Music: Ll Cool J, Can He Still Rock A Crown Essay, Research Paper

LL Cool J, Can He Still Rock a Crown

Fifteen years and eight albums after instilling the power of hip-hop into our souls, Big Head Todd returns with G.O.A.T. (Greatest of all time). Still playing the role of the romantic, narcissistic Negro, LL Cool J’s newest aural comeback is overflowing with hardcore jolllies and multisyllabic disses. And, as he has done throughout his career, LL still uses the philosophy of his beloved grandmother as the foundation for his musical creations. “When I was growing up, my grandmother used to have a saying: ‘If a task is once begun, never leave it ’til it’s done. Be that labor great or small, do it well or not at all,’” recites LL Cool J, lounging in an exquisite side-dining room inside Los Angeles’ swank Four Seasons Hotel-light years away from the former danger zone of his Queens home. LL’s clad in a stylish FUBU jersey, blue jeans and a do-rag, which covers his head-the same famous dome that he once kept perpetually covered, encouraging wild speculation of herculoid bumps or premature baldness.

Like one of those legendary old-school boxers dancing in the ring, LL knows how to bring the pain. However, he’s taken more than his share of jabs, especially from blunted young guns reeking of reefer and fans eager for an album with the punch and power of 1990’s Mama Said Knock You Out. “There was a time when I was telling people that I wanted to retire,” he recalls. “But I still want to give people some good music that they can feel. And when I do finally go away, I want to leave people