Details
Track Listing
1. Phenomenon
2. Candy - (featuring Ralph Tresvant/Ricky Bell)
3. Starsky and Hutch - (featuring Busta Rhymes)
4. Another Dollar
5. Nobody Can Freak You - (featuring Keith Sweat/LeShaun)
6. Hot, Hot, Hot
7. 4, 3, 2, 1 - (featuring Redman/Method Man/Canibus/DMX)
8. Wanna Get Paid - (featuring Lost Boyz)
9. Father
10. Don't Be Late, Don't Come Too Soon - (featuring Tamia)
| Details | | Contributing artists: | Busta Rhymes, Canibus, DMX, Keith Sweat, LeShaun, Leshaun, Lost Boyz, Method Man, Ralph Tresvant, Redman, Ricky Bell, Tamia | | Distributor: | Universal Distribution | | Recording Type: | Studio | | Recording Mode: | Stereo | | SPAR Code: | n/a |
Album Notes
Personnel: LL Cool J, Redman, Method Man, Cannibus, DMX, Ralph Tresvant, Ricky Bell, Busta Rhymes, The Lost Boyz, Tamia, Keith Sweat (vocals); L.E.S. (various instruments); David Foreman (guitar); Myron Mckinley (Fender Rhodes); Erick Sermon (keyboards, bass, drums); Kern Brantley (bass); James Gamble (drums); Dent (programming); Poke, Tone, Curt Gowdy (drum programming); DJ Scratch (scratches); LeShaun Williams, Shantel Jones, Kenny Greene (background vocals).
Producers include: Sean "Puffy" Combs, Trackmasterz, Poke, Tone, Erick Sermon.
Engineers include: Michael Patterson, Lane Craven, Ken Ifill, Greg Mann, Bob Brown.
Over the years, hip-hop's reigning king has accomplished much more than the average rapper. With his own book, television sitcom, and, oh, yeah, a stack of platinum-selling albums, LL Cool J is proof-positive that hip-hop can translate to the mainstream with it's integrity intact. PHENOMENON comes 12 years after his debut, and LL still represents the essence of true hip-hop.
LL's success is probably due to his ability to cross over without selling out, and to his versatile style. The hard-core rapper that "rocked the bells" in 1986 coexisted with the sensitive smoothie who "needed love" from all the ladies. And in 1997, while LL Cool J makes it "Hot, Hot, Hot" on an incendiary, Puffy-produced track, James Todd Smith tells his story of growing up as an abused child on "Father."
Industry Reviews
3.5 Mics (out of 5) - ...PHENOMENON is, musically, a safe ride...LL knows just what he has to do to eat off another platinum plate--keep the people dancing to his latest jams...
The Source (12/01/1997)
Solid Material - ...Uncle L has managed to maintain his rap authenticity while developing into other areas of the entertainment industry....Not too many rappers can call themselves a phenomenon and actually make you consider the possibility...
Rap Pages (01/01/1998)
3 Stars (out of 5) - ...The love zone is where L.L. dominates on this album....he holds his own against certifiable heavyweights Busta Rhymes...and Method Man and Redman...
Rolling Stone (10/30/1997)
...With its happy beats, easy funk bass, and eager R&B melodies, PHENOMENON best recalls the early rap LL grew up on. Think Sugar Hill for the '90s, but with a wholly new kind of role for LL: the rapper who never had a real father here aims to father us all. - Rating: B+
Entertainment Weekly (10/17/1997)
...With its happy beats, easy funk bass, and eager R&B melodies, PHENOMENON best recalls the early rap LL grew up on. Think Sugar Hill for the '90s, but with a wholly new kind of role for LL: the rapper who never had a real father here aims to father us all.
Entertainment Weekly (10/17/1997)
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