“I attempted to create a more collaborative writing album.” “I did an entire album with 50 Cent,” LL said. “And we were working on this album together.” And then I listened to it after it was finished. ‘It sounds excellent, and I enjoy the music,’ I think. It sounds fantastic, but it’s not for me.’ As a result, I didn’t put it out.”
“It wasn’t nothing against 50,” he continued. I adore 50. I just wanted to try something new; perhaps we could cooperate and write together. It was ineffective.”
When the presenters brought up LL’s 2002 song “Paradise” with Amerie, on which 50 has a writing credit, LL explained his role.
“‘Paradise’ is totally different,” he explained. “50 composed the chorus to ‘Paradise’ for Amerie. That she sang. He did not erase my rhymes. People are a little [confused.]
That being said, I had no idea 50 was involved when it happened. The Trackmasters were the ones. They got it done, then they toyed with the chorus, which I loved, and so on.”
“We’ve tried to work together, and that’s my man,” he concluded. We’re really awesome. But when it comes to my verses, the collaborative idea doesn’t work for me.”
As Hip Hop celebrates its 50th anniversary this month, LL COOL J is making the rounds in the media. The MTA recently revealed special edition metro cards in New York City commemorating not only the Queens rapper but also Pop Smoke, Cam’ron, and Rakim.
The MTA made the announcement on Friday (August 4), only one day before LL and the late Pop Smoke’s cards go on sale on Saturday (August 5). The former’s cards will only be accessible at the Forest Hills-71 Av station in Queens, while Pop’s will be available at both the Canarsie-Rockaway Pkwy (L) and New Lots Av (3) stations in Brooklyn.
While no specific date or place for Cam and Rakim’s versions were provided, the MTA stated that they will be accessible later in August.
Hip Hop’s 50th anniversary is not the first time the Metropolitan Transportation Authority has embraced the genre. During the 2021 pandemic, the MTA collaborated with New York filmmaker Nicolas Heller to produce COVID safety warnings that were aired on NYC trains and buses.
Because New York City is the home of Hip Hop, the campaign would not have been complete without the inclusion of some of the city’s most iconic rappers and celebrities. Young M.A, Cam’ron, Dave East, Angie Martinez, Angela Yee, Fivio Foreign, Malibu Mitch, Desus Nice, The Kid Mero, Peter Rosenberg, Jadakiss, and others were among the performers.
