helterskelter.ca

L.L. COOL J.
1985 - Radio.
1990 - Mama Said Knock You Out.
way more Helter Skelter.

November 15, 1985 - 2025: 40 years of: Radio.

The birth of an icon.

Before the influential MC-ing and the movie-star status ...it all started with his radio. Armed with rhyme and poetry, a lonely kid from Long Island loaded with fresh attitude ...James Smith become L.L. COOL J.

A hot driven party, betcha "You Can't Dance" to this sick rhythm. The serious hammering continues with "Rock The Bells", the lethal "Dangerous" and extra punch of "That's A Lie". Cool as ice, daddy's not so angel "Dear Yvette" gets a reality check, while LL reminds us proudly that "I Can't Live Without My Radio" ...a hard krushing groove.

In a post Sugar Hill era, the business-mindset of Rick Rubin and Russell Simmons's Def Jam Records would spear-head underground urban rapping ...right into college dorm-rooms. Def Jam and L.L. COOL J, two pillars in this new street movement, real public enemies.

He needs a beat
He is the beat.

RIAA-certified Platinum, it's 1985 and the dawn of a new school was at our door-step. An electrified 80s generation, MTV-fueled and body-moving to hardcore thumps ...breakdancin' becomes: Hip-Hop. Trailblazing through the dirt, LL shall hit harder and louder with 1987's Bigger And Deffer LP.

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Radio = full LP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BbQIx3F1jA&list=OLAK5uy_nr5VFVqSB_1-tQWQmWGnPnxuRwE-t4Fbo
Interview in 1985
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mW862RU2bV8
Live in Maine in 1985
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TqQ0rLY-Qo

September 14, 1990 - 2025: 35 years of: Mama Said Knock You Out.

The comeback.

Hot under the radar following 1989's Walking With A Panther LP ...Grandma told James to go down hard. Ridin' downtown on Figueroa, L.L. COOL J shall knock 'em out !

Majestic liquid beats pushes the EQ, as "The Boomin' System" defies deafness. Droppin' rough on "Eat Em Up L Chill", rawer on "Murdergram" and the morning-wood of "Milky Cereal" ...this is major-league ass kickin'. Slick and playin' with "Around The Way Girl" hustles up into a full-on brawl, as the monster king of the ring title-track for "Mama Said Knock You Out" Mike Tysons the competition into a pulp.

BOOM ! ...he's that type of guy.

RIAA-certified Double Platinum and front-row spittin' ...L.L. COOL J was back on top. Goin' hardcore LL shall fire 14 Shots To The Dome CD ...in a very very very different 1993, now fully engulfed in chronical gangstarap.

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Mama Said Knock You Out = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vimZj8HW0Kg
The Boomin' System = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdyMQOlbxis
Around The Way Girl = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sm36viw6q1U
6 Minutes Of Pleasure = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MoZ4yuMJ5-4
Mama Said Knock You Out = full CD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBA5MJUqX-E&list=OLAK5uy_kZcEXVh0gzCi_MKnKGIDbJlorZQU1D2l4
Interview in 1990
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9zBrX5w7aA
Live at It's Showtime At The Apollo in 1991
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKgecJHwRek