LL Cool J has worked with some of the best artists in the music industry, but his songs with Michael Jackson have yet to be released. In a recent interview, the rapper discussed that the public will probably never get a chance to hear the tracks recorded by the two. The reason, as LL Cool J explained, is because the songs were not good enough to be heard, and he has kept that music from being released.
Known for hits like “Mama Said Knock You Out,” LL Cool J revealed that recording with Jackson was an out-of-this-world experience that left the end product feeling numb.
LL Cool J expressed his admiration for the King of Pop during an interview with Variety on September 13, 2024. Working with Michael Jackson was a day he would never forget. Having worked on songs with such a great icon did not intimidate him; he says the songs they did were not up to his standards.
“We recorded some tracks together, but they haven’t been released because I didn’t feel they were good enough,” “I’m particular about the music I release. It has to meet my standards.”
LL Cool J says he wanted to please the fans and put out anything he wasn’t interested in. “If I don’t feel like the rhymes are great, or the vibe isn’t right, I’m not putting it out. The writing has to be on point.”.
He elaborated on his creation process, emphasizing that dropping a track didn’t mean anything more than releasing some good music; rather, it’s an act of creating something of importance. “I gotta deliver on the writing. I’m not putting anything out if I don’t feel it’s right,” he added. Such a promise to lyrical greatness has become one of the cornerstones of his career.
He also talked about how the late Michael Jackson had seriously influenced his career. He spoke of how one day, Michael was so inspired by one of LL’s classics, “I’m Bad,” that he used it to create his song “Bad.” Moments of this nature between these two artists are examples of respect for work.
While reflecting on his career, LL Cool J is excited about his latest album, The FORCE, an abbreviation for “Frequencies of Real Creative Energy.” It has been 11 years from his last studio release, and he admitted to being a little nervous about how fans would take the album. Thankfully, the response has been overwhelmingly positive so far, which has brought him immense relief and joy.
Via- complex
Besides the discussions of his music, LL Cool J broached more important subjects in the industry, such as ageism in hip-hop. He’s all set to disprove the concept that artists don’t stay relevant as they get older. “I want to break the ‘4-minute mile’ of hip-hop,” he declared, stressing that the veterans still count in meaningful musical productions. The mere fact of trying to change these premises positions LL Cool J as a forerunner within his genre.
With a long and storied career, LL Cool J-known as James Todd Smith-set the path for so many. He was the first to release an album through the now-iconic Def Jam Records and celebrated the 40th anniversary of the label with a performance at the MTV VMAs. It was very much a full-circle moment that further proved his influence on the music industry.
Throughout the years, LL Cool J’s hits represent an artist who has combined hard hitting rap with silky R&B. Artists like “I Need Love,” “Around the Way Girl,” and “Hey Lover” show how versatile he is and cemented his status in music. On top of all his musical accomplishments, he has successfully acted in many popular films and TV series, such as NCIS: Los Angeles.
With two Grammy Awards in his pocket and being named the first rapper to receive a Kennedy Center Honor, LL Cool J has no need to prove his talent in contributions to music and entertainment. He still inspires others due to his philanthropy, about social issues such as domestic violence.
