LL Cool J released, The Force, his first new studio album in 11 years, on September 6, and was part of a star-studded 40th anniversary tribute to Def Jam Records that closed down the VMAs on Wednesday night (Sept. 11). While rap fans enjoy his Q-Tip produced new album, the music in LL’s vault is equally intriguing. Dr. Dre was originally working with him on the new record, but LL scrapped it because it wasn’t up to his standards. “He deserves a better LL than that,” he shared. “For me to go in there and not give Dr. Dre the best possible LL, it’s not fair to him and it’s definitely not fair to me. The sonics were there, but I gotta deliver on the writing. I’m not putting nothing out if I don’t feel it’s right.” That goes for old studio sessions with LL and Michael Jackson as well, which the rapper confirmed do exist but have never been released. (Variety)