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In recent years, LL Cool J (a.k.a. Ladies Love Cool James a.k.a. James Todd Smith) has become as well known for his acting as he has for rapping. But with the release of his latest album, The G.O.A.T., the charismatic MC who brought us rap classics such as the boastful "Rock the Bells," the rap ballad "I Need Love," and the club favorite "Jingling Baby" returns to his first love. Stepping up his game with a set of hard-hittin' rhymes, Uncle L lyrically assaults trash-talkin' rapper Canibus on "Back Where I Belong," ("I hate to be responsible for destroying your career/A one hit wonder/No wonder you disappeared"), and his Any Given Sunday co-star, comedian Jamie Foxx on "U Can't F**k with Me" ("He a p***y/Plus he ain't funny as Chris Rock") -- proving he hasn't lost his battling edge. What makes the disc a true hip-hop event, however, is a host of spirited cameos. Amil offers seductive teases on the ode to phone sex, "Hello"; Snoop Dogg, Xzibit, and Jayo Felony get nasty on the aggressive posse cut "Can't F**k With Me"; and grimy rhymster Ja Rule hollers the chorus on the thunderous "Back Where I Belong." But LL has always been more lover than fighter, and his gentler side shines through on more rhythmic tracks such as "This is Us" featuring Carl Thomas and "You and Me" featuring Kelly Price. As the title, which stands for "The Greatest of All Time," proclaims, LL is still the reigning king of rap. Abby Addis Barnes & Noble