Music Review

Todd Smith (2006)

LL Cool J

Reviewed by Tom Sinclair | Apr 17, 2006

Tom Sinclair

Tom Sinclair is a senior writer for EW and has been called "the handsomest man in rock criticism'' (by his wife)

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EW's GRADE

C+

Details Release Date: Apr 11, 2006; Lead Performance: LL Cool J; Genres: Hip-Hop/Rap, R&B

The title of the first track is the tip-off: ''It's LL and Santana'' (Juelz, not Carlos). Yup, this is one of those big-name-guest-star-choked affairs, featuring the likes of Jennifer Lopez, Mary J. Blige, Jamie Foxx, and others. Too bad LL Cool J feels he needs the extra wattage, because Todd Smith's best moments come when he raps alone, letting his inimitably confident flow shine. Some of these jams will no doubt click with the club crowd, but we wish our man would jettison the human baggage, team up with his old producer Rick Rubin, and knock us out again.

Originally posted Apr 14, 2006 Published in issue #873 Apr 21, 2006 Order article reprints

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