[2] It features guest appearances from Snoop Dogg, Fat Joe, Rick Ross, Sona Jobarteh, Saweetie, Busta Rhymes, Nas, Eminem, Mad Squablz, J-S.A.N.D., and Don Pablito.

[1] On February 22, 2023, LL playfully reminded his social media followers that his album was scrapped because "it was too hot", before instating that it was "not yet worthy of a release" that year.

[13][14][15][16] On July 12, 2024, in celebration for the fortieth anniversary of the founding of his label, Def Jam, he announced the newly-titled The FORCE, claiming that he "had to learn how to rap again".

[18] According to LL, it was originally intended for a joint collaborative album he recorded with rapper 50 Cent; it would ultimately be cancelled, because it "didn't fit [his] style".

[25] Andy Cowan of Mojo declared the album "a comeback", finding LL Cool J to be "at his sharpest" lyrically, while also praising the guest appearances.

[30] Joe Muggs of The Arts Desk opined that "LL is in fine voice and furious flow", and called Q-Tip's production "a reminder that old-school, sample-based hip hop can be as heavyweight, as compelling, as mind-bending as anything post-trap youngsters can come up with".