LL Cool J Mama Said Knock You Out

When LL Cool J originally released this back in 1990, I was too young to care about much beyond getting my diaper changed. Well now, 21 years later, I'm out of diapers -- but LL Cool J still sounds as fresh as he did way back when! Whether or not this song is new for you (it is to me), or rather a flashback, there is no disputing its place as a classic.

Ironically, today's bonus actually led me to choose this LL Cool J song as Song of the Day -- last I checked it's meant to be the other way round! But that begs the question: what is the bonus? Well, in my opinion at least, it's the best remix we ever did hear of Kanye West (although it might be more of a mashup). Nick Catchdubs -- sometime magazine editor, sometime DJ -- has thrown a whole bunch of samples, most prominently Buju Banton & LL Cool J, under the acapella from "Champion," including the LL Cool J sample, which is itself a sample of Sly & The Family Stone. This whole thing is getting a bit confusing, I know!

Enjoy the near-beginning of summer with these two bona fide bangers. They definitely sound best out loud, and let's be honest: your neighbours won't care - this shit's far too good for that!