Phenomenon

Album: Phenomenon (1997)
Charted: 9 55
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song was the first single from the 1997 album of the same name. It was produced by Sean "Puffy" Combs, who, at the time, was the go-to producer for hit songs. Combs' rap name used to be Puff Daddy, but he later became P. Diddy and then just Diddy. The song finds LL seducing a woman in a club with his quiet confidence. His edge is his sensitive side - this is the guy who did the first slow rap hit with "I Need Love" back in 1987. Ten years later, he asks in "Phenomenon," "Do you really wanna thug or do ya want love?"
  • This track samples two different songs: "Who Is He And What Is He To You?" by Creative Source and "White Lines" by Grandmaster Flash. The lyric "something like a phenomenon" and the beat were taken from "White Lines," while the rest of the song resembles the Creative Source song.
  • LL Cool J appeared in an episode of NCIS: Los Angeles wearing a T-shirt with "Phenomenon" written across the front. The episode was titled "Predator" and it aired during season 1 of the show in October 2009.
  • The influential Canadian DJ Chris Sheppard included this track on his highly popular Groove Station 4 compilation/remix album in 1998.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Facebook, Bromance and Email - The First Songs To Use New Words

Facebook, Bromance and Email - The First Songs To Use New WordsSong Writing

Where words like "email," "thirsty," "Twitter" and "gangsta" first showed up in songs, and which songs popularized them.

Incongruent Opening Acts

Incongruent Opening ActsSong Writing

Here's what happens when an opening act is really out of place with the headliner, like when Beastie Boys opened for Madonna.

Who Did It First?

Who Did It First?Music Quiz

Do you know who recorded the original versions of these ten hit songs?

Tony Joe White

Tony Joe WhiteSongwriter Interviews

The writer of "Rainy Night in Georgia" and "Polk Salad Annie" explains how he cooks up his Louisiana swamp rock.

David Clayton-Thomas of Blood, Sweat & Tears

David Clayton-Thomas of Blood, Sweat & TearsSongwriter Interviews

The longtime BS&T frontman tells the "Spinning Wheel" story, including the line he got from Joni Mitchell.

Susanna Hoffs - "Eternal Flame"

Susanna Hoffs - "Eternal Flame"They're Playing My Song

The Prince-penned "Manic Monday" was the first song The Bangles heard coming from a car radio, but "Eternal Flame" is closest to Susanna's heart, perhaps because she sang it in "various states of undress."