Todd Smith is finally getting the recognition he deserves. It's both the title of LL Cool J's new album and the artist's real name: James Todd Smith.
After over a decade of award winning singles and albums, this is his 12th album with the Def Jam Family. Hard-hitting collaborations on this album include Jennifer Lopez, Mary J. Blige, Juelz Santana, Teairra Mari and many more. Pharell Williams, Timbaland and Scott Storch are just a few prestigious producers that helped LL Cool J craft this album, hoping for billboard success.
LL Cool J has been around long enough for everyone to know he is a ladies' man. For anyone who doesn't already know, his name stands for Ladies Love Cool James. With his sexy looks and cool personality, it is absolutely clear why he has had such success in his career.
Beginning with his first mainstream singles, "Mama Said Knock You Out" and "Doin' It," he has revolutionized himself into a hip-hop/R&B star that has diversified his music from a mix of hardcore to sensual singles. Some recent airwave hits of his include "Luv U Better," "Headsprung" and "Paradise." All of his songs tug at women's hearts, and there is no denying why the ladies really love him.
There is no question Todd Smith includes songs that will hit radio airwaves with a bang. The first single off the album, "Control Myself," featuring Jennifer Lopez, has already hit the billboard charts hard. It has been a success within its first couple of months on the radio. The video for the track, which features J. Lo and Jermaine Dupri, who both produced and featured in the video, has also made its way to success on MTV/BET and other music-television networks. "Control Myself" is an upbeat hip-hop joint that will be a sure hit at least until the summertime.
Another single off the album that is sure to be a big hit is "It's LL and Santana" featuring rapper Juelz Santana. What is good about this song is that it brings back Smith's old rap style that is gradually decreasing because he is becoming more of an R&B artist as his albums mature. This single helps to bring back some old school rap of his in a modern way. The mix of these two artists worked well to create a potential hit single. Another song people will enjoy is "What You Want" featuring Freeway. This song stands as a prime example of his going back to the "old-school" rhymes. Another song that has this similar feel is "Freeze" featuring Lyfe Jennings.
The R&B tracks on this album are all certifiable hits. The sensual side of him comes out even more than his past albums. One hit that will be a guarantee radio success is "Favorite Flavor" featuring Mary J. Blige. Everything she touches turns to gold, and their collaboration is phenomenal. Another song like this is "We're Gonna Make It" featuring Mary Mary. This is a very powerful and inspirational song. You can hear in the voices of each artist how genuine they feel as they sing the meaningful words.
Other enjoyable songs with similar vibes and beat are the Ne-Yo remix of "So Sick," "Ooh Wee" featuring Ginuwine and "Preserve the Sexy" featuring Teairra Mari.
What makes LL Cool J such a star is that he is triple threat. He is a singer. He is a dancer. He is an actor as well. He's been expanding his horizons with such challenges as starting two separate fashion lines: a classy line called "Todd Smith" and an athletic line called "TS." His new album is just another part of the collection of successes he can add to his list.
The list of his accomplishments up-to-date can go on forever. He is without a doubt a huge success in every part of entertainment he has entered in and he will continue to hold that position with Todd Smith. People will see in this album all of the diversity one can bring to a CD: all of the artists featured in the album only enhance the truly talented rhymes and voice Smith has. Fans will appreciate his music even more, and people who aren't very familiar with him will get a good taste with this star-studded album.
Rating: 4 out of 5
