Twenty-four years in a profession is an accomplishment in its itself, especially if you’re able to remain with the same employer.  At a point in his career where most would be picking out gold watches and frequenting the early bird specials, LL Cool J is still in the studio making music.  Even though he’s become as well known for his extracurricular ventures, music remains his first love.  In the wake of finishing up his contract with Def Jam, he’s also faced with the daunting task of winning over yet another generation of Hip-Hop fans on his latest album, Exit 13.

Starting strong with “It’s Time For War,” LL unsheathes his mic over a sweeping backdrop that would have King Leonidas bobbing his head in approval.  Over an orchestral chorus of chants, violins, and drums, he runs down his résumé to refute anyone questioning why he still continues to rap.  With equal parts fact and hubris, he lays down a convincing argument as he sounds focused and re-energized for the objective at hand.  The theme continues on songs like “Old School, New School” and “You Better Watch Me” as he spits bars like “I’m beyond the legend, I’m iconic/fall off – rebuild your mans bionic…” or “You can’t compare me to them/line for line/I’m beyond that, I represent eras in time…”  The latter also proves that despite his claims for their irrelevance, he can still drop hot bars.   Although the beat to “You Better Watch Me,” sounds like “I Get Money”-Lite, he commands the crescendo and makes it sound fresh.  LL has a firm grasp on his spot in history, as he’s been able to rework his image to remain relevant and use his extended run to stake his claim for being the G.O.A.T. despite any curveballs he’s encountered along the way.

It also doesn’t hurt when you’ve had the ladies riding with you from day one and he hasn’t forgotten why they call him LL Cool J.  The lead single “Baby,” featuring The-Dream, is radio ready with warm synths and deep bass.  Although his flow is a bit rudimentary, he spins a nice tale as he picks up his upteenth girl from the club.  The same can be said for “Feel My Heartbeat,” minus the pop appeal.  With the assist from 50 Cent (disguised under the auto-tune), he spices things up a little bit.  Rounding out the first trio of songs for the ladies, “Cry,” not only manages to have Lil’ Mo jack the hook she sang on Ja Rule’s “I Cry,” it borrows the bassline from Jay-Z’s “U Don’t Know,” to modest results. He basically says that first thing that comes to his mind on what he’d do for “his” girl and it sounds decent unless you actually pay attention to what he says.

The first half of the album has a cohesive feel and balance and does everything to give Exit 13 a celebratory feel as he concludes his career with Def Jam. Unfortunately it also gives new meaning to the title as it’s basically the point where the album falls apart with most of the later tracks sounding like they were pulled out of a hat to determine the tracklist.  The ill-advised placement of the “Baby (Rock Remix)” kills all momentum up to that point and is a sign for shaky ground ahead.  He gets patriotic in the wrong way on “My President” as he calls out Bush at a point when he’s essentially a lame duck in office.  Wyclef does his best Phil Collins impression on the hook as the song arrives 5 years too late.  Similarities arise again for “American Girl” where he feels the patriotic vibe as he rhymes over a marching band rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner.”  He manages to give a history lesson and praise the “American Girl” and it’s as painful as it sounds.

Exit 13 is a fitting way for LL to ride into the sunset as it harbors enough reminders to why he’s been so successful for so long.  It also shows that with longevity comes inevitable bumps in the road that would derail artists of lesser caliber.   Whether he’s the G.O.A.T. or not is debatable, but this album has enough songs to make a case for either side of the argument.

3cigs

BONUS: LL Cool J – New York, New York

Previously Posted – TSS Presents Smoking Sessions With LL Cool J | DJ Kay Slay & LL Cool J Present – The Return Of The Goat