LL Cool J is returning to his hip-hop Roots.

The rap pioneer is in the studio is working on an ''authentic'' rap record after taking four years off to concentrate on his acting career, appearing as regular character Sam Hanna in 'NCIS: Los Angeles'.

He told MTV: ''Well, I took four years off to do TV and kinda explore other things artistically. I just felt like it was time to come back to my roots.

''I don't forget where I came from, and I love music. So it's time for me to give those LL Cool J fans a real, proper, true album.

''It's authentic hip-hop. It's definitely for people who grew up and who bought some vinyl or at least bought a CD when they were growing up, and its real hip-hop.''

The 'Mamma Said Knock You Out' hitmaker also said he's not planning to cram the record with guest stars and is aiming it at older hip-hop fans rather than teenagers.

He added: ''It's not LL cashing in, trying to do what people are doing now in terms of hip-hop, but it's very current and real.

''Sometimes I listen to the radio, and I might like the song, and I'll recognise the artists, but I don't know whose song it is. It's five artists who all perform together on every record, and I don't know whose record it is.

''I would say a lot of music right now is catering to 14 and 17-year-olds, and that's totally OK, but there are people who grew up on hip-hop who are a little more mature and want to hear a different style of hip-hop.''