bigd99999's Full Review: Mr. Smith [PA] by LL Cool J
Underrated
un·der·rate / verb
un·der·rat·ing, un·der·rates, un·der·rate, mis·un·der·es·ti·ma·ting (from the Bush Dictionary)
1. To rate too low; underestimate.
2. Something quote often underappreciated when it shouldn't be in regards to an opinion
Mr. Smith is one of LL Cool J's best albums in his allustrious 20 year career, yet most true-blue music/hip-hop fans don't recognize it as such. Sure, the album is easily LL's biggest selling CD to date, but yet it's always forgotten when mentioning LL's discography while hailing Mama Said Knock You Out as LL's magnum opus. Yes, that album was hot, but so was this one. Yeah, I know it all depends on opinion, but I think it's time to switch that up. While few have said it's hot, some people have called this album "average" or "pretty nice", but not me. From the first listen to the last (with the exception of the occassional speedbump), I immediately fell in love with the album. There's a little bit of everything here. A variety in subject matter and production, to LL's mixing of flows and great guest stars make Mr. Smith essential hip-hop listening for the mainstream audience as well as the often over-picky underground crowd.
10 years after Radio, Mr. Smith dropped, right in the midst of hip-hop's golden era (1995). This alone can make you feel reasonably confident when you push play. "Make It Hot" is the track that every rapper aspires to make. A sublime blend of old-school underground flavor (scratching, samples, punchlines, rugged lyrics) and pop-rap (bragging, R&B vocals, catchy hooks), making this as easily accessible as can get. The powerful keys and strong vocals come together nicely and set up a sunny, vibrant backdrop that any music fan can bump for weeks at a time.
"Hip-Hop" is a masterpiece. From damn-near flawless lyricism, to a thumping and passionate beat, to an intelligent, respectful tribute to the art form, everything pieces together perfectly on "Hip-Hop". The airy production is as fun as it gets, and LL Cool J calls out all his fellow artists from Public Enemy to EPMD to Nas and on forward. The song follows a biographical look at the evolution of hip-hop from the eyes of James Todd Smith from grimy club-style dance music in the 70s to the evolution of lyricism and street-hop until 95. LL Cool J loves his hip-hop, and you can see it here amongst an absolutely breathtaking lyrical display. You'd be a complete cockmuncher to sleep on this:
"There's no question the suggestion was made
The foundation was laid when the Furious played
Grandmaster Flash slayed the competition that was wishin
they could serve the technician with the number one position"
One thing LL Cool J accomplished early in his career was becoming a sex idol. After the incredible success that "I Need Love" brought, LL saw it fit to duplicate that for success. Well the formula worked again on "Hey Lover", one of Big D's top hip-hop ballads. "Hey Lover" acts as the album's lead single, and LL was wise in choosing a song that would appeal to everybody, including the ladies. Remember folks, 99% of his fans wear high heels, and yeah, I'm a fan. LL covers all ground here, simultaneously providing smooth and emotional production, one of the catchiest (and simplest) hooks of the mid-90s ala Boys II Men "Hey Lover... Hey Lover.... this is more than a cruussssh", and LL's crush-influenced lyricism. The story was realistic and amidst the awesome music is what makes this such a piece of excellence.
Of course, with every "Hey Lover" that James drops, there has to be it's dark side. You would have to be a time-travelling ogre from the year 4 Million B.C. to not have heard "Doin' It" at some point in your life. No sir, this is no love song. This is the type of song that children are conceived with, and oh... it's happened. LL Cool J's ahem... conversation... with LaShaun is etched into hip-hop history forevermore, as well as that painfully addictive beat that never gets old. While "Hey Lover" was indeed the first single, it was "Doin It" that got everybody in the record store dropping their 15 dollars to fuck. A lot of the lyrics are downright vile, so be sure to keep this away from kids:
"It's the first time together and I'm feeling kinda horny
Conventional methods of makin love kinda bore me
I wanna knock your block off, get my rocks off,
Blow your socks off make sure your G spots soft".
Children's programming at it's finest! Never doubt James Todd Smith's storytelling abilities.
I dare anybody to find something as smooth as "Life As", although it's a far cry from what LL's dropped in the past. Cool J goes gangsta here, spitting cautionary tales and the like, about gunplay and street credibility. Granted Todd has a storied past, he's far from a gangsta. That doesn't really affect the song though, with smooth and relaxing old-school trumpets and a killer delivery, it's hard to not love it. The title "Mr. Smith" brings back the same nostalgic, old-school delivery that is enjoyable and catchy. Rubbery trumpets and scaling keys give the track a really vibrant, sombre atmosphere. LL's rhymes are in the braggadocio category, but much different from what he spat in the 80s. Adapting his style to the hardcore, emcee-smashing lyricism that was popular in the mid-90s, Cool J dismantles his invisible opponents.
"Time's up, your rhyme's up, mix the lines up
I'm about to blow the spot up with that divine touch
I got the magnetic energetic lyrical calasthetic
Ya better call a medic cos ya look pathetic"
Indeed, LL Cool J is not only hard as hell, but easily listenable."Loungin" continues the trend of relaxed, smooth hip-hop. The production has this endless vibe of technoish keys and assorted bass. The lyrics are great, but it's the production that keeps me playing this over and over again. The track is listenable as all hell, but doesn't scream radio play. "Hollis to Hollywood" follows the same road, with easily accessible lyrics and production. A nice little flute melody backed by a nice bassline and assorted piano keys make another really bright, light-hearted atmosphere for LL. The song's subject matter sparks your mind about the direction LL was headed here; our of music and into movies. Of course, life imitated art on that one. "Papa Luv It" is a special bonus track in the same spirit of "Hey Lover"... for the ladies. An up-tempo, piano-influenced track practically screams mid-90s, with those gorgeous keys that were popular back then. This song is yet another example of LL's easy accessibility; you can listen to this with headphones and bob your head, or you can go to the club and jam it. Different locations, same result.
"I Shot Ya" and it's remix are two absolutely venomous pieces of music. This song probably defines the newfound LL Cool J with an edge. Just the chorus itself defines the subject matter that hip-hop was about back then. I love both songs to death, but the "I Shot Ya Remix" stands out for more than just LL's performance, which was sick on both performances. Keith Murray started the song decently, but a few flow hiccups didn't work. Prodigy was as dope as ever, and those of you Jay-Z fans wondering about that "forgotten sample" from "D'Evils"... it's here: "Illuminati want my mind, soul, and my body, Secret society, tryin to keep they eye on me". What's this? Fat Joe with a hot verse? Oh yes. Joe rips the microphone up and while his punchlines were lacking, his energetic delivery and sharp flow was simply dangerous. Foxy Brown compliments the track nicely with her excellent verse, but it's LL Cool J who steals the show. Yup, here comes another quotable, but it's worth it. This could be LL's career verse and if he spat this flaming against Bis, perhaps the battle would've lasted a bit longer:
"What the fuck? I thought I conquered the whole world
Crushed Moe Dee, Hammer, and Ice-T's girl
But still, niggas want to instigate shit
I'll battle any nigga in the rap game quick
Name the spot, I make it hot for ya bitches
Female rappers too, I don't give a fuck boo
Word, I'm here to crush all my peers
Rhymes of the month in The Source for twenty years
Niggas scared, I'm detrimental to your mental state
I use my presidential Rolex to be debate
Niggas fight, glock cocked ya temple gets fucked
emcees, that fuck with LL they gets bucked
That's real, what's up with that I Shot Ya deal?
Light shit, niggas slip now how the bullet feel?
New York appeal, in L.A. they gang bang
But if you touch a mic your motherfuckin ass hang
That's facts, niggas don't recieve no type of slack
Cause if they do, they ass is always runnin back
Not this time, but next time I'ma name names
LL, shittin from on top of the game.... .... ...I SHOT YA!"
While the album is mainly composed of quality hip-hop music, there's still some obligatory whack material. "No Airplay" has to be the stupidest concept ever. LL tries doing what's called "the reverse single" and sort of poke fun at the radio/MTV world with the overexcited fans and loudmouth host... the same crowd LL would attempt to please one album later. LL even goes so far as to censor the profanity for that realistic effect. Can anybody say boring? Just the track's intro drags-on with stupid jokes which are far from money. The lyrics are decent, but at times nonsensical. Skip! "God Bless" acts as filler mainly because quite frankly, the song doesn't suck, but it isn't entertaining either. The production sounds very tired and has no bounce to it. It's boring, just like the lyrics and hook here. Probably the definition of filler, since it really serves no point to be here. The track right after doesn't help much either. "Get Da Drop On Em" is fun the first couple of times, but soon you realize it is nothing more than glorified filler. The hook is contrived as all hell, the lyrics range from nice to nothing, but either way it's just... there. I don't like that.
Mr. Smith should have more than enough to satisty any hip-hop fan's taste. LL has songs for his fans, he's got brag-rap, he's got songs for the ladies, and hell, LL even became a gangsta once or twice. Is it believable? No, but also if the songs weren't that good, I wouldn't have liked them that much. It's a shame that Mr. Smith would wind up being his last album that was this good, with LL becoming P. Diddy on Phenonemom, trying to salvage the beef with Canibus on G.O.A.T., focusing on ladies only with Ten, and heading for the clubs on The DEFinition. Mr. Smith would stand as LL's final, truly complete album and certainly proves LL Cool J was hard as hell... yeah... he was...
Track List & Rating
1. The Intro (Skit) (NOT RATED)
2. Make It Hot (*****)
3. Hip Hop (******)
4. Hey Lover f/ Boyz II Men (******)
5. Doin It f/ Leshaun (******)
6. Life As... (*****)
7. I Shot Ya (*****)
8. Mr. Smith (*****)
9. No Airplay (**)
10. Loungin' f/ Total (******)
11. Hollis to Hollywood (*****)
12. God Bless (**)
13. Get Da Drop On 'Em (**)
14. Prelude (Skit) (NOT RATED)
15. I Shot Ya (Remix) f/ Prodigy, Keith Murray, Fat Joe, and Foxy Brown (*****)
16. Papa Luv It (*****)
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