Don’t call it a comeback! LL Cool J’s Momma Said Knock You Out is turning thirty and we are honoring the release of the single that reinstated LL’s status as an emcee not to be played with.
The end of the 1980’s saw an adolescent Hip Hop. Legends like Kool G Rap and DJ Polo, Kwame, De LA Soul, Queen Latifah, Craig G, 3rd Bass, Freddie Foxx, Gang Starr, Young MC, Special Ed and The D.O.C. all released debut albums. We got sophomore efforts from acts like The Geto AND the Beastie Boys, MC Lyte, EPMD, Big Daddy Kane, Biz Markie, and a few junior and senior releases from other VIP’s.
Queens own, Mr. Smith was one of those emcees with his third studio album, Walking With A Panther. The album reached number 6 on the Billboard 200 and contained the hits “Going Back To Cali”, “Big Ole Butt”, “Jingling Baby” and “One Shot At Love”. This is considered the golden era of Hip Hop and Uncle L was already established as a pioneer, but while critically acclaimed, the hardcore Hip Hop and rap community were just about over his attention to the fairer sex, so to say.
The album ended up 2x platinum and LL Cool J definitely had Hollywood in his near future but his success did not drown out the noise from the streets and he knew balance was crucial to his longevity in the entertainment business. The 90’s hit and Hip Hop hit with a mid twenties aggression the world had never seen. Society was on the brink and Hip Hop was square on the edge of it, spreading to the west coast like Covid 19 and The Future of the Funk had his ear to the street.
Momma Said Knock You Out, the album, was released August 28, 1990. It charted number 16 on the Billboard 200 and again went 2x platinum. It rocked the undeniable hits in “The Boomin’ System” and “Around The Way Girl” alongside the underground bangers “Illegal Search” and “Eat ‘Em up, L Chill” and even spawned the name of Run The Jewels, one of the best duos doing it in this day and age. Shout out to Run The Jewels.
The album is full of fire and is constantly put on lists of greatest albums of all time and although it didn’t take long for real fans to recognize that NIckelhead had never went anywhere, all doubt was erased with the February, 26 1991 release of the fourth single and title track, Momma Said Knock You Out.
It begins with a loop from a sample of “A Whole New Thing” by Sly and The Family Stone overlayed with a mock news report about LL returning before the beat drops out and he drops in with the iconic “Don’t call it a comeback…”. From there, it’s roughly four and a half minutes of aggressive lyrics over Marley Marl production and Bobcat scratches with a few more samples, one of which from the G.O.A.T. himself.
The record was an instant classic, certifying gold and going on to win the second ever Grammy Award for the now defunct category, Best Rap Solo Performance. More importantly, it solidified LL as an emcee that had the range needed for the career longevity he sought, throwing shots at MC Hammer and Kool Moe Dee respectively. It seemed like audiences were happy to have Jack The Ripper back once again and the record has definitely stood the test of time.
Momma Said Knock You Out is one of those records that comes at you hard. The energy is infectious, strategic and intentional. The video features LL in a boxing ring unleashing his lyrical jabs and verbal uppercuts with a monochrome slash sepia tone that perfectly demonstrates the records early nineties enthusiasm and vigor.
LL Cool J himself is on record explaining that he was influenced by his grandmother to make the song. He felt himself discouraged and after talking with her about rappers dissing him at the time as well as the rise of gangster rap she responded “Just knock them out”.
Congratulations LL Cool J and happy 30 years to Momma Said Knock You Out.