YEAR RELEASED: 1987
NOTABLE TRACKS “I Need Love”, “I’m Bad”, “Go Cut Creator Go”, “The Do Wop”, “The Bristol Hotel”
ALBUM MVP: “I’m Bad”
WHY I LOVED IT: LL Cool J in general and this album specifically was very important to me in my life and my journey of loving all types of music as a teenager. Prior to and alongside LL Cool J most my favorite rap acts (Run DMC, Public Enemy, Eric B & Rakim) rapped about the streets and/or social issues. Along with Big Daddy Kane, LL Cool J were the first rappers I enjoyed who constantly rhymed about how dope they were. I couldn’t get enough of it. Mind you, this wasn’t the first I had heard of LL Cool J. He’d already established himself two years previous with his debut album, “Radio” featuring memorable tracks like “I Need A Beat”, “Rock The Bells” and “Cant Live Without My Radio”. In my humble opinion his second effort was even better. To this day “I’m Bad” ranks among my top five all-time shit talking jams. “So forget Oreos eat Cool J cookies”? Come on, that’s an amazing lyric! “I Need Love” may have been corny but damn it—I loved “rapping” those lyrics while it got steady play on my boom box. Honestly, even the best albums typically contain a few tracks I hit the skip button on but not with “Bigger and Deffer.” It’s awesome from start to finish.
COMMERCIAL SUCCESS: “Bigger and Deffer” enjoyed commercial success on both rap and pop music levels. Not surprisingly it reached the top spot on the U.S. Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums but also made its mark on pop music—rising all the way to number-three on the Billboard Top 200 albums chart. “I Need Love” reached No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles ( #1 on the Hot Black Singles) while “I’m Bad” reached No. 84 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number-four on the Hot Black Singles.
FUN FACT: Many, especially those who are just casual rap fans don’t know what LL Cool J stands for, since obviously that’s not his birth name. It’s short for “Ladies Love Cool James.” LL was actually born James Todd Smith in Queens, New York in 1968. Throughout his career LL has released 13 studio and two greatest hits albums. Of course, these days he’s far better known as an actor of films, television and the host of “Lip Sync Battle” on Spike TV.
PREVIOUS ENTRIES
99. Stevie Wonder – In Squared Circle
98. Taylor Dayne – Can’t Fight Fate
97. Kool & The Gang – Emergency
95. Keith Sweat – Make It Last Forever
94. Michael Bolton – Soul Provider
93. Go Go’s – Beauty & The Beast
