LL Cool J rocked Hammerstein Ballroom in New
York City on Wednesday, 10/9. The rap veteran performed in front of a capacity
crowd, commanding the stage with just a DJ for well over an hour.
The show, which was packed with mostly screaming
females and some thugged out types, was in support of LL’s tenth album, Ten,
which hits store October 15. Such hip-hop notables as Timbaland, DMC, Ludacris,
Keith Murray, Petey Pablo and others attended to show respect of LL Cool J,
who has spent 17 years in the hip-hop business.
"May God bless every new hip-hop artist
and their children. There are a lot of great artists in this business. I have
been away for awhile, but that doesn’t mean I don’t love yall!" LL Cool
J spared nothing during his performance, which featured pyrotechnics, females
on the stage, and LL simulating sex with a chair. The veteran even appeared
to break his platinum chain, only to toss in nonchalantly into the crowd, to
their delight.
Showing versatility, LL’s set went through his
radio hits as well as his lesser known favorites, which all in the crowd seemed
to recognize. The highlight of the show came when Def Jam presented LL with
a huge plaque that featured every album he has released, which total to over
20 million sold.
LL ended rumors of his possible retirement from
the stage. "This is my tenth album, but I plan on doing 10 more!"
he said as he finished his show.