Mama Said Knock You Out

It was cut during the 1989–90 sessions for Mama Said Knock You Out at Marley Marl’s House of Hits in Chestnut Ridge and Chung King House of Metal in New York City. The title track was produced by Marley Marl with assistance from DJ Bobcat and LL Cool J. Released on February 26, 1991 as the album’s fourth single, it became a comeback statement after criticism that LL Cool J’s career was fading. Reviewers singled out its hard, stripped-back production and its confrontational delivery. The track won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance and became one of LL Cool J’s signature songs. It has remained a touchstone of early-1990s rap and has continued to be cited in major lists of best hip-hop and pop songs.