To the ever-evolving world of unlikely musical collaborations, add LL Cool J and Bon Jovi ax-man Richie Sambora. The rehabbed rocker lent his shredding prowess to the grandfather of hip-hop's newest album, Exit 13 (out Sept 9), his last under his 22-year recording contract with Def Jam. What's not so peculiar, though, and in keeping with this year's fiery political torch lit by Kanye West and Nas before him, is an angsty solo track directed at President Bush, called "Mr. President."

The New York Daily News had some of the lyrics, but early this week at a recording studio Radar chatted with the rapper about one verse in particular:

I'm not Republican or Democrat/I'm Independent and I want the facts/When are the soldiers coming back/Are we prepared for a terror attack/Late at night I watch CNN/It gets so bad I might stop breathing/The Middle East hates us ... what's the reason?

"It's true; I'm Independent," LL told Radar. "I just feel like I should do what's in my best interests as it pertains to the issues and not my wallet, you know? But I feel like the upper class could afford to pay a little more in the end, so..." And who are you backing then? "Oh, Obama all the way, baby."

But don't expect this record to be all issue-related mumbo-jumbo. LL's hyped on the record, and in particular a track with his Jersey connection. "Richie and I did a remix to my track 'Baby.' It's a rock remix, that's been re-vocaled and has a different chorus and it was crazy. He's doing the talk box on it, and there's a guitar solo at the end. It's up-tempo and has a ton of energy and fast and harder than the original track," LL told friends and reporters.

But can Richie rap? "You funny! I can't play guitar. I'm not sure if he can rap. I'm sure I can't play guitar though," Mr. Cool James laughed.