Exit 13 [EXPLICIT LYRICS]

L.L. Cool J

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 9, 2008)
• Original Release Date: September 9, 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Explicit Lyrics
• Label: Def Jam
• ASIN: B001AI1QWW
• In-Print Editions: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #7,454 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

About the Artist
"I never could have predicted that I'd still be rocking the mic more than two decades after my debut, but here I am," LL Cool J says with a smile. Here he is indeed. Nearly 25 years since he first burst onto the scene, LL Cool J continues his vibrant, trailblazing career with the release of EXIT 13, his appropriately titled 13th album for the only label he has called home - Def Jam Recordings. EXIT 13 is a study in contrast and showcases LL Cool J's duality. "Depending on my mood, I can be aggressive, explosive and in-your-face, or alternately suave, smooth and sensual. It's no secret that I like making love songs as much as I like to lay down rhymes," commented LL. With a career chock full of both and a new album packed with collaborators as diverse as 50 Cent, Wyclef Jean, Richie Sambora and The Dream, and producers such as Suits, DJ Scratch, Ilfonics and Raw Uncut, EXIT 13 is the album LL Cool J fans have been clamoring for - full of passion, braggadocio and smooth rhymes. "When it came time for me to go into the studio, I tried to make this project as relevant as my first, and having that sense of my career coming full circle. Believe me, it was a blessing to be able to go back into the studio and create this album." Joining forces with 50 Cent on a track called "Heartbeat," the two Queens natives rap over a stripped down track, while sounding like they are having a good time. "It's a song about role playing," says LL of "Heartbeat." On the tracks "Rocking With The Goat," LL taps into his native New Yorker persona, and teams with labelmates The Dream on EXIT 13's first single "Baby." The track, which recently debuted on the Billboard charts, marks LL's 42nd career chart debut. What began for LL Cool J in the nascent, burgeoning rap and hip hop scene of the 80's, has now seeped throughout the musical and cultural phenomenon that is today's hip hop. All the while, LL Cool J has remained a musical and cultural force, a living icon and a significant, relevant artist still churning out the hits. First introduced to the world in 1984 as a Def Jam Records flagship artist, LL is the first rap artist to amass ten consecutive platinum-plus selling albums, while 2004's "THE DEFinition" and 2006's "Todd Smith" both went Gold. He is currently tied for third place for most Billboard chart debuts by a rapper. As an entertainer, he has succeeded in crossing into multiple mediums. Already a talented actor, author, recording artist, two-time Grammy Award winner and NAACP Image Award winner, LL continues to display his wide range of talents in his projects. He recently inked an exclusive deal with Sears, Roebuck to brand an affordable clothing line that will appeal to families. A focal point of Sears own re-branding efforts, LL's merchandise is slated to hit stores in time for back to school. "The clothes are fashion forward, and I'm using my whole family in the ad campaign.As an actor, LL Cool J recently wrapped production on "The Deal" opposite William H. Macy and Meg Ryan. He also recently starred in Paramount Pictures' "Last Holiday," opposite Queen Latifah. The film was lauded by fans and critics alike and proved to be a box office draw. Both "Last Holiday" and "Edison," a film starring Morgan Freeman, Kevin Spacey and Justin Timberlake, are now available on DVD. Over the years, LL has appeared in more than 30 films and starred opposite acclaimed actors such as Samuel L. Jackson and Colin Farrell in Sony Pictures blockbuster "S.W.A.T.," Al Pacino, Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz in Oliver Stone's "Any Given Sunday," and Gabrielle Union in Focus Features' "Deliver Us from Eva." Other film credits include "Rollerball," "Charlie's Angels," "Kingdom Come," "In Too Deep," "Toys," and "Slow Burn," with Ray Liotta. He has also received a Blockbuster Award for best comedic performance as the "Chef" in Renny Harlin's blockbuster action film "Deep Blue Sea."

Three years ago, LL transitioned to television with a dramatic and critically acclaimed performance on the second season premiere of FOX's hit drama "House." He recently guest starred on the NBC comedy "30 Rock" in a memorable performance as hip hop mogul Ridiculous. He currently has a new dramatic television series is in development at CBS. Also an author, LL's recently released his new fitness book, LL Cool J's Platinum Workout, which was a New York Times Bestseller. In the book LL shares his personal workout regimen in a revolutionary new program that promises to help anyone build muscle and burn fat. In 2002 he released a children's book, And the Winner Is, as part of Scholastics series of books and CDs by today's hottest rap stars called "Hip Kid Hop." And the Winner Is tells the story of a young basketball player who learns the importance on winning and losing gracefully. He also penned a 1997 autobiography, I Make My Own Rules.

Product Description
Explicit Version. Exit 13 into the 2008 release by LL Cool J who has enjoyed one of the most successful and sustained careers in Rap history since releasing his recording debut as a youth. His aggressive style has achieved Grammy Awards and platinum sales with massive crossover success. This album has several songs featuring special guests like It's Ya Girl Nicoletter, Jiz, Lyrikal, Richie Sambora, Ryan Leslie, Funkmaster Flex, Wyclef Jean, Fat Joe, Sheek Louch, Elan of The DEY, Grandmaster Caz, Ticky and The Dream. 19 tracks.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Good Album, September 9, 2008

By	Noah Barnes "Linwood Rose" (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a very good album. I know a lot of people are not going to respect it because of LL's imagery but if you really listen to the album you'll realize it's one of the best hip-hop albums of the year.

There are a number of standout tracks... Namely, "You better watch me", "ring tone murder", and "we rollin". All very solid songs that showcase LL's versatility.

His core audience will also love it. He has a number of very solid LL love songs on the album including "Like a Radio" and the 50 Cent assisted "Heartbeat." Trust me, the fellas will love these when their girls start rocking to them. I was expecting another weak performance by LL, but he really surprised me. No, he's not in his prime and there are some missteps, "American Girl" being the most blatant, but he proves once again that he can spit with anyone. And he can spit any style. He's an elder statesman who just keeps proving himself. A lot of people are harsher critics of LL than they are of all these other rappers who drop albums. This album is far better than Game's latest and Young Jeezy's latest. It's one of the better albums of this year.

You should buy it and really listen to it.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars 3'5 - After Two Long Decades LL Still Remains, September 9, 2008

By	Josephll "Reformed Music Addict" (CET) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

LL Cool J has been around since 1985 after appearing in the cult film "Krush Groove" and dropping the classic Rick Rubin produced "Radio", one of the first albums to come out of Def Jam, aswell as one of the greatest Rap albums of all time with it's hard minimalistic style and no-nonsense lyrics. He invented the Hip Hop ballad with "I Need Love" from his next album "Bigger and Deffer" and he helped bridging the gap between Hip Hop and crossover appeal on "Walking with a Panther" aswell as being the fore runner for Bling Bling with it's album cover. And One year later finding the perfect weight between commercialism and attitude on the Marley Mark produced "Mama Said Knock You Out", another Hip Hop classic. However his greatest strengt was always the songs for the ladies. LL rarely had explicit lyrics on his album, only happened twice and he was also able to find good colaborations at any time, working with anyone from Diddy, to Timbaland and the Neptunes. A career that stretches over three decades is impressive, especially considering that none of the Rappers from the mid 80's are still popular. But lately LL's albums haven't been so good, they always had hit singles but overall they weren neither too memorable or grounbreaking. His last album "Todd Smith" left alot to be desired to say the least. On his new album "Exit 17", originally called "Todd Smith 2 : Back To Cool" he tries to rejuvenate himself further. Handpicking in demand producers like JR Rotem, Ryan Leslie and Tricky Stewart aswell as calling old collegues like Marley Mark and DJ Scratch. This is his third album that got explicit lyrics and part of the reason is that he's trying way hard to aply to current trends. But that's isn't entirely a mainstream album, LL gives us songs for the ladies "American Girl", "Cry" and the hit "Baby" with the Dream aswell as classic hard edge songs "You Better Watch Me", "This Is My Ring Tone" and one political manifestation "Mr President" just in time for the presidential race and one about the demise of Hip Hop, called "Dear Hip Hop". The naughty "Feel My Heart Beat" with 50 Cent is just embarrasing and is everything that LL never did in the past and on "Old School New School" he seem to be saying he's one of the best, which is true if the year was 1993 and a failed party song called "Time For Party" with Fat Joe, that sounds more like 50 Cent by the way. But apart from some weak moments, there are highlights too. The Tricky Stewart produced Hit "Baby" is great aswell as "Cry" with Lil Mo with a really nice hook. On the somewhat cheesy "Like A Radio" Ryan Leslie goes old skool with beats resembling the 80's and a title that makes references to his classic album. I actually enjoy "Mr President" with Wyclef Jean singing a great hook over a funky beat and LL talking about problems going on in USA. The aformentioned closer "Dear Hip Hop" is another highlight, simular to the song Nas did some years ago but this one is very soulish in production.


Overall, This one got it's fair share of lacklusters, especially with songs where LL tries to rejuvenate himself by trying to sound mianstream, but on other songs he disses contemporary Hip Hop claiming that he's one of the pioneers and still the best (huh?). However, it also got some pretty good songs like the some songs for the ladies and some harder songs, aswell as "Mr President" and "Dear Hip Hop" that both are welcome surprises. Hence the album is better then people are saying. While it's sometimes unfocused, give credit to the man for sticking around and still making good music every now and then. I've heard better I've heard worse, but who cares LL still got my full respect. He's been there, he's done that. He's LL. 3'5 stars.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars LL proves he's the GOAT with vintage 2008 rap album, October 1, 2008

By	GM (Jersey!!!) - See all my reviews

Over the past few years there's been some criticism of going soft so LL Cool J felt the need to address some critics and haters with the release of his "Exit 13" album. This is easily one of the best albums of the year, LL Cool J is back to vintage form with hot tracks like "Rocking With The G.O.A.T.", "Old School New School", "You Better Watch Me", "Ur Only A Customer", and "Mr. President" featuring Wyclef, I give it a strong 9/10! Watch out haters 'cause the Jordan of rap is back with a vengence, it you're a real hip hop head or a fan of great music in general this is an album to appreciate, let's support this real artist, peace!