LL Cool J, one of Hip Hop’s resident experts, has explained what he feels is missing from the genre in 2024.
In an interview with The New York Times ahead of the release of his new album The FORCE, the rap legend shared his thoughts on the current state of Hip Hop.
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When asked what’s missing from today’s music, LL had a simple answer: “Songwriting.”
He added: “There’s nothing wrong with rapping about money and success, and there’s nothing wrong with rapping about pure sex — I love them both. [But] there has to be more to it than that, to me, in order for a project to be compelling.”
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LL Cool J’s comments echo those of fellow Hip Hop icon Dr. Dre, who also recently expressed disappointment at how the genre has evolved.
During an interview with Kevin Hart for the comedian’s Peacock series Hart to Hart last year, the N.W.A legend refrained from criticizing Hip Hop’s current generation but admitted he wasn’t the biggest fan of what’s out there right now.
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“Hip Hop is what it is. Anybody that’s talking about the state of Hip Hop right now, when talking about it from a negative place, sounds like somebody’s fuckin’ grandfather,” he said. “This is just what it is. Hip Hop is evolving. If you don’t like it, don’t listen to it, you know what I’m saying?”
However, he added: “I’m keepin’ it all the way 100 with you. Some of this shit, most of this shit, I don’t like. I don’t listen to a lot of that shit. But I’m not hatin’ on it. I’m never gonna hate on it.”
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Both LL Cool J and Dr. Dre are seemingly looking to be the change they want to see with both artists set to drop new albums this year.
LL’s aforementioned The FORCE arrives this Friday (September 6), and boasts appearances from a murderer’s row of lyrical titans including Eminem, Nas, Snoop Dogg, Fat Joe, Busta Rhymes and Rick Ross.
Behind the boards, production duties are handled entirely by Q-Tip.
Dre, meanwhile, is reuniting with Snoop Dogg for Missionary, which will mark the West Coast duo’s first full-length collaboration since 1993’s Doggystyle.
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Speaking with Entertainment Tonight last month, the Aftermath founder called the album some of the best work of his career.
“This one’s gonna show a different level of maturity with [Snoop’s] lyrics and with my music. I feel like this is some of the best music I’ve done in my career,” he declared. “I’m not playing.”
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Dre also hinted at a November release and let slip that Missionary will feature an appearance from rock great Sting, along with an “amazing roster” of other artists.
