RayRay

LL Cool J has arguably enjoyed the longest career of any emcee in rap history. As the legendary rapper readies the release of his 13th studio album, SOHH chatted him up about the project, his rumored diss aimed at Maino and his thoughts on Def Jam's new executive vice president.

LL tells SOHH that for his upcoming record, Exit 13, he was focused on creating a fresh new sound.

"I'm not tryin to recapture yester year and I'm not tryin to imitate anybody or be like anybody," he said. "I got kids for that. I'm really pushing the envelope with this record."

The Queens-bred vet drafted a few "young, hungry" producers for the disc, bypassing the "usual cast of characters," he said, though he did recruit DJ Scratch for the track, "Rockin' with the G.O.AT."

Other contributors include 50 Cent, who worked very closely with LL throughout the recording process, The-Dream, Ritchie Sambora of Bon Jovi and Lil' Mo.
"The single is actually the most conventional of all the records on the album. It only gets better and crazier as you go along," LL said.
He wants to branch out with his sound on this new joint, since he considers his last couple of projects to be flops.

"I think the last two records have suffered because of the other commitments in my life; doing a couple of songs on the album, then shooting a movie ..." LL said. "So I would get a hit here and a hit there, but I didn't get full bodies of work that really blew people away."
Yet the rapper is confident Exit 13 will change all that.

"I'm not doin the same ol' same ol' that I've been doin," LL said. "When it's 24 years later and your project is still relevant to many people, you have a responsibility to put out great music."

The G.O.A.T.'s longevity comes from his fearless love for the music.
"I'm not afraid to change, I'm not afraid to experiment, I'm not afraid to get hated on ..."

And he wasn't by the way, hating on Maino when he jumped on the "Hi Hater" track recently with his own remix.

"That's a young cat comin up in the game, I would never do that to him," he explained. "That's not even my style. I sang along with him, 'hi haters,' he got it right."

LL's 13th studio album is also the last disc before his contract with Def Jam is up, thus the title, Exit 13. But the G.O.A.T. may renew with the label since Jay-Z stepped down and the new EVP, Shakir Stewart, was announced.

"I think the quality of the music will get better and I think Shakir's a good choice," he announced. "I support him 100 %."

Exit 13 is slated to hit shelves in late July, early August.

LadyValentine

I Will Always Root For LL...If I Like The Singles I Will Cop..That Hi Hater Rmx Is Dope Too

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Blizzy

LL is a certified legend...I don't personally like all the bubble gum he does but he's got classics...props on news...

Ieshia86

You Got To Respect Ll No Matter What He Is A Legend In The Rap Game

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black ice 07

I Love that Trey Songz record he got out. So far the music he's been putting out has been better than anything on his last couple of records. It's a reason all of LL records have sold at least gold or platinum. If he drops a complete record with a hot single he's going to be a problem.

Tha Unit On Top

You cant front, he has some hot shit on that new Slay mixtape dropping on Sat Slay said yesterday, he rode the fuck outta the Rider pt. 2 beat, he is one of the best, and he has staying power. I think this will be one of his best albums.

tenngb0588

yea i heard it and didnt think he would go at maino, he'd be stupid for that, but i hope his album is hot i stopped fuckin wit him like 10 years ago, not really in to the whole bubble gum bow wow type songs, but if his album got hot singles i'll cop it and it has to be better then his mixtape that kay slay is sayin is soooooo good

Smithilberry

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

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