Jeff Giles

LL Cool J 's 'Mama Said Knock You Out' album signaled a rebirth of sorts for the rapper. Just don't call it a comeback.

In honor of the 'The RCA Victor & T-Neck Album Masters (1959-1983),' a beautifully compiled 23-disc box that gathers 21 of the group's earliest bestselling LPs while tacking on a healthy array of previously unreleased bonus material, the Isley Brothers' Ernie Isley and Chris Jasper look back on classic Isley projects.

Curtis Mayfield had settled into life as a legacy artist by the late '80s, but he continued to write and record new music -- and he was performing behind a successful new album, 'Take It to the Streets' -- when a horrific stage accident irrevocably changed his life on Aug. 13, 1990.

Louis Johnson, the bassist who scored a string of hits as one-half of the Brothers Johnson, has passed away at the age of 60.

In the spring of 1963, few people had even heard of "Little" Stevie Wonder -- and based on pop chart history, neither live cuts nor instrumentals were exactly safe bets when it came to choosing singles. But none of that mattered once the world heard "Fingertips" on May 21, 1963.

The Boombox takes a look back at his classic rap album and its significance in Cube's storied career in hip-hop.

Revisit the legendary group Kool & the Gang's platinum-selling album 'Ladies' Night.'

Boyz II Men avoided the sophomore jinx with their Grammy-winning album, 'II.' The Boombox takes a look back at the project's success for its 20-year anniversary.

James Brown's band members were never consulted for the film 'Get on Up,' based on the late singer's life, and they seem confused as to the reasons why.

Revisit the Commodores' 1974 debut album, 'Machine Gun.'