What makes Incredible by LL Cool J notable?

The album features the hit single Incredible, which played a key role in LL Cool J's continued relevance in the hip-hop scene, achieving significant radio play. Additionally, it showcases his ability to appeal to a mainstream audience while maintaining authenticity, influencing future artists in the genre. Incredible was released in 1998, marking LL Cool J's transition into a new phase of his career after the massive success of his previous album, Mr. Smith. At this point, he was solidifying his status as a hip-hop icon while experimenting with more melodic and commercial sounds.

How many songs are on Incredible?

Incredible has 3 tracks, running approximately 9 minutes.

Incredible

LL Cool J · 1998

9 min · 3 tracks · hip-hop

A vibrant blend of smooth beats and lyrical cleverness that defines late '90s hip-hop culture.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Incredible (clean version) — This track serves as the title piece and encapsulates LL's signature style with its catchy hook and confident delivery, representing his enduring appeal.
→
The Most Beautifullest Thing in This World (LP version) — This track highlights LL Cool J's lyrical prowess and emotional depth, showcasing his ability to intertwine personal narratives with broader themes.
→
Incredible (instrumental) — Offering an instrumental version allows listeners to appreciate the production quality and musicality behind LL's work while emphasizing the soundscapes he chose for this project.

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — This single helped solidify LL Cool J's relevance in hip-hop after prior successes.
Themes: late '90s hip-hop culture· personal narratives· smooth beats
Career context: Incredible was released in 1998, marking LL Cool J's transition into a new phase of his career after the massive success of his previous album, Mr. Smith. At this point, he was solidifying his status as a hip-hop icon while experimenting with more melodic and commercial sounds.
Stylistic neighbors: Kool Moe Dee· Big Daddy Kane· Nas