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…)

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