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 .
Phenomenon Released October 14, 1997 Recorded 1996–1997 Genre Hip hop Length 43 :58 Label Producer
"Phenomenon " Released: September 23, 1997
"4, 3, 2, 1 " Released: December 9, 1997
"Father " Released: January 13, 1998
"Hot, Hot, Hot " Released: March 27, 1998
"Candy " Released: July 3, 1998
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
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
^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. Phenomenon at AllMusic
^ 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 .
^ 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 .
^ Hodari Coker, Cheo (November 2, 1997). "In Brief" . Los Angeles Times . Archived from the original on January 22, 2023. Retrieved January 21, 2023 .
^ 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 .
^ 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 .
^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 169.
^ "LL Cool J Chart History (Canadian Albums)" . Billboard . Retrieved August 22, 2022.
^ "Dutchcharts.nl – LL Cool J – Phenomenon" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
^ "Offiziellecharts.de – LL Cool J – Phenomenon" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts . Retrieved August 22, 2022.
^ "Charts.nz – LL Cool J – Phenomenon" . Hung Medien. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
^ "Swedishcharts.com – LL Cool J – Phenomenon" . Hung Medien. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
^ "Swisscharts.com – LL Cool J – Phenomenon" . Hung Medien. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100" . Official Charts Company . Retrieved February 18, 2023.
^ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40" . Official Charts Company . Retrieved February 18, 2023.
^ "LL Cool J Chart History (Billboard 200)" . Billboard . Retrieved August 22, 2022.
^ "LL Cool J Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)" . Billboard . Retrieved August 22, 2022.
^ "Canadian album certifications – LL Cool J – Phenomenon" . Music Canada .
^ "American album certifications – L.L. Cool J – Phenomenon" . Recording Industry Association of America .