LL Cool J Released Third LP ‘Walking With A Panther’ 34 Years Ago
On this day in Hip Hop history, LL Cool J released his third studio LP Walking with a Panther on Def Jam Recordings in 1989.
Peaking at #1 on the Billboard R&B/Hip Hop chart and #6 on the Billboard 200, this album continued LLâs streak of commercially successful albums as well as served as one of Hip Hopâs early crossover projects.
During that era, Def Jam was working to bring Hip Hop to the forefront of the mainstream, and this album was geared to reinvent LL Cool Jâs sound while retaining its Hip Hop integrity. Although it may have been publicly successful at achieving its goal, some critics have said this project may have brought LLâs street credibility into question.
Regardless of critical opinion, the appeal of this album outshines anything negative that could be said about it. The most impressive and respectable feat of this project is LLâs introduction as a self-produced MC. Throughout Walking with a Panther he proved that not only was he capable of knocking out hit after hit but was also a proficient beat maker. The original production team used to create the majority of LLâs better-known songs prior to this album, L.A. Posse, decided to part ways with Def Jam following a contractual disagreement. This altercation left only one member of the team, Dwanye Simon, left to work with LL Cool J in producing the entirety of the LP.
This project also toted some of LL Cool Jâs biggest hit singles including: âGoing Back to Caliâ and âJingling Baby.â Both of these singles are hallmarks of LL Cool Jâs career and in their own way describe his career as a whole. LLâs appeal was from the beginning catered toward the female demographic while still retaining his âcool guyâ demeanor in a way that it wasnât awkward for males to also be in huge support of his music and style. Much like a proto-Drake, LL Cool J through this album was able to deliver enough to keep the streets happy all while maintaining the attention of his female fan base.