LL Cool J

Released: August 28, 1990

Songwriter: Marley Marl LL Cool J

Producer: Marley Marl

Yo baby
Put your seatbelt on
I got my paperwork, don't worry
It's cool

[The Flex]
Illegal search

(Do you wanna see it?)

(I'm gonna do it)

[Verse 1]
What the hell are you lookin for?
Can't a young man make money anymore?
Wear my jewels and like freak it on the floor
Or is it my job to make sure I'm poor?
Can't my car look better than yours?
Keep a cigar in between my jaws
I drink champagne, to hell with Coors
Never sold coke in my life, I do tours
Get that flashlight out of my face
I'm not a dog, so damn it, put away the mace
I got cash and real attorneys on the case
You're just a joker perpetratin a ace
You got time, you wanna give me a taste
I don't smoke cigarettes, so why you're lookin for base?
You might plant a gun, and hope I run a race
Eatin in the messhall, sayin my grace
You tried to frame me, but it won't work
Illegal search

[The Flex]
Keep on searchin

[L.L. Cool J]
I'm totally relaxed

[The Flex]
Illegal searchin

[L.L. Cool J]
Illegal search

[The Flex]
Keep on searchin
Keep on searchin
Keep on searchin
Gotta, gotta, gotta...

[Verse 2]
I call it nice, you call it a 'drug car'
I say 'disco', you call it a 'drug bar'
I say 'nice guy', you call me Mr. Good Bar
I made progress, you say, "Not that far"
I just started it, you're searchin my car
But all my paperwork is up to par
It's in my Uncle's name, so the frame won't work
Chump - illegal search

[The Flex]
Keep on searchin

[L.L. Cool J]
Illegal search

You won't find nothin

[Verse 3]
On the turnpike, and everything's right
In the background is flashin lights
Get out the car in the middle of the night
It's freezin cold, and you're doin it for spite
Slam me on the hood, yo, that ain't right
You pull out your gun if I'm puttin up a fight
My car, my clothes, and my girl is hype
But you wanna replace my silver stripes
You're a real man, your uniform is tight
Fingerprint me, take me name and height
Hopin it will, but I know it won't work
Illegal search

(Do you wanna see it?)

[L.L. Cool J]
Hey yo, Marley
Get funky

[The Flex]
Illegal illegal illegal search

[L.L. Cool J]
Real funky

(I'm gonna do it for ya)
(I'm gonna do it)

[L.L. Cool J]
Keep it right there
Funk it up

[Verse 4]
I wore a suit to court, the case got thrown out
I'm that man that you all read about
Put me in jail, you're doin it for clout
I only got one question: what's that all about?
Jail is somethin that I can do without
Case dismissed, and now you wanna pout
You feel like tryin it again, but you know it won't work
Illegal search

[The Flex]
Keep on searchin

[L.L. Cool J]
Illegal search
But I got all my ID, and my car's registered

Illegal searchin
Illegal search

And them cops out there
That did the wrong thing to one of my brothers
In Jersey
Keep on searching
Youknowmsayin?
Cause that was foul

Peace

Deriving his name from the statement “Ladies Love Cool James,” LL Cool J became a superstar rapper after his Def Jam debut in 1984. He mixed a hardcore hip-hop style from songs like “I’m Bad” with R&B style on songs like “I Need Love,” which led him to multi-platinum success and several awards. He would later venture into movies and television, write several books, and start different business ventures.

Born January 14, 1968, Queens, New York native James Todd Smith began rapping at the age of nine and started to seriously pursue rapping when he was 16 years old after his grandfather bought him music equipment, which he used to create a demo tape that was sent to numerous labels. He was signed by upstart independent label Def Jam, working with founders Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin to release his debut single “I Need a Beat” in 1984, which sold over 100,000 copies. This success helped Def Jam secure a distribution deal with Columbia Records.

LL released his debut album Radio in 1985, which achieved platinum status with help from the hit singles “I Can’t Live Without My Radio” and “Rock the Bells.” After working exclusively with Rick Rubin on his debut, LL worked with the West Coast production crew L.A. Posse on his second album Bigger and Deffer, released in 1987. The album featured two of LL’s signature the hard-edged “I’m Bad” and the “rap ballad” “I Need Love,” which was a Top 20 pop hit, helping the album achieve double platinum status.

more tracks from the album

Mama Said Knock You Out

From the album

Mama Said Knock You Out (1990)

LL Cool J popular songs

Illegal SearchLL Cool J

LL Cool J

Mama Said Knock You Out