DevilsJim89 Posted October 12, 2007 Report Share Posted October 12, 2007 http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1571617/2...tner=rssMozilla ------------- Oct 10 2007 7:12 PM EDT LL Cool J Still Unhappy With Def Jam -- But He And Jay-Z Are Not Battling LL says he's 'trying to keep it positive'; Jay denies LL's accusations and insists they will not take battle to wax; 50 Cent says, 'I'm the liaison between them.' By Shaheem Reid, with additional reporting by Brennan Williams It's been more than a year since LL Cool J announced his qualms about Def Jam — his recording home since 1984 — and the Queens legend still isn't satisfied with how the label is handling its business. He's been very vocal about the matter in interviews and on songs he's leaked to the Net, such as "Queens." He's got a new album, Exit 13, on tap — which is executive produced by 50 Cent — and he's concerned about how the label will promote it. "I address a lot of issues I have with the record company, but I kept it business. It feels good to speak my voice," Cool J said recently in New York. "People are listening. These guys fail to realize that when you talk about Def Jam, you're talking about my legacy. Everything that ever happened at Def Jam is my legacy. Without me being a 16-year-old with my rhyme book, Def Jam [wouldn't] exist. Everything that's ever been a success up there is a product of me, and I've given birth to it. I didn't personally attack anyone [on 'Queens'], but at the same time I have the right to speak on something I helped build. When [Def Jam co-founder] Russell [simmons] feels something, he speaks on it as Russell Simmons; LL speaks on it through his music." LL's claims are no exaggeration: His "I Need a Beat" single was one of Def Jam's first releases (and his 1985 Radio LP was its first full-length), he was the label's first major success and he's been one of its franchise artists for more than two decades. He signed with the label when its office was Rick Rubin's dorm room at New York University, so obviously he's emotionally invested. He was unhappy with the way his 2006 LP, Todd Smith, was promoted (see "LL Cool J Can't Knock Out Billboard Champs") and has not been shy about saying so (see "With 50 Cent In Tow, LL Cool J Slams Def Jam, Jay-Z"). "This is a time when everything's real," he continued. "You go on blogs and everything, people know when people are lying. Things are not all rosy up there [at Def Jam]. Too many [artists] have suffered: Method Man, Redman, the Roots, Fabolous, Ludacris! The list goes on. Nobody is getting promoted the way they should be promoted. I'm one man. I can't battle a whole record label. So we not gonna try to turn this into what it's not. To try and battle a record label is foolish. It's bad enough they are calling around to radio stations telling them not to play my records." Def Jam President Jay-Z denied any such accusations on Friday during a listening session for his American Gangster album, noting that sabotage is not his style. "I would never block anybody's blessings," he said. "That type of sh-- comes back to you. ... I believe in karma." Jay also denied the street talk that he and Cool J may soon be going at it on wax. "He's a legend," Jay said. "I'm not doing that." "He's upset, not me," Jay elaborated on Wednesday (October 9). "If he wanna work it out, I'm more than willing to do that." At one point it seemed that LL was ready to step into the ring with Hov — especially after 50 Cent's "I Get Money" remix dropped and he heard Jay's assertion on the track that he's the "G.O.A.T." — or "Greatest of all Time" — which, of course, was the title of LL's 2000 album. (Sorry to burst your bubble, LL, but the MTV News Brain Trust did name Jay-Z the Greatest MC of all Time, so he's allowed to throw that title around.) A YouTube interview with LL surfaced soon after, with Cool J saying to Jay: "I don't even know why you did that to yourself. When you doing that verse, you should have been doing your job, B. See?" However, when talking to MTV, LL did seem to soften his tone. "I don't need to go all-out," he said. "At this point I think the focus should be to make great music, trying to keep it positive, trying to have some sort of relationship where we can work together. Hopefully [Def Jam] can do well and look great, I can do well and look great. We can part company as civilized businessmen and give the world something great. I'm working on some new music. I wanna have some fun." 50 Cent, who has long been billed as executive producer of Exit 13, accompanied LL on the red carpet at last year's VMAs and performed with him in Queens last month (see "50 Cent Brings LL Cool J, Remy Ma To His Old 'Hood For Last Of Five NYC Shows"). Fif also talked with Hot 97's Envy about the matter a few weeks ago. "[LL's] got his own issue [with Def Jam], to be honest with you," 50 said. "He feels that they're not prioritizing him. He's been there from the start. I talked to him and I talked to Jay. I'm the liaison between them for that project to keep that functioning. And I'm gonna bring the material necessary for us to have a great project. ... Jay's priority is business. He's a businessman. If it makes good business sense, he's doing it." So far there is no solid release date set for Exit 13 (the last album on LL's Def Jam contract), but those close to the project say it's slated for sometime in early 2008. In addition to "Queens," LL has leaked another record called "New York Gangstas." "This is my last record on Def Jam, so it's important that the record is not just another record," he said. "It has to represent my legacy, be incredibly hot. All of the energy I put into building that company, it's gonna be a great reminder to people that I really did start that company with Russell [simmons] and Rick Rubin and Heidi Smith, the secretary. I'mma get busy on it. I'mma deliver [what] I'm supposed to deliver and I'm not gonna ignore my male fans this time. I'm gonna embrace everybody. It's gonna be real. I'mma be blunt, brutally honest, be frank, speak with clarity, and they gonna feel me. "It's hip-hop, true hip-hop," he continued. "It's about the bars and beats, it's fly. I'm not trying to look down on anybody. I'm not gonna try to hurt people and tell them how rich I am or what I'm driving. It's a little of that, but that's not my focus. It's never been my focus to make the 'hood feel bad. This record is for the 'hood — specifically for the 'hood. It's for Queens, it's for people who are real hip-hop fans. It's the real thing. I've been throwing records away, trashing some records; I've had some records that I thought were garbage, records I thought were hot. I'm mixing it up. "The hip-hop community, especially in New York, is paying attention to L and paying attention to what's coming out my mouth," he concluded. "So now I need to give them what they want and a little of what I think they need. The combination will be great." ------------ 11/10/2007 16:52 http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/artic...f%20jam_1046324 Rap legend LL COOL J is still unhappy with his record company Def Jam - but he's refusing to leave the label because it is "something he helped to build". The Phenomenon star - who has released all 12 of his albums via the Russell Simmons-founded label - has previously expressed his dissatisfaction at the way his discs have been promoted since rap mogul Shawn 'Jay-Z' Carter was appointed President of Def Jam in 2005. But the 39-year-old MC - real name James Todd Smith III - remains positive about his relationship with the label and insists his recent mixtape track, Queens, was not an attack on Carter or Simmons. He tells MTV.com, "I address a lot of issues I have with the record company, but I kept it business. It feels good to speak my voice. "People are listening. These guys fail to realise that when you talk about Def Jam, you're talking about my legacy. Everything that ever happened at Def Jam is my legacy. "Without me being a 16-year-old with my rhyme book, Def Jam (wouldn't) exist. Everything that's ever been a success up there is a product of me, and I've given birth to it. I didn't personally attack anyone (on Queens), but at the same time I have the right to speak on something I helped build. "When (Def Jam co-founder) Russell (Simmons) feels something, he speaks on it as Russell Simmons; LL speaks on it through his music." Smith is preparing for the release of his new album, Exit 13, early next year (08). ------ ----------------------------- All I gotta say is I think this is going to be interesting. Plus, Jay-Z did an "American Gangster Conf Call" today (see other post) and a caller asked about if Jay will respond since LL is leaving Def Jam and Jay goes "who told ya that, i never heard that" ..so it is proof that LL will remain with Def Jam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Posted October 12, 2007 Report Share Posted October 12, 2007 I heard the call too ....if you listen to it again, the caller isn't asking if LL is leaving. He's asking about beef in general. LL is wayyy gone dude...sorry to burst your bubble Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Hero1 Posted October 12, 2007 Admin Report Share Posted October 12, 2007 As soon as LL aligned himself with 50 cent he lost me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JumpinJack AJ Posted October 12, 2007 Report Share Posted October 12, 2007 I'm not giving up hope on the album even with 50 Cent sidekicking him. He seems 2 have a good attitude about the whole thing. I think i'm actually waiting on the album AFTER this one...ha ha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Tiger Posted October 13, 2007 Report Share Posted October 13, 2007 As soon as LL aligned himself with 50 cent he lost me Word to the 3rd. God Blessa! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Hero1 Posted October 13, 2007 Admin Report Share Posted October 13, 2007 God Blessa! God Blessa! God Blessa! God Blessa! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DevilsJim89 Posted October 13, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2007 I heard the call too ....if you listen to it again, the caller isn't asking if LL is leaving. He's asking about beef in general. LL is wayyy gone dude...sorry to burst your bubble Sorry, I had to post it real quick so I didnt get into details. Is LL really waay gone? I never said my opinion whether I want him to stay or not. I don't care what he does as long as he continues to put out quality music and not ride that backs of 50 Cent and G-Unit in order to achieve commercial success. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Posted October 14, 2007 Report Share Posted October 14, 2007 I heard the call too ....if you listen to it again, the caller isn't asking if LL is leaving. He's asking about beef in general. LL is wayyy gone dude...sorry to burst your bubble Sorry, I had to post it real quick so I didnt get into details. Is LL really waay gone? I never said my opinion whether I want him to stay or not. I don't care what he does as long as he continues to put out quality music and not ride that backs of 50 Cent and G-Unit in order to achieve commercial success. if you go to sohh.com there's an article about how that same thing you read is really LL accusing Jay of stopping his records from being played... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JumpinJack AJ Posted October 14, 2007 Report Share Posted October 14, 2007 It's just a crappy time 4 LL. It's disappointing but that's the way it is. Jay-Z has made a mockery of the Def Jam name. And it's obvious that he ignores some acts/albums and strongly pushes others. He clearly plays favorites. It's also depressing that LL is cool with 50 Cent who the personification of idiotic commercial rap. But ignoring all that, it is possible 4 LL 2 deliver a dope album. Most of us are so dumbfounded or dissapointed about one thing or the other that it clouds the reality that he can still put a really good album 2gether. And there are definitely a few people on this board who don't even like LL...so who really cares what they say...ha ha. One fact stands true...crappy LL is still so much better than the best of most emcees and rappers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turntable Posted October 17, 2007 Report Share Posted October 17, 2007 Lets just wait for the album. I mean, LL was hangin with Ja Rule before The G.O.A.T dropped. And trhat album was ther ****, even the track with Ja. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turntable Posted October 17, 2007 Report Share Posted October 17, 2007 By the way.. LL's verse on Queens is hot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Tiger Posted October 17, 2007 Report Share Posted October 17, 2007 Lets just wait for the album. I mean, LL was hangin with Ja Rule before The G.O.A.T dropped. And trhat album was ther ****, even the track with Ja. Well Ja didn't rap on that song. And he didn't bring his equally crappy friends and put his hands all over the album. God Blessa! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JumpinJack AJ Posted October 18, 2007 Report Share Posted October 18, 2007 I heard LL is doing a show in DC or B-more...i'm tryna find if this is true. On my list of favorite artists, he's the next in line for the one i need 2 see live. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turntable Posted October 18, 2007 Report Share Posted October 18, 2007 50 himself said G-Unit artists wont be involved, that is his plan. Himself will appear 1, mazbe two times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Tiger Posted October 18, 2007 Report Share Posted October 18, 2007 Wr-ra-ra-ra-WRONG!, wrong!, wrong!...... Exit 13 features the brilliant G-Unit talents of Tony Yayo, Lloyd Banks, Young Hot Rod, and lil' Scrappy (God help me, I hate lil' Scrappy. Wake the hell up LL). And that's just the known tracks. Can't wait to see what other treasures LL finds in his local dump. God Blessa! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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