Radio (LL Cool J album)
Radio | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | November 18, 1985 | |||
Recorded | 1984–1985 | |||
Studio | Chun King, New York City | |||
Genre | Hip hop[1] | |||
Length | 47:04 | |||
Label | ||||
Producer | ||||
LL Cool J chronology | ||||
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Singles from Radio | ||||
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Radio is the debut studio album by American rapper LL Cool J. It was released on November 18, 1985, by Def Jam Recordings and Columbia Records. It was also Def Jam's first full-length album release.
The album was recorded at
raps.A significant sales success for a hip hop record at the time, Radio became a Billboard chart hit and sold over 500,000 copies within its first five months of release. By 1989, it had been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America for sales surpassing one million copies in the United States. Initial reception of the album was generally positive, with praise given to LL Cool J's lyricism and Rubin's production. It has since been recognized by critics as LL Cool J's best album.
Radio belonged to a pivotal moment in hip hop's culture and history, reflecting the
Background
In March 1984, when
Under his new
LL dropped out of
Notable among the personnel was LL's
The album's release had been anticipated by many rap fans following LL's appearance in the hip hop movie Krush Groove, which was based on the beginnings of the Def Jam label and featured the single "I Can't Live Without My Radio" from Radio.[1]
Music and lyrics
The album's production, handled entirely by Rick Rubin with a remix by DJ
The lyrical themes regarding the
Author of the 1985 book Fresh: Hip Hop Don't Stop, writer Nelson George further elaborated on the appeal of Radio to listeners at the time, describing LL Cool J as a "minimalist homeboy who knows his beats", and stating "You can call it rap, hip hop or street, but it really is a way of hearing music—and partying hard—that expresses the experiences and attitudes of a great many inner city kids. L.L. Cool J is one of the best young talkologists around, because he speaks directly to and about his generation over large beats that recall
Release and reception
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [18] |
Christgau's Record Guide | B+[19] |
MusicHound R&B | 4.5/5[20] |
Q | [21] |
RapReviews | 8/10[22] |
The Rolling Stone Album Guide | [23] |
The Source | [24] |
Spin Alternative Record Guide | 9/10[25] |
The Village Voice | B+[26] |
Released November 18, 1985, on Def Jam Recordings in the United States,[27] Radio earned a significant amount of commercial success and sales for a hip hop record at the time. It sold over 500,000 copies in its first five months, eventually selling over 1 million copies by 1988, according to the Recording Industry Association of America.[1][28] Radio peaked at number 6 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and at number 46 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.[29] It entered the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart on December 28, 1985, and remained there for forty-seven weeks, while also entering the Pop Albums chart on January 11, 1986.[29] Radio remained on the chart for thirty-eight weeks.[29] By 1989, the album had earned platinum status from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), after earning a gold certification in the United States on April 14, 1986, with sales exceeding one million copies.[28]
Radio received positive reviews from both "street and dance music" aficionados and mainstream music critics,
From the monster boombox on the cover to grooves like 'I Can't Live Without My Radio' and 'You Can't Dance', LL touches all the right cultural totems, delivering his sharp-tongued lines with adolescent urgency and a deliciously snotty attitude. The rhythm tracks are stripped-down and aggressive; raps on familiar subjects sidestep clichés and are clever enough to warrant repeated listening.[34]
Since its initial reception, Radio has been viewed by fans and critics as LL Cool J's greatest work, as well as one of hip hop's best albums.
Radio was later ranked at number 2 on
Legacy and influence
With the breakthrough success of his hit single "I Need a Beat" and the Radio LP, LL Cool J became one of the first hip-hop acts to achieve mainstream success along with
The album's success also helped in contributing to Rick Rubin's credibility and repertoire as a record producer. Radio, along with Raising Hell (1986) and Licensed to Ill (1986), would form a trilogy of New York City-based, Rubin-helmed albums that helped to diversify hip-hop.[12][46] Rubin's production credit on the back cover reads "REDUCED BY RICK RUBIN", referring to his minimalist production style, which gave the album its stripped-down and gritty sound. This style would serve as one of Rubin's production trademarks and would have a great impact on future hip-hop productions.[47] Rubin's early hip hop production work, before his exit from Def Jam to Los Angeles, helped solidify his legacy as a hip hop pioneer and establish his reputation in the music industry.[47]
Radio's release coincided with the growing
The emerging new school scene was initially characterized by
The energy and
Track listing
All tracks produced by Rick Rubin, except "I Need a Beat", produced by Rubin and Jazzy Jay.
All tracks are written by James Todd Smith and Rubin
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "I Can't Live Without My Radio" | 5:28 |
2. | "You Can't Dance" | 3:37 |
3. | "Dear Yvette" | 4:07 |
4. | "I Can Give You More" | 5:08 |
5. | "Dangerous" | 4:40 |
6. | "El Shabazz" | 1:16 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Rock the Bells" | 4:01 |
2. | "I Need a Beat (Remix)" | 4:32 |
3. | "That's a Lie" (featuring Russell Rush) | 4:42 |
4. | "You'll Rock" | 4:44 |
5. | "I Want You" | 4:51 |
Personnel
- Musicians
- James Todd Smith – Vocals (Credited as L.L. Cool J)
- Jay Philpot– DJ (Credited as DJ Cut Creator)
- Russell Rush– Guest vocals track 9
- Production
- Rick Rubin – Producer
- Jazzy Jay – Producer on track 8
- Steve Ett – Recording engineer
- Steve Byram – Album cover design
- Nelson George – Liner notes
- Herb Powers Jr. – Mastering engineer
- Josh Cheuse, Janette Beckman – Liner photography (Credited on the reissue)
Charts
Chart (1985) | Peak position |
---|---|
UK Albums Chart | 71 |
US Billboard 200 | 46 |
US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums | 6 |
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
United States (RIAA)[54] | Platinum | 1,000,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
See also
- Album era
- New school hip hop
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h George (1990), pp. 1–4.
- ^ "LL Cool J's 'Radio' Turns 30, Allow Us To Celebrate Its Legend". Okayplayer. 18 November 2015. Retrieved 2019-12-05.
- ^ a b c "LL Cool J Bio". MTV.com. MTV Networks. Archived from the original on 2008-05-15. Retrieved 2008-06-24.
- ^ a b c d Holden, Stephen. "From Rock To Rap", New York Times, April 26, 1987. Retrieved on 2008-11-16.
- ^ "VideoETA....LL Cool J bio". VideoETA.com Inc. Archived from the original on 2008-05-17. Retrieved 2008-06-24.
- ^ "Ladies Love Cool James (rap artist)". thefreedictionary.com. Farlex, Inc. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
- ^ "Def Jam Recordings – LL Cool J Biography". The Island Def Jam Music Group. Archived from the original on 2008-04-29. Retrieved 2008-05-25.
- ^ "LL Cool J bio: Edison Force". ActorTribute.ca. Tribute Entertainment Media Group. Retrieved 2008-06-24.
- ^ "Address Island / Def Jam Records ... Def Jam history". addressdefjam.com. Archived from the original on 2008-07-24. Retrieved 2008-06-24.
- ^ "Read.... LL Cool J Biography (1968–)". Biography.com. A&E Television Networks. Retrieved 2008-06-24.
- ^ "eNotes features....reference material". eNotes.com. Retrieved 2008-06-24.
- ^ a b "Radio cd product notes". cduniverse.com. Muze Inc. Archived from the original on June 10, 2011. Retrieved 2008-06-19.
- ^ Rees, Paul (October 2009). "The Q Interview: Rick Rubin". Q. p. 97.
- ^ "DJ Cut Creator biography". CutCreator.com. Retrieved 2008-06-24.
- ^ George; Smith (1990).
- ^ a b c d e f g "allmusic ((( Radio > Review )))". All Media Guide, LLC. Retrieved 2008-07-05.
- ^ a b "Radio : LL Cool J : Review : Rolling Stone". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 2008-06-18. Retrieved 2008-07-06.
- ^ Huey, Steve. "Radio – LL Cool J". AllMusic. Retrieved December 13, 2009.
- ISBN 0-679-73015-X. Retrieved June 11, 2019.
- ISBN 1578590264.
- ^ "LL Cool J: Radio". Q. No. 108. September 1995. p. 134.
- ^ a b c Juon, Steve "Flash" (January 5, 2002). "LL Cool J :: Radio :: Def Jam Recordings". RapReviews. Retrieved June 19, 2008.
- ISBN 0-7432-0169-8.
- ^ "Got Five on It". The Source. No. 150. March 2002. p. 174.
- ISBN 0-679-75574-8.
- ^ Christgau, Robert (January 7, 1986). "Christgau's Consumer Guide". The Village Voice. New York. Retrieved December 13, 2009.
- ^ "LL Cool J career discography at HeadSprung.net". Headsprung.net. Archived from the original on 2008-07-24. Retrieved 2008-06-24.
- ^ a b "RIAA searchable database". Recording Industry Association of America. Archived from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2008-06-19.
- ^ a b c "Billboard Music Charts – Search Results – LL Cool J Radio". Billboard. Retrieved 2008-08-04. [dead link]
- ^ Taylor, Jonathan. "LL Cool J Broadens Focus as Star of Rap's Second Generation". Los Angeles Daily News: 4. June 15, 1986.
- ^ "Christgau consumer guide '86". Village Voice LLC. Retrieved 2008-06-24.
- ^ Johnson, Connie (February 16, 1986). "LL: Unrelenting Rap". Los Angeles Times. p. 64. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
- ^ Bull, Debby. Review: Radio. Rolling Stone. Retrieved on 2009-12-13.
- ^ "LL Cool J at TrouserPress.com". Trouser Press LLC. Retrieved 2008-06-24.
- ^ "Unlock Austin – album comments". unlockaustin.com. Archived from the original on 2007-11-08. Retrieved 2008-06-24.
- ^ Meyer, Frank. Review: Radio. Yahoo! Music. Retrieved on 2009-12-13.
- ISBN 0-312-24298-0.
- ISSN 0035-791X. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
- ISSN 1534-0554. Archived from the originalon June 2, 2002. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
- ISSN 0035-791X.
- ^ "500 Greatest Albums: Radio – LL Cool J". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on September 12, 2012. Retrieved 2012-05-11.
- ISSN 0035-791X.
- ISSN 1063-2085.
- ^ "Biography and other information at Askmen.com". IGN Entertainment, Inc. Archived from the original on 2008-07-20. Retrieved 2008-06-24.
- ^ "Career overview at McgillisMusic". World Wide Entertainment USA, Inc. Archived from the original on April 12, 2008. Retrieved 2008-06-24.
- ^ "Kurtis Blow Presents: The History Of Rap, Vol. 1: The Genesis". Rhino Entertainment. Archived from the original on September 16, 2011. Retrieved 2008-06-24.
- ^ a b "About.com ... Rick Rubin's Style and Approach". The New York Times Company. Retrieved 2008-06-24.
- ^ "Encyclopedia – Britannica Online Encyclopedia ... Def Jam, LL, & new school hip hop". ©2008 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Retrieved 2008-06-24.
- ^ a b Yahoo! Music: Radio Archived 2011-07-17 at the Wayback Machine. Yahoo! Inc. Retrieved on 2008-11-16.
- ^ Toop (2000), p. 126.
- ^ Shapiro (2005), p. 228.
- ^ "CaseNet.com – LL Cool J". CaseNet. Archived from the original on November 21, 2007. Retrieved 2008-06-24.
- ^ Coleman (2007), p. 354.
- ^ "American album certifications – L.L. Cool J – Radio". Recording Industry Association of America.
Bibliography
- Brian Coleman (2007). ISBN 978-0-8129-7775-2.
- ISBN 978-0-394-54487-8.
- Kurtis Blow (1997). Kurtis Blow Presents: The History of Rap, Vol. 1 & 2. CD liner booklet. Rhino / WEA International Inc.
- Nelson George, James Todd Smith (1990). Radio (reissue). CD liner booklet. Def Jam Recordings.
- ISBN 978-1-85242-627-9.
- ISBN 978-1-84353-263-7.