L.L. should Cool down

Jeff's Joint

By Jeff Khurgel, On-Line Forty-Niner

Thursday, October 22, 1998

Kool Moe Dee, Ice-T, Canibus and now Wyclef are the rappers L.L. Cool J has dissed.

L.L.'s "Rasta Impasta" is a comeback to Wyclef's "What's Clef Got to Do With It," and is not going to be released by Def Jam, but is in the hands of some radio disc jockeys.

A major faction of hip-hop music is the battle, but I must admit that L.L. needs to give it up. Next thing you know, Will Smith will be trying to sound hard-core. Smith doing R&B tracks, then trying to sound tough does not sound right. Rappers take note: L.L. was once hard-core, but once you crossover, you are out.

The Roots are rumored to be performing at UCLA during the first week of November and I highly recommend this show to anyone who does not think live hip-hop is amazing. Look for a new album from the Roots in early 1999.

Also in early 1999 look for a new album from Rakim. Rak has said that he will have more control over this project. In other words, he is saying that his last one was wack, but this one will be better.

With production by Primo, Clark Kent and Pete Rock, it better be.

In other release news, Method Man's much anticipated sophomore effort, T2: Judgment Day will be out on Nov. 17.