Album: Authentic

Introduction
"Authentic" is the thirteenth studio album by American hip-hop artist LL Cool J, launched on April 30, 2013. After more than 30 years in the music industry, LL Cool J proved that he still had what it takes to produce a fresh, innovative, and genre-defying record. The album features a varied mix of music styles, from traditional hip-hop and R&B to funk, rock, and electronic elements. With guest appearances by different prominent musicians such as Eddie Van Halen, Bootsy Collins, and Brad Paisley, "Authentic" showcases LL Cool J's adaptability as an artist and his capability to collaborate with skills from different genres.

Background and Production
"Authentic" was the very first album LL Cool J launched on his own label, S-BRO Music Group, after departing from Def Jam Recordings in 2008. The production of the album was led by LL Cool J, who worked with a selection of producers, consisting of Marley Marl, Trackmasters, Tricky Stewart, and more. The album's sound was intentionally eclectic and diverse, intending to deal with a vast array of tastes while still preserving LL Cool J's signature lyrical circulation and charm.

Singles and Guest Appearances
The lead single from "Authentic" was "Ratchet", a club-friendly track that highlighted LL Cool J's signature wordplay and swagger. The second single, "Take It", featured R&B vocalist Joe and showcased the album's more sensuous side. The last single prior to the album's release was "Whaddup", a compelling cooperation with famous guitarist Eddie Van Halen, drummer Travis Barker, and DJ Z-Trip that reminded fans of LL Cool J's roots in hip-hop.

Perhaps one of the most notable elements of "Authentic" is its remarkable list of visitor looks. In addition to the formerly pointed out collaborations, the album features contributions from artists such as Snoop Dogg, Fatman Scoop, Earth, Wind & Fire, Bootsy Collins, Monica, Chuck D, and Brad Paisley. This outstanding cast of musicians shows LL Cool J's ability to produce distinct and innovative collaborations that go beyond genre limits, earning the album crucial acclaim.

Reception and Legacy
Upon its release, "Authentic" got normally favorable evaluations from music critics. Many praised the album's diverse sonic landscape, cooperations, and LL Cool J's capability to adjust to various genres while staying real to his hip-hop roots. Nevertheless, some critics discovered the album's genre-blending to be irregular and sometimes disjointed.

"Authentic" debuted at number 23 on the Billboard 200 and sold 14,000 copies in its very first week. Despite its fairly modest commercial performance, the album is considered a vital part of LL Cool J's discography, reflecting his development and artistic growth over the years.

In conclusion, LL Cool J's "Authentic" is a daring and ambitious album that checks out a vast array of musical designs, boasting partnerships with some of the industry's greatest skills. Although its genre mixing might have caused some polarizing responses, the album reaffirms LL Cool J's status as a versatile artist willing to take risks and progress his sound.