LL Cool J Exit 13

LL Cool J
Exit 13

When he's not designing a clothing line for the hippest of hip hop shops, Sears, LL Cool J is dropping his 13^th album. On "Exit 13," 40-year-old Cool James is on a mission to let the kids know he's still relevant. It's too bad that he spends so much time referencing his place in the history of the game because the songs could really speak for themselves.

"Get Over Here" shows LL is not afraid of dabbling in the new school and "Feel My Heart" (featuring 50 Cent) is one more dirty-talk slow jam notch on his bedpost. The album takes a turn for the weird when Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora and Cool J turn "Baby" into a horrible remake of "Living On a Prayer." Luckily, the record finds redemption when Cool J pledges his allegiance to the hometown girls. "Man, American girls are something to see/I bet Thomas Jefferson would love BET." Truer words were never spoken.

www.myspace.com/llcoolj

Rating: 3 of 4
For fans of: Run DMC, Public Enemy