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The FORCE

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The FORCE
The cover features LL Cool J with his eyes closed in the shadows on the right side, wearing gold chains around his neck, one of them being the album's title. The acronym of the title is spelled out on the left, colored in purple, red, yellow, green and blue respectively. The artist's name appears in between "Energy" and the album title, colored in yellow.
Studio album by
LL Cool J
ReleasedSeptember 6, 2024 (2024-09-06)
Recorded2020–2024[1]
GenreHip hop
Length43:33
Label
Producer
LL Cool J chronology
Authentic
(2013) 		The FORCE
(2024)
Singles from The FORCE
  1. "Saturday Night Special"
    Released: June 14, 2024
  2. "Passion"
    Released: July 12, 2024
  3. "Proclivities"
    Released: August 9, 2024
  4. "Murdergram Deux"
    Released: August 30, 2024

The FORCE (an acronym for Frequencies of Real Creative Energy) is the fourteenth studio album by American rapper and actor LL Cool J, released on September 6, 2024, by LL Cool J, Inc., Def Jam Recordings, and Virgin Music Group. It is LL Cool J's first official studio album in over eleven years since his 2013 predecessor, Authentic, released equally as his first under his vanity label, LL Cool J, Inc., and his first by Def Jam since 2008's Exit 13.[2] It features guest appearances from Snoop Dogg, Fat Joe, Rick Ross, Sona Jobarteh, Saweetie, Busta Rhymes, Nas, Eminem, Mad Squablz, J-S.A.N.D., and Don Pablito.[3]

The album is almost entirely produced by Q-Tip, who provides additional vocals on the bulk of the album, and had been involved in the development of the project since late 2020.[4][1] The album also features additional production from the album's guest stars Eminem and Sona Jobarteh, with J-S.A.N.D. producing the album's final track alongside Kizzo.

Background

[edit]

The album was originally set for development in the summer of 2014 under the title GOAT 2, alluding to it being a sequel to LL Cool J's 2000 number-one album G.O.A.T.[5] During 2015, he went idle from music to focus on acting (NCIS: Los Angeles)[6] and hosting (Lip Sync Battle).[7]

In March 2016, he announced his intentions to retire from recording music to focus more on his acting career.[8] After negative feedback from fans, LL would later retract his announcement, and decided to scrap the original album and create a new one.[9] In 2019, it was announced that LL Cool J and former labelmate DMX (who would later die in 2021)[10] resigned with Def Jam Recordings for their upcoming albums to be released.[11] No follow-ups were heard of LL's album afterwards until March 2022, when he confirmed on Instagram that producer Q-Tip was assigned to produce a majority of the album.[1]

On February 22, 2023, LL playfully reminded his social media followers that his album was scrapped because "it was too hot", before instating that it was "not yet worthy of a release" that year.[12] That March, he and various artists embarked on a promotional tour leading up to the release of the album.[13][14][15][16] On July 12, 2024, in celebration for the fortieth anniversary of the founding of his label, Def Jam, he announced the newly-titled The FORCE, claiming that he "had to learn how to rap again".[17]

On July 22, the album's track list was revealed.[17]

Singles

[edit]

On June 15, 2024, the first projected single for the album, "Saturday Night Special", was released. It features Fat Joe and Rick Ross.[18] According to LL, it was originally intended for a joint collaborative album he recorded with rapper 50 Cent; it would ultimately be cancelled, because it "didn't fit [his] style".[19][20]

On July 12, 2024, the second single, "Passion", was released at the same time the album was announced.[21]

"Proclivities", featuring Saweetie, was released as the third single on August 9, 2024.[22]

"Murdergram Deux", featuring Eminem, was released as the fourth single on August 30, 2024.[23][24]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic75/100[25]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[26]
The A.V. ClubB+[27]
The Arts Desk[28]
Mojo[29]
musicOMH[30]
RapReviews8/10[31]
Rolling Stone[32]
Slant Magazine[33]
Tom Hull – on the WebA–[34]

The FORCE received generally favorable reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 75, based on seven reviews.[25]

Andy Cowan of Mojo declared the album "a comeback", finding LL Cool J to be "at his sharpest" lyrically, while also praising the guest appearances.[29] Ben Devlin of musicOMH stated, "with no concessions to the mainstream whatsoever, the rapper is perhaps more focused on raw lyricism than on any LL record since Radio", concluding that "If LL was aiming to re-establish himself as a living legend in the rap scene, The FORCE accomplishes this in spades as he sounds as fired up as ever".[30] Joe Muggs of The Arts Desk opined that "LL is in fine voice and furious flow", and called Q-Tip's production "a reminder that old-school, sample-based hip hop can be as heavyweight, as compelling, as mind-bending as anything post-trap youngsters can come up with".[28] Rolling Stone's Miles Marshall Lewis wrote that "The FORCE is hardly LL's grown-up 4:44 album. He's the same Farmers Boulevard superhero he's always been and the album is better for it", also stating, "If LL has done nothing but craft his blackest album possible within the confines of pop-leaning hip-hop for oldsters, his mission is well accomplished".[32] Writing for Slant Magazine, Paul Attard was more critical, saying that "LL can still spit circles around nearly anyone. But there's a surprisingly low ceiling to the music here beyond that, with some moments feeling rather thoughtless in their execution".[33]

Track listing

[edit]

All tracks produced by Q-Tip, except for "Black Code Suite" and "Murdergram Deux", additionally produced by their respective guests, and "The Vow", produced by J-S.A.N.D. and Kizzo.

The FORCE track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Spirit of Cyrus" (featuring Snoop Dogg)
3:30
2."The Force"
2:49
3."Saturday Night Special" (featuring Fat Joe and Rick Ross)
3:28
4."Black Code Suite" (featuring Sona Jobarteh)
4:26
5."Passion"
2:29
6."Proclivities" (featuring Saweetie)
3:39
7."Post Modern"
  • Smith
  • Fareed
  • R. L. Smith
2:09
8."30 Decembers"
3:26
9."Runnit Back"
2:46
10."Huey in the Chair" (featuring Busta Rhymes)
2:24
11."Basquiat Energy"
  • Smith
  • Fareed
  • Alex Wiska
2:22
12."Praise Him" (featuring Nas)
2:25
13."Murdergram Deux" (featuring Eminem)
3:05
14."The Vow" (featuring Mad Squablz, J-S.A.N.D. and Don Pablito)
  • Smith
  • James Brown
  • Kashif Dove
  • Dahseim Henry
  • Betty Newsome
  • Jaleel Ross
4:35
Total length:43:33

Notes

[edit]

Personnel

[edit]

Musicians

  • LL Cool J – vocals
  • Q-Tip – programming (tracks 1–12), bass guitar (1, 2, 4–6, 8–10, 12), drums (1, 2, 9), keyboards (2, 3, 5–9), guitar (6, 7)
  • Casey Benjamin – keyboards (track 2)
  • Sona Jobarteh – vocals, background vocals, bass guitar, guitar (track 4)
  • Eric Appapoulay – additional vocals (track 4)
  • Mitsue Burnett – additional vocals (track 5)
  • Blair Wells – guitar (tracks 7–10, 12)
  • Luis Resto – keyboards (track 13)
  • J-S.A.N.D. – programming (track 14)

Technical

  • Q-Tip – production (tracks 1–13), engineering (all tracks); mixing (tracks 1–12, 14)
  • J-S.A.N.D. – production (track 14)
  • Kizzo – production (track 14)
  • Sona Jobarteh – additional production, engineering (track 4)
  • Eminem – additional production (track 13)
  • Blair Wells – mixing (tracks 1–12), engineering (1–12, 14)
  • Mike Strange – mixing, engineering (track 13)
  • Manny Marroquin – mixing (track 14)
  • Mike Bozzi – mastering (tracks 1–12, 14)
  • Brian "Big Bass" Gardner – mastering (track 13)
  • Tony Campana – engineering (track 13)
  • Victor Luevanos – engineering (track 13)
  • Jonathan Owens – engineering (track 14)
  • Paul Street – engineering (track 14)
  • Fermin Suero, Jr. – vocal production, vocal engineering (track 6)
  • Oliver Turiano – engineering assistance
  • Anthony Vilchis – mixing assistance (track 14)
  • Trey Station – mixing assistance (track 14)
  • Zach Pereyra – mixing assistance (track 14)

Charts

[edit]
Chart performance for The FORCE
Chart (2024) Peak
position
Scottish Albums (OCC)[35] 79
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[36] 71
UK Album Downloads (OCC)[37] 22
UK R&B Albums (OCC)[38] 1
US Billboard 200[39] 50
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[40] 9
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[41] 11

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Lynn S (January 2, 2020). "LL Cool J Reveals He & Q-Tip Are Working On An Album For Def Jam Records". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on July 15, 2024. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
  2. ^ Strauss, Matthew (July 12, 2024). "LL Cool J Announces First Album in 11 Years, Shares New "Passion" Video". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on July 16, 2024. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
  3. ^ Kreps, Daniel (July 12, 2024). "LL Cool J Announces First Album in 11 Years, 'The FORCE'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on July 17, 2024. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
  4. ^ Kaufman, Gil (July 12, 2024). "LL Cool J Reveals Tracklist for 'The FORCE,' Says He Had to Learn 'How to Rap Again' For First Album in 11 Years". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 15, 2024. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  5. ^ BET Staff (December 30, 2014). "LL Cool J Collaborates With Eminem, T.I. for G.O.A.T. 2". BET. Archived from the original on July 15, 2024. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
  6. ^ "LL Cool J just returned to 'NCIS' in a finale cameo. Looks like he's there to stay". Los Angeles Times. May 23, 2023. Archived from the original on May 30, 2023. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  7. ^ Quan, Denise (January 17, 2018). "Chrissy Teigen & LL Cool J Talk 'Lip Sync Battle' Season 4: 'It's Fun to See Celebrities Squirm a Little Bit'". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 22, 2024. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  8. ^ Greenwald, Morgan (March 15, 2016). "LL Cool J 'retires,' then announces new album". CNN. Archived from the original on July 15, 2024. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
  9. ^ Donaldson, Erich "Sermon" (March 15, 2016). "Unretired Rap Legend LL Cool J Shares New Album Details & Offers 'G.O.A.T. 2' Update". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 13, 2024. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
  10. ^ Drake, David (April 9, 2021). "DMX, Rapper Who Blended Aggressive Menace With Emotional Sincerity, Dead at 50". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
  11. ^ "LL Cool J and DMX reportedly return to Def Jam Records". KISS 104.1 FM. September 23, 2019. Archived from the original on July 15, 2024. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
  12. ^ Lazerine, Devin (February 22, 2023). "LL Cool J Scraps Comeback Album Before Changing His Mind". Rap-Up. Archived from the original on July 15, 2024. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
  13. ^ "Rock The Bells & Live Nation Urban Present The F.O.R.C.E. (Frequencies Of Real Creative Energy) Live North American Summer Tour Headlined By LL COOL J". Music Recall Magazine. May 1, 2023. Archived from the original on July 22, 2024. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  14. ^ Abram, Malcom X (August 11, 2023). "LL Cool J leads THE F.O.R.C.E. Live, but the lineup offers two decades of hip hop legends on one stage". Cleveland.com. Archived from the original on July 22, 2024. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  15. ^ McCormick, Moira (August 14, 2023). "Hip-hop legends a 'F.O.R.C.E' to be reckoned with at United Center show". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on August 16, 2023. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  16. ^ Galindo, Thomas (April 26, 2023). "LL Cool J Reveals Star-Studded "The F.O.R.C.E. Live" Tour". American Songwriter. Archived from the original on July 26, 2024. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  17. ^ a b Kaufman, Gil (July 12, 2024). "LL Cool J Reveals Tracklist for 'The FORCE,' Says He Had to Learn 'How to Rap Again' For First Album in 11 Years". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 22, 2024. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
  18. ^ Ekpo, Ime (June 15, 2024). "LL Cool J Teams Up With Rick Ross And Fat Joe For New Q-Tip Produced Single". Forbes. Archived from the original on June 17, 2024. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
  19. ^ "LL Cool J talks about nixed joint album with 50 Cent, says it didn't reflect his style". Revolt. August 15, 2023. Archived from the original on July 15, 2024. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
  20. ^ Mendez, Marisa (August 9, 2023). "LL COOL J Sheds Light On Scrapped Album With 50 Cent: 'It Didn't Work'". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on July 15, 2024. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
  21. ^ Quan, Jay (July 12, 2024). "Listen To LL COOL J's New Single, 'Passion'". rockthebells.com. Archived from the original on July 15, 2024. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
  22. ^ "LL Cool J - Proclivities (feat Saweetie)". Spotify. August 9, 2024. Retrieved August 12, 2024.
  23. ^ Jones, Damian (August 31, 2024). "Listen to Eminem and LL COOL J's first ever collaboration 'Murdergram Deux'". NME. Archived from the original on September 7, 2024. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  24. ^ Mier, Tomás (August 30, 2024). "Eminem and LL Cool J Team Up for First Collab Ever, 'Murdergram Deux'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on September 6, 2024. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  25. ^ a b "The FORCE by LL Cool J Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Archived from the original on September 26, 2024. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  26. ^ Staff, TiVo. "LL Cool J – THE FORCE". AllMusic. Archived from the original on September 23, 2024. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  27. ^ Fitzgerald, Kiana (September 11, 2024). "LL COOL J is still a force to be reckoned with". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on September 19, 2024. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  28. ^ a b Muggs, Joe (September 7, 2024). "Album: LL COOL J - THE FORCE". The Arts Desk. Archived from the original on September 23, 2024. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  29. ^ a b Cowan, Andy (October 2024). "LL Cool J – The FORCE". Mojo. p. 88.
  30. ^ a b Devlin, Ben (September 5, 2024). "LL COOL J – THE FORCE". musicOMH. Archived from the original on September 23, 2024. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  31. ^ Jones, Grant (October 15, 2024). "LL Cool J :: The Force – RapReviews". www.rapreviews.com. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  32. ^ a b Lewis, Miles Marshall. "LL Cool J Proves Traditional Hip-Hop Can Be a Pretty Good Thing on 'The FORCE'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on September 23, 2024. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
  33. ^ a b Attard, Paul (September 9, 2024). "LL Cool J 'The Force' Review: Hip-Hop's First Superstar Makes a Forceful Return". Slant Magazine. Archived from the original on September 19, 2024. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  34. ^ Hull, Tom. "Music Week – September 17, 2024". Tom Hull – on the Web. Archived from the original on September 23, 2024. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
  35. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  36. ^ "Swisscharts.com – LL Cool J – The Force". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 15, 2024.
  37. ^ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  38. ^ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  39. ^ "LL Cool J Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
  40. ^ "LL Cool J Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
  41. ^ "LL Cool J Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
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