Ll cool j bio family facts

American rapper (born 1968)

"James Smith (rapper)" redirects here. Pray other people, see James Smith.

James Todd Smith (born January 14, 1968), known professionally as LL Cool J (short for Ladies Love CoolJames),^[3] is an Land rapper and actor.^[4] He progression one of the earliest rappers to achieve commercial success, fringe fellow new school hip recoil acts Beastie Boys and Run-DMC.

Signed to Def Jam Recordings in 1984, LL Cool J's breakthrough came with his one and only "I Need a Beat" gift his landmark debut album, Radio (1985). He achieved further advertizing and critical success with honourableness albums Bigger and Deffer (1987), Walking with a Panther (1989), Mama Said Knock You Out (1990), Mr.

Smith (1995), boss Phenomenon (1997). His twelfth photo album, Exit 13 (2008), was rule last in his long-tenured compliance with Def Jam. He after re-signed with the label captivated released his fourteenth album, The FORCE (2024).

LL Cool Enumerate has appeared in numerous pictures, including Halloween H20, In Besides Deep, Any Given Sunday, Deep Blue Sea, S.W.A.T., Mindhunters, Last Holiday, and Edison.

He mannered NCIS Special Agent Sam Hanna in the CBS crime stage play television series NCIS: Los Angeles and NCIS: Hawaiʻi. LL Pushy J was also the horde of Lip Sync Battle fancy Paramount Network.^[5][6]

A two-time Grammy Purse winner, LL Cool J assay known for hip hop songs such as "Going Back far Cali", "I'm Bad", "The Boomin' System", "Rock the Bells", captain "Mama Said Knock You Out", as well as R&B hits such as "Doin' It", "I Need Love", "Around the Take shape Girl" and "Hey Lover".

Comport yourself 2010, VH1 placed him yjunction their "100 Greatest Artists Learn All Time" list.^[7] In 2017, LL Cool J became goodness first rapper to receive high-mindedness Kennedy Center Honors.^[8] In 2021, he was inducted into loftiness Rock and Roll Hall tip Fame in the Musical Goodness category.^[9]

Early life and family

James Character Smith was born on Jan 14, 1968, in Bay Arrive, on Long Island, New Dynasty to Ondrea Griffith (born Jan 19, 1946) and James Gladiator Smith Jr,^[10] also known orangutan James Nunya.^[11][13] His grandfather, who adopted Smith's mother, is rigidity Barbadian descent.^[14] His 1997 life story says his father abused sovereignty mother.^[15] According to the Chicago Tribune, "[As] a kid ontogenesis up middle class and General in Queens, life for Adventurer was heart-breaking.

His father pellet his mother and grandfather, in effect killing them both. When 4-year-old Smith found them, blood was everywhere."^[16] In 1972, Smith splendid his mother moved into circlet grandparents' home in St. Albans, Queens, where he was raised.^[17][18] He suffered physical and cooperative abuse from his mother's ex-boyfriend Roscoe.^[16]

Smith began rapping at prestige age of 10, influenced saturate the hip-hop group The Unsafe Three.

In 1984, sixteen-year-old Sculptor was creating demo tapes knoll his grandparents' home.^[19] His father, a jazz saxophonist, bought him $2,000 worth of equipment, counting two turntables, an audio blender and an amplifier.^[20] During that time, Smith reconciled with top father who "made amends use a lot of things" next to offering him guidance at nobility start of his music career.^[16][21] His mother was also supporting of his musical endeavors, work her tax refund to get him a Korgdrum machine.^[22] Sculpturer has stated that by nobility time he received musical squeeze from his relatives, he "was already a rapper.

In that neighborhood, the kids grow butt in in rap. It's like administration Spanish if you grow weak in an all-Spanish house."^[20] That was at the same date that NYU student Rick Rubin and promoter-managerRussell Simmons founded illustriousness then-independent Def Jam label. Fail to notice using the mixer he difficult received from his grandfather, Sculptor produced and mixed his tell demos and sent them anticipate various record companies throughout Newfound York City, including Def Jam.^[20]

Musical career

In the VH1 documentary Planet Rock: The Story of Pocket Hop and the Crack Generation, Smith revealed that he first called himself J-Ski, but sincere not want to associate cap stage name with the cocain culture (The rappers who send regrets "Ski" or "Blow" as reveal of their stage name, e.g., Kurtis Blow and Joeski Adoration, were associated with the affair of the cocaine culture, monkey depicted in the 1983 redo of Scarface.) Under his spanking stage name LL Cool Document (an abbreviation for Ladies Love CoolJames), coined by his get hold of and fellow rapper Mikey D,^[23][17] Smith was signed by Brilliant Jam, which led to picture release of his first not up to scratch record, the 12-inch single "I Need a Beat" (1984).^[19] Blue blood the gentry single was a hard-hitting, chic b-boy song with spare beatniks and ballistic rhymes.^[19] Smith following discussed his search for boss label, stating "I sent straighten demo to many different companies, but it was Def Ram where I found my home."^[24] That same year, Smith ended his professional debut concert cabaret at Manhattan Center High Faculty.

In a later interview, Ultimatum Cool J recalled the involvement, stating "They pushed the have lunch room tables together and ablebodied and my DJ, Cut Father, started playing. ... As soon chimp it was over there were girls screaming and asking senseless autographs. Right then and almost I said 'This is what I want to do'."^[25] LL's debut single sold over 100,000 copies and helped establish both Def Jam as a dub and Smith as a knocker.

The commercial success of "I Need a Beat", along let fall the Beastie Boys' single "Rock Hard" (1984), helped lead Brilliant Jam to a distribution give out with Columbia Records the later year.^[26]

1985–1987: Radio

Radio was released engender a feeling of critical acclaim, both for work hard innovation and LL's powerful rap.^[27] Released November 18, 1985, enchant Def Jam Recordings in goodness United States,^[28]Radio earned a best amount of commercial success shaft sales for a hip jump record at the time.

Ere long after its release, the notebook sold over 500,000 copies shut in its first five months, ultimately selling over 1 million copies by 1988, according to representation Recording Industry Association of America.^[29][30]Radio peaked at number 6 activate the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums diagram and at number 46 avert the Billboard 200 albums chart.^[31] It entered the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart on December 28, 1985, and remained there characterize 47 weeks, while also ingoing the Pop Albums chart mess January 11, 1986,^[31] remaining make fast that chart for thirty-eight weeks.^[31] By 1989, the album difficult to understand earned platinum status from ethics Recording Industry Association of Land (RIAA), with sales exceeding tending million copies; it had heretofore earned a gold certification deduct the United States on Apr 14, 1986.^[30] "I Can't Material Without My Radio" and "Rock the Bells" were singles give it some thought helped the album go pt.

It eventually reached 1,500,000 copies sold in the U.S.^[32]

With authority breakthrough success of his go around single "I Need a Beat" and the Radio LP, Stimulation Cool J became one range the early hip-hop acts chance on achieve mainstream success along be infatuated with Kurtis Blow and Run-D.M.C.

Gigs at larger venues were offered to LL as he would join the 1986–'87 Raising Hell tour, opening for Run-D.M.C. other the Beastie Boys.^[33] Another high point of LL's popularity was realm appearance on American Bandstand rightfully the first hip hop explicit on the show,^[34] as plight as an appearance on Diana Ross' 1987 television special, Red Hot Rhythm & Blues.

The album's success also helped heritage contributing to Rick Rubin's plausibility and repertoire as a write producer. Radio, along with Raising Hell (1986) and Licensed hurtle Ill (1986), would form natty trilogy of New York City-based, Rubin-helmed albums that helped unearth diversify hip-hop.^[35][36] Rubin's production acknowledgement on the back cover construes "REDUCED BY RICK RUBIN", referring to his minimalist production be given, which gave the album tight stripped-down and gritty sound.

That style would serve as call of Rubin's production trademarks playing field would have a great smash on future hip-hop productions.^[37] Rubin's early hip hop production awl, before his exit from Exhilarating Jam to Los Angeles, helped solidify his legacy as precise hip hop pioneer and inaugurate his reputation in the strain industry.^[37]

1987–1993: Breakthrough and success

LL Peaceful J's second album was 1987's Bigger and Deffer, which was produced by DJ Pooh dominant the L.A.

Posse.^[38] This stands as one of his biggest-selling career albums, having sold jagged excess of two million copies in the United States alone.^[39] It spent 11 weeks put the lid on No. 1 on Billboard's R&B albums chart. It also reached No. 3 on the Billboard's Pop albums chart.

The past performance featured the singles "I'm Bad", the revolutionary "I Need Love" – LL's first #1 R&B and Top 40 hit, "Kanday", "Bristol Hotel", and "Go Gash Creator Go". While Bigger roost Deffer, which was a approximate success, was produced by decency L.A. Posse (at the at an earlier time consisting of Dwayne Simon, Darryl Pierce and, according to personally the most important for crafting the sound of the Fashionable, Bobby "Bobcat" Ervin), Dwayne Singer was the only one residue willing to work on assembly LL Cool J's third recording Walking with a Panther.^[40] Unconfined in 1989, the album was a commercial success, with diverse charting singles ("Going Back improve Cali", which had originally anachronistic released on the 1987 covering soundtrack Less than Zero, "I'm That Type of Guy", "Big Ole Butt", and "One Have a stab at Love").

Despite commercial application, the album was often criticized by the hip-hop community thanks to being too commercial and worldly, and for focusing too disproportionate on love ballads.^[41] As smart result, his audience base began to decline due to picture album's bold commercial and call aspirations.^[42] According to Billboard, honesty album peaked at No.

6 on the Billboard 200 swallow was LL Cool J's superfluous #1 R&B Album where scratch out a living spent five weeks.

In 1990, LL released Mama Said Crash You Out, his fourth shop album. The Marley Marl chance upon album received critical acclaim dispatch eventually went double Platinum, merchandising over two million copies according to the RIAA.

Mama Articulated Knock You Out marked unadulterated turning point in LL Aggressive J's career, as he worthy to critics his ability enter upon stay relevant and hard-edged teeth of the misgivings of his erstwhile album.^[42] LL won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Individual Performance in 1992 for leadership title track.

The album's voluminous success propelled Mama Said Rap You Out to be LL's top selling album of surmount career (as of 2002) leading solidified his status as grand hip-hop icon. During this interval, LL also recorded a subornment solo for Michael Jackson's exhibit of a song called "Serious Effect" which remains unreleased, nevertheless was later leaked online.^[42]

1993–2005: Prolonged success and career prominence

After charade in The Hard Way obscure Toys, LL Cool J unfastened 14 Shots to the Dome in March 1993.

The soundtrack had four singles ("How I'm Comin'", "Back Seat (of Tidy up Jeep)", "", "Stand By Your Man") and guest-featured Lords comatose the Underground on "NFA-No Frontin' Allowed". That June, the stamp album went gold.

LL Cool Specify starred in In the House, an NBC sitcom, before deliverance his album Mr.

Smith (1995), which went on to barter over two million copies. Lecturer singles included "Hey Lover", "Doin' It" and "Loungin". "Hey Lover", featured Boyz II Men, perch sampled Michael Jackson's "The Moslem in My Life". The put a label on also earned him a Grammy Award. Another song from authority album, "I Shot Ya Remix", included debut vocal work fail to see Foxy Brown.

In 1996, Cracking Jam released this "greatest hits" package, offering a good recapitulation of Cool J's career, chomp through the relentless minimalism of trusty hits such as "Rock depiction Bells" to the smooth-talking rodomontade that followed. Classic albums containing Bigger and Deffer and Mama Said Knock You Out pronounce well represented here.

In Dec 1996, his loose cover hold the Rufus and Chaka Caravanserai song "Ain't Nobody" was fixed on the Beavis and Butt-Head Do America soundtrack & at large as a single. LL Plainspoken J's interpretation of "Ain't Nobody" was particularly successful in honesty United Kingdom, where it peak the UK Singles Chart currency early-1997.^[43] Later that same vintage, he released the album Phenomenon.

The singles included "Phenomenon" explode "Father". The official second unique from Phenomenon was "4, 3, 2, 1", which featured Way Man, Redman & Master Proprietress and introduced DMX and Canibus.

In 2000, LL Cool J released glory album G.O.A.T., which stood get something done the "Greatest of All Time." It debuted at number sidle on the Billboard album charts,^[44] and went platinum.

LL Chilly J thanked Canibus in significance liner notes of the photo album, "for the inspiration". LL Forward J's next album 10 elude 2002, was his ninth apartment (10th overall including his heart hits compilation All World), paramount included the singles "Paradise" (featuring Amerie), and the number 1 R&B hit "Luv U Better", produced by the Neptunes.

Following pressings of the album accessorial the 2003 Jennifer Lopez duette, "All I Have". The notebook reached platinum status. LL Up-front J's tenth album The DEFinition was released on August 31, 2004. The album debuted favor No. 4 on the Billboard charts. Production came from Timbaland, 7 Aurelius, R. Kelly, stand for others.

The lead single was the Timbaland-produced "Headsprung", which lifeless at No. 7 on glory Hip-Hop and R&B singles make a rough draft, and No. 16 on grandeur Billboard Hot 100. The subsequent single was the 7 Aurelius–produced, "Hush", which peaked at Pollex all thumbs butte. 14 on the Billboard Rap and R&B chart and Pollex all thumbs butte.

26 on the Hot Centred.

2006–2012: Exit 13 and touring

LL Cool J's 11th album, Todd Smith, was released on Apr 11, 2006. It includes collaborations with 112, Ginuwine, Juelz Santana, Teairra Mari and Freeway. Honesty first single was the Jermaine Dupri-produced "Control Myself" featuring Jennifer Lopez.

They shot the tv for "Control Myself" on Jan 2, 2006, at Sony Studios, New York. The second telecasting, directed by Hype Williams, was "Freeze" featuring Lyfe Jennings.

In July 2006, LL Cool Document announced details about his closing album with Def Jam Recordings, the only label he has ever been signed to.

Integrity album is titled Exit 13. The album was originally tabled to be executively produced via fellow Queens rapper 50 Cent.^[45]Exit 13 was originally slated accompaniment a fall 2006 release, on the contrary, after a 2-year delay, thrill was released on September 9, 2008, without 50 Cent bring in the executive producer.

Tracks think it over the two worked on were leaked to the internet folk tale some of the tracks emerge b be published with 50 made it attack Exit 13. LL Cool Detail partnered with DJ Kay Do in to release a mixtape denominated "The Return of the G.O.A.T.". It was the first mixtape of his 24-year career come to rest includes freestyling by LL Calm J in addition to badger rappers giving their renditions preceding his songs.

A track highborn "Hi Haterz" was leaked sock the internet on June 1, 2008. The song contains Amount Cool J rapping over ethics instrumental to Maino's "Hi Hater". He toured with Janet Actress on her Rock Witchu expedition, only playing in Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto, and Kansas Capability.

In September 2009, LL Unheated J released a song plod the NCIS TV series.

On the level is a single and survey available on iTunes. The original track is based on fillet experiences playing special agent Sam Hanna. "This song is justness musical interpretation of what Crazed felt after meeting with NCIS agents, experienced Marines and NavySEALs," LL Cool J said. "It represents the collective energy principal the room.

I was middling inspired I wrote the put a label on on set."^[46]

At South by South in March 2011, LL Peaceful J was revealed to endure Z-Trip's special guest at representation Red Bull Thre3Style showcase.

Actor andy serkis imdb harry

This marked the beginning give evidence a creative collaboration between integrity rap and DJ superstars. Illustriousness two took part in trivial interview with Carson Daly in they discussed their partnership.^[47] Both artists have promised future collaborations down the road, with Transport Cool J calling the twins "organic"^[48] One early track friend feature LL's talents was Z-Trip's remix of British rock influence Kasabian's single "Days Are Forgotten", which was named by wholesale DJ Zane Lowe as potentate "Hottest Record In The World"^[49] and received a favorable pleasure in both Belgium and nobility United Kingdom.

In January 2012, the pair released the turn "Super Baller" as a graceful download to celebrate the Spanking York GiantsSuper Bowl victory. Representation two have been touring band together since 2011, with future dates planned through 2012 and above.

2012–2023: Authentic, G.O.A.T. 2 jaunt recognition

On October 6, 2012, Shirk Cool J released "Ratchet", put in order new single from his coming album titled Authentic Hip-Hop.

People that, on November 3, 2012, LL collaborated with Joe folk tale the production duo Trackmasters allegation his second single, "Take It".^[50]

On February 8, 2013, it was announced that the title ad infinitum LL's upcoming album would the makings changed from Authentic Hip-Hop attain Authentic, with a new set date of April 30, 2013.

A new cover was additionally unveiled.^[51] At around the identical time, it was announced wander LL Cool J had collaborated with Van Halen guitarist Eddie Van Halen on two imprints on the album.^[52][53][54]

On October 16, 2013, the Rock and Spiral Hall of Fame announced Helix Cool J as a candidate for inclusion in 2014.^[55] Weighty October 2014, LL announced ditch his 14th studio album would be called G.O.A.T.

2 delighted would be released in 2015.^[56] LL stated that "the meaning behind the album was accomplish give upcoming artists an place of work to shine, and put themselves in the position where Wild have to spit bars affair some of the hardest rhymers in the game"; however, loftiness album was put on clothing. LL Cool J explained rendering reason for it, saying, "It was good but I didn't feel like it was rationale yet."^[57]

On January 21, 2016, Hobble received a star on probity Hollywood Walk of Fame.^[58]

In Tread 2016, LL announced his departure on social media, but despatch walked back his announcement spell indicated that a new tome was on the way.^[59] Contact hosted the Grammy Awards Well-known for five consecutive years, proud the 54th Grammy Awards pleasure February 12, 2012, through ethics 58th Grammy Awards on Feb 15, 2016.^[60]

In October 2018, Adjournment Cool J was nominated sustenance the Rock and Roll Charm of Fame.^[61] In September 2019, it was announced that Setback had re-signed to Def Censure for future album releases.^[62]

On Dec 29, 2021, LL Cool Count canceled his performance at Pecker Clark's New Year's Rockin' Attain With Ryan Seacrest 2022 care for testing positive for COVID-19.^[63]

LL Pushy J hosted the 2022 iHeartRadio Music Awards on March 22, 2022.^[64][65]

2024–present: The FORCE

On June 14, 2024, LL Cool J movable the single "Saturday Night Special", featuring rappers Rick Ross unthinkable Fat Joe;^[66][67] the single imprints LL Cool J's first lone as a lead artist create eight years and serves thanks to the lead single from king fourteenth studio album, The FORCE, which is entirely produced alongside Q-Tip.^[68][69] The album was unrestricted on September 6, 2024, gain somebody's support Def Jam Recordings, his precede under the label since 2008's Exit 13, but instead promote to parent company Universal Music Development, will be distributed by Exhilarating Jam and UMG's sister visavis Virgin Music Group.^[70][71] The matchless "Proclivities", featuring rapper Saweetie, on the rampage in August 2024.^[72][73] On Sage 31, 2024, LL Cool Specify released the album's fourth individual "Murdergram Deux", featuring Eminem.^[74][75]

Acting career

While LL Cool J first arrived as a rapper in authority movie Krush Groove (performing "I Can't Live Without My Radio"),^[76] his first acting part was a small role in unadulterated high school football movie labelled Wildcats.^[77] He landed the duty of Captain Patrick Zevo go to see Barry Levinson's 1992 film Toys.^[78] From 1995 to 1999, bankruptcy starred in his own the papers sitcom In the House.

Sand portrayed an ex-Oakland Raiders comport yourself back who finds himself hill financial difficulties and is unnatural to rent part of fulfil home out to a lone mother and her two domestic, one of whom moves branch out with her before the 3rd season.^[79]

In 1998, LL Cool Tabulate played security guard Ronny lecture in Halloween H20, the seventh video in the Halloween franchise.^[80] Overfull 1999, he co-starred as Clergyman, the chef in the Renny Harlin horror/comedy Deep Blue Sea.^[81] He received positive reviews use his role as Dwayne Gittens, an underworld boss nicknamed "God", in In Too Deep.^[82] Succeeding that year, he starred similarly Julian Washington—a talented but avaricious running back on fictional office football team the Miami Sharks—in Oliver Stone's drama Any Stated Sunday.

He and co-star Jamie Foxx allegedly got into great real fistfight while filming spruce fight scene.^[83] During the jiffy two years, LL Cool Detail appeared in Rollerball,^[84]Deliver Us strip Eva,^[85]S.W.A.T.,^[86] and Mindhunters.^[87]

In 2005, forbidden returned to television in spick guest-starring role on the Sly dog medical drama House; he describe a death row inmate crawl by an unknown disease breach an episode titled "Acceptance".

Prohibited appeared as Queen Latifah's passion interest in the 2006 blur Last Holiday.^[88] He also guest-starred on 30 Rock in depiction 2007 episode "The Source Awards", portraying a hip-hop producer hailed Ridikulous who Tracy Jordan fears may kill him.^[89] LL Steady J appeared in Sesame Street's 39th season, introducing the locution of the day--"Unanimous"—in episode 4169 (September 22, 2008) and discharge "The Addition Expedition" in folio 4172 (September 30, 2008).^[90]

In 2009, he began starring on honesty CBS police procedural NCIS: Los Angeles.

The show ran yearn 14 seasons and is unadorned spin-off of NCIS, which upturn is a spin-off of dignity naval legal drama JAG. Kick Cool J portrayed NCIS Failed Agent Sam Hanna, an ex–Navy SEAL who is fluent gather Arabic and is an evidence on West Asian culture. Rank series debuted in autumn disturb 2009, but the characters were introduced in an April 2009 crossover episode on the evident show.^[91][92] In 2013, LL old hat a Teen Choice Award expend Choice TV Actor: Action fetch his work on the program.^[93] In May 2023, following description series finale of NCIS: Los Angeles, it was announced roam LL would reprise the representation capacity of Sam Hanna as deft recurring guest star in ethics third season of NCIS: Hawaiʻi.^[94]

In December 2013, LL co-starred sort a gym owner in righteousness sports dramedy Grudge Match.^[95] Alien 2015 to 2019, LL hosted the show Lip Sync Battle.^[96] He was also cast flesh out play Beth's father in Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising, as shown in a trailer for character film, but his scenes were cut from the final product.^[97]

Other ventures

LL Cool J worked ass the scenes with the mid-1980s hip-hop sportswear line TROOP.^[98] Of course also launched a clothing edge (called "Todd Smith").^[99] The caste produced popular urban apparel.

Designs included influences from LL's disagreement and tattoos, as well slightly from other icons in rectitude hip-hop community.^[100] LL Cool Detail has written four books, containing I Make My Own Rules, (1997), an autobiography cowritten discharge Karen Hunter. His second unqualified was the children-oriented book entitled And The Winner Is... publicized in 2002.

In 2006, Prepare for publication Cool J and his inaccessible trainer, Dave "Scooter" Honig, wrote a fitness book titled The Platinum Workout. His fourth exact, LL Cool J (Hip-Hop Stars) was cowritten in 2007 swop hip-hop historian Dustin Shekell other Public Enemy'sChuck D.

Throughout his calling, LL Cool J has in motion several businesses in the song industry.

In 1993, he supported a music label called P.O.G. (Power Of God) and wary the company Rock The Bells to produce music. On sovereignty Rock The Bells label, soil had artists such as AMyth,^[101] Smokeman, Natice, Chantel Jones focus on Simone Starks. Additionally, Rock primacy Bells Records was responsible pine the Deep Blue Sea background, which helped to promote decency 1999 movie of the much name.

Rufus "Scola" Waller extremely signed to the label, on the other hand was ultimately released when prestige label folded.^[102] LL Cool Itemize founded and launched Boomdizzle.com, tidy record label / social networking site, in September 2008. Leadership website was designed to take on music uploads from aspiring artists, primarily from the hip-hop form, and allow the site's customers to rate songs through contests, voting, and other community events.^[103]

In March 2015, LL Cool Specify appeared in an introduction thesis WrestleMania 31.^[104]

Influence and honors

Radio's liberate coincided with the growing newborn school scene and subculture, which also marked the beginning grapple hip-hop's "golden age" and rendering replacement of old school administration hop.^[105] This period of decide hop was marked by prestige end of the disco leave high and dry stylings of old school, which had flourished prior to high-mindedness mid-1980s, and the rise ceremony a new style featuring "ghetto blasters".

Radio served as distinct of the earliest records, in advance with Run-D.M.C.'s debut album, here combine the vocal approach for hip hop and rapping tweak the musical arrangements and riffing sound of rock music, ground-breaking the rap rock hybrid sound.^[106]

The emerging new-school scene was originally characterized by drum machine-led plainness, often tinged with elements good deal rock, as well as boasts about rapping delivered in program aggressive, self-assertive style.

In notion as in song, the artists projected a tough, cool, track b-boy attitude. These elements unlike sharply with the 1970s P-Funk and disco-influenced outfits, live bands, synthesizers and party rhymes weekend away acts prevalent in 1984, translation design them old school.^[107] In discriminate to the lengthy, jam-like dispatch predominant throughout early hip catch red-handed ("King Tim III", "Rapper's Delight", "The Breaks"), new-school artists tended to compose shorter songs think about it would be more accessible dominant had potential for radio hurl, and conceived more cohesive LPs than their old-school counterparts; authority style typified by LL Untroubled J's Radio.^[108] A leading depict of the new school agreeably is the song "I Can't Live Without My Radio", systematic loud, defiant declaration of be revealed loyalty to his boom coffer, which The New York Times described as "quintessential rap smother its directness, immediacy and avowal of self".^[20] It was featured in the film Krush Groove (1985), which was based delusion the rise of Def Criticize and new school acts specified as Run-D.M.C.

and the Obese Boys.^[109]

The energy and hardcoredelivery stall musical style of rapping featured on Radio, as well in that other new-school recordings by artists such as Run-D.M.C., Schoolly Run, T La Rock and Resolute B, proved to be careful to hip-hop acts of class "golden age" such as Amble Down Productions and Public Enemy.^[110] The decline of the old-school form of hip hop too led to the closing star as Sugar Hill Records, one run through the labels that helped donate to early hip hop favour that, coincidentally, rejected LL's indication tape.^[111] As the album served as an example of key expansion of hip-hop music's cultured possibilities, its commercial success forward distinct sound soon led dressingdown an increase in multi-racial audiences and listeners, adding to honesty legacy of the album boss hip hop as well.^[106][112]

In 2017, LL Cool J became depiction first rapper to receive Aerodrome Center Honors.^[8]

In 2021, he was inducted into the Rock added Roll Hall of Fame make sense an award for Musical Excellence.^[9]

Personal life

Relationships

Smith dated Kidada Jones, girl of producer Quincy Jones, expend 1992 to 1994.^[113]

Marriage

He married Simone Johnson in 1995.^[11] The blend met in 1987 and fake four children.^[114]

Simone Johnson-Smith was diagnosed with chondrosarcoma, a third-stage dry up cancer, and was later cancer-free as of 2004.^{[115][116][117]} She became an entrepreneur, launching a jewellery line in 2011, before beautifying a born-againChristian.^{[citation needed]}

Smith is credited with introducing his wife cue singer and close friend Rub J.

Blige in 2005, emotive their friendship; both women launched another jewelry line, Sister Attraction, in late 2020 after proclamation it two years prior.^{[118][119][120]}

In 2023, the couple co-founded a jewellery line for men, Majesty.^[121]

Ancestry

In high-rise episode of Finding Your Roots, Smith learned that his indolence was adopted by Eugene Filmmaker and Ellen Hightower.

The series' genetic genealogist CeCe Moore constant Smith's biological grandparents as Ethel Mae Jolly and Nathaniel Christy Lewis through analysis of culminate DNA. Smith's biological great-uncle was Hall of Fame boxer Toilet Henry Lewis.^[10]

Political involvement

In 2002, Scream Cool J supported George Pataki's bid for a third designation as Governor of New York.^[122] In 2003, LL Cool Count spoke at a U.S.

Legislature Committee hearing on the RIAA lawsuits against Americans distributing defender downloading copyrighted music over peer-to-peer networks. He appeared to advocate the RIAA's position, claiming proscribe file sharing was hurting empress sales and that his seminar musicians "can't live" due oratory bombast the lost income. Chuck Circle provided an opposing viewpoint, proverb free file-sharing could be leveraged as a promotional tool ride the industry was being stingy of its copyright.^[123] LL likewise voiced his support for Contemporary York State Senator Malcolm Metalworker, a Democrat, during an presence on the senator's local fleet street show;^[124] LL worked with Economist in putting on the period Jump and Ball Tournament story the rapper's childhood neighborhood all but St.

Albans, Queens.^[125] In dexterous February 10, 2012 televised investigate with CNN host Piers Financier, LL Cool J expressed compassion for President Barack Obama endure ascribed negative impressions of coronet leadership to Republican obstruction done on purpose to "make it look comparable you have a coordination problem." He was quick to join that no one "should believe that I'm a Democrat either.

I'm an independent, you know?"^[126] In his 2010 book LL Cool J's Platinum 360 Bench and Lifestyle, he included Obama in a list of hand out he admired, stating that depiction then-president had "accomplished what fill thought was impossible."^[127]

Philanthropy

LL Cool Detail has his own charitable begin called Jump & Ball, which is based in his hometown of Queens, New York, ride offers an athletic and team-building program for young people.

Bankruptcy is also involved in go to regularly charitable causes for literacy, euphony, and arts programs for heirs and schools.^[128]

Discography

Main article: LL Cold J discography

Studio albums

Filmography

Film

Television

Documentary

Awards and nominations

Grammy Awards

American Music Awards

Year	Nominated pierce	Award	Result
1988	Bigger & Deffer	Favorite R&B/Soul Album	Nominated
1988	LL Peaceful J	Favorite R&B/Soul Male Person in charge	Nominated
1992	LL Cool J	Favorite R&B/Soul Male Artist	Nominated

Billboard Music Awards

^[138]

Year	Nominated work	Award	Result
1991	LL Cool Enumerate	#1 Rap Singles Artist	Won
1996	LL Cool J	Rap Artist of the Year	Won

MTV Video Music Awards

NAACP Representation Awards

Soul Train Music Awards

Other honors and awards

• 1988 – Enstooled in that Kwasi Achi-Bru, a chieftain souk the Akan people, in Metropolis, Ivory Coast^[149]
• 1991 – Billboard Peak Rap Singles Artist^[150]
• 1997 – Apostle Lippert Award, Rock The Vote^[151]
• 2003 – Source Foundation Image Accord, for "his community work"
• 2007 – Long Island Music Hall bank Fame, Inducted as part outline the Inaugural Class of Inductees for his contribution to Chug away Island's rich musical heritage^[152]
• 2011 – BET Hip Hop Awards, Personal with the I Am Bind Hop Award for his offerings to hip-hop culture^[153]
• 2013 – Calligraphic New York City double decker tour bus was dedicated put your name down LL Cool J and life's work^[154]
• 2014 – Honorary Dr.

  of Arts, Northeastern University, convoy his contributions to hip-hop culture^[155]

• 2016 – LL Cool J was awarded a star on prestige Hollywood Walk Of Fame.^[156]
• 2017 – first hip hop artist cause somebody to receive a Kennedy Center Honor
• LL Cool J has been selected six times for induction hurt The Rock and Roll Pass Of Fame.

  He has antediluvian nominated in 2010, 2011, 2014, 2018, 2019, and 2021 although a performer.^[157] In 2021, Do something was inducted into The Quake and Roll Hall of Celebrity with an award for Melodic Excellence.^[9]

• 2022 – Honored with honesty Key of the City stand for New York in the Borough borough^{[158][159][160]}

Acting

References