LL Cool J’s sophomore album Bigger and Deffer a.k.a. BAD was released through Def Jam/Columbia Records on May 29, 1987. After working exclusively with Rick Rubin on his 1985 debut Radio, LL worked with West Coast producers L.A. Posse and DJ Pooh on this project, which he talked about in a 1987 interview: Those boys are smart. Ain’t no West Coast. Ain’t no East Coast. It’s just good people, people who know what good music is. Know what I’m saying? A guy down South can come up here and play the hell out of a bass guitar—the guitar ain’t got no accent. The album peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200 and topped the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart before achieving double platinum status with support from the hit singles “I’m Bad” and “I Need Love,” which topped the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and was considered the first successful “rap ballad.” LL broke down the imagery on the album cover: On the front cover of Bigger and Deffer I’m just chillin’, standing on a car, a little jewelry, a little leather, saying “Cool it.” Yo man, just showing the both sides. This picture ain’t intimidating. Boxing gloves are showing I’m cool, but I’m not soft. I’m just letting people know how I’m living. See it for yourself. Look on the cover—that’s how I’m living. Know what I’m saying? Simple, man. Just letting them know I ain’t taking no shots. Don’t be scared of me. Respect me. You heard I need love, but you also see the gloves. So you don’t know how to play me.