LL Cool J:
The Definition

Release Date: 30 August 2004

Reviewed By: Usman Sajjad

1. Headsprung

2. Rub My Back

3. I'm About To Get Her - feat, R Kelly

4. Move Somethin'

5. Hush - feat, 7 Aurelius

6. Every Sip

7. Shake It Baby

8. Can't Explain It

9. Feel The Beat

10. Apple Cobbler

11. 1 In The Morning

Nelly - Sweat
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This man has achieved eleven albums; no wonder he calls himself the “greatest of all time”. That’s right, James Todd Smith better known as LL Cool J, has been in this ever-changing rap game for over 19 years since the release of ‘Radio’ in 1985. This is the same rap game which bankrupted MC Hammer, saw the murders of Biggie, 2Pac and DJ Jam Master Jay, saw West Coast rap label ‘Deathrow’ collapse in the mid-Nineties, and recently gave way for Jay-Z to bow out after the release of his ‘Black’ LP. Luckily, LL is not bankrupt, retired or dead, and he is still ever confident of his abilities on the release of his album ‘The Definition’. Production almost throughout the album comes from Virginia producer Timbaland (Jay-Z ‘Big Pimpin’, Lloyd Banks ‘I’m So Fly’).

Timbaland jumps straight into effect, providing a heavy and slinky bass on ‘Rub My Back’. Tim of course, employs another hard baseline and a speaker pummelling sound on the club banger ‘Headpsrung’, LL’s first single off the album. The Ladies’ Love finds himself in his lyrical best on the Timbaland blessed ‘Feel The Best’, where the rap veteran spits over the bold bassline: “When Def Jam signed me, they hit the lottery/ It wasn't free, but don't call it a robbery."

‘Every Sip’ finally sees Timbaland work up a beat which stands out from the rest. Over mellow Caribbean style backing chords, LL raps seductively to the women, not forgetting a memorable hook sung by the sweet vocals of Candice Nelson. LL’s confidence begins to flair up on ‘1 In The Morning’, which shows the battle side of LL, who got into lyrical beefs with Canibus back in the day.

‘The Definition’ is an album dominated mainly by the fingers of Timbaland, however the rare presence of other beat makers puts the record at risk if it’s surrounded by other addictive beats Timbaland has blessed. For example, the poor, high pitched and airy vocals on the hook of ‘Hush’ sound out of place, while Teddy Riley ruins the concept of ‘I’m About To Get Her’, with the sweet guitar riffs similar to R. Kelly’s ‘Fiesta remix’.

Back onto the production of Timbaland, and on ‘Apple Cobbler’, LL’s flow lights the track on fire over a cut sounding much like Missy’s ‘I’m Really Hot’.

From the atmosphere set on ‘The Definition’, the heavy baselines, rich synths and hard hitting drum patterns only mean the album is good for bumping out of your car stereo as you cruise along on a sunny day, or more conventionally, for the clubs. Cuts such as his first single ‘Headsprung’ signified that this was not an album with priorities based on regaining his lyrical excellence, even though this creeps up on ‘Feel the Beat’.

Overall, the album outranks his last disappointment, ‘Ten’, which was an LP aiming for commercial success. This time the album’s Southern feel from Timbaland enable many tracks that chance to be radio friendly. Even though there are no real classic joints and no real return of the LL who once aggressively spat on ‘I Shot Ya’ and ‘Mama Said Knock You Out’, LL Cool J proves he can still act in films and start his own clothing line, as well as provide music which can keep heads bumpin’.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Top 3 Tracks
6. Every Sip
9. Feel The Beat
2. Rub My Back

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