<img src='https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3107x3108+0+0/resize/3107x3108!/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fcb%2F4b%2F0eb2808f45779195910e55824b6d%2Fll-cool-j-passion-press-photo-photo-credit-cory-grimes.jpeg' alt='LL Cool J's 2024 album <em>The FORCE</em> finds the rapper looser and more agile than he's sounded in years, assisted by eclectic production from Q-Tip.'/><p>On surprising new albums, '80s trailblazers LL Cool J and MC Lyte sound thrillingly revitalized, thanks to sharp production choices and a willingness to bend their signature styles toward the moment.</p><img src='https://media.npr.org/include/images/tracking/npr-rss-pixel.png?story=g-s1-23940' /><br /><br /> <a href="https://www.npr.org/2024/09/28/g-s1-23940/ll-cool-j-mc-lyte-review" target="_blank" style="font-style: italic">* This article was originally published here</a>