A successful comeback in hip-hop is like getting struck by lightning, chances are it’s not going to happen and if it does happen it’s going to be a once in a lifetime kind of thing. Leave it up to the legendary LL Cool J to do the impossible not once, but twice. We all know the story of hip-hop getting quasi-political in the late 1980’s and steering away from it’s usual content of women, jewelry, and cars (ironically which in 2008 are the topics of choice) which happened to be LL’s forte.

At this time LL was seen as passé and he lost a chunk of fans but mostly he lost support from the hip-hop community. It was in 1990 when he smashed back with Mama Said Knock You Out, an album that brought real hip-hop back to the mainstream, ended a few careers, and solidified LL as one of the best to ever do it. In 1993 it happened all over again when L released 14 Shots To The Dome. This time fans weren’t mad at the over abundance of women, jewelry, and car but at the lack of it. The album was more “gangsta” themed with no single and displayed little of LL’s pop appeal.

Once again LL was in the hot seat but this time it was different. Hip-Hop was changing and artists like Nas, Jay-Z, and Wu-Tang Clan were emerging. Complex lyrics and tales of the street life were reigning supreme. The flows used in 1989 were no longer acceptable. So LL did what he did best, he made a comeback in 1995, the middle of what most consider to be the golden age of hip-hop. While his flow was updated, which not many rappers have done, LL made the decision to be LL and the fans found it to be a wise decision as Mr. Smith would reach multi platinum status and become one of the most successful albums of it’s time.

On Mr. Smith. LL found a perfect balance between his songs for the ladies and his more street cuts. The leadoff single was the Grammy award winning “Hey Lover” featuring Boyz II Men on the hook. The song was produced by the Trackmasters and set the tone for the rest of the album nicely with the Trackmasters handling most of the production duties. “Doin’ It” and “Loungin’” were mega hits and put LL right back on top of the hip-hop game.

On the hardcore side of things LL enlisted Keith Murray, Prodigy, Fat Joe, and newcomer Foxy Brown for the remix to “I Shot Ya”. LL is known for throwing together the dope posse cuts and this was no different. Everybody delivered crazy verses but LL spit the final blow with the last verse on the record. Easily one of LL’s most well rounded records, while it may not be considered a classic, it’s damn close.

“I Shot Ya(Remix)” LL Cool J

What the fuck?  I thought I conquered the whole world
Crushed Moe Dee, Hammer, and Ice-T's curl
But still, niggaz want to instigate shit
I'll battle any nigga in the rap game quick
Name the spot; I make it hot for ya bitches
Female rappers too, I don't give a fuck boo
Word, I'm here to crush all my peers
Rhymes of the month in The Source for twenty years
Niggaz scared, I'm detrimental to your mental state
I use my presidential Rolex to re debate
Niggaz fight, glock cocked ya temple gets fucked
MC's, that fuck with LL they gets bucked
That's real, what's up with that I Shot Ya deal?
Light shit, niggaz slip now how the bullet feel?
New York appeal, in L.A. they gang bang
But if you touch a mic your motherfuckin' ass hang
That's facts, niggaz don't receive no type of slack
Cause if they do, they ass is always runnin' back
Not this time, but next time I'ma name names
LL, shittin' from on top of the game
I SHOT YA!