Eminem Explains Why LL Cool J's 'Mama Said Knock You Out' is the Ultimate Classic

by Daryl Nelson

Eminem often praises the rappers who've influenced him during his come-up, and many times he's talked about how much admiration he has for LL Cool J.

Monday, September 14, marks the 30th anniversary of Cool J's Mama Said Knock You Out album, so Em went on the New York rapper's Rock The Bells radio show to praise the album as well as its single of the same name.

"'Mama Said Knock You Out' was, to me, such an unorthodox hit," said Em. "It's another way to say that LL has been such an innovator, because for a song like that to be a hit, he was so raw on that song, that something like that could become a hit just changed the whole game.  You didn't have to have a singy-pop hook to get on the radio and radio played the f*ck out this song ...  It gives you chills man." 

"One of the reasons this album is so significant is because it was LL Cool J's fourth album, and to me it was his fourth classic in a row," he added.

In May, Cool J dropped a freestyle to honor George Floyd, which Freddie Gibbs called weak

Where do you place LL on your GOATS list?