LL Cool J THE DEFINITION

Personnel: LL Cool J (rap vocals); 7 Aurelius (vocals, keyboards, programming); R. Kelly (vocals).
If there is one person who could claim "I got the whole rap game cornered" and have that be an understatement, it would be LL Cool J. He backs this boast up on the sensual, smooth R. Kelly collaboration "I'm About to Get Her," from his 11th record for Def Jam, THE DEFINITION. A paragon of consistency able to retain street cred during two decades of superstardom, LL has maintained an aura of both timeliness and timelessness, as his music echoes the trends around him but still keeps its signature sound.
THE DEFINITION is a thoroughly contemporary record, rich with the lush sonic flourishes of the moment, yet hearkening back to the innocent bravado of LL's earliest forays. LL still struts with a true inner confidence (a quality that has made him practically immune to criticism), and he even has the guts to brag about remaining a teen idol like Hanson at one point on the record. Never one to pause or stumble, LL Cool J stays thoroughly self-possessed on THE DEFINITION, yet another top-notch album from the hip-hop pioneer.

• Format: CD
• Genre: R&B