LL Cool J Mama Said Knock You Out Album Cover

Words By Darius Sinclair â„¢

When you think of classic hip hop you immediately think of what? Dookie chain. Big ass boom box. Kangol. LL Cool J.

He’s the self-proclaimed G.O.A.T. I’m not arguing with that. With Mama Said Knock You Out on his resume, LL held the crown justly. The album had mass appeal, and the singles even got MTV airplay before black and brown faces were dominant on the channel. The layout of the album was key too. He mixed it up so you get a dose of hard and soft all the way through.

The title track was a dream hit for anyone: hard sound, Marley Marl beat, lyrics rhyme, radio and club play. But some of the other gems I found on the CD when I was young’n were “Milky Cereal” and “Around The Way Girl”. The lyrics were simple for memorization and I related with the dreams of many fly girlies at my disposal. My favorite line was, “When we began her hairstyle was neat/ But when I left the next mornin’, it looked like shredded wheat.”

Now that I’m grown with a more keen sense in music, there are few more cuts that I feel now. Mainly is “To Da Break Of Dawn”. This is probably why you don’t wanna mess with LL. He murdered MC Hammer and Ice T on this track (and a third I wasn’t able to identify. maybe Kool Moe Dee). His lyrics exploit the victims’ weaknesses to the max; said they “wouldn’t bust a grape in a fruit fight.” Probably one of the best diss records ever. Also, “Farmers Blvd. (Our Anthem)” has replay potential. Nothing extremely special. Just the song you always need: a dope beat and 5-10 of the best spitters from your crew. One guy on track serves LL, but I couldn’t make out the voice. LL must’ve wanted to keep him hidden. A couple of other I think are still note-worthy are “Illegal Search” and “Jingling Baby” Remix.

Though LL didn’t have Rick Ruben to give the original magic touch, and pretty much every track has a noticeable James Brown sample, front to back, this LL’s finest work. Take a listen and learn from a legend. Enjoy.

LL Cool J – Mama Said Knock You Out

Loosies

Scarface – Girl You Know

Jim Jones, Chubbie & Juelz Santana – How I Got My Cash

N.O.R.E. Ft. Busta Rhymes, Talib Kweli, Cassidy & Red Cafe – Set It Off [Remix]

Lil Wayne – Gossip

Rick Ross Ft. R. Kelly – Speedin (Prod. By The Runners)[Radio Rip]

Beanie Sigel Ft. R.Kelly – All The Above [Full Version]

Juelz Santana – You Must Love Me

Lloyd Banks – Show No Love [Radio Rip]

Freeway – Politics As Usual

Cover – Damn Man (Produced By Ski Beatz)

B.G. – Champion

Speedknot Mobstar Ft. Jim Jones “Gangsta’s Don’t Dance”

Carlos Santana Ft. Baby Bash & Jennifer Lopez – This Boy’s Fire

Project Pat-Hatin (My Swag)

Loosies