LL COOL J Reveals the Reason Behind His 10-Year Music Hiatus—And Why The Force Is Worth the Wait

Some of the items featured below are from LL COOL J’s businesses. E! may get a commission if you purchase something through our links. Learn more. Unable to see the video above? Watch on TalkShopLive.

The king of crowd rockers is finally back (but don’t call it a comeback). LL COOL J has always been a force in pop culture, and now he’s set to elevate hip-hop culture with his 14th studio album, The Force.

The album, out September 6, marks the rapper’s first studio album in over a decade, following his 2013 release, Authentic. With a career spanning 40 years, this album is a milestone for both LL COOL J and the iconic label.

"I called that [Def Jam] phone number every day for a week and a half," he recounted. "That demo led to the creation of Def Jam. Now, 40 years later, here I am putting out this record on Def Jam again."

As the label's first signed artist at just 16 years old, LL COOL J’s dedication to his craft is clear in his approach to this album. After deliberately stepping away from music to focus on his acting career and other endeavors, he wanted to make sure his return was marked by a project that truly reflected his artistic vision. "I didn’t want to cheat the fans,” he noted. “I wanted them to have a real LL COOL J album."

"The idea of LL COOL J is just all things that elevate hip-hop culture," the two-time Grammy Award winner explained during a recent TalkShopLive event, "and personify excellence in hip-hop... musical excellence, in every sense of the word."

The Force is produced by A Tribe Called Quest’s Q-Tip, known for his innovative sound and artistic vision. "He produced the s--t out of these joints and did his thing,” the 56-year-old said of the deeply rewarding experience. “He’s a brilliant dude, and working with him was like a joy."

The album also features collaborations with some of hip-hop’s most influential figures, including Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Nas, Busta Rhymes, and Rick Ross.

"I’m so inspired by this record that I want to make another one," he said. "It’s fully inspired, and the quality is there."

As he prepares to release The Force, LL COOL J stays true to his roots, inspired by hip-hop's evolution. As a fan of the genre, he aims for his music to capture hip-hop's journey from the streets to the top.

"This project is more about the people and cultural impact than anything else," the "Mama Said Knock You Out" rapper said. "I feel like I was born to hold this space in hip-hop."

For a deeper dive into the album creation process, LL COOL J’s journey, and why he described his album as "pimento on a potato salad" to Dr. Dre, check out the full TalkShopLive livestream above.

When Does LL COOL J’s New Album The Force Drop?

LL COOL J’s new album, The Force, drops September 6, 2024. This highly anticipated release marks his first studio album in 11 years and includes collaborations with hip-hop icons such as Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Nas, Rick Ross, and Fat Joe. Make sure to mark your calendar for this major event and stay tuned for LL COOL J’s latest music release!

How Do I Get A Signed LL COOL J CD?

To get a signed CD copy of LL COOL J’s The Force, click the Shop button below the video replay of his exclusive livestream event on TalkShopLive. Don’t miss this unique chance to own a piece of hip-hop history and interact with LL COOL J live!

Where Can I Watch the LL COOL J Livestream?

You can catch the replay of LL COOL J’s exclusive livestream interview with Shaheem Reid on TalkShopLive, E! Online, and Facebook.

What Is TalkShopLive?

TalkShopLive is an innovative live streaming shopping platform where entertainment meets e-commerce. It lets creators, brands, and small businesses host interactive live shopping shows — like LL COOL J’s recent livestream event. On September 3, LL COOL J unveiled his new album The Force during a special livestream, offering exclusive signed copies and real-time interaction. TalkShopLive’s unique blend of live streaming and shopping creates a community-driven experience, making it the go-to platform for discovering new products and engaging with celebrities.