Rapper LL COOL J has hinted his forthcoming album will not be his last release on Def Jam - despite previously voicing his unhappiness about the record label.

Last year (07), the hip-hop star - real name James Todd Smith III - hit out at then-label president Shawn 'Jay-Z' Carter, accusing the rap mogul of focusing more attention on the marketing and promotion of his own albums - also released on Def Jam - than other artists on the label's roster.

LL Cool J then aligned himself with 50 Cent, appearing to be on the verge of signing with the In Da Club hitmaker's G-Unit Records.

But now the star, who is due to release his 13th and final Def Jam album, Exit 13, later this summer (08), admits he is reconsidering his future at the label.

He says, "It's my last record on the contract, but that doesn't mean that our relationship is over."

Jay-Z stepped down from his post as head of Def Jam at the start of the year (08) after deciding not to renew his contract. He was recently replaced by music executive Shakir Stewart.