Mercury News, California — Also headed our way: Bob Dylan, LL Cool J, New Kids on the Block, Paul McCartney, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Nine Inch Nails. more info

L.A. Times - Pop & Hiss — "LL Cool J is hard as hell," the rapper-turned-"NCIS" star proclaimed Friday on "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" -- news that might come as a surprise to anyone who's made the slog through his lumpy new album , "Authentic." more info

L.A. Times - Pop & Hiss — The country singer's tune about a homeless man in his new album has nothing of substance to say.Is a reductive engagement with social issues worse than no engagement at all? That was the question raised by "Accidental Racist," Brad Paisley and LL Coo... more info

Jam! Showbiz Music, Canada — Rapper and actor LL Cool J says he never meant to "trivialize slavery." more info

L.A. Times - Pop & Hiss — Somewhere between Grammy hosting duties, starring on a hit CBS cop drama and thwarting home burglars, LL Cool J has completely lost touch with what launched him into superstardom: rapping. That startling disconnection is what bogs down his 13th album... more info

USA Today Music — He seems a bit rusty on his first album in five years. more info

USA Today Music — Iconic rap star will follow up album release with summer tour with other hip-hop legends more info

ContactMusic — Can the circle be unbroken? Who knows? Is the Accidental Racist racist? Who knows? We’ve listened to that song more times than we care to talk... more info

Impose Magazine — This week saw LL Cool J somehow get involved with a song that was even worse than his last one. But racists, accidental or otherwise, couldn't stop the flow of awesome music. Below, the Lines of the Week: 5. "Eastside LBC with a G on it/V.I.P., ... more info

Starpulse — LL Cool J insists "Accidental Racist," his new song with Brad Paisley, was meant to "shake things up," and he is unphased by the controversy the tune has generated. more info