LL Cool J, who released his debut album, Radio, in 1985, says that he is in tune with a newer crop of artists, some of whom he’s collaborated with recently.
“I think there’s a lot of good music out there,” LL Cool J said during an appearance on The Arsenio Hall Show. “I think there are a lot of artists that are doing well. I just did a remix with a great young artists, Kid Ink. Me, Kid Ink, Chris Brown and Tyga. They remind me of me when I first started. I was happy to get on the record and do something. That remix is called ‘Main Chick’ and it was a lot of fun. There are a lot of great artists out there. You look at ScHoolboy Q, some of the things that Kendrick Lamar’s doing, they’re good. Kanye West, when he’s not complaining. I love you, man, but stop complainin’, B.”
After laughing, LL Cool J said, “He gon’ tear me up…Don’t hit me,” referring to Kanye West.
In January, Kanye West allegedly assaulted an 18-year-old who reportedly insulted him and his fiancee, Kim Kardashian. West later reached a settlement with the alleged victim. In 2013, West had an altercation with a photographer. In August, it was reported that the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office decided not to file felony assault and attempted robbery charges against West.
LL Cool J Explains His Songwriting Formula
After referencing the aforementioned artists, Cool J also said that he has a formula for music that others may not share.
“Some rappers want to write literature, epic poems,” Cool J says. “They want to write War & Piece [by] [Leo] Tolstoy. Some people just say whatever. Me? I just want it to feel good. That’s it. If it feels good, we good. I don’t know what else we talkin’ about. Don’t concern yourself with whether or not I said the slickest analogy, metaphor or simile or my couplet. It wasn’t about the couplet. It’s just about how it makes you feel.”
During this interview, Cool J also talks about his bond with Michael Jackson and said Jackson taught him not to limit himself. During his appearance on the television program, Cool J also performs a portion of “I Need Love.” The videos containing these segments can be seen below.
