I’m listening to LL Cool J’s first single off his upcoming album, Exit 13, and I’m experiencing some cognitive dissonance. Remember LL from the “Funky Cold Medina,” “Mama Said Knock You Out,” “Going Back to Cali” days? Like Tony Soprano was fond of saying - “old school.” Well, LL Cool J’s new shit is on the new school of pop hip-hop/R&B. Theproduction sounds great, but retains nothing of his old flavor…even his voice and flow have been revamped, no longer as smokey and growling. If not for his familiar cadence, you’d think it was a whole different artist. Check out his video here, and let me know if I’m tripping.

LL COOL J — “EXIT 13″

“I never could have predicted that I’d still be rocking the mic more than two decades after my debut, but here I am,” LL Cool J says with a smile.

Here he is indeed. Nearly 25 years since he first burst onto the scene, LL Cool J continues his vibrant, trailblazing career with the release of EXIT 13, his appropriately titled 13th album for the only label he has called home - Def Jam Recordings.

EXIT 13 is a study in contrast and showcases LL Cool J’s duality. “Depending on my mood, I can be aggressive, explosive and in-your-face, or alternately suave, smooth and sensual. It’s no secret that I like making love songs as much as I like to lay down rhymes,” commented LL. With a career chock full of both and a new album packed with collaborators as diverse as 50 Cent, Wyclef Jean, Richie Sambora and The Dream, and producers such as Suits, DJ Scratch, Ilfonics and Raw Uncut, EXIT 13 is the album LL Cool J fans have been clamoring for – full of passion, braggadocio and smooth rhymes. “When it came time for me to go into the studio, I tried to make this project as relevant as my first, and having that sense of my career coming full circle. Believe me, it was a blessing to be able to go back into the studio and create this album.” (more…)

Heather Locklear is going through some major hardships in her life right now. Locklear recently entered rehab treatment due to her severe anxiety and depression. The 46-year-old actress divorced from rockstar husband Richie Sambora in 2006. Since the traumatic divorce process, Locklear has been battling deep depression. Sambora is a tool anyways. Earlier this year, in March, a friend feared for her life and called 911 because they thought Locklear was going to commit suicide. Keep ya head up! & damn she looks good for 46.

I never was really into Bon Jovi. I mean, I’ll get drunk and slur the words to ‘Livin On A Prayer’ like the rest of us, but thats about it. At least they have Richie Sambora, who could lay down some some badass talkbox parts.

Oh, speaking of Sambora, it appears that his two former stints in rehab didn’t work so well. On Tuesday, he was arrested on a DUI charge in Laguna, CA. In addition to himself, his girlfriend, daughter and daughter’s friend were in his Hummer with him. Because of the two minors in the car, he also faces possible child endangerment charges. Poilice said that he was very cooperative.

In the last year, Sambora had entered rehab, finalized a divorce with Heather Locklear, broke up with Denise Richards and his father died of lung cancer. Damn. With all that on his back, I understand a lil boozing, but certainly not while driving. Sambora goes to court May 7th .