LL COOL J Releases THE FORCE
GRAMMY® AWARD-WINNING HIP-HOP ICON LL COOL J RELEASES
HIGHLY ANTICIPATED NEW ALBUM, THE FORCE
ALBUM FEATURES NAS, EMINEM, SNOOP DOGG, BUSTA RHYMES, SAWEETIE AND MORE
LEAD SINGLE “MURDERGRAM DEUX” FEATURING EMINEM AVAILABLE NOW
STREAM THE FULL ALBUM HERE
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 6, 2024 – Today, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, two-time Grammy® Award-winning Hip-Hop icon, Kennedy Center Honoree, actor, author, NAACP Image Award winner, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and founder and CEO of Rock The Bells, LL COOL J, officially released his first new album in over a decade, THE FORCE (Frequencies of Real Creative Energy), via Def Jam Recordings / Virgin Music Group. The 14-track record is a powerful return that marks a new era for both LL and Hip-Hop. Produced entirely by A Tribe Called Quest’s Q-Tip (who also drew the album artwork himself while in the studio recording), THE FORCE is a testament to LL COOL J’s relentless passion and dedication to his craft, offering fans a dynamic blend of modern sounds and classic Hip-Hop energy. Stream/download the album HERE.
THE FORCE is a potent reminder of just how visceral his music can be. The album represents years of intense work, which the Queens emcee likens to “learning how to rap again.” “It’s like a director going back to film school after he’s had blockbusters,” LL says, or “Denzel going back to acting class.” The result is an album that sounds thoroughly modern—full of razor-sharp writing and nimble, elastic vocals—but rooted in a rich tradition. As LL COOL J drops THE FORCE, it’s a reminder of just how long he’s been shaping the culture – when his debut album hit the streets, Michael Jordan was still a rookie. Now, decades later, LL continues to innovate and elevate the game, proving that greatness endures.
The album opens with the wildly inventive “Spirit of Cyrus,” the sort of unexpected jab to the jaw that would rattle even a seasoned prize fighter. That track is buoyed by a typically silky hook from Snoop Dogg, and elsewhere on THE FORCE, LL flexes his considerable skills as a collaborator, trading bars with Nas, Eminem, Rick Ross, Fat Joe, Busta Rhymes, Saweetie, Don Pablito, J-S.A.N.D., Mad Squablz, and Sona Jobarteh. The Busta duet, “Huey In Da Chair,” pays tribute to LL’s aunt, Joan, the first female Black Panther.
At the core of all the irresistible beats and staggering displays of technical skill, however, is that grit that LL mentions as missing from so many accomplished artists’ lives. Nowhere is this clearer than on “30 Decembers.” Written at the height of the pandemic, that record recounts LL’s rare chances to go incognito: black mask and shades under a black hoodie, he would take the train around New York with no security, revisiting project hallways and long-forgotten corners, the sense memories coming back in a flood.
“It feels good to finally have this record out in the world,” LL said. “As I’ve said before, this album brings a whole new vibe. I’m returning to my roots…you all better buckle up.”
THE FORCE covers heady topical themes like racial injustice, law enforcement abuses, isolation and observations brought on by the pandemic, legacy, and musings on LL’s place in the canon, while remaining vital, fun, and some of LL’s most urgent lyrical work. With this album, LL offers a roadmap for the terrain an entire genre and culture might soon be inspired enough to explore.
To accompany the release of THE FORCE, the lead single “Murdergram Deux” featuring the iconic, paradigm-shifting artist Eminem and Hip-Hop icon and innovator LL COOL J (who coined the term “G.O.A.T.”), showcases both artists’ signature lyrical prowess and unfiltered aggression, making it an instant standout off the new record and a classic Hip-Hop track. The song delivers on all fronts, blending LL COOL J’s masterful flow with Eminem’s razor-sharp wit, creating a dynamic that is both explosive and unforgettable. From the opening bars, “Murdergram Deux” sets the tone for a relentless auditory experience, pulling listeners into a world of intense storytelling and vivid imagery from two Hip-Hop legends. The music video, which is set to drop soon, promises to be a visual feast.
You can check out the music videos for the previous album singles here:
See THE FORCE track listing and appearances below:
- Spirit of Cyrus (Featuring Snoop Dogg)
- The FORCE
- Saturday Night Special (Featuring Rick Ross and Fat Joe)
- Black Code Suite (Featuring Sona Jobarteh)
- Passion
- Proclivities (Featuring Saweetie)
- Post Modern
- 30 Decembers
- Runnit Back
- Huey In Da Chair (Featuring Busta Rhymes)
- Basquiat Energy
- Praise Him (Featuring Nas)
- Murdergram Deux (Featuring Eminem)
- The Vow (Featuring Mad Squablz, J-S.A.N.D., and Don Pablito)
As a celebration of the release of THE FORCE, next week on Wednesday, September 11 at 8PM ET/PT, LL COOL J will take the stage live at 2024 “VMAs” for a cant-miss performance of music from the new record.
To stay up-to-date on THE FORCE and LL’s other upcoming projects, visit LLCOOLJ.com and follow him on Instagram and Twitter/X.
About LL COOL J: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, two-time Grammy® Award-winning Hip-Hop icon, Kennedy Center Honoree, actor, author, NAACP Image Award winner, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and founder and CEO of Rock The Bells, LL COOL J has created one of the most multifaceted careers and brands in entertainment and continues to display his wide range of talents with every project.
Four decades after he first burst onto the scene, LL COOL J continues his vibrant, trailblazing career. LL COOL J helped elevate the burgeoning rap and Hip-Hop scene of the 80’s, which developed into the musical and cultural phenomenon that is Hip-Hop as we know it today. Of LL’s many contributions to the culture, he also is credited with the creation of the acronym “G.O.A.T.” – short for “Greatest of All Time.”
First introduced to the world in 1984 as a Def Jam Recordings’ flagship artist, LL is the first rap artist to amass ten consecutive platinum-plus selling albums, including his critically-acclaimed debut album, RADIO, and the international, timeless anthem and album of the same name, MAMA SAID KNOCK YOU OUT. LL’s hit singles include “Going Back to Cali,” “Doin’ It,” “Around the Way Girl,” “Loungin’”, “Headsprung,” and Hip-Hop’s first rap ballad “I Need Love.”
This fall LL is back to make his latest artistic contribution and continue to elevate Hip-Hop culture after over a decade long hiatus with the September 6th, 2024 release of his highly anticipated new album, THE FORCE (Frequencies of Real Creative Energy), executive produced by Hip-Hop innovator and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Q-Tip, of A Tribe Called Quest. With this album, LL will help celebrate the 40th anniversary of the creation of Def Jam Recordings.
In December 2017, LL became the first rapper to earn the prestigious Kennedy Center Honor, which is America’s highest achievement for any performer. In addition, he received his star on the world-renowned Hollywood Walk of Fame on January 21, 2016.
In March 2018, LL launched his own SiriusXM timeless Hip-Hop channel entitled “LL COOL J’s Rock The Bells Radio,” garnering millions of daily listeners. The channel features a wide range of innovative and timeless Hip-Hop content, music, interviews, and in-depth retrospectives curated, programmed, and presented by the award-winning artist himself. Since founding the radio station, Rock The Bells has developed into a global platform that has become the preeminent voice for timeless Hip-Hop. Rock The Bells focuses on content, commerce and experiences that honor the CULTURE and the core elements of Hip-Hop – MCs, DJs, Breakers, Graffiti Artists – and more. Rock The Bells hosted its inaugural eponymous music festival in Queens, New York in August 2022, which sold out back-to-back years in 2022 and 2023, where LL headlined both festivals.
LL COOL J was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on October 30, 2021, in Cleveland, Ohio for the 36th annual induction ceremony. Considered by most as the crowning achievement for one’s musical career, the ceremony was a celebration of LL’s lasting impact on Hip-Hop and the music industry.
In Summer 2023, LL COOL J, Rock The Bells, and Live Nation Urban kicked off his first arena tour in 30 years across North America called The F.O.R.C.E. Tour, inspired by the name of LL’s forthcoming album. Living up to the acronym for Frequencies of Real Creative Energy, the lineup for this tour was personally curated by LL COOL J. Building off their amazing performance together on the GRAMMY® Awards earlier that year celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop, all dates featured collaborative live performances with preeminent Award-winning Hip-Hop band The Roots, the legendary DJ Jazzy Jeff, and DJ Z-Trip.
LL hosted the GRAMMY® Awards for an unprecedented five years in a row from 2012-2016, for which he earned rave reviews. In addition, he hosted and produced the GRAMMY® Nominations Concert Live Special for seven years and has also been a presenter at the Emmy®, Golden Globe® and SAG Awards. Most recently, at the end of 2023, LL helped produce CBS’ live concert special A GRAMMY Salute To 50 Years Of Hip-Hop, which celebrated the 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop and was nominated for an NAACP Image Award.
LL has always been an avid philanthropist involved in numerous causes, including literacy for kids as well as music and arts programs in schools. Founded in 2005, LL’s charity “Jump & Ball” – which takes place every August in his hometown of Queens, New York – aims to give back to his local community by offering an athletic and team building program dedicated to bringing wholesome fun to young people.
Between being a musician, actor, philanthropist and entrepreneur, LL COOL J is the ultimate multi-hyphenate whose career continues to expand and where he remains one of the most beloved and innovative brands in entertainment. He currently resides in both New York and Los Angeles.
