LL Cool J pledges his allegiance to hip-hop on the cover of his 14th studio album Authentic Hip-Hop, due February 12, 2013. In the photo, the brawny rapper/actor sits in front of a black-and-white flag with his name on it. He has dedicated the project to his loyal fans, who have grown with him throughout the years.

“I’m not trying to compete with 17-year-olds on the radio, but I am talking directly to the folks who came up with me,” LL tells ESSENCE. “We may not be teenagers anymore, but we do still like to have fun.”

The album, his first since 2008’s Exit 13, has spawned the singles “Ratchet” and “Take It” featuring Joe.