Walking with a Panther
Encyclopedia
Walking with a Panther is the third studio album
by high-selling hip-hop
artist LL Cool J
. Released in 1989, the album was a commercial success, with several charting singles ("Going Back to Cali," "I'm That Type of Guy," "Jingling Baby," "Big Ole Butt," and "One Shot at Love"). The album however was often criticized by the hip-hop
community as being too commercial and materialistic, and for focusing too much on love ballads. According to Billboard
, the album peaked at #6 on the Billboard 200
and was LL Cool J's second #1 R&B
Album where it spent four weeks.
While the previous album Bigger and Deffer
, which was a big success, was produced by The L.A. Posse (at the time consisting of Dwayne Simon, Darryl Pierce and, according to himself the most important for crafting the sound of the LP, Bobby "Bobcat" Erving), Dwayne Simon was the only one left willing to work on producing Walking with a Panther. Bobcat said he wanted more money for the album after realizing how much of a success the previous album really had become but Def Jam refused to change the contract which made him leave Cool J. According to Bobcat this is the reason that Walking with a Panther was met with very mixed reception at the time of its release.
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
by high-selling hip-hop
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
artist LL Cool J
LL Cool J
James Todd Smith , better known as LL Cool J , is an American rapper, entrepreneur, and actor...
. Released in 1989, the album was a commercial success, with several charting singles ("Going Back to Cali," "I'm That Type of Guy," "Jingling Baby," "Big Ole Butt," and "One Shot at Love"). The album however was often criticized by the hip-hop
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
community as being too commercial and materialistic, and for focusing too much on love ballads. According to Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
, the album peaked at #6 on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
and was LL Cool J's second #1 R&B
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums is a chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks R&B and hip hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The name of the chart was changed from Top R&B Albums in 1999...
Album where it spent four weeks.
While the previous album Bigger and Deffer
Bigger and Deffer
Bigger And Deffer , is the second studio album by rapper LL Cool J and is remembered most for containing the first commercially successful "rap ballad", "I Need Love". It also contains the single "Go Cut Creator Go", which paid homage to his DJ, and the breakthrough single in the U.K. "I'm Bad"...
, which was a big success, was produced by The L.A. Posse (at the time consisting of Dwayne Simon, Darryl Pierce and, according to himself the most important for crafting the sound of the LP, Bobby "Bobcat" Erving), Dwayne Simon was the only one left willing to work on producing Walking with a Panther. Bobcat said he wanted more money for the album after realizing how much of a success the previous album really had become but Def Jam refused to change the contract which made him leave Cool J. According to Bobcat this is the reason that Walking with a Panther was met with very mixed reception at the time of its release.
CD
- "Droppin' Em"
- "Smokin', Dopin'"
- "Fast Peg"
(Prod. w. DJ Cut Creator) - "Clap Your Hands'"
- "Nitro"
(Prod. w. The Bomb SquadThe Bomb SquadThe Bomb Squad is an American hip hop production team, known for their work with the rap group Public Enemy. The Bomb Squad are noted for their dense, distinct, innovative production style, often utilizing dozens of samples on just one track...
) - "You're My Heart"
- "I'm That Type of GuyI'm That Type of GuyI'm That Type of Guy is a single from LL Cool J's third album, Walking with a Panther. It was released in 1989 for Def Jam Recordings and was produced by The L.A. Posse and LL Cool J. The song would prove to be the most successful single from the critically bashed album, making it to #15 on the...
" - "Why Do You Think They Call It Dope?"
- "Going Back to CaliGoing Back to Cali (LL Cool J song)"Going Back to Cali" is single by LL Cool J from the Less Than Zero soundtrack and his third album Walking with a Panther. Produced by Rick Rubin and LL Cool J, the song was a success, peaking at #31 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #12 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, and was eventually certified gold by...
"
(Prod. by Rick RubinRick RubinFrederick Jay "Rick" Rubin is an American record producer and the co-president of Columbia Records. Along with Russell Simmons, Rubin was the co-founder of Def Jam Records and also established American Recordings...
) - "It Gets No Rougher"
(Prod. w. The Bomb SquadThe Bomb SquadThe Bomb Squad is an American hip hop production team, known for their work with the rap group Public Enemy. The Bomb Squad are noted for their dense, distinct, innovative production style, often utilizing dozens of samples on just one track...
) - "Big Ole ButtBig Ole ButtBig Ole Butt is the third single from LL Cool J's third album, Walking with a Panther. It was released in 1989 for Def Jam Recordings and was produced by the L.A. Posse and LL Cool J. Big Ole Butt would prove to be a mild success, making it to #13 on the Hot Rap Singles and #57 on the Hot...
" - "One Shot at LoveOne Shot at Love"One Shot at Love" was the last single released from LL Cool J's third album, Walking with a Panther. It was released in 1989 for Def Jam Recordings and was produced by The L.A. Posse and LL Cool J. "One Shot at Love" would prove to be a commercial disappointment as it would only go on to peak at...
" - "1-900 L.L. Cool J"
- "Two Different Worlds" (featuring Cydne Monet)
- "Jealous"
- "Jingling BabyJingling BabyJingling Baby was the final single released from LL Cool J's third album, Walking with a Panther. It was released on January 8, 1990 for Def Jam Recordings and was produced by LL Cool J, The L.A. Posse and Marley Marl. Jingling Baby peaked at #32 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs...
" - "Def Jam in the MotherlandAfricaAfrica is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
" - "Change Your Ways
Cassette
- "Droppin' Em"
- "Smokin', Dopin'"
- "Fast Peg"
(Prod. w. DJ Cut Creator) - "Clap Your Hands'"
- "Nitro"
(Prod. w. The Bomb SquadThe Bomb SquadThe Bomb Squad is an American hip hop production team, known for their work with the rap group Public Enemy. The Bomb Squad are noted for their dense, distinct, innovative production style, often utilizing dozens of samples on just one track...
) - "You're My Heart"
- "I'm That Type of GuyI'm That Type of GuyI'm That Type of Guy is a single from LL Cool J's third album, Walking with a Panther. It was released in 1989 for Def Jam Recordings and was produced by The L.A. Posse and LL Cool J. The song would prove to be the most successful single from the critically bashed album, making it to #15 on the...
" - "Why Do You Think They Call It Dope?"
- "Going Back to CaliGoing Back to Cali (LL Cool J song)"Going Back to Cali" is single by LL Cool J from the Less Than Zero soundtrack and his third album Walking with a Panther. Produced by Rick Rubin and LL Cool J, the song was a success, peaking at #31 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #12 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, and was eventually certified gold by...
"
(Prod. by Rick RubinRick RubinFrederick Jay "Rick" Rubin is an American record producer and the co-president of Columbia Records. Along with Russell Simmons, Rubin was the co-founder of Def Jam Records and also established American Recordings...
) - "Crime Stories" [Bonus Track Available on Cassette Format]
- "It Gets No Rougher"
(Prod. w. The Bomb SquadThe Bomb SquadThe Bomb Squad is an American hip hop production team, known for their work with the rap group Public Enemy. The Bomb Squad are noted for their dense, distinct, innovative production style, often utilizing dozens of samples on just one track...
) - "Big Ole ButtBig Ole ButtBig Ole Butt is the third single from LL Cool J's third album, Walking with a Panther. It was released in 1989 for Def Jam Recordings and was produced by the L.A. Posse and LL Cool J. Big Ole Butt would prove to be a mild success, making it to #13 on the Hot Rap Singles and #57 on the Hot...
" - "One Shot at LoveOne Shot at Love"One Shot at Love" was the last single released from LL Cool J's third album, Walking with a Panther. It was released in 1989 for Def Jam Recordings and was produced by The L.A. Posse and LL Cool J. "One Shot at Love" would prove to be a commercial disappointment as it would only go on to peak at...
" - "1-900 L.L. Cool J"
- "Two Different Worlds" (Ft. Cydne Monet)
- "Jealous"
- "Jingling BabyJingling BabyJingling Baby was the final single released from LL Cool J's third album, Walking with a Panther. It was released on January 8, 1990 for Def Jam Recordings and was produced by LL Cool J, The L.A. Posse and Marley Marl. Jingling Baby peaked at #32 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs...
" - "Def Jam in the MotherlandAfricaAfrica is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
" - "Change Your Ways
- "Jack the Ripper" [Bonus Track Available on Cassette Format]
(Prod. by Rick Rubin)
Samples
- The song "Nitro" interpolatedInterpolation (music)Interpolation in music refers to an abrupt change in musical elements from the main theme.-In classical music:In music and musical composition, especially 20th century and later, interpolation is an abrupt change of elements, with continuation of the first idea...
some parts from "(Not Just) Knee Deep(Not Just) Knee Deep" Knee Deep" is a funk song running 15 minutes, 21 seconds on side 1 of Funkadelic's 1979 album Uncle Jam Wants You.-Song information:...
" by FunkadelicFunkadelicFunkadelic was an American band most prominent during the 1970s. The band and its sister act Parliament, both led by George Clinton, began the funk music culture of that decade.-History:...
. Also some parts from "Funky DrummerFunky drummer"Funky Drummer" is a funk song recorded by James Brown and his band. The recording's drum break, performed by drummer Clyde Stubblefield, is one of the most frequently sampled rhythmic breaks in hip hop and popular music; indeed, it lays a strong claim to being the most sampled recording ever,...
" by James BrownJames BrownJames Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr...
.
- The song "Jingling BabyJingling BabyJingling Baby was the final single released from LL Cool J's third album, Walking with a Panther. It was released on January 8, 1990 for Def Jam Recordings and was produced by LL Cool J, The L.A. Posse and Marley Marl. Jingling Baby peaked at #32 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs...
" sampled a portion of "Walking Into Sunshine" by Central LineCentral Line (band)Central Line were a British pop and jazz-funk group, based in London, England. They recorded three albums for Mercury Records in the 1980s, and had two hit singles in the United States, as well as one Top 40 success in their native country.-Career:...
.
- The song "I'm That Type of GuyI'm That Type of GuyI'm That Type of Guy is a single from LL Cool J's third album, Walking with a Panther. It was released in 1989 for Def Jam Recordings and was produced by The L.A. Posse and LL Cool J. The song would prove to be the most successful single from the critically bashed album, making it to #15 on the...
" interpolated some movie quotes from The Wizard of OzThe Wizard of Oz (1939 film)The Wizard of Oz is a 1939 American musical fantasy film produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. It was directed primarily by Victor Fleming. Noel Langley, Florence Ryerson and Edgar Allan Woolf received credit for the screenplay, but there were uncredited contributions by others. The lyrics for the songs...
.
- The song "Def Jam in the Motherland" sampled portions of "Love Is The MessageLove Is the MessageLove Is the Message is Misia's second studio album, released on January 1, 2000. It sold 1,349,650 copies in its first week, making it the 23rd highest debut in Japanese history, and peaked at #1 for two consecutive weeks...
" by M.F.S.B..
- The song "Going Back to CaliGoing Back to Cali"Going Back to Cali" is single by LL Cool J from the Less Than Zero soundtrack and his third album Walking with a Panther. Produced by Rick Rubin and LL Cool J, the song was a success, peaking at #31 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #12 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, and was eventually certified gold by...
" was sampled in "Hey, Baby (Jump Off)" produced by Rick RubinRick RubinFrederick Jay "Rick" Rubin is an American record producer and the co-president of Columbia Records. Along with Russell Simmons, Rubin was the co-founder of Def Jam Records and also established American Recordings...
.
- The song "1-900 L.L. Cool J" sampled a portion of Herbie HancockHerbie HancockHerbert Jeffrey "Herbie" Hancock is an American pianist, bandleader and composer. As part of Miles Davis's "second great quintet," Hancock helped to redefine the role of a jazz rhythm section and was one of the primary architects of the "post-bop" sound...
's 1973 version of his signature composition "Watermelon Man".