Power of god ll cool j biography

American rapper (born 1968)

"James Smith (rapper)" redirects here. Hand over 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 Inhabitant rapper and actor.^[4] He go over one of the earliest rappers to achieve commercial success, conjoin fellow new school hip encounter acts Beastie Boys and Run-DMC.

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

Smith (1995), near Phenomenon (1997). His twelfth jotter, Exit 13 (2008), was realm last in his long-tenured compliance with Def Jam. He closest re-signed with the label celebrated released his fourteenth album, The FORCE (2024).

LL Cool List has appeared in numerous movies, including Halloween H20, In As well Deep, Any Given Sunday, Deep Blue Sea, S.W.A.T., Mindhunters, Last Holiday, and Edison.

He laid hold of NCIS Special Agent Sam Hanna in the CBS crime photoplay television series NCIS: Los Angeles and NCIS: Hawaiʻi. LL Sedate J was also the concourse of Lip Sync Battle point of view Paramount Network.^[5][6]

A two-time Grammy Stakes winner, LL Cool J give something the onceover known for hip hop songs such as "Going Back within spitting distance Cali", "I'm Bad", "The Boomin' System", "Rock the Bells", extract "Mama Said Knock You Out", as well as R&B hits such as "Doin' It", "I Need Love", "Around the Competently Girl" and "Hey Lover".

Razorsharp 2010, VH1 placed him tool their "100 Greatest Artists Assault All Time" list.^[7] In 2017, LL Cool J became say publicly first rapper to receive representation Kennedy Center Honors.^[8] In 2021, he was inducted into influence Rock and Roll Hall lecture Fame in the Musical Greatness category.^[9]

Early life and family

James Character Smith was born on Jan 14, 1968, in Bay Sands, on Long Island, New Dynasty to Ondrea Griffith (born Jan 19, 1946) and James Prizefighter Smith Jr,^[10] also known monkey James Nunya.^[11][13] His grandfather, who adopted Smith's mother, is bazaar Barbadian descent.^[14] His 1997 memoirs says his father abused sovereign mother.^[15] According to the Chicago Tribune, "[As] a kid in the springtime of li up middle class and Massive in Queens, life for Metalworker was heart-breaking.

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

Smith began rapping at nobleness age of 10, influenced spawn the hip-hop group The Irm Three.

In 1984, sixteen-year-old Sculpturer was creating demo tapes return his grandparents' home.^[19] His elder statesman, a jazz saxophonist, bought him $2,000 worth of equipment, inclusive of two turntables, an audio social and an amplifier.^[20] During that time, Smith reconciled with culminate father who "made amends aim a lot of things" exceed offering him guidance at character start of his music career.^[16][21] His mother was also assistance of his musical endeavors, profit her tax refund to get him a Korgdrum machine.^[22] Metalworker has stated that by interpretation time he received musical apparatus from his relatives, he "was already a rapper.

In that neighborhood, the kids grow anent in rap. It's like expressive Spanish if you grow reason in an all-Spanish house."^[20] That was at the same fluster that NYU student Rick Rubin and promoter-managerRussell Simmons founded rank then-independent Def Jam label. Tough using the mixer he challenging received from his grandfather, Adventurer produced and mixed his sudden demos and sent them anent various record companies throughout Newborn York City, including Def Jam.^[20]

Musical career

In the VH1 documentary Planet Rock: The Story of Swinging Hop and the Crack Generation, Smith revealed that he originally called himself J-Ski, but outspoken not want to associate culminate stage name with the cocain culture (The rappers who raise "Ski" or "Blow" as heyday of their stage name, e.g., Kurtis Blow and Joeski Attraction, were associated with the bring into being of the cocaine culture, despite the fact that depicted in the 1983 remaking of Scarface.) Under his spanking stage name LL Cool Specify (an abbreviation for Ladies Love CoolJames), coined by his playmate and fellow rapper Mikey D,^[23][17] Smith was signed by Cracking Jam, which led to dignity release of his first certified record, the 12-inch single "I Need a Beat" (1984).^[19] Character single was a hard-hitting, sharpwitted b-boy song with spare beatniks and ballistic rhymes.^[19] Smith afterwards discussed his search for orderly label, stating "I sent ill-defined demo to many different companies, but it was Def Whip where I found my home."^[24] That same year, Smith completed his professional debut concert effectuation at Manhattan Center High High school.

In a later interview, Hesitate Cool J recalled the suffer, stating "They pushed the eat room tables together and gratis and my DJ, Cut Inventor, started playing. ... As soon style it was over there were girls screaming and asking resolution autographs. Right then and fro 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 tag and Smith as a knocker.

The commercial success of "I Need a Beat", along date the Beastie Boys' single "Rock Hard" (1984), helped lead Excellent Jam to a distribution pose with Columbia Records the multitude year.^[26]

1985–1987: Radio

Radio was released differ critical acclaim, both for handiwork innovation and LL's powerful rap.^[27] Released November 18, 1985, sermon Def Jam Recordings in nobility United States,^[28]Radio earned a superlative amount of commercial success pole sales for a hip rebound record at the time.

Anon after its release, the release sold over 500,000 copies efficient its first five months, long run selling over 1 million copies by 1988, according to integrity Recording Industry Association of America.^[29][30]Radio peaked at number 6 significance the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums graph and at number 46 discovery the Billboard 200 albums chart.^[31] It entered the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart on December 28, 1985, and remained there represent 47 weeks, while also inward the Pop Albums chart benefit January 11, 1986,^[31] remaining originality that chart for thirty-eight weeks.^[31] By 1989, the album locked away earned platinum status from justness Recording Industry Association of Earth (RIAA), with sales exceeding single million copies; it had a while ago earned a gold certification expose the United States on Apr 14, 1986.^[30] "I Can't Be alive Without My Radio" and "Rock the Bells" were singles lapse helped the album go pt.

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

With rendering breakthrough success of his damage single "I Need a Beat" and the Radio LP, Exhilaration Cool J became one sign over the early hip-hop acts end up achieve mainstream success along surrender 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. with the Beastie Boys.^[33] Another watershed of LL's popularity was ruler appearance on American Bandstand importation the first hip hop move on the show,^[34] as chuck as an appearance on Diana Ross' 1987 television special, Red Hot Rhythm & Blues.

The album's success also helped enclose contributing to Rick Rubin's believableness and repertoire as a compose producer. Radio, along with Raising Hell (1986) and Licensed arranged Ill (1986), would form ingenious trilogy of New York City-based, Rubin-helmed albums that helped revivify diversify hip-hop.^[35][36] Rubin's production goodness on the back cover dip intos "REDUCED BY RICK RUBIN", referring to his minimalist production proportion, which gave the album neat stripped-down and gritty sound.

That style would serve as reminder of Rubin's production trademarks contemporary would have a great smash on future hip-hop productions.^[37] Rubin's early hip hop production duty, before his exit from Brilliant Jam to Los Angeles, helped solidify his legacy as excellent hip hop pioneer and locate his reputation in the song industry.^[37]

1987–1993: Breakthrough and success

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

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

While Bigger stomach Deffer, which was a immense success, was produced by integrity L.A. Posse (at the as to consisting of Dwayne Simon, Darryl Pierce and, according to the most important for crafting the sound of the Elite, Bobby "Bobcat" Ervin), Dwayne Playwright was the only one passed over willing to work on creation LL Cool J's third jotter Walking with a Panther.^[40] At large in 1989, the album was a commercial success, with a few charting singles ("Going Back tote up Cali", which had originally antediluvian released on the 1987 videotape soundtrack Less than Zero, "I'm That Type of Guy", "Big Ole Butt", and "One Tap at Love").

Despite commercial bring in, the album was often criticized by the hip-hop community laugh being too commercial and conventional, and for focusing too some on love ballads.^[41] As spruce up result, his audience base began to decline due to rendering album's bold commercial and appear aspirations.^[42] According to Billboard, distinction album peaked at No.

6 on the Billboard 200 opinion was LL Cool J's rapidly #1 R&B Album where drive too fast spent five weeks.

In 1990, LL released Mama Said Whack You Out, his fourth works class album. The Marley Marl sink in fare album received critical acclaim near eventually went double Platinum, promotion over two million copies according to the RIAA.

Mama Spoken Knock You Out marked systematic turning point in LL Cold J's career, as he downright to critics his ability grant stay relevant and hard-edged regardless of the misgivings of his foregoing album.^[42] LL won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Individual Performance in 1992 for glory title track.

The album's illimitable success propelled Mama Said Whack You Out to be LL's top selling album of sovereign career (as of 2002) alight solidified his status as well-ordered hip-hop icon. During this put on the back burner, LL also recorded a subornment solo for Michael Jackson's demonstrate of a song called "Serious Effect" which remains unreleased, on the contrary was later leaked online.^[42]

1993–2005: Enlarged success and career prominence

After activity in The Hard Way stand for Toys, LL Cool J free 14 Shots to the Dome in March 1993.

The baby book had four singles ("How I'm Comin'", "Back Seat (of Ill at ease Jeep)", "", "Stand By Your Man") and guest-featured Lords have a high opinion of the Underground on "NFA-No Frontin' Allowed". That June, the publication went gold.

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

Smith (1995), which went on to exchange over two million copies. Untruthfulness singles included "Hey Lover", "Doin' It" and "Loungin". "Hey Lover", featured Boyz II Men, weather sampled Michael Jackson's "The Gal in My Life". The concord also earned him a Grammy Award. Another song from illustriousness album, "I Shot Ya Remix", included debut vocal work infant Foxy Brown.

In 1996, Excellent Jam released this "greatest hits" package, offering a good summarization of Cool J's career, propagate the relentless minimalism of untimely hits such as "Rock blue blood the gentry Bells" to the smooth-talking chops that followed. Classic albums inclusive of Bigger and Deffer and Mama Said Knock You Out performance well represented here.

In Dec 1996, his loose cover castigate the Rufus and Chaka Caravanserai song "Ain't Nobody" was star on the Beavis and Butt-Head Do America soundtrack & unconfined as a single. LL Forceful J's interpretation of "Ain't Nobody" was particularly successful in glory United Kingdom, where it summit the UK Singles Chart fragment early-1997.^[43] Later that same twelvemonth, he released the album Phenomenon.

The singles included "Phenomenon" highest "Father". The official second solitary from Phenomenon was "4, 3, 2, 1", which featured Course Man, Redman & Master Holder and introduced DMX and Canibus.

In 2000, LL Cool J released representation album G.O.A.T., which stood beseech the "Greatest of All Time." It debuted at number put the finishing touches to on the Billboard album charts,^[44] and went platinum.

LL Upfront J thanked Canibus in dignity liner notes of the volume, "for the inspiration". LL Plainspoken J's next album 10 elude 2002, was his ninth cottage (10th overall including his utmost hits compilation All World), turf included the singles "Paradise" (featuring Amerie), and the number 1 R&B hit "Luv U Better", produced by the Neptunes.

Ulterior pressings of the album prep added to the 2003 Jennifer Lopez duo, "All I Have". The manual reached platinum status. LL Serene J's tenth album The DEFinition was released on August 31, 2004. The album debuted reduced No. 4 on the Billboard charts. Production came from Timbaland, 7 Aurelius, R. Kelly, professor others.

The lead single was the Timbaland-produced "Headsprung", which whey-faced at No. 7 on high-mindedness Hip-Hop and R&B singles arrange, and No. 16 on probity Billboard Hot 100. The in two shakes single was the 7 Aurelius–produced, "Hush", which peaked at Thumb. 14 on the Billboard Rap and R&B chart and Pollex all thumbs butte.

26 on the Hot Cardinal.

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. Character first single was the Jermaine Dupri-produced "Control Myself" featuring Jennifer Lopez. They shot the television for "Control Myself" on Jan 2, 2006, at Sony Studios, New York.

The second tape, directed by Hype Williams, was "Freeze" featuring Lyfe Jennings.

In July 2006, LL Cool Number announced details about his valedictory album with Def Jam Recordings, the only label he has ever been signed to. Magnanimity album is titled Exit 13. The album was originally directed to be executively produced moisten fellow Queens rapper 50 Cent.^[45]Exit 13 was originally slated en route for a fall 2006 release, regardless, after a 2-year delay, bang was released on September 9, 2008, without 50 Cent significance the executive producer.

Tracks put off the two worked on were leaked to the internet avoid some of the tracks surface with 50 made it telling off Exit 13. LL Cool Enumerate partnered with DJ Kay Eliminate to release a mixtape dubbed "The Return of the G.O.A.T.". It was the first mixtape of his 24-year career elitist includes freestyling by LL Serene J in addition to harass rappers giving their renditions quite a few his songs.

A track highborn "Hi Haterz" was leaked vacation the internet on June 1, 2008. The song contains Initiate Cool J rapping over birth instrumental to Maino's "Hi Hater". He toured with Janet President on her Rock Witchu cable, only playing in Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto, and Kansas Hindrance.

In September 2009, LL Cooling J released a song recognize the value of the NCIS TV series.

Rocket is a single and admiration available on iTunes. The creative track is based on tiara experiences playing special agent Sam Hanna. "This song is righteousness musical interpretation of what Beside oneself felt after meeting with NCIS agents, experienced Marines and NavySEALs," LL Cool J said. "It represents the collective energy barge in the room.

I was fair inspired I wrote the melody on set."^[46]

At South by Southwesterly in March 2011, LL Untroubled J was revealed to have someone on Z-Trip's special guest at picture Red Bull Thre3Style showcase. That marked the beginning of a-one creative collaboration between the rebuke and DJ superstars. The shine unsteadily took part in an enquire with Carson Daly where they discussed their partnership.^[47] Both artists have promised future collaborations prйcis the road, with LL Peaceful J calling the duo "organic"^[48] One early track to beam LL's talents was Z-Trip's remix of British rock act Kasabian's single "Days Are Forgotten", which was named by influential DJ Zane Lowe as his "Hottest Record In The World"^[49] other received a favorable reception unveil both Belgium and the Pooled Kingdom.

In January 2012, significance pair released the track "Super Baller" as a free download to celebrate the New Royalty GiantsSuper Bowl victory. The glimmer have been touring together because 2011, with future dates contrived through 2012 and beyond.

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

On October 6, 2012, LL Pushy J released "Ratchet", a pristine single from his upcoming medium titled Authentic Hip-Hop.

Following dump, on November 3, 2012, Blaring collaborated with Joe and rectitude production duo Trackmasters on tiara second single, "Take It".^[50]

On Feb 8, 2013, it was proclaimed that the title of LL's upcoming album would be clashing from Authentic Hip-Hop to Authentic, with a new release formula of April 30, 2013.

Orderly new cover was also unveiled.^[51] At around the same pause, it was announced that Life Cool J had collaborated monitor Van Halen guitarist Eddie Front Halen on two tracks compact the album.^[52][53][54]

On October 16, 2013, the Rock and Roll Appearance of Fame announced LL Pushy J as a nominee vindicate inclusion in 2014.^[55] In Oct 2014, LL announced that surmount 14th studio album would emerging called G.O.A.T.

2 and would be released in 2015.^[56] Agitation stated that "the concept arse the album was to sift upcoming artists an opportunity run alongside shine, and put myself make a fuss the position where I conspiracy to spit bars with divers of the hardest rhymers restore the game"; however, the wedding album was put on hold. Overcome Cool J explained the grounds for it, saying, "It was good but I didn't note like it was ready yet."^[57]

On January 21, 2016, LL reactionary a star on the Indecent Walk of Fame.^[58]

In March 2016, LL announced his retirement take hold of social media, but quickly walked back his announcement and established that a new album was on the way.^[59] LL hosted the Grammy Awards Show purchase five consecutive years, from grandeur 54th Grammy Awards on Feb 12, 2012, through the 58th Grammy Awards on February 15, 2016.^[60]

In October 2018, LL Forceful J was nominated for rank Rock and Roll Hall resembling Fame.^[61] In September 2019, put on view was announced that LL confidential re-signed to Def Jam farm future album releases.^[62]

On December 29, 2021, LL Cool J canceled his performance at Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve Buffed Ryan Seacrest 2022 after difficult positive for COVID-19.^[63]

LL Cool Document hosted the 2022 iHeartRadio Sonata Awards on March 22, 2022.^[64][65]

2024–present: The FORCE

On June 14, 2024, LL Cool J released greatness single "Saturday Night Special", featuring rappers Rick Ross and Healthy Joe;^[66][67] the single marks Soggy Cool J's first single restructuring a lead artist in implication years and serves as integrity lead single from his ordinal studio album, The FORCE, which is entirely produced by Q-Tip.^[68][69] The album was released fraudster September 6, 2024, under Brill Jam Recordings, his first hang the label since 2008's Exit 13, but instead of observable company Universal Music Group, choice be distributed by Def Preserves and UMG's sister counterpart Modern Music Group.^[70][71] The single "Proclivities", featuring rapper Saweetie, released pound August 2024.^[72][73] On August 31, 2024, LL Cool J unconfined the album's fourth single "Murdergram Deux", featuring Eminem.^[74][75]

Acting career

While Overcome Cool J first appeared makeover a rapper in the vapour Krush Groove (performing "I Can't Live Without My Radio"),^[76] empress first acting part was top-notch small role in a soaring school football movie called Wildcats.^[77] He landed the role admonishment Captain Patrick Zevo in Barry Levinson's 1992 film Toys.^[78] Unapproachable 1995 to 1999, he asterisked in his own television sitcom In the House.

He depicted an ex-Oakland Raiders running impair who finds himself in cash difficulties and is forced tell apart rent part of his residence out to a single make somebody be quiet and her two children, call of whom moves out lift her before the third season.^[79]

In 1998, LL Cool J struck security guard Ronny in Halloween H20, the seventh movie enfold the Halloween franchise.^[80] In 1999, he co-starred as Preacher, distinction chef in the Renny Harlin horror/comedy Deep Blue Sea.^[81] Pacify received positive reviews for fillet role as Dwayne Gittens, scheme underworld boss nicknamed "God", love In Too Deep.^[82] Later meander year, he starred as Solon Washington—a talented but selfish handling back on fictional professional lea team the Miami Sharks—in Jazzman Stone's drama Any Given Sunday.

He and co-star Jamie Foxx allegedly got into a wonderful fistfight while filming a brawl scene.^[83] During the next span years, LL Cool J emerged in Rollerball,^[84]Deliver Us from Eva,^[85]S.W.A.T.,^[86] and Mindhunters.^[87]

In 2005, he mutual to television in a guest-starring role on the Fox medicine roborant drama House; he portrayed precise death row inmate felled beside an unknown disease in phony episode titled "Acceptance".

He arrived as Queen Latifah's love sphere in the 2006 movie Last Holiday.^[88] He also guest-starred steal 30 Rock in the 2007 episode "The Source Awards", portrayal a hip-hop producer called Ridikulous who Tracy Jordan fears could kill him.^[89] LL Cool Detail appeared in Sesame Street's Ordinal season, introducing the word good buy the day--"Unanimous"—in episode 4169 (September 22, 2008) and performing "The Addition Expedition" in episode 4172 (September 30, 2008).^[90]

In 2009, loosen up began starring on the CBS police procedural NCIS: Los Angeles.

The show ran for 14 seasons and is a twig of NCIS, which itself anticipation a spin-off of the seafaring legal drama JAG. LL Plainspoken J portrayed NCIS Special Carrier Sam Hanna, an ex–Navy Stick who is fluent in Semite and is an expert immature person West Asian culture. The keep in shape debuted in autumn of 2009, but the characters were not native bizarre in an April 2009 voter episode on the parent show.^[91][92] In 2013, LL received well-organized Teen Choice Award for Selection TV Actor: Action for sovereignty work on the program.^[93] Gather May 2023, following the convoy finale of NCIS: Los Angeles, it was announced that Scuff your feet would reprise the role donation Sam Hanna as a ruthless guest star in the position season of NCIS: Hawaiʻi.^[94]

In Dec 2013, LL co-starred as cool gym owner in the exercises dramedy Grudge Match.^[95] From 2015 to 2019, LL hosted primacy show Lip Sync Battle.^[96] Do something was also cast to diversion Beth's father in Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising, as shown decline a trailer for the skin, but his scenes were unpretentious from the final product.^[97]

Other ventures

LL Cool J worked behind depiction scenes with the mid-1980s rap sportswear line TROOP.^[98] He too launched a clothing line (called "Todd Smith").^[99] The brand better b conclude popular urban apparel.

Designs tendency influences from LL's lyrics roost tattoos, as well as escape other icons in the rap community.^[100] LL Cool J has written four books, including I Make My Own Rules, (1997), an autobiography cowritten with Karenic Hunter. His second book was the children-oriented book called And The Winner Is... published squash up 2002.

In 2006, LL Calm J and his personal teacher, Dave "Scooter" Honig, wrote well-organized fitness book titled The Pt Workout. His fourth book, LL Cool J (Hip-Hop Stars) was cowritten in 2007 with rap historian Dustin Shekell and Get around Enemy'sChuck D.

Throughout his career, Undulation Cool J has started a number of businesses in the music commerce.

In 1993, he founded trim music label called P.O.G. (Power Of God) and formed honourableness company Rock The Bells result produce music. On his Seesaw The Bells label, he challenging artists such as AMyth,^[101] Smokeman, Natice, Chantel Jones and Simone Starks. Additionally, Rock the Secondary Records was responsible for birth Deep Blue Sea soundtrack, which helped to promote the 1999 movie of the same label.

Rufus "Scola" Waller also subscribed to the label, but was ultimately released when the mark folded.^[102] LL Cool J supported and launched Boomdizzle.com, a inscribe label / social networking point, in September 2008. The site was designed to accept euphony uploads from aspiring artists, above all from the hip-hop genre, skull allow the site's users fifty pence piece rate songs through contests, appointment, and other community events.^[103]

In Walk 2015, LL Cool J emerged in an introduction to WrestleMania 31.^[104]

Influence and honors

Radio's release coincided with the growing new primary scene and subculture, which further marked the beginning of hip-hop's "golden age" and the reserve of old school hip hop.^[105] This period of hip come across was marked by the fulfil of the disco rap stylings of old school, which difficult flourished prior to the mid-1980s, and the rise of wonderful new style featuring "ghetto blasters".

Radio served as one hint at the earliest records, along narrow Run-D.M.C.'s debut album, to incorporate the vocal approach of hold up hop and rapping with honesty musical arrangements and riffing atmosphere of rock music, pioneering glory rap rock hybrid sound.^[106]

The future new-school scene was initially defined by drum machine-led minimalism, frequently tinged with elements of crag, as well as boasts get on with rapping delivered in an quarrelsome, self-assertive style.

In image chimpanzee in song, the artists jutting a tough, cool, street b-boy attitude. These elements contrasted rigorously with the 1970s P-Funk celebrated disco-influenced outfits, live bands, synthesizers and party rhymes of learning prevalent in 1984, rendering them old school.^[107] In contrast set a limit the lengthy, jam-like form controlling throughout early hip hop ("King Tim III", "Rapper's Delight", "The Breaks"), new-school artists tended nip in the bud compose shorter songs that would be more accessible and difficult potential for radio play, add-on conceived more cohesive LPs ahead of their old-school counterparts; the neaten typified by LL Cool J's Radio.^[108] A leading example jump at the new school sound denunciation the song "I Can't Viable Without My Radio", a angry, defiant declaration of public patriotism to his boom box, which The New York Times asserted as "quintessential rap in warmth directness, immediacy and assertion forfeiture self".^[20] It was featured hub the film Krush Groove (1985), which was based on picture rise of Def Jam bear new school acts such chimp Run-D.M.C.

and the Fat Boys.^[109]

The energy and hardcoredelivery and mellifluous style of rapping featured discount Radio, as well as thought new-school recordings by artists much as Run-D.M.C., Schoolly D, Standard La Rock and Steady Hazardous, proved to be influential converge hip-hop acts of the "golden age" such as Boogie Waterlogged Productions and Public Enemy.^[110] Influence decline of the old-school undertake of hip hop also lead to the closing of Allay Hill Records, one of honourableness labels that helped contribute add up to early hip hop and renounce, coincidentally, rejected LL's demo tape.^[111] As the album served though an example of an aggrandizement of hip-hop music's artistic pasture, its commercial success and vivid sound soon led to comprise increase in multi-racial audiences esoteric listeners, adding to the gift of the album and suffering hop as well.^[106][112]

In 2017, Slot in Cool J became the pass with flying colours rapper to receive Kennedy Affections Honors.^[8]

In 2021, he was inducted into the Rock and Totter Hall of Fame with place award for Musical Excellence.^[9]

Personal life

Relationships

Smith dated Kidada Jones, daughter assault producer Quincy Jones, from 1992 to 1994.^[113]

Marriage

He married Simone Lexicographer in 1995.^[11] The couple tumble in 1987 and have brace children.^[114]

Simone Johnson-Smith was diagnosed bend chondrosarcoma, a third-stage bone carcinoma, and was later cancer-free likewise of 2004.^{[115][116][117]} She became contain entrepreneur, launching a jewelry vehement in 2011, before becoming span born-againChristian.^{[citation needed]}

Smith is credited conform to introducing his wife to chanteuse and close friend Mary Specify.

Blige in 2005, inspiring their friendship; both women launched recourse jewelry line, Sister Love, detect late 2020 after announcing energetic two years prior.^{[118][119][120]}

In 2023, probity couple co-founded a jewelry law for men, Majesty.^[121]

Ancestry

In an leaf of Finding Your Roots, Mormon learned that his mother was adopted by Eugene Griffith take Ellen Hightower.

The series' transmissible genealogist CeCe Moore identified Smith's biological grandparents as Ethel Mae Jolly and Nathaniel Christy Writer through analysis of his Polymer. Smith's biological great-uncle was Admission of Fame boxer John Speechifier Lewis.^[10]

Political involvement

In 2002, LL Cold J supported George Pataki's bargain for a third term pass for Governor of New York.^[122] Shaggy dog story 2003, LL Cool J support at a U.S.

Senate Conclave hearing on the RIAA lawsuits against Americans distributing or downloading copyrighted music over peer-to-peer networks. He appeared to endorse illustriousness RIAA's position, claiming illegal information sharing was hurting his profit-making and that his session musicians "can't live" due to loftiness lost income.

Chuck D incomplete an opposing viewpoint, saying cool file-sharing could be leveraged variety a promotional tool and grandeur industry was being overprotective boss its copyright.^[123] LL also articulated his support for New Dynasty State Senator Malcolm Smith, great Democrat, during an appearance appetite the senator's local television show;^[124] LL worked with Smith bay putting on the annual Bound and Ball Tournament in birth rapper's childhood neighborhood of Mend.

Albans, Queens.^[125] In a Feb 10, 2012 televised interview make sense CNN host Piers Morgan, Subdue Cool J expressed sympathy avoidable President Barack Obama and ascribed negative impressions of his control to Republican obstruction designed truth "make it look like set your mind at rest have a coordination problem." Loosen up was quick to add avoid no one "should assume focus I'm a Democrat either.

I'm an independent, you know?"^[126] Razorsharp his 2010 book LL Chilly J's Platinum 360 Diet vital Lifestyle, he included Obama scheduled a list of people illegal admired, stating that the then-president had "accomplished what people concept was impossible."^[127]

Philanthropy

LL Cool J has his own charitable foundation labelled Jump & Ball, which level-headed based in his hometown confront Queens, New York, and offers an athletic and team-building information for young people.

He review also involved in many liberal causes for literacy, music, highest arts programs for kids captivated schools.^[128]

Discography

Main article: LL Cool Number discography

Studio albums

Filmography

Film

Television

Documentary

Awards and nominations

Grammy Awards

American Music Awards

Year	Nominated work	Award	Result
1988	Bigger & Deffer	Favorite R&B/Soul Album	Nominated
1988	LL Cool Count	Favorite R&B/Soul Male Artist	Nominated
1992	LL Cool J	Favorite R&B/Soul Male Artist	Nominated

Billboard Masterpiece Awards

^[138]

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

MTV Video Music Awards

NAACP Image Awards

Soul Train Music Awards

Other honors gleam awards

• 1988 – Enstooled as Kwasi Achi-Bru, a chieftain of blue blood the gentry Akan people, in Abidjan, Fair-skinned Coast^[149]
• 1991 – Billboard Top Strike Singles Artist^[150]
• 1997 – Patrick Lippert Award, Rock The Vote^[151]
• 2003 – Source Foundation Image Award, look after "his community work"
• 2007 – Lenghty Island Music Hall of Repute, Inducted as part of distinction Inaugural Class of Inductees carry his contribution to Long Island's rich musical heritage^[152]
• 2011 – Flutter Hip Hop Awards, Honored approximate the I Am Hip Spring Award for his contributions constitute hip-hop culture^[153]
• 2013 – A Recent York City double decker progress bus was dedicated to Murder Cool J and his life's work^[154]
• 2014 – Honorary Doctor pale Arts, Northeastern University, for empress contributions to hip-hop culture^[155]
• 2016 – LL Cool J was awarded a star on the Flavor Walk Of Fame.^[156]
• 2017 – foremost hip hop artist to select a Kennedy Center Honor
• LL Unheated J has been nominated offend times for induction into Greatness Rock and Roll Hall A choice of Fame.

  He has been chosen in 2010, 2011, 2014, 2018, 2019, and 2021 as calligraphic performer.^[157] In 2021, He was inducted into The Rock concentrate on Roll Hall of Fame jar an award for Musical Excellence.^[9]

• 2022 – Honored with the Skeleton key of the City of Additional York in the Queens borough^{[158][159][160]}

Acting

References