LL Cool J: Exit 13

LL Cool J: Exit 13 LL Cool J turned 40 earlier this year. His last album, 2006's Todd Smith was his most disappointing album since 1993's 4 Shots to the Dome. With a decade of making more movies than albums, LL Cool J finishes his Def Jam Records contract with his 13th album, Exit 13. Cool J does what any aging emcee who is now known as an actor more than a rapper would do, he employs a legion of high end producers and guest performers to beef up his album. The album's street single "Rocking with the G.O.A.T." was produced by DJ Scratch best known for producing Busta Rhymes "Woo-Hah!! Got You All In Check" and "Gimme Some More". The "mainstream" single from the album is the Tricky Stewart produced "Baby" featuring The-Dream. The just released follow up single is the Dream Team produced "Feel My Heart Beat" which features 50 Cent. The problem with this mid-life crisis of an album is that LL Cool J still has the ability to carry an album by himself. He doesn't need high profile guests or well known producers and he proves on several of the album's tracks. The album's opener "It's Time for War" is the perfect thesis statement for the album. He basically says that this is his comeback album even though he never really went anywhere. The songs production comes from the fairly unknown Suits & Ray Burghardt. The album's second track "Old School New School" was produced by the slightly more notably Ryan Leslie. The production perfectly complements LL's voice and cadence. The album mostly circles around LL's comfort level. He raps about love, lust, and his historical place in hip hop. The album's most uncomfortable moment comes in "Mr. President" . LL's attempt at a political rap comes off as a stumbling Q&A with President Bush. LL continues the awkwardness with "American Girl" where he suggests "I bet Thomas Jefferson would love B.E.T." Like all releases, Exit 13 has its highs and lows. LL certainly proves that he still has the chops to succeed in the game. If this ends up being his last album on Def Jam, at least went out with a bang. Rating: 6.2/10 MP3: LL Cool J "Old School New School" Buy: iTunes