Album: Walking With a Panther

Introduction
"Walking With a Panther" is the third studio album by American hip-hop artist LL Cool J. Released on June 9, 1989, by Def Jam Recordings, the album marks a vital duration in the development of LL Cool J's career. The album title, "Walking With a Panther", was inspired by LL's pet panther, Felicia. The album included production by LL Cool J himself, as well as musical contributions from Rick Rubin, DJ Cut Creator, and DJ Eddie F, to name a few. "Walking With a Panther" received combined reviews from critics but was a commercial success, debuting at number 6 on the Billboard 200 chart and selling over one million copies in the United States.

Background and Production
After his sophomore effort "Bigger and Deffer" gathered favorable reviews and recognized LL Cool J as a significant force in the rap market, fans excitedly expected his 3rd album. At the time, LL Cool J was just 21 years of ages, yet he had actually already achieved extraordinary success in the genre. The young artist faced many expectations, and "Walking With a Panther" was viewed as an important test of his remaining power.

LL Cool J got some of the period's leading hip-hop manufacturers to deal with the album, consisting of Rick Rubin and DJ Eddie F. This album saw the rap artist mainly focus on his skills as a lyricist and emcee, often taking a rear seat when it concerned offering the beats. "Walking With a Panther" boasted a wide variety of sounds and styles, from the hard-hitting old-school celebration tracks to the more reflective and psychological tracks.

Content
"Walking With a Panther" functions 18 tracks that highlight the rapper's versatility and charm as an entertainer. Known for his braggadocio, LL Cool J addresses numerous subjects on the record, including his rise to fame, the pressures of stardom, and his relationships with ladies. Tracks like "Nitro" and "Clap Your Hands" display his lyrical prowess and ability to entertain listeners with his unique flow and delivery.

Nevertheless, "Walking With a Panther" likewise reveals a more sensitive and vulnerable side. "I Need Love", the album's most successful single, is a pioneering hip-hop ballad that permitted the artist to express deeper emotions than he had previously displayed. The song arrived of the Billboard Hot R&B/ Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart, and is still considered a traditional today.

Other standout tracks on the album include "Big Ole Butt" and "Going Back to Cali", both of which demonstrate LL Cool J's capability to switch in between various designs and subject matter with ease. The album also includes collaborations with other key hip-hop artists of the time, such as EPMD, who appear on the track "Rampage".

Important Reception and Legacy
The reception to "Walking With a Panther" was blended, with some critics applauding its variety and tasting, while others derided it as being too industrial and materialistic. Despite the criticisms, the album carried out well in the charts and gathered a number of hit singles. In retrospection, "Walking With a Panther" is seen as a crucial transitional release for LL Cool J-- a stepping stone to the more refined and fully grown noise found on his subsequent albums.

"Walking With a Panther" holds a special place in the history of hip-hop as a polarizing and era-defining work. While it might not be widely liked or LL Cool J's most well known album, it stays a considerable release that highlights the evolution of one of the category's most long-lasting and influential artists.