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Product Description
From Amazon.com
With more than 14 years as a continually viable, visible recording artist, LL Cool J--the once and future James Todd Smith--sets the pace for hip-hop artist longevity. Though with five consecutive platinum albums he's long since qualified for his rap star pension, why stop the old guy when he shows no sign of slowing down? On 1995's Mr. Smith, the 27-year-old LL's "self"-titled sixth album, the rapper keeps running like an aged marathoner: past his prime and no longer winning medals, perhaps, but still in full stride and doing a lot better than you could.
At this point in his career, though, LL seems concerned with retaining the credibility of his Queens, New York, past while submerging deeper into a Hollywood future. Conscious of--and not fully resistant to--the fact that he's fast becoming recognized more as sitcom star than as rap pioneer, LL goes out of his way on Mr. Smith to provide his résumé. He recaps successes on "I Shot Ya," remembers those who paved his way on "Hip Hop," and even pumps a little hardcore on "Life As ..."
But ultimately LL's just acting tough, not living tough. While he claims one song won't "be getting no airplay" due to its heavy profanity, in reality the vocals are heavily expurgated. LL tries to play both sides, but he can't escape his nice-guy, TV-ready self. He even celebrates his second career on "Hollis to Hollywood," a rap full of movie wordplay ("I'm making Speed like I'm Keanu Reeves / But too many True Lies can make a honey bleed"). And of course, Mr. Smith is best when he's just playing the ladies' man: "Hey Lover" waxes R&B sultry with Boyz II Men on vocals, while "Doin' It" and "Make It Hot" get down-and-out sexy over impeccable tracks. --Roni Sarig
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is one of the best CDs I own now. I have tried for years to get it and now I just chill to the sound of Hey Lover, Doin it and the ultimate tune Loungin... HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
An absolute must for all funksers; dont miss out on doin' it, or loungin - an absolute classic!
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
17 reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
LL Cool J has brought us "Mr. Smith"
18 April 2005
Format:Audio CD
and it's a must have!, its listenable and enjoyable and it doesnt get old. Now LL is 1 of my favourite artists and this is 1 of my favourite albums released by him!. he has now been in the game for 20 years and has a great lineup of albums that will keep everyone bumping.
Now to the album, i do prefer the first half of the album since it has a better lineup of songs, the 2nd half is almost as good though, and also i must say the beats on this album are great, LL fits in well with it all.
My Favourite tracks include, "Doin' It", "Hey Lover" and "I Shot Ya".
LL Cool J brought us something good here, I just love turning on the cd player and having "Make It Hot" come on, cause i no from there it's gonna be another great listen. There isn't any bad songs, although i would've loved the remix of "Loungin" to be on the album, and also there are a couple fillers, but it doesnt change how good the album is.
Anyways...LL changed the way i look at and like music, i was all into gangsta rap and i just needed to notice that there was more then that.
"Mr Smith" is a must have! and i reccommend any hip-hop lover get it A.S.A.P.
Now to the album, i do prefer the first half of the album since it has a better lineup of songs, the 2nd half is almost as good though, and also i must say the beats on this album are great, LL fits in well with it all.
My Favourite tracks include, "Doin' It", "Hey Lover" and "I Shot Ya".
LL Cool J brought us something good here, I just love turning on the cd player and having "Make It Hot" come on, cause i no from there it's gonna be another great listen. There isn't any bad songs, although i would've loved the remix of "Loungin" to be on the album, and also there are a couple fillers, but it doesnt change how good the album is.
Anyways...LL changed the way i look at and like music, i was all into gangsta rap and i just needed to notice that there was more then that.
"Mr Smith" is a must have! and i reccommend any hip-hop lover get it A.S.A.P.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Smooth
28 Nov 2005
Format:Audio CD
This 1 of the greatest LL albums there is even though it has a lot of samples, you can listen with just about anybody Good Cd!!!!!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
+1/2, a great album with a couple of wrong steps
16 Aug 2005
Format:Audio CD
Though it failed to reach the Top Ten on the Hot 200 (it peaked at still respectable #20), MR. SMITH achieved Double-Platinum status in sales and ended up becoming LL Cool J's best-selling album. Three Top Ten hits were scored from this record alone, the most from any of LL's albums. The wistful Boyz II Men duet "Hey Lover" (#3 Pop, #3 R&B, #1 Rap), the delightfully raunchy "Doin' It" (#9 Pop, #7 R&B, #2 Rap), and the seductive "Loungin'" (#3 Pop, #4 R&B, #1 Rap) were all over both urban and pop radio all throughout `95 and `96, and they still hold up as three of LL's sensual best.
Aside from the hits, MR. SMITH finds LL at his best on the sexy jams "Make It Hot" and "God Bless," and the autobiographical cuts "Hip Hop" (a nostalgic homage to his craft, mentors, and peers) and "Hollis To Hollywood" (a parable detailing his accent to fame). The album only stumbles during it's midsection, in which LL attempts to be hardcore on "Life As . . .," "I Shot Ya," and the title track, none of which works. LL may not be a credible gangsta, but as long as he sticks to the sexy hip-pop he does best, MR. SMITH is quite entertaining.
Aside from the hits, MR. SMITH finds LL at his best on the sexy jams "Make It Hot" and "God Bless," and the autobiographical cuts "Hip Hop" (a nostalgic homage to his craft, mentors, and peers) and "Hollis To Hollywood" (a parable detailing his accent to fame). The album only stumbles during it's midsection, in which LL attempts to be hardcore on "Life As . . .," "I Shot Ya," and the title track, none of which works. LL may not be a credible gangsta, but as long as he sticks to the sexy hip-pop he does best, MR. SMITH is quite entertaining.
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