LL fell off after The Definition album. He was still relevant with that album. People can clown "Headsprung" now, but that was a big song as was the follow-up in "Hush". That album went gold and MC wise, LL Cool J was still dope:
When Def Jam signed me
They hit the lottery
It wasn't free but don't call it a robbery
They underestimated me quite possibly
It's like that when you a godfather b
I'm the greatest of all time
You heard that before
But now when I say it
It means so much more
Cause It's so true
No hype man, No crew
No reason for ghost writers
Every year I get tighter
Mothers and daughters agree I'm on fire
Check ya T-Mobile it's all over the wire
Cross ya legs baby hide ya desire
You think I'm hot
You preaching to the choir
Smiling and giggling
Thirsting like Gilligan
More flavor than cinnamon
They rush with adrenaline
I make 'em nervous
I do it on purpose
I come back hotter
Every time I resurface
Drop to ya knees baby
Praise the king
Now ask Russell Simmons
Who built the west wing
I ain't gotta be cocky
I do the damn thing
Paint ya girl with strawberry frosting
Internationally known and respected
You talk slick I'm too large to be affected
You crank call my cells disconnected
You keep slipping but my games perfected
^^^ outside of that strawberry frosting line, this was a dope verse from an MC that was 20 years in.
that shyt is as basic as it get's. Brehs were spitting multisylables at the time and LL was rhyming king with wing as if it was still 1986 