LL Cool J is one of my favorite MC's. I always respected Uncle L and to me he has 3 Classic or near Classic albums. So which album do you feel is his best? Man, I struggle b/c Radio has a special place with me growing up. Radio is one of the first Rap Albums I loved and recited. By the time I got to High School, Mama Said Knock You Out was a hit. Marley Marl had LL rocking over his Juice Crew style of Production. He also tapped into a little Rick Rubin as well. That album is CRAZY. Now we come to Mr. Smith and my college years. To me, Mr. Smith is the Perfect Balance of LL as an MC/Artist. On Mr. Smith LL would have a song like "Hey Lover" with Boyz II Men and the next minute he would give you "I Shot Ya" featuring Prodigy, Keith Murray, Foxy Brown and Fat Joe.
My Verdict: I'm honestly torn. For the sake of debate, I will go with ........ Man.... Mama Said Knock You Out. On a side note, Bigger and Deffer is a great album as well from James Todd Smith.
Sigh... So hard to choose. I mean LL was a Phenom iMO. Maybe an easier answer is what was his best overall track... I'd say I NEED LOVE! That was brilliance in production and lyrical mastery. It captures the innocent thoughts of young boys fantasizing about their future love interest. Definetly #1 to me. Much less debate there.