FOLLOW THE LEADER

LL Cool J’s Authentic has inspired mixed reviews since its release. Hip hop junkies might question the high profile collaborations and think Snoop Dog, Nelly and Michael Jackson but a closer listen reveals some of the ingredients that made LL the GOAT still remain.

Revisiting the conceptual period where singles like Bad and Back Seat coexisted with Go Cut Creator Go and Crossroads, Authentic’s genius is in its creative approach. Bypassing the need to squeeze into skinny jean hip hop swag or trade coke rap lines to beats from rap’s hottest producers, L enlists a group of stars and newcomers for a record that plays like an impromptu jam session. He unearths R&B diva Alicia Myers, pulls in Eddie Van Halen and Earth Wind and Fire and rocks out with Chuck D along with an eclectic supporting cast transforming Authentic into a concert-slash-award show performance for the ages.

Despite the star power Todd finds time to deliver hip hop quotables in measured doses. On the Monica assisted Closer he embraces his female fan base (“ LL –grown ass man/ couldn’t give a damn if a young boy’s my fan/ long as his momma two step to my jam”), chastises mature rappers playing follow the leader(cats playing themselves/ gettin’ outta hand/I don’t do features to chase teenage fans”), admonishing younger rappers (I ain’t trendy, shorty/L’s a brand”) and commenting on wack music and stage shows (“save the techno and glow sticks for Disneyland”).

Showing a vulnerability usually reserved for his rap ballads, the album opener Bath Salt addresses fear (“Honestly I was scared to come back/it was ugly not knowing how the game would react’’) and karma(“said my own gym teacher ain’t supposed to rap”) before giving way to triumphant reassurance (“I don’t act my shoe size/ I act my age/ Don’t try to sound like a rapper I raised”) promoting the benefits of being age appropriate (“bald as a tire/can’t grow no braids/but the money’s coming in/in 360 waves").

While LL albums are measured by traditional hip hop standards—beats and lyrical prowess, they really mark time in a career spanning three decades. Radio was his brash introduction, Bigger and Deffer and Walking With A Panther were competitive, self-celebratory statements. Mama Said Knock You Out signaled career rejuvenation and Todd Smith embraced collaboration. Authentic revisits that formula with the diversity of Quincy Jones’ classic The Dude, Back On The Block and Q’s Jook Joint albums.

Fifty years ago Nat King Cole recorded a series of Spanish-themed albums. Cole learned the lyrics phonetically resulting in an awkward Spanish accent. His international fans rewarded his artistic risk and concession by purchasing the albums by the millions. Fifty years later Tony Bennett released duet albums to critical acclaim. LL continues in that vein, boldly presenting a full length collaborative album in a singles driven music industry. Never willing to rest on his laurels or choosing to compete with past accomplishments, LL sticks to his creative guns demonstrating an integrity that is Authentic.