LL Cool J

<p>As 2023 gears up for new music, many artists are letting us know there&#8217;s heat on the way. The latest to do so is LL Cool J, who promised fans a new album in 2023. Moreover, his last studio project was ten years ago, with 2013&#8217;s <em>Authentic. </em>Given his classic catalog and <a href="https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/620871-mack-wilds-wants-to-play-ll-cool-j-in-biopic" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">incredible impact</a>, he set up big musical expectations for the year.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="683" height="1024" src="https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/GettyImages-1447525584.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-621492" srcset="https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/GettyImages-1447525584.jpg 683w, https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/GettyImages-1447525584.jpg?resize=200,300 200w" sizes="(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA &#8211; DECEMBER 07: LL Cool J attends SiriusXM and Pandora Playback with Mount Westmore including <a href="/profile/E-40" class="text-word" target="_blank" >E-40</a>, Too Short &amp; <a href="/profile/IceCube" class="text-word" target="_blank" >Ice Cube</a> at SiriusXM Studios on December 07, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Randy Shropshire/Getty Images for SiriusXM)</figcaption></figure>



<p>Furthermore, he tweeted the announcement as part of his 55th birthday celebrations last Friday (January 14). While he didn&#8217;t directly acknowledge the big day, he shared a video of DJ Z-Trip gifting him a custom art piece. Also, he shared his big plans for the year and set himself up for a grand return.</p>



<p>“I’m competing with myself on this new album. Wait til you hear this MF,” the MC tweeted. “This year B. It’s coming.”</p>



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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">My brother <a href="https://twitter.com/ztrip?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ztrip</a> gifted me with this amazing piece. Custom art work from <a href="https://twitter.com/tristaneaton?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@tristaneaton</a>. Thank you <a href="https://twitter.com/ztrip?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ztrip</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/tristaneaton?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@tristaneaton</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/Yulkiss?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Yulkiss</a>!! This gift inspires me. 🎶 <a href="https://t.co/XyE7gKzG4U">pic.twitter.com/XyE7gKzG4U</a></p>&mdash; LLCOOLJ (@llcoolj) <a href="https://twitter.com/llcoolj/status/1614342115093532673?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 14, 2023</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I’m competing with myself on this new album. Wait til you hear this MF. 🎶 This year B. It’s coming.</p>&mdash; LLCOOLJ (@llcoolj) <a href="https://twitter.com/llcoolj/status/1614341893445554178?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 14, 2023</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>Moreover, his previous album <em>Authentic</em> arrived five years after his swan song for Def Jam, <em>Exit 13. </em>While he was on the legendary label, he released a project every two or three years from 1987 to 2008. </p>



<p>Even though excitement is high for a long-awaited return, this isn&#8217;t the first time he&#8217;s teased it. In fact, he teased the release of <em>G.O.A.T. 2 </em>in various interviews in 2014, a sequel to his eighth studio project. Despite his absence in the music lane, he is still a <a href="https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/429587-nicki-minaj-ll-cool-j-and-jack-harlow-to-host-2022-vmas-news" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">monumental figure</a> in hip-hop and found success in other lanes such as acting.</p>



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<iframe loading="lazy" title="LL Cool J-Rock The Bells" width="500" height="375" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZyswjkZJugI?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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<p>In 2018, he founded Rock The Bells, a brand focused on uplifting hip-hop culture and communities. Its namesake is LL&#8217;s 1985 hit of the same name. Through original content, business partnerships, merch, and more, they preserve the genre&#8217;s history and contributions. Most recently in August of 2022, they held the first Rock The Bells Festival. It featured Rick Ross, Ice Cube, Lil Kim, Remy Ma, Scarface, <a href="/profile/FatJoe" class="text-word" target="_blank" >Fat Joe</a>, <a href="https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/398136-ll-cool-j-reveals-rock-the-bells-festival-lineup-ice-cube-fat-joe-lil-kim-and-more-news" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">and many more</a>.</p>



<p>Next, the brand&#8217;s eyes are set on the inaugural Hip Hop Experience Cruise to celebrate the art form&#8217;s <a href="https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/353230-nas-mass-appeal-and-sasha-jenkins-pair-up-for-showtime-hip-hop-50-news" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">50-year history</a>. In partnership with Sixthman, the Norwegian Pearl is hosting the cruise from Miami to The Bahamas from November 14th to November 17th this year. Still, performers haven&#8217;t been announced, but <a href="/profile/Trina" class="text-word" target="_blank" >Trina</a> and <a href="/profile/TrickDaddy" class="text-word" target="_blank" >Trick Daddy</a> will welcome guests with a concert as part of a kick-off party.</p>



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<p>Are you excited for LL Cool J&#8217;s new album dropping in 2023? Whatever the case, let us know in the comments down below. Also, as always, stay tuned to <em>HNHH</em> for updates on hip-hop history and new releases.</p>



<p><a href="https://hiphopdx.com/news/ll-cool-j-promises-new-album-2023" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">[via]</a></p>