will boast guest appearances from a who’s-who of both classic and contemporary rap stars, including Busta Rhymes, Eminem, Fat Joe, Nas, Saweetie, and Snoop Dogg.
“[I was] going back to the drawing board and learning how to rap again,” he told the Associated Press of the new album’s creation process. “The LeBrons, the Stephs, the Jordans and the Kobes, they all go back to the drawing board, they always try to make themselves better. I wasn’t trying to do trendy, and I wasn’t trying to recapture anything I did before.”
That included scrapping previous versions of the work, such as one he said he recorded with 50 Cent during his interview with The Breakfast Club last year. “When it was done, I listened to it,” he recalled. “I’m like, ‘It sounds good. I like the music, it sounds cool, but it ain’t me.’ So, I ain’t put it out.”
The FORCE (Frequencies of Real Creative Energy) is due 9/6 via Def Jam Recordings/Virgin Music Group. You can check out its first single, “Passion,” above, and see the tracklist below. Pre-order it here.
The FORCE Tracklist
01. “Spirit Of Cyrus” Feat. Snoop Dogg
02. “The FORCE”
03. “Saturday Night Special” Feat. Rick Ross & Fat Joe
04. “Black Code Suite” Feat. Sona Jobarteh
05. “Passion”
06. “Proclivities” Feat. Saweetie
07. “Post Modern”
08. “30 Decembers”
09. “Runnit Back”
10. “Huey In Da Chair” Feat. Busta Rhymes
11. “Basquiat Energy”
12. “Praise Him” Feat. Nas
13. “Murdergram Deux” Feat. Eminem
14. “The Vow” Feat. Mad Squablz, J-S.A.N.D. & Don Pablito
JULY 26TH