With a career spanning over two decades, LL Cool J isn't ready to retire just yet. The rapper-actor is working on his 14th studio album, Authentic Hip Hop, which is set to premiere in early 2013. Recently, the music celeb revealed his album cover and explained his veteran approach to hip hop music.

"I'm not trying to compete with the 17-year-olds on the radio, but I am talking directly to the folks who came up with me," he said to ESSENCE.com. "We may not be teenagers anymore, but we do still like to have fun."

While the album won't be out until next year, it already has two singles circulating on the radio, "Ratchet" and "Take It." LL's last album, Exit 13, was released in 2008 and since then he's been focused on his TV acting career as the star of the cop drama, NCIS: Los Angeles.

BET.com is your #1 source for Black celebrity news, photos, exclusive videos and all the latest in the world of hip hop and R&B music.

Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.

(Photo: Def Jam Recordings)