Phenomenon
Studio album by
LL Cool J
ReleasedOctober 14, 1997
Recorded1996–1997
GenreEast Coast hip 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]

Phenomenon is the seventh studio album by rapper LL Cool J. 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

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 The Lost Boyz (uncredited additional vocals) Curt Gowdy, Trackmasters
5 "Nobody Can Freak You" 3:20 LeShaun & Keith Sweat Trackmasters
6 "Hot, Hot, Hot" 4:22 LeShaun 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

Charts

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

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[17] Platinum 100,000^
United States (RIAA)[18] Platinum 1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ↑ https://www.allmusic.com/album/r312967
  2. ↑ Larkin, Colin (2011). "LL Cool J". The Encyclopedia of Popular Music (5th concise ed.). Omnibus Press. ISBN 978-0-85712-595-8.
  3. ↑ Album Review: 'Phenomenon'
  4. ↑ Hodari Coker, Cheo (November 2, 1997). "In Brief". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
  5. ↑ Rolling Stone link
  6. ↑ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 169.
  7. ↑ "LL Cool J Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
  8. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – LL Cool J – Phenomenon" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
  9. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – LL Cool J – Phenomenon" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
  10. ↑ "Charts.nz – LL Cool J – Phenomenon". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
  11. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – LL Cool J – Phenomenon". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
  12. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – LL Cool J – Phenomenon". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
  13. ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
  14. ↑ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
  15. ↑ "LL Cool J Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
  16. ↑ "LL Cool J Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
  17. ↑ "Canadian album certifications – LL Cool J – Phenomenon". Music Canada.
  18. ↑ "American album certifications – L.L. Cool J – Phenomenon". Recording Industry Association of America.
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