The Force | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | September 6, 2024 | |||
Recorded | 2017–2024 | |||
Genre | Hip hop | |||
Label | ||||
Producer | Q-Tip | |||
LL Cool J chronology | ||||
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Singles from The Force | ||||
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The Force, stylized as The FORCE (Frequencies of Real Creative Energy), is the upcoming fourteen studio album by rapper and actor LL Cool J. It is currently scheduled for release on September 6, 2024. It will be LL Cool J's first official studio album in over eleven years since his 2013 predecessor, Authentic and his first under Def Jam Recordings since 2008's Exit 13 . [1] Rather than Def Jam and parent company Universal Music Group, the album will instead be distributed by both companies' independent sister label, Virgin Music Group. [2]
The album is mainly produced by Q-Tip, and has been in development since late 2020. [3]
The album was originally set for development in the summer of 2014 under the title, GOAT 2, alluding to it being a sequel to LL Cool J's 2000 number-one album, G.O.A.T. [4] During 2015, he went idle from music to focus on acting (NCIS: Los Angeles) [5] and hosting (Lip Sync Battle). [6]
In March 2016, he announced his intentions to retire from recording music to focus more on his acting career. [7] After negative feedback from fans, LL would later reiterate his announcement and decided to scrap the original album and create a new one. [8] The then-untitled album was left under development hell from 2017 to 2023.[ citation needed ] In 2019, it was announced that LL Cool J and former labelmate DMX (who would later die in 2021) [9] resigned with Def Jam Recordings for their upcoming albums to be released. [10] No follow-ups were heard of LL's album afterwards until March 2022, when he confirmed on Instagram that producer Q-Tip was assigned to produce a majority of the album. [3]
On February 22, 2023, LL playfully reminded his social media followers that his album was scrapped because "it was too hot", before instating that it was "not yet worthy of a release" that year. [11] That March, he and various artists embarked on a promotional tour leading up to the release of the album. [12] [13] [14] [15] On July 12, 2024, in celebration for the fortieth anniversary of the founding of his label, Def Jam, he announced the newly-titled The FORCE, claiming that he "had to learn how to rap again". [16]
On July 22, the album's track list was revealed. [16]
Artists who are predicted to appear on the album are rappers Nas, Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Saweetie, Don Pablito, J-S.A.N.D., Mad Squabiz, Busta Rhymes and singer/musician Sona Jobarteh. [16]
On June 15, 2024, the first projected single for the album, "Saturday Night Special", was released. It features Fat Joe and Rick Ross. [17] According to LL, it was originally intended for a joint collaborative album he recorded with rapper 50 Cent; it would ultimately be cancelled, because it "didn't fit my style", said LL. [18] [19]
On July 12, 2024, the second single, "Passion", was released at the same time the album was announced. [20]
All tracks are written by James Todd Smith, except where indicated.
No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Spirit of Cyrus" (featuring Snoop Dogg) | |||
2. | "The Force" (Frequencies of Real Creative Energy) | |||
3. | "Saturday Night Special" (featuring Fat Joe and Rick Ross) | Kamaal Fareed | ||
4. | "Black Code Suite" (featuring Sona Jobarteh) | |||
5. | "Passion" | |||
6. | "Provactive" (featuring Saweetie) |
| Fareed | |
7. | "Post Modern" | |||
8. | "30 Decembers" | |||
9. | "Runnit Back" | |||
10. | "Huey in the Chair" (featuring Busta Rhymes) |
| Fareed | |
11. | "Basquiat Energy" | |||
12. | "Praise Him" (featuring Nas) |
| Fareed | |
13. | "Murdergram Deux" (featuring Eminem) |
| Fareed | |
14. | "The Don" (featuring Don Pablito, J-S.A.N.D. and Mad Squabiz) |
Jeffrey Bruce Atkins Sr., better known by his stage name Ja Rule, is an American rapper, singer, and actor. Born and raised in New York City, Ja Rule became known as a leading figure in 2000s hip hop for his blending of gangsta rap with commercially-oriented pop sensibilities. He signed with Irv Gotti's Murder Inc Records, an imprint of Def Jam Recordings to release his debut studio album Venni Vetti Vecci (1999), which spawned his first hit single, "Holla Holla". Ja Rule peaked the Billboard Hot 100 thrice in 2001 with his single "Always on Time" and his guest appearances on Jennifer Lopez's "I'm Real " and "Ain't It Funny". His encompassing singles, "Put It on Me", "Mesmerize", "Livin' It Up" and "Wonderful" have each peaked within the top ten of the chart and spawned from commercially successful album releases.
Earl Simmons, known professionally as DMX, was an American rapper and actor. Regarded as an influential figure in the late 1990s and early 2000s hip hop, his music is characterized by his "aggressive" rapping style, with lyrical content varying from hardcore themes to prayers.
James Todd Smith, known professionally as LL Cool J, is an American rapper and actor. He is one of the earliest rappers to achieve commercial success, alongside fellow new school hip hop acts Beastie Boys and Run-DMC.
Radio is the debut studio album by American rapper LL Cool J. It was released on November 18, 1985, by Def Jam Recordings and Columbia Records. It was also Def Jam's first full-length album release.
Bigger and Deffer is the second studio album by American rapper LL Cool J, released on May 29, 1987, by Def Jam Recordings and Columbia Records. With over two million copies sold in the United States, it stands as one of LL Cool J's biggest career records. Bigger and Deffer dominated the summer of 1987, spending 11 weeks at number one on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart while also reaching number 3 on the Billboard 200. The album also became the fourth rap album to become a platinum album.
...And Then There Was X is the third studio album by American rapper DMX. The album was released on December 21, 1999, by The Island Def Jam Music Group, Def Jam Recordings, and Ruff Ryders Entertainment. The album was nominated for Best Rap Album at the 2001 Grammys.
George Spivey, known professionally as DJ Scratch, is an American hip hop DJ and producer from Brooklyn, New York.
Def Jam Recordings is an American multinational record label owned by Universal Music Group. It is based in Manhattan, New York City, specializing predominantly in hip hop, contemporary R&B, soul and pop.
Violator is a company, record label, marketing group, and multi-media entertainment conglomerate founded and operated by Chris Lighty and Mona Scott-Young until Lighty's death on August 30, 2012.
The DEFinition is the tenth studio album by American rapper LL Cool J, released on August 31, 2004 by Def Jam Recordings. Largely produced by Timbaland, with several tracks produced by N.O. Joe, Teddy Riley, and 7 Aurelius, the album peaked at number 4 on the US Billboard 200 and spawned two singles: "Headsprung" and "Hush". It was certified Gold by the RIAA for selling over 500,000 copies.
Mama Said Knock You Out is the fourth studio album by American rapper LL Cool J. It was produced mostly by Marley Marl and recorded at his "House of Hits" home studio in Chestnut Ridge and at Chung King House of Metal in New York City. After the disappointing reception of LL Cool's 1989 album Walking with a Panther, Mama Said Knock You Out was released by Def Jam Recordings on September 14, 1990 to commercial and critical success.
10 is the ninth studio album by American rapper LL Cool J. It was released by Def Jam Recordings on October 15, 2002 in the United States. LL Cool J and 10 hit a milestone in Def Jam history, being the first artist ever on Def Jam to have ten albums under the same record label. The album peaked at number two on the US Billboard 200, while also reaching number 26 on the UK Albums Chart.
G.O.A.T. featuring James T. Smith: The Greatest of All Time is the eighth studio album by American rapper LL Cool J. Released September 12, 2000 on the Def Jam label, the album topped the US Billboard 200, the rapper's first to reach number one.
Todd Smith is the eleventh studio album by American rapper LL Cool J. It was released on April 11, 2006 by Def Jam Recordings. It includes collaborations with Jennifer Lopez, Pharrell, Juelz Santana, Teairra Mari, Jamie Foxx, Ginuwine, Mary J. Blige, 112, Mary Mary, Ryan Toby and Freeway. Producers on the project include Pharrell, Scott Storch, Bink!, Shea Taylor, Drumma Boy, Keezo Kane and Trackmasters.
Exit 13 is the twelfth studio album by American rapper LL Cool J. It was released on September 9, 2008, on the record label Def Jam Recordings. This would be his last album release with the label.
American rapper DMX released eight studio albums, seven compilation albums, three mixtapes, 47 singles and 24 music videos.
"I Can't Live Without My Radio" is the lead single from LL Cool J's debut album, Radio. It was released in 1985 for Def Jam Recordings and was both written and produced by LL Cool J and Rick Rubin. It is a love song to the boombox. The song reached No. 15 on the Billboard R&B singles chart. "I Can't Live Without My Radio" was released with the follow-up single "I Can Give You More". It is the first Def Jam single distributed through Columbia Records.
"4, 3, 2, 1" is a song by Queens rapper LL Cool J featuring Method Man & Redman, Canibus and DMX from LL Cool J's seventh album Phenomenon as the second single. It was released on December 9, 1997, for Def Jam Recordings and was produced by Erick Sermon. The single featured an extended version not featured on the album featuring an additional verse from Southern hip hop rapper Master P. Both the original song and the extended cut had accompanying music videos. The song peaked at number 75 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 10 on the Hot Rap Singles and number 24 Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.
This article summarizes the events, album releases, and album release dates in hip hop music for the year 2008.
"You and Me" is a song by LL Cool J, released as a single from his ninth album, G.O.A.T.. It was released on October 17, 2000 for Def Jam Recordings, was produced by DJ Scratch and LL Cool J, and featured R&B singer Kelly Price. It peaked at #44 on the Billboard's Hot Rap Singles and #59 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.