LL Cool J may have progressed from "future of the funk" to hip-hop icon, but he's still dropping enjoyable sets of sensual pop hip-hop. The veteran artist's appropriately titled 10th release is by no means groundbreaking, ... more »but it is nevertheless a welcome arrival for faithful fans. By now, fans don't expect cutting-edge music from LL. His production team, which includes the Neptunes, DJ S&S, and Amen Ra, layers catchy melodies with laid-back drum patterns and familiar samples. "Paradise," featuring LL's warm, women-friendly lyrics, a guest appearance by brainy R&B beauty du jour Amerie, and the thoroughly recognizable sample of "Rising to the Top," best exemplifies the artist's patented style. Interview segments with upstart hip-hopper Free are interspersed through the disc, offering an up-close-and-personal look at the legend and his legacy. --Rebecca Levine« less
LL Cool J may have progressed from "future of the funk" to hip-hop icon, but he's still dropping enjoyable sets of sensual pop hip-hop. The veteran artist's appropriately titled 10th release is by no means groundbreaking, but it is nevertheless a welcome arrival for faithful fans. By now, fans don't expect cutting-edge music from LL. His production team, which includes the Neptunes, DJ S&S, and Amen Ra, layers catchy melodies with laid-back drum patterns and familiar samples. "Paradise," featuring LL's warm, women-friendly lyrics, a guest appearance by brainy R&B beauty du jour Amerie, and the thoroughly recognizable sample of "Rising to the Top," best exemplifies the artist's patented style. Interview segments with upstart hip-hopper Free are interspersed through the disc, offering an up-close-and-personal look at the legend and his legacy. --Rebecca Levine
"with 10, almost every song is good. i like the lyrics and the use of no profanity. heres a rating for each song:
1.intro- free interviewing ll about the cd. good intro but doesnt really help the cd out at all. 2/5
2.born to love you- nice beat... ok song. 3/5
3.luv u better- 1st single. this is a good song, but not really the best song on the cd. 4/5
4.paradise- worth listening to, but certainly not the best on the album... amerie adds a nice r&b attitude bout this song 4/5
5.fa ha- this is an anthem definetely. nice song, one of my favorites. tight beat... 5/5
6.niggy nuts- weird beat by the neptunes but still worthwhile. ok lyrics. 2/5
7.amazin- this song is tight. kandice love has a hella nice voice i like it alot. great song. 5/5
8.clockin g's- pretty nice lyrics. soft beat... 4/5
9.lollipop- different beat... basically another love song but not as good as the others. 3/5
10.after school- p.diddy and ll r tight together this is a nice song but the lyrics have room for improvement.... still good. 4/5
11.throw ya l's up-nice beat, basically a song about himself and how good he is but still good. 3/5
12.u should-this is another one of my favorites... the beat is hella hella hella good for a love song, plus ll brings his own style to the lyrics that make this song great. 5/5
13.10 million stars-another anthem... just as good as fa ha. to me sounds like a nas type beat but ll does good on it. its a "comeback" and it is tight. 5/5
14.mirror mirror- weird beat. kinda weird song. prolly one of the worst on the cd. 1/5
15.big mama (unconditional love)-this song definetely has a great theme and it makes you feel good. its for his grandma and it is good and just plain good-hearted but still one of the best to listen to, as the lyrics really tell a good story. dru hill is good too. 5/5"
10th Time's The Charm
The Last Jon | California | 10/15/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"LL Cool J shows that he has not left the rap game just yet. With his tenth album (appropriately named) he gives hip-hop lovers what they want to hear. Uncle L has changed it up once again by getting assistance from The Neptunes, the trendy producers who have worked with everyone from Busta Rhymes to Justin Timberlake. LL shows an abundance of talent by not using any profanity throughout the album. He also promises to stay true to his millions of adoring female fans with such songs as "Luv You Better" and "You Should". Ten also features R&B talents such as Amerie and hip-hop mogul P.Diddy. Ten is a fun journey through the life of long time crowd pleaser LL Cool J. Here is a look at the track list.
1.Intro
2.Luv You Better
3.Niggy Nuts
4.Clockin G's
5.You Should
6.Born To Love You
7.Paradise
8.Mirror Mirror
9.Fa Ha
10.10 Million Stars
11.Throw Your L's Up
12.Untitled
13.Big Mamma
14.Outro"
LL just doesn't get it...
Buddhaful | MI | 02/28/2003
(2 out of 5 stars)
"You can't be everything to everyone; some people aren't going to like you. But LL Cool J is desperate enough to try anyway. The result being just a whole lot of unfinished ideas. I actually wanted to like this album but it self-destructs on itself. LL Cool wants the "sensual lover" with a "thug image", which usually never gets pulled off (Jaheim has some issues to work out there too). Some songs he wants to impress the ladies by turning into the Al Green of hip-hop, which only goes so far because then he get raveled up into becoming the guy from the ghetto, which comes off as fake and obnoxious.He starts his venture with 3 love jams: "Born To Love You", "Luv U Better" and "Paradise" featuring Amerie. "Luv U Better" and "Born To Love You" aren't all what they crack up to be. LL doesn't realize that a different kind of vibe needs a different kind of rap. Slow down a little and enjoy the ride. Even the stand out track, the breezy "Paradise" featuring the smart and sultry Amerie doesn't kick into full gear because he refuses to care about each track enough to put some heart into it and make them personable.The thug image comes up next with "Clockin' G's", a strange beat, but still uninteresting, bouncer. "After School" goes for the reppin' the block idea, that Jennifer Lopez has butchered to death, but doesn't work. "...After school, I swim in the pool..." his lyrics haven't really been worked on after the first draft. The hidden track, "All I Have" the painfully horrible song with Jennifer Lopez lacks any chemistry, or for that matter, any vocal talent.Maybe LL has gotten disconnected with who he is and what got him here. Maybe he is going through a transition phase. Maybe he should stop flexing his muscles and spend more time at the studio. But definitely don't get this album."
Big Ole Butt
Enlightened | Atlanta Georgia | 12/23/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"LL Cool J returns with his 10th album effectively entitled "10". LL Cool J has been around for what seems like an eternity and people love to count L out. Self proclaiming himself the GOAT last year, he received much skepticism and doubt. No doubt LL has the skill, classic albums, classic songs, battles won, platinum plaques, record sales, notoriety, impact, and a mixed fan base of men and women. He's a sex symbol for the ladies and has also made his name in several blockbuster movies. His clothing line FUBU is worldwide. Not to mention 15 years under his belt in the rap game ( average time in the rap game for rappers is 2-3 years ) which in itself is amazing. Could he make this claim as the GOAT? Yes he could. Nobody has survived a battle with a LL---every LL diss rhyme INSTANTLY ended that MC's career. (Canibus, Kool Moe Dee anyone?). Every rhyme he drops for the ladies becomes an anthem. ( Around the Way Girl, Hey Lover, Doin It, Imagine That, Big Ole Butt, Fatty Girl, I Need Love etc. etc. etc. His gangsta tracks ( I Shot Ya remix, 4,3,2,1, Ripper Strikes Back, Mama said Knock You Out, Fughidaabowdit, I'm Bad etc. etc. etc.) give him the street credibilty. LL is an emcee that young cats should study if they want to be successful.Balance has been what has gotten LL Cool J his status as a Hip Hop Legend. But this album lacks that balance. It emphasizes his Ladies Love Cool James persona. Most of the tracks are for the women as witnessed by the first two singles; Luv U Better and Paradise feat. Amerie-both excellent singles. But that's not necessarily a bad thing though. This is definitely a cd you can ride to when you and your woman are just cruisin. And you can chill to this with your honey and dance with her. So you know it's not completely useless. But you can't play this if you riding by yourself...you might get jacked. The songs I'm feeling the most are as follows: Amazin ( best song on the album ), Lollipop, Luv U Better, Paradise, U Should, Big Mama, 10 Million Stars, and Fa Ha.Overall, LL Cool J's new album is good enough to warrant a purchase if you like his "Ladies Man' style. Definitely a cd I was much surprised by the quality of songs and the excellent production. Support this!"
Thought you retired
Sherance M. Brothers | Jasper, Alabama United States | 10/20/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"the song paradise with amerie is pretty neat but to all LL fans if you like this my advice is to cop it but to me he's trying to sell in by following rules by getting the neptunes which he did'nt need back on previous tunes to make a hit cause LL's always held his own ground but then again the game's changed."