Hush (LL Cool J song)

"Hush" was written by LL Cool J along with 7 Aurelius, Paul Graham, Cornelius Mims, and Paul Bushnell for his tenth studio album, The DEFinition (2004), with Aurelius overseeing its production. In an interview with MTV News, LL Cool J commented on the song: "It's about how we go through problems and pain and drama, but if we stick together, no matter how rough it gets, we gonna get through. That could be a relationship, man and woman, that can be a crew, that can be a team, whatever. However you slice it, at the end of the day, when the drama happens — just hush. Be easy. Be still in the midst of the storm, and we'll figure out what we need to do."^[1]

In the United States, "Hush" reached number 26 on the US Billboard Hot 100.^[2] It also peaked at number 11 on the US Hot Rap Songs chart and number 14 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.^[3][4] "Hush" was released to bigger commercial success in the United Kingdom, where it reached number three on the UK Singles Chart, becoming his highest-charting single since "Ain't Nobody" (1996).^[5] On October 24, 2025, nearly two decades after its release, the song was certified Silver by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).^[6] The song also reached the top thiry in Ireland, peaking at number 23 on the Irish Singles Chart,^[7] and became a top ten hit in Scotland and on a composite European Hot 100 Singles chart.^[8][9]

A music video for "Hush" was filmed on location in Queens, New York, and directed by Jessy Terrero.^[1] Shot in late September 2004,^[1] the video depicts LL Cool J returning to his old neighborhood with his partner, played by Dominican actress Dania Ramirez.^[1] Throughout the shoot, local residents gathered along Jamaica Avenue to watch and participate, with LL engaging directly with fans and encouraging community involvement.^[1] The concept centers on juxtaposing the artist's present success with nostalgic flashbacks, including appearances by his eldest son, Najee, who portrays a 17-year-old version of his father in the video's flashback sequences.^[1] LL Cool J elaborated on the video, while filming scenes in Queens: "It's about a guy who's made it, who's very, very successful. He decides to take his girl back to the 'hood where they first met, so they can appreciate and kinda reminisce about where they come from. I think you'll find that with people that make money, sometimes you gotta keep a bus pass in your wallet so you don't act too cute in a Benz. This [video] was my way of doing that. I wanted to bring it back home."^[1]