LL Cool J, a two-time Grammy Award winner, has by no means misplaced his rap bona fides. At age 56, the legend is rapping once more on The FORCE — brief for Frequencies of Actual Inventive Power — his first album in 11 years.

His new album, out Sept. 6, is produced by Q-Tip of A Tribe Referred to as Quest and options a number of of his contemporaries, together with Nas, Eminem and Snoop Dogg. Throughout 14 tracks, the album tackles themes of social injustice and racism. However, it is not all heavy; in a collaboration with the rapper Saweetie, the 2 rap about seduction and lust.

Again in 2017, LL Cool J grew to become the primary hip hop artist to obtain Kennedy Middle Honors for lifetime contributions to American tradition. The 12 months earlier than, his star was unveiled on the Hollywood Stroll of Fame.

He’s had a profitable performing profession in each movie and tv, taking part in a particular agent within the crime drama “NCIS: Los Angeles.”

The Queens, New York, native rose to fame within the ’80s. He made his first report, “I Want a Beat,” at age 16. Later got here quite a few smash hits, together with his Grammy Award-winning rap efficiency in “Mama Stated Knock You Out.”

In his new tune “30 Decembers,” LL Cool J takes a visit down reminiscence lane. Through the peak of COVID, he would trip the subway in New York Metropolis and report his observations. “To put in writing is to really be impressed by one thing,” he mentioned in an interview with NPR’s A Martínez.

He additionally talked about how he’s not hanging up his hat anytime quickly.

This interview has been calmly edited for size and readability. Hearken to Morning Version to listen to the total interview.

A Martínez: Inform us about Frequencies of Actual Inventive Power. Why did you wish to do that album now?

LL Cool J: If filmmakers can proceed to make nice movies over quite a few years, and if The Stones and Mick can run round at 80-something years outdated, which I like and respect — if they will try this, LL Cool J can create artwork that is not simply mediocre, that is not like a B-minus, however really one thing that, by way of my coronary heart and my ardour, and my soul, is an A-plus mission. And current it to the world and contact the tradition. That was the purpose that I used to be trying to show.

A Martínez: I learn that you just needed to discover ways to rap once more, contemplating it has been 11 years since you set out new music. What’s that course of prefer to study to rap once more?

LL Cool J: I believe it’s growing new expertise, sharpening expertise that you just already had. , you’ll have been driving bikes all of your life, however by no means popped a wheelie. It is like studying pop wheelies. It is like, Oh, you’ve got been popping wheelies your complete life. Nicely, discover ways to trip a unicycle.

A Martínez: So quite a lot of your tracks sound like they’re autobiographical. Inform us the story you are telling in “Black Code Suite.”

LL Cool J: That story is admittedly in regards to the Black expertise in America after which tying that and connecting that to my roots all the way in which over in Africa. And that journey and that world and what it is like. I believe it is only a uncooked and sincere, fun-loving sort of have a look at Black tradition.

A Martínez: You wrote “30 Decembers” within the peak of the pandemic. What was the story behind that tune?

LL Cool J: So throughout the pandemic, I bought a chance due to all of the masks and restrictions. I took it as a chance to only anonymously journey all through New York Metropolis. And for me, that was wonderful, as a result of I’d journey on the subway on my own – alone. I used to be in all places, man. From Marcy to pink homes from all up within the Bronx. I used to be simply working all around the metropolis as a result of you’ll be able to’t create artwork for folks which you can’t relate to. While you’re attempting to jot down songs that actually join with folks, you’ve got bought to have the ability to relate. And one of many belongings you overlook about is the hazard. You overlook about actual issues taking place to actual folks every day. You possibly can get misplaced on this little upscale bubble. Every little thing I documented in that tune was actual.

A Martínez: Do you continue to see rap because the aggressive sport that you just did possibly again within the day whenever you have been 16 or 17 years outdated?

LL Cool J: Thousand %. , the stakes are completely different, however I see it as desirous to show a degree, you recognize. It is not misplaced on me that I am making a culturally related and impactful report at 12 months 40. As a result of, you recognize, the humanities, you need to get higher — you need to be extra curious. I imply, I’d argue that Picasso bought higher. Miles Davis bought higher.

A Martínez: Now please forgive me for the way in which I ask this subsequent query. So can we name this album a comeback?

LL Cool J: No! Completely not. I have been right here for years, child. How are you going to name it a comeback once I’ve been right here for years, man? How are you going to try this? I am simply within the joint, you recognize what I’m saying.

A Martínez: They will be lifelong followers of yours who’re of their fifties, who’re going to play this album of their vehicles after they’re driving their children to highschool. The children are going to ask ’Who’s that, mother? Who’s that dad?’ What do you hope that these mothers and dads say after they describe the artist you have been again within the day after they have been younger, and the artist you are actually?

LL Cool J: I hope that the dialog does not even have available that a lot, as a result of after they press play, they simply suppose it is cool. As a result of on the finish of the day, the true questions get answered by the standard of the artwork. I’ve had events the place folks felt like they wished to inform their children about me and stuff like that, which is cool, however I do not even give it some thought in these phrases. It is like, Yo, that is my music. If that is the place you joined in with the world of LL Cool J, and if that is the place you found me, so be it. It is as much as you. I simply wish to share my artwork with the world, share this mission with the world, and watch them have enjoyable listening to it.

The digital model of this interview was edited by Majd Al-Waheidi.

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