Maps of Music
14 Shots to the Dome (1993)
Where the lyrics of 14 Shots to the Dome take you, and where it was really made.
The album was recorded in studios spread across New York, Los Angeles, Palmdale and Burbank, yet many fans saw its West Coast gangsta sound as a jarring departure from LL Cool J's earlier work.
View on the mapKey places
Recording sessions at Marley's House of Hits (1993)
Recording site House of Hits — The album's recording sessions took place at Marley's House of Hits, one of the New York studios named for this album. The point is city-level only. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there: See the map for directions.
Recording sessions at Cove City Sound Studios (1993)
Recording site Cove City Sound Studios — The album's recording sessions took place at Cove City Sound Studios, one of the New York studios named for this album. The point is city-level only. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there: See the map for directions.
Recording sessions at QDIII Soundlab (1993)
Recording site Motown Recording Studios — The album's recording sessions took place at QDIII Soundlab in Los Angeles. The point is city-level only. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there: See the map for directions.
Recording sessions at Bobcat's House (1993)
Recording site Bobcat's House — The album's recording sessions took place at Bobcat's House in Palmdale. The point is city-level only. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there: See the map for directions.
Recording sessions at Encore Studio (1993)
Recording site The Enterprise (Burbank) — The album's recording sessions took place at Encore Studio in Burbank. The point is city-level only. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there: See the map for directions.
Album story
Overview
- 14 Shots to the Dome: fifth studio album by American hip hop artist LL Cool J
- Released 30 March 1993 via Def Jam Recordings
- Produced by Marley Marl, DJ Bobcat, Quincy Jones III, Andrew Zenable and Chris Forte
- Guest appearances by Lords of the Underground and Lieutenant Stitchie
- First album after the hugely successful Mama Said Knock You Out (1990)
Background
- Mama Said Knock You Out had brought success on his own terms
- This album sees LL adopting the sound of West Coast gangsta rap contemporaries, especially Ice Cube and Cypress Hill
- Many fans saw this as a jarring departure
- The album met mixed critical and commercial response
Recording
- Sessions took place at Marley's House of Hits, Cove City Sound Studios and Unique Recording Studios in New York
- QDIII Soundlab in Los Angeles
- Bobcat's House in Palmdale
- Encore Studio in Burbank
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
Artist
Career
- James Todd Smith, known as LL Cool J (short for Ladies Love Cool James), is an American rapper and actor.
- He was among the earliest rappers to achieve crossover commercial success alongside new-school acts like Run-DMC.
- Signed by Def Jam Recordings in 1984; his breakthrough single "I Need a Beat" (1984) was followed by debut album Radio (1985).
- Later albums Bigger and Deffer (1987), Walking with a Panther (1989), Mama Said Knock You Out (1990), Mr. Smith (1995), and Phenomenon (1997) brought continued success.
- Released The FORCE (2024), his fourteenth studio album, after re-signing with Def Jam.
- Acting work includes Toys, Halloween H20, Any Given Sunday, and NCIS: Los Angeles (2009–2023) as Sam Hanna.
- Two-time Grammy winner; in 2017 became the first rapper to receive a Kennedy Center Honor; inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2021 (Musical Excellence).
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
Reception
At release
- Robert Christgau: judged the gangsta metaphors an attempt at toughness that failed to convince
- The album met mixed critical and commercial response
Reappraisal
- Critical opinion was divided, with many fans rejecting the West Coast-influenced direction
Records
- Billboard 200: peaked at number five
- Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart: number one
- RIAA: certified Gold on 2 June 1993
- Three charted singles: "How I'm Comin'", "Pink Cookies In a Plastic Bag Getting Crushed by Buildings" b/w "Back Seat (of My Jeep)", and "Stand By Your Man"
Sources: en.wikipedia.org · pt.wikipedia.org
Trivia
- The album's second single "Back Seat" was later sampled by Monica for her debut single "Don't Take It Personal", which became a major hit two years later.
- Track 4 contains elements from "Groove Me" by King Floyd.
- Track 11 contains elements from "Mother's Son" by Curtis Mayfield.
- Track 12 contains a sample from "Get Up Get Down" by the Dramatics.
- The release came in a gatefold cover with printed inner sleeves.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org · www.discogs.com
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