It has been since 2013’s Authentic that LL Cool J has last put out an album. In recent years there have been announcements of projects including the G.O.A.T 2 and an untitled project spearheaded by Dr. Dre. At this point the projects have not been released. The material released related to the projects show LL Cool J can still deliver at a high level. A common theme that LL has done with his projects since the mid 90’s that will hopefully continue is to feature fellow artists from Queens where he was raised.
LL Cool J – Tell Tha World
LL Cool J – Freestyle (prod. by Dr. Dre)
The first occurrence was on the I Shot Ya remix from the 1995 album Mr. Smith. The track featured Keith Murray, Fat Joe, Foxy Brown, and Prodigy from Mobb Deep representing Queens. On LL Cool J’s follow up 1997’s Phenomenon Queen’s natives the Lost Boyz appeared twice on the album. The tracks were “Another Dolla” and the other being “Wanna Get Paid”.
LL Cool J – I Shot Ya (remix) feat. Keith Murray, Prodigy, Fat Joe & Foxy Brown
LL Cool J – Another Dolla feat. Lost Boyz
LL Cool J – Wanna Get Paid feat. Lost Boyz
On 2000’s G.O.A.T. LL would link up once again with Prodigy from Mobb Deep on “Queens Is”. The track itself was produced by other Mobb Deep member Havoc. Ja Rule hailing from Queens made an appearance on “Back Where I Belong”. In 2006 LL Cool J forged a partnership with 50 Cent and G-Unit. This was going to be huge for Queens.
LL Cool J – Queens Is feat. Prodigy (prod. by Havoc)
LL Cool J – Back Where I Belong feat. Ja Rule
The first track together was the remix to “Freeze” labeled as “Bump This” from the Todd Smith project which featured 50 Cent and Lloyd Banks. In 2007 LL Cool J would drop the mixtape track “Queens” featuring 50 Cent, Kool G Rap, Prodigy, and Tony Yayo. LL would then hop on the remix to G-Unit’s “Straight Outta Southside”. This all led up to 50 Cent being featured on “Feel My Heart Beat” from LL’s 2008 album Exit 13.
LL Cool J – Freeze (remix) aka Bump This feat. 50 Cent & Lloyd Banks
LL Cool J – Queens feat. 50 Cent, Kool G Rap, Prodigy & Tony Yayo
G-Unit – Straight Outta Southside (remix) feat. LL Cool J
LL Cool J – Feel My Heart Beat feat. 50 Cent
The last track LL Cool J did linking up with fellow Queens Artist was Action Bronson’s remix to “Strictly 4 My Jeeps” in 2014 which also featured Lloyd Banks. LL over the last few years has voiced that the material he wants to put out at this point is just real authentic hip hop. He has nothing left to prove and wants to put music out for the love of it. What better way to do it then linking up with his fellow Queens brethren that share the same vision.
Action Bronson – Strictly 4 My Jeeps (remix) feat. LL Cool J & Lloyd Banks
