LL Cool J’s balance of ferocity and introspective romance raised the bar for what rappers could do. He inspired tough MCs to show their softer sides—check DMX’s surprisingly tender “How’s It Goin’ Down”. Traces of LL also take root in the loverman lyrics of the early Drake hit “Best I Ever Had”. But LL could also bring out the best in his diss-track targets—like Canibus, whose counter-attack, “Second Round K.O.”, proved to be a career highlight.