LL Cool J perfected the rap love song. Rappers as disparate as street disciples 2Pac and 50 Cent or alt-rap icons like Q-Tip and De La Soul have all offered classic odes to the ladies they love.

Bigger and Deffer sees LL as brazenly confident as ever. But it’s also a trojan horse for new pathos. As nakedly honest as its title suggests, “I Need Love ... made LL COOL J rap’s ...