Maps of Music

Exit 13 (2008)

Where the lyrics of Exit 13 take you, and where it was really made.

Exit 13 was released as LL Cool J's last album with Def Jam, before his return 16 years later with The FORCE.

Place unknown

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Exit 13: twelfth studio album by American rapper LL Cool J
Released September 9, 2008, on Def Jam Recordings
Last album release with Def Jam before his return 16 years later with The FORCE
First LL Cool J album since G.O.A.T. to carry the parental advisory label for explicit lyrics

In July 2006 LL announced details of this last album with Def Jam; it was originally scheduled for 2006
Release was delayed about two years before the September 2008 date
Originally planned as an exclusive production by rapper and friend 50 Cent; the final release came out without 50 Cent as executive producer
Tracks made with 50 Cent leaked online, and some of those tracks ended up on the album
Preceded by The Return of the G.O.A.T., LL's first mixtape, made with DJ Kayslay
Buzz single 'Cry' featuring Lil' Mo released June 17, 2008
First official single 'Baby' featuring The-Dream released July 1, 2008, on iTunes
Second official single 'Feel My Heart Beat' featuring 50 Cent released August 26, 2008; it did not enter the Billboard Hot 100

LL said in an interview with Chicago radio personality DJ Z that the vulgarities are not heavy
The edited version uses alternate lyrics instead of simply omitting the vulgarities
Other contributors include 50 Cent, Sheek Louch, Fat Joe, Ryan Leslie, Wyclef Jean, The-Dream, Lil' Mo, KRS-One, Funkmaster Flex, Richie Sambora and Darlisa Blackshere
Richie Sambora, lead guitarist of Bon Jovi, appears on the rock remix of 'Baby' released on iTunes August 19, 2008

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).

Metacritic: mixed reviews from critics, average score 57 based on 5 reviews
RapReviews' Jesal Padania: praised the consistent sound of instruments and synths and LL's strong lyricism, while calling the album too lengthy
USA Today's Steve Jones: called it LL's most aggressive album in years, with energetic braggadocio driven by young producers
The New York Times' Jon Pareles: felt LL more than holds his own against newer producers' sounds, though the 76-minute album flags near the end
AllMusic's Andy Kellman: criticized the record for trying too hard to sound like mainstream rap albums of that year

LL said in 2009 that the record did not get the support he wished for
He said the company decided to write off the album and not give it a proper chance

The official single version of 'Feel My Heart Beat' leaked to the Internet on November 27, 2008
Track 3 samples Lyn Christopher's 'Take Me With You' and interpolates 'Heartbeat' (Discogs notes)
Track 6 contains excerpts from 'Pee Wee Dance' and a master sample of 50 Cent's 'I Get Money' (Discogs notes)
Track 13 samples McFadden & Whitehead's 'I've Been Pushed Aside' (Discogs notes)
Track 19 samples M.C. Shan's 'The Bridge' and Edwin Starr's 'I'm Still A Struggling Man' (Discogs notes)