G.O.A.T.

by

LL Cool J

Edit

Bad as in back in the day BAD! Being 21 years old and a music lover, not just Hip-Hop mind you, I have been a little dissapointed with a few of the last LL offerings, but this has renewed my interest in Mr. Smith. Not since "Mama said knock you out" has he exuded this much energy and showmanship into a recording. With the inclusion of Method Man, Redman, DMX, and Ja Rule just to name a few of the guest appearences on this album, LL Cool J has assured not only the commercial success of this album, but did not rest on a few guest appearences alone to make this album a keeper. The design of the album and most importantly the music included herein is some truly worth while listening. As far as being The Greatest Of All Time, I would have to say he probably isn't. But that really doesn't matter, it's just part of the image that he portrays like the microphone battles from the '80s. LL Cool J was hip-hop, turned not hip-hop, and now with this record, I would dare to say has dropped the Rap/Hip-Hop album of the year. As far as the track "Farmers", I have to say that I actually liked it! It just had a classic LL feel to it. The only thing that I would say really disappointed me about this album was the Redman, DMX, and Method Man track "Fuhgidabowdit". It seems as if DMX's verse was thrown in almost as an afterthought, but otherwise, the track is witty and biting and sounds like a track from Blackout! Which is not an insult because Blackout! was an insanely good record. All in all, if you like LL Cool J, buy this album. If you don't, why are you even here?

LL Cool J was without a doubt an early hip-hop pioneer, but G.O.A.T (greatest of all time) status I have to debate.

There are some classic tracks on this album that show signs of flamboyance, but for the most part the rest of the tracks are below average.

The title of this album can be misleading because there is no way LL Cool J can be considered the greatest of all time, and for him to claim to be is just straight bogus.

Intro: ++++ (best into I've heard in awhile)

Imagine That: ++ (MTV material)

Back Where I Belong: +++++ (LL's best track in awhile)

LL Cool J: +++ (not bad, not good, average)

Take It Off: ++ (just garbage)

Fuhgidabowdit: +++ (dont feel the guest)

Farmers: ++ (terrible beat)

This Is Us: +++ (nice meaning)

Can't Think: +++ (nice beat, but overdone)

Hello: ++ (part II to Imagine That)

You and Me: ++++ (should have been a video)

Homicide: +++++ (CLASSIC)

You Cant ... with Me: + (worse than garbage)

Queens Is: +++++ (not sure if L wrote this one or not)

The G.O.A.T: ++ (terrible beat)

III Bomb: +++ (used to be a very hott track)

M.I.S.S.I: ++ (not my flavor)

I would give this album 3.25 stars maybe... 3.5 but nothing more. If you are a big fan of LL then you wouldnt feel this is his best album and it isn't, but I would have to say it is worth the money you pay for it for the classic tracks I listed above.