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.
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.”
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.
“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.”
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.
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.”
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.
Masculinity
Storytelling and originality to name a few. Carry on!!!
I do think it has something to do with a lot of the trash that actually did come out in the 90’s – early 00’s, that had HUGE success, and record labels said, okay we want you to sound like this because this is what’s hot…i think that’s a larger part of it, along with other things….kids have caught on to the fact that hip hop was all about drinking hard, killing, and that was actually the popular style, to be honest, and that’s why we are where we are, every beat sounds similar, and everybody has to rap about the same ole same ole…to make the hits.
Just be original with the art. Take your time to tell a damn good story. Pac has a song called me and my girlfriend. LL Cool J has a song called around the way girl. A Tribe called quest with Bonita Applebum. OutKast with Elevators. Tell a story guys and gals and be original!
THIS. 100 fucking % this… I’m willing to bet 1/2 these mothafuckas don’t know what you’re saying tho bro, that’s the sad shit… The young kids have no clue that real hip hop is.
They can’t write. Some can barely speak English lol.
Originality, respect, knowledge and loyalty are missing. By respect I mean not dissing anybody because of his age. Back in the 90s I didn’t listen to too many old school rappers, but I never thought about hating on Kurtis Blow, Melle Mel or the Cold Crush Bothers just because they are not in my age. By knowledge I mean knowing the roots and at least a bit of hi-hop history. You don’t even have to dig the crates, just click elsewhere on your streaming app, don’t play the same 15 artists in a circle. And you should know the basics if you are a hip-hop head. Know KRS, Das EFX, Ice-T and a bunch of other names before you hop on a mic after two Travis Scott songs. Loyalty means having a taste. Hip-hop heads should stick to the genre – meanwhile they have a big knowledge and understanding of other styles. Hip-Hop head don’t listen to Justin Biebers, Rihannas or other trash pop singers. This is what’s missing.
Honestly I feel album making is something that has fell off. These kids don’t make real bodies of work. They just make albums full of reaching ass singles or long ass cheat code albums to boost streaming sales in the modern climate. All these little dudes and wack ass chicks are BUTT and clearly don’t get it. That’s why all these nasty female rappers are flopping week after week.