Phenomenon (LL Cool J album)

Last updated
Phenomenon
Phenomenon - LL Cool J.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedOctober 14, 1997
Recorded1996–1997
Genre Hip hop
Length43:58
Label
Producer
LL Cool J chronology
All World: Greatest Hits
(1996)
Phenomenon
(1997)
G.O.A.T.
(2000)
Singles from Phenomenon
  1. "Phenomenon"
    Released: September 23, 1997
  2. "4, 3, 2, 1"
    Released: December 9, 1997
  3. "Father"
    Released: January 13, 1998
  4. "Hot, Hot, Hot"
    Released: March 27, 1998
  5. "Candy"
    Released: July 3, 1998
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [1]
Encyclopedia of Popular Music Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [2]
Entertainment Weekly B+ [3]
Los Angeles Times Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [4]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [5]
The Source Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [6]

Phenomenon is the seventh studio album by rapper LL Cool J. After the success of his previous release Mr. Smith , the same basic principles are followed here, with several R&B-influenced tracks, and a couple of more hardcore rap tracks. The album was certified Platinum, unlike Mr. Smith, which was certified 2× Platinum. The album is executively produced by Sean "Puffy" Combs and therefore features production from his in-house roster of producers the Hitmen.

Contents

Track listing

Phenomenon track listing
#TitleLengthFeatured ArtistsProducer(s)Sample(s)
1"Phenomenon"4:04 Sean "Puffy" Combs for The Hitmen, Ron "AMEN-RA" Lawrence
2"Candy"4:32 Ricky Bell & Ralph Tresvant Trackmasters
3"Starsky & Hutch"4:03 Busta Rhymes L.E.S.
4"Another Dollar"3:48 Curt Gowdy, Trackmasters
5"Nobody Can Freak You"3:20LeShaun & Keith Sweat Trackmasters
6"Hot, Hot, Hot"4:22 Sean "Puffy" Combs, Deric "D-Dot" Angelettie & Ron Lawrence for The Hitmen
7"4, 3, 2, 1"4:16 Canibus, DMX, Master P & Method Man & Redman Erick Sermon
8"Wanna Get Paid"4:11 The Lost Boyz Daven "Prestige" Vanderpool
  • "Action" by Orange Krush
9"Father"4:44 Trackmasters
10"Don't Be Late, Don't Come Too Soon"6:38 Tamia Steven "Stevie J" Jordan for The Hitmen

Charts

Chart performance for Phenomenon
Chart (1997)Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA) [7] 88
Canadian Albums (Billboard) [8] 7
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) [9] 48
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) [10] 24
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) [11] 39
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan) [12] 57
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) [13] 48
UK Albums (OCC) [14] 37
UK R&B Albums (OCC) [15] 6
US Billboard 200 [16] 7
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) [17] 4

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada) [18] Platinum100,000^
United States (RIAA) [19] Platinum1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

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References

  1. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. Phenomenon at AllMusic
  2. Larkin, Colin (2011). "LL Cool J". The Encyclopedia of Popular Music (5th concise ed.). Omnibus Press. ISBN   978-0-85712-595-8 via Google Books.
  3. Farber, Jim (October 17, 1997). "Cool's story of youth". Entertainment Weekly . No. 401. New York. p. 73. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
  4. Hodari Coker, Cheo (November 2, 1997). "In Brief". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved January 21, 2023.
  5. Stovall, Natasha (October 30, 1997). "Bigger and deffer". Rolling Stone . No. 772. pp. 65–66. Archived from the original on November 9, 2007. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
  6. Wilson, Elliott (December 1997). "Record Report: LL Cool J – Phenomenon". The Source . No. 99. New York. p. 179.
  7. Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 169.
  8. "LL Cool J Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
  9. "Dutchcharts.nl – LL Cool J – Phenomenon" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
  10. "Offiziellecharts.de – LL Cool J – Phenomenon" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
  11. "Charts.nz – LL Cool J – Phenomenon". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
  12. "Swedishcharts.com – LL Cool J – Phenomenon". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
  13. "Swisscharts.com – LL Cool J – Phenomenon". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
  14. "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
  15. "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
  16. "LL Cool J Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
  17. "LL Cool J Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
  18. "Canadian album certifications – LL Cool J – Phenomenon". Music Canada.
  19. "American album certifications – L.L. Cool J – Phenomenon". Recording Industry Association of America.