LL Cool J, a two-time Grammy Award winner, has by no means misplaced his rap bona fides. At age 56, the legend is rapping once more on The FORCE — brief for Frequencies of Actual Artistic Vitality — his first album in 11 years.

His new album, out Sept. 6, is produced by Q-Tip of A Tribe Known as Quest and options a number of of his contemporaries, together with Nas, Eminem and Snoop Dogg. Throughout 14 tracks, the album tackles themes of social injustice and racism. However, it isn’t all heavy; in a collaboration with the rapper Saweetie, the 2 rap about seduction and lust.

Again in 2017, LL Cool J turned the primary hip hop artist to obtain Kennedy Middle Honors for lifetime contributions to American tradition. The 12 months earlier than, his star was unveiled on the Hollywood Stroll of Fame.

He’s had a profitable performing profession in each movie and tv, enjoying a particular agent within the crime drama “NCIS: Los Angeles.”

The Queens, New York, native rose to fame within the ’80s. He made his first report, “I Want a Beat,” at age 16. Later got here quite a few smash hits, together with his Grammy Award-winning rap efficiency in “Mama Stated Knock You Out.”

In his new music “30 Decembers,” LL Cool J takes a visit down reminiscence lane. Throughout the peak of COVID, he would experience the subway in New York Metropolis and report his observations. “To put in writing is to actually be impressed by one thing,” he stated in an interview with NPR’s A Martínez.

He additionally talked about how he’s not hanging up his hat anytime quickly.

This interview has been evenly edited for size and readability. Hearken to Morning Version to listen to the total interview.

A Martínez: Inform us about Frequencies of Actual Artistic Vitality. Why did you wish to do that album now?

LL Cool J: If filmmakers can proceed to make nice movies over quite a few years, and if The Stones and Mick can run round at 80-something years outdated, which I really like and respect — if they will try this, LL Cool J can create artwork that is not simply mediocre, that is not like a B-minus, however really one thing that, by way of my coronary heart and my ardour, and my soul, is an A-plus venture. And current it to the world and contact the tradition. That was the purpose that I used to be trying to show.

A Martínez: I learn that you simply needed to discover ways to rap once more, contemplating it has been 11 years since you place out new music. What’s that course of wish to study to rap once more?

LL Cool J: I feel it’s growing new expertise, sharpening expertise that you simply already had. You already know, you might have been driving bikes all of your life, however by no means popped a wheelie. It is like studying pop wheelies. It is like, Oh, you have been popping wheelies your complete life. Nicely, discover ways to experience a unicycle.

A Martínez: So numerous your tracks sound like they’re autobiographical. Inform us the story you are telling in “Black Code Suite.”

LL Cool J: That story is absolutely concerning the Black expertise in America after which tying that and connecting that to my roots all the way in which over in Africa. And that journey and that world and what it is like. I feel it is only a uncooked and trustworthy, fun-loving form of have a look at Black tradition.

A Martínez: You wrote “30 Decembers” within the peak of the pandemic. What was the story behind that music?

LL Cool J: So throughout the pandemic, I bought a possibility due to all of the masks and restrictions. I took it as a possibility to simply anonymously journey all through New York Metropolis. And for me, that was superb, as a result of I might journey on the subway on my own – alone. I used to be all over the place, man. From Marcy to pink homes from all up within the Bronx. I used to be simply operating everywhere in the metropolis as a result of you may’t create artwork for individuals you could’t relate to. Once you’re making an attempt to write down songs that actually join with individuals, you have bought to have the ability to relate. And one of many stuff you neglect about is the hazard. You neglect about actual issues taking place to actual individuals every day. You may get misplaced on this little upscale bubble. All the pieces I documented in that music was actual.

A Martínez: Do you continue to see rap because the aggressive sport that you simply did possibly again within the day while you have been 16 or 17 years outdated?

LL Cool J: Thousand p.c. You already know, the stakes are totally different, however I see it as desirous to show some extent, you understand. It is not misplaced on me that I am making a culturally related and impactful report at 12 months 40. As a result of, you understand, the humanities, it is best to get higher — try to be extra curious. I imply, I might argue that Picasso bought higher. Miles Davis bought higher.

A Martínez: Now please forgive me for the way in which I ask this subsequent query. So can we name this album a comeback?

LL Cool J: No! Completely not. I have been right here for years, child. How are you going to name it a comeback once I’ve been right here for years, man? How are you going to try this? I am simply within the joint, you understand what I’m saying.

A Martínez: They are going to be lifelong followers of yours who’re of their fifties, who’re going to play this album of their automobiles after they’re driving their youngsters to highschool. The children are going to ask ’Who’s that, mother? Who’s that dad?’ What do you hope that these mothers and dads say after they describe the artist you have been again within the day after they have been younger, and the artist you are actually?

LL Cool J: I hope that the dialog would not even have available that a lot, as a result of after they press play, they simply suppose it is cool. As a result of on the finish of the day, the true questions get answered by the standard of the artwork. I’ve had events the place individuals felt like they needed to inform their youngsters about me and stuff like that, which is cool, however I do not even give it some thought in these phrases. It is like, Yo, that is my music. If that is the place you joined in with the world of LL Cool J, and if that is the place you found me, so be it. It is as much as you. I simply wish to share my artwork with the world, share this venture with the world, and watch them have enjoyable listening to it.

The digital model of this interview was edited by Majd Al-Waheidi.

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