From the moment he walked into the scene in Krush Groove and yelled “BOX,” LL Cool J established himself as one of Hip-Hop’s most magnetic and fearsome MCs. Before the love songs and the radio appeal, there was Jack the Ripper who was nothing but a microphone destroyer.

Here’s a freestyle from what sounds like the mid to late 80’s of LL Cool J in straight “King Hercules” mode. It takes place at the famed Roxy in NYC and you can hear LL acknowledge Run-D.M.C. up top before proceeding to rip the mic for five straight minutes. Check it out.

And…here’s that scene from Krush Groove.

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