Phenomenon (LL Cool J album)

Phenomenon
Studio album by
LL Cool J
ReleasedOctober 14, 1997
Recorded1996–1997
GenreHip hop
Length43:58
Label
Producer
LL Cool J chronology
All World: Greatest Hits
(1996) 		Phenomenon
(1997) 		G.O.A.T.
(2000)
Singles from Phenomenon
  1. "Phenomenon"
    Released: September 23, 1997
  2. "4, 3, 2, 1"
    Released: December 9, 1997
  3. "Father"
    Released: January 13, 1998
  4. "Hot, Hot, Hot"
    Released: March 27, 1998
  5. "Candy"
    Released: July 3, 1998
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Encyclopedia of Popular Music[2]
Entertainment WeeklyB+[3]
Los Angeles Times[4]
Rolling Stone[5]
The Source[6]

Phenomenon is the seventh studio album by rapper LL Cool J, released on October 14, 1997. After the success of his previous release Mr. Smith, the same basic principles are followed here, with several R&B-influenced tracks, and a couple of more hardcore rap tracks. The album was certified Platinum, unlike Mr. Smith, which was certified 2× Platinum. The album is executively produced by Sean "Puffy" Combs and therefore features production from his in-house roster of producers the Hitmen.

Track listing

[edit]
Phenomenon track listing
# Title Length Featured Artists Producer(s) Sample(s)
1 "Phenomenon" 4:04 Sean "Puffy" Combs for The Hitmen, Ron "AMEN-RA" Lawrence
2 "Candy" 4:32 Ricky Bell & Ralph Tresvant Trackmasters
3 "Starsky & Hutch" 4:03 Busta Rhymes L.E.S.
4 "Another Dollar" 3:48 Curt Gowdy, Trackmasters
5 "Nobody Can Freak You" 3:20 LeShaun & Keith Sweat Trackmasters
6 "Hot, Hot, Hot" 4:22 Sean "Puffy" Combs, Deric "D-Dot" Angelettie & Ron Lawrence for The Hitmen
7 "4, 3, 2, 1" 4:16 Canibus, DMX, Master P & Method Man & Redman Erick Sermon
8 "Wanna Get Paid" 4:11 The Lost Boyz Daven "Prestige" Vanderpool
  • "Action" by Orange Krush
9 "Father" 4:44 Trackmasters
10 "Don't Be Late, Don't Come Too Soon" 6:38 Tamia Steven "Stevie J" Jordan for The Hitmen

Charts

[edit]
Chart performance for Phenomenon
Chart (1997) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[7] 88
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[8] 7
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[9] 48
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[10] 24
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[11] 39
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[12] 57
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[13] 48
UK Albums (OCC)[14] 37
UK R&B Albums (OCC)[15] 6
US Billboard 200[16] 7
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[17] 4

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[18] Platinum 100,000^
United States (RIAA)[19] Platinum 1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. Phenomenon at AllMusic
  2. ^ Larkin, Colin (2011). "LL Cool J". The Encyclopedia of Popular Music (5th concise ed.). Omnibus Press. ISBN 978-0-85712-595-8 – via Google Books.
  3. ^ Farber, Jim (October 17, 1997). "Cool's story of youth". Entertainment Weekly. No. 401. New York. p. 73. Archived from the original on May 8, 2023. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
  4. ^ Hodari Coker, Cheo (November 2, 1997). "In Brief". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on January 22, 2023. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
  5. ^ Stovall, Natasha (October 30, 1997). "Bigger and deffer". Rolling Stone. No. 772. pp. 65–66. Archived from the original on November 9, 2007. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
  6. ^ Wilson, Elliott (December 1997). "Record Report: LL Cool J – Phenomenon". The Source. No. 99. New York. p. 179. Archived from the original on December 11, 2010. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  7. ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 169.
  8. ^ "LL Cool J Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
  9. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – LL Cool J – Phenomenon" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
  10. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – LL Cool J – Phenomenon" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
  11. ^ "Charts.nz – LL Cool J – Phenomenon". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
  12. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – LL Cool J – Phenomenon". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
  13. ^ "Swisscharts.com – LL Cool J – Phenomenon". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
  14. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
  15. ^ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
  16. ^ "LL Cool J Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
  17. ^ "LL Cool J Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
  18. ^ "Canadian album certifications – LL Cool J – Phenomenon". Music Canada.
  19. ^ "American album certifications – L.L. Cool J – Phenomenon". Recording Industry Association of America.
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