Search - L.L. Cool J :: Definition

Definition
L.L. Cool J
Definition
Genre: Rap & Hip-Hop
 
  •  Track Listings (11) - Disc #1

Can LL still make a case for being the G.O.A.T (Greatest of All Time)? Well, let's just say that this position is becoming more difficult to defend. Enlisting the talents of Timbaland to sonically sculpt most of his 11th r...  more »

     
   
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CD Details

All Artists: L.L. Cool J
Title: Definition
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 1
Release Date: 5/29/2007
Album Type: Import
Genre: Rap & Hip-Hop
Styles: East Coast, Gangsta & Hardcore
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPCs: 602498626092, 0602498626092, 0602498636503, 4988005470195, 498800547019

Synopsis

Amazon.com
Can LL still make a case for being the G.O.A.T (Greatest of All Time)? Well, let's just say that this position is becoming more difficult to defend. Enlisting the talents of Timbaland to sonically sculpt most of his 11th record is a wise move. The hook-driven jump-off "Headsprung" fits perfectly into its current urban-music landscape. Conceptually, "Move Somethin'" reveals that LL can still flip nouveau rap flows when called upon. The problem is that LL Cool J long ago decided to stop being "hard as hell," instead allowing his R&B-rapper persona to creep in further. Thus, a lot of this release, much like his most recent previous efforts, is filled with offensively boring love songs. Even with R. Kelly dropping by and Timbaland delivering fantastic synthesizer blasts, LL's boasts of getting better with age simply do not hold up. The great ones never know when to throw in the towel--or at least slow down the output--and only LL diehards will lick their lips to this one. --Dalton Higgins

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CD Reviews

2-1/2 stars -- The definition of being past your prime
Anthony Rupert | Milwaukee, WI | 04/09/2005
(2 out of 5 stars)

"Now, I'm not saying that LL Cool J's eleventh album The DEFinition is bad because L is too old. There are some rappers in their mid `30s that can still bring the heat (Raekwon, Jay-Z, Guru). The problem I have with the album is that its further proof that his glory days are long behind him. In fact, he's been in a downward spiral since Mr. Smith, and after he released 10, which only appealed to the ladies, I wondered if he would be able to resurrect his career.



With this album, the answer is no. Basically, editorial reviewer Dalton Higgins really hit the nail on the head with this one. This is one of those albums where the only good songs are the singles: "Hush" and the essential club-banger, "Headsprung". The latter was produced by Timbaland, and Tim also shows up elsewhere on the album, but sometimes his beats can't even save the songs, like the filler track "Every Sip" and the terrible "Rub My Back". And the beat to "Apple Cobbler" isn't even that great, not to mention that the song makes no kind of sense.



Another filler track is when R. Kelly shows up for "I'm About to Get Her". You can tell Kells produced it because it sounds like the same music he used for Twista's "So Sexy". By the way, that song is where L starts his lyrical faux pas ("that's why I'm still a teen idol like Hanson"). And then it's on to the bizarre "Shake It Baby" (which isn't even what you'd think it would be about). At the end of the third verse he says to a foe: "You burnin' me? Two words: impossible." That's one word, L.



"Feel the Beat" is fine but then it suffers from a chorus that sounds like it came from 1986: "Yes yes y'all/Feel the beat y'all/Break break y'all/You don't stop". You can even tell he's going to say that by listening to the beat. And "Can't Explain It" is the only other song for the ladies that comes close to working, but when you listen to the song you can't help but say, "It's okay, but it's no `Hey Lover.'"



It's not that LL can't rap any more, but the things he's saying on here makes the album, well, embarrassing. In fact, it's so embarrassing that I'd almost rather listen to 14 Shots to the Dome. It's good that he's had a nice, long career, but it'd be better if most of the albums in it were above-average. As you probably suspected by now, The DEFinition is only good for completing your LL Cool J collection.



Anthony Rupert"
Not good, but not that bad either
Ron Ron | Chicago, IL | 10/21/2004
(2 out of 5 stars)

"Ok, "Headsprung" is no doubt a good song. Although the lyrics are really silly and don't make a lot of sense at times, but it's still a good song. "Hush" is a song that I expect a lot of people not to like. I was kind of suprised to hear it. I think it's really good, but people who are hardcore Hip-Hop fans probably will think it's too soft. LL has always been known to put love songs out there. As evident by his "I need love" song about 15 or 17 years ago. He was heavily criticized until he came back with "Mama said knock you out". Anyway, this CD is overall decent. With a two standouts in my opinion, but it lacks the whole package."
This album is good, not great
Penny Woods | Chapel Hill, North Carolina United States | 08/31/2004
(3 out of 5 stars)

"This is supposed to be a club-friendly album, but it feels like LL is trying to sound commerical to sell copies of DEFinition. This is something I don't expect to hear a lot of tracks that aren't singles in a club. Although many of the beats are likeable, most of the songs sound similar to "Headsprung," largely in part to Timbaland's production. There are two songs, "I'm About to Get Her," produced by R. Kelly, and "Feel the Beat," which, along with "Headsprung," are the real highlights of this album (despite Kelly's occasionally weak singing). Lyrically, the flows on this album have to be among the weakest LL's ever created. He's simply appeasing the masses who buy commercial rap to get the albums on the Billboard and SoundScan charts. Case in point: "Apple Cobbler," when LL sounds like he's borrowing the flow, of all people, Missy Elliott. Anyone who's expecting LL to sound like he's still back in his Radio period or when he was dissing Canibus will be sorely disapointed. DEFinition is not for hardcore rap fans or fans of the classic LL Cool J sound."