LL Cool J’s much-anticipated 14th studio album, produced by Q-Tip, now has a title and release date. “The FORCE (Frequencies of Real Creative Energy)” will be LL’s first album in 11 years, set to drop on September 6th through Def Jam Recordings/Virgin Music Group. This 14-track album features appearances from both legendary and contemporary rap artists, including Busta Rhymes, Eminem, Fat Joe, Nas, Saweetie, and Snoop Dogg.
Speaking to the Associated Press about the creation process, LL Cool J said, “[I was] going back to the drawing board and learning how to rap again. The LeBrons, the Stephs, the Jordans and the Kobes, they all go back to the drawing board, they always try to make themselves better. I wasn’t trying to do trendy, and I wasn’t trying to recapture anything I did before.”
This journey included discarding previous versions of the album, such as one recorded with 50 Cent, which he discussed on The Breakfast Club last year. “When it was done, I listened to it,” he recalled. “I’m like, ‘It sounds good. I like the music, it sounds cool, but it ain’t me.’ So, I ain’t put it out.”
“The FORCE (Frequencies of Real Creative Energy)” will be available on September 6th via Def Jam Recordings/Virgin Music Group. You can listen to its first single, “Passion,” above, and see the tracklist below. Pre-order it here.
The FORCE Tracklist:
- “Spirit Of Cyrus” Feat. Snoop Dogg
- “The FORCE”
- “Saturday Night Special” Feat. Rick Ross & Fat Joe
- “Black Code Suite” Feat. Sona Jobarteh
- “Passion”
- “Proclivities” Feat. Saweetie
- “Post Modern”
- “30 Decembers”
- “Runnit Back”
- “Huey In Da Chair” Feat. Busta Rhymes
- “Basquiat Energy”
- “Praise Him” Feat. Nas
- “Murdergram Deux” Feat. Eminem
- “The Vow” Feat. Mad Squablz, J-S.A.N.D. & Don Pablito
