All World: Greatest Hits [PA] (CD - 1996)

Producers include: Rick Rubin, LL Cool J, Marley Marl, QD III.

Audio Remixer: Tone.

Photographers: Todd Gray; Barron Claiborne; Michel Comte; Albert Watson; Jesse Frohman; Ricardo Betancourt; Christian Lantry; Glen E. Friedman; Daniel Hastings; Gary Spector; Danny Clinch.

All World: Greatest Hits is an excellent compilation of LL Cool J's greatest hits, featuring 16 of his biggest and best singles, including "I Can't Live Without My Radio," "Rock the Bells," "I'm Bad," "I Need Love," "Going Back to Cali," "Jingling Baby," "The Boomin' System," "Mama Said Knock You Out," "Around the Way Girl," and "Hey Lover." It's the definitive retrospective of one of the greatest rappers to ever record, and if you doubt the truth of that statement, just take a listen to this collection. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

LL Cool J is an unimpeachably important figure in the history of hip-hop. He has weathered all the trends and fashions in the rap world over the last decade. ALL WORLD is a long overdue greatest-hits collection that makes a strong case for LL as one of the most consistent and innovative figures in rap, pre-dating the Death Row crew and eschewing the pimp/gangsta image that has weighed down too many rap albums in the '90s.

The infectious groove of "Rock The Bells" sets the tone, finding LL rocking the mic with an inimitable authority. "I Need Love" changes the pace and shows his emotional range, with lyrics that show a romantic sensitivity uncommon among rappers. "Jingling Baby" and "The Boomin' System" showcase LL doing what he does best, creating a lively party atmosphere with irresistibly funky rhythm tracks. "Mama Said Knock You Out" makes it plain that LL is more than just a party boy, with a fierce, aggressive rap that sounds as fresh as the day it was released. This is an essential document of rap's past and present, and maybe even a hint of its future. minimize