Today, I just felt in a mood to go with a throwback from one of my fave rappers LL Cool J. Sure. He’s making a comeback but come on. There will never be anything like his classic stuff when he first came on the hip hop scene taking it by storm as a high school dropout.

One of my personal favorites is “Mama Said Knock You Out” as the lyrics and beat are freaking kicking. I remember when he performed it on MTV’s Unplugged and he just rocked the mic and owned the stage.

I will say that his Mr. Smith album a decade ago was pretty dope featuring hits such as “Hey Lover” and “Doin’ It.” Those were hot videos too with smoking chicks. Aren’t all rap videos like the best when it comes to that? Sure. There have been some hot chicks in rock videos too but rap is where it’s at.

Anyway, I’ve always dug the LL jam, “I Need Love.” It’s sung at a slower more deliberate pace so he could get his message of love out there. But most of all, the video’s great and 100 times better than the radio version just for the scenes they have of the rapper coming out getting the “Oohhs and Ahhss” from every hottie outside mobbing him as he went to his car.

Did they holla much? Who wouldn’t want to be a star rapper with that kind of fanfare? Sure. There’s lots of pressure to stay on top of your game and it’s plenty more demanding than our average existences. But still. From the outside glass, I think it’s worth it. Still, considering their hectic schedules, it’s no wonder quite a few turn to alcohol and drugs with some even burning out.

In any event, here’s the cool video which still rates as one of LL’s best:

LL Cool J: “I Need Love“