Album: Mr. Smith

Introduction
"Mr. Smith" is the sixth studio album by American rap artist and star LL Cool J. Released on November 21, 1995, by Def Jam Recordings, the album marked a return to form for the veteran artist following a period of decreasing sales and important reception. The album includes production from some of the biggest names in hip-hop, consisting of Trackmasters, Chyskillz, Easy Mo Bee, and Rashad Smith. It includes a variety of moods and musical styles and collaborations with noteworthy artists like Boyz II Men, Keith Murray, and Fat Joe.

Industrial Performance
"Mr. Smith" was a big business success for LL Cool J, debuting at number 4 on the Billboard 200 and ultimately reaching the number 20 position on the chart. The album was licensed double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for selling over two million copies in the United States. In addition, the album was an international success, climbing charts in countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany, and Australia.

Hit Singles and Music Videos
"Mr. Smith" generated several hit songs that added to its industrial success. The highest-charting and most popular of these is "Doin' It", a sultry partnership with vocalist LeShaun that peaked at number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and stays one of LL Cool J's most popular tracks. Other singles from the album include "Hey Lover", a smooth love song featuring Boyz II Men, which reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100, and "I Shot Ya (Remix)", a posse cut including rap artists Keith Murray, Prodigy, Fat Joe, and Foxy Brown, which ended up being a rap hit.

The video for "Doin' It" and "Hey Lover" received considerable airplay on MTV and BET in the mid-90s, further increasing the album's appeal. The videos showcased LL Cool J's acting skills and sexual magnetism, with "Doin' It" portraying a provocative situation in a bar and "Hey Lover" featuring a story with a romantic interest played by then-rising star Michael Michele.

Important Reception
"Mr. Smith" received normally positive evaluations from music critics, who praised LL Cool J's recover after a string of disappointing releases. The album's varied styles, from the hardcore rap of "I Shot Ya" to the smooth R&B-affected "Hey Lover", showcased the rapper's flexibility and proved that he might adapt to the altering hip-hop landscape. Critics likewise appreciated the album's strong production, which helped elevate the tracks beyond mere business appeal.

Tradition
"Mr. Smith" stays among LL Cool J's most successful and fondly kept in mind albums, often mentioned as a turning point in his profession that strengthened his status as one of the all-time greats in hip-hop. The album's success led to a renewal in LL Cool J's popularity and helped him shift from being mostly a musician to a successful star, with functions in television programs like "In The House" and movies like "S.W.A.T". and "Deep Blue Sea".

To this day, tracks like "Doin' It" and "Hey Lover" continue to be played on radio stations and rank high in lists of the very best songs of the 1990s. As such, "Mr. Smith" stands as a testimony to LL Cool J's long lasting influence on the hip-hop and broader music world.