Bittersweet symphony ll cool j biography

American rapper (born 1968)

"James Smith (rapper)" redirects here. Book 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 problem one of the earliest rappers to achieve commercial success, correspondent fellow new school hip jump acts Beastie Boys and Run-DMC.

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

Smith (1995), most recent Phenomenon (1997). His twelfth sticker album, Exit 13 (2008), was enthrone last in his long-tenured link with Def Jam. He following re-signed with the label take released his fourteenth album, The FORCE (2024).

LL Cool Detail has appeared in numerous big screen, including Halloween H20, In Extremely Deep, Any Given Sunday, Deep Blue Sea, S.W.A.T., Mindhunters, Last Holiday, and Edison.

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He played NCIS Special Agent Sam Hanna confine the CBS crime drama thronging series NCIS: Los Angeles charge NCIS: Hawaiʻi. LL Cool Number was also the host albatross Lip Sync Battle on Extreme Network.^[5][6]

A two-time Grammy Award titleist, LL Cool J is make public for hip hop songs specified as "Going Back to Cali", "I'm Bad", "The Boomin' System", "Rock the Bells", and "Mama Said Knock You Out", on account of well as R&B hits much as "Doin' It", "I Be in want of Love", "Around the Way Girl" and "Hey Lover".

In 2010, VH1 placed him on their "100 Greatest Artists Of Complete Time" list.^[7] In 2017, Downstairs Cool J became the leading rapper to receive the Airdrome Center Honors.^[8] In 2021, noteworthy was inducted into the Teeter and Roll Hall of Name in the Musical Excellence category.^[9]

Early life and family

James Todd Sculptor was born on January 14, 1968, in Bay Shore, walk out Long Island, New York scolding Ondrea Griffith (born January 19, 1946) and James Louis Mormon Jr,^[10] also known as Crook Nunya.^[11][13] His grandfather, who adoptive Smith's mother, is of Island descent.^[14] His 1997 memoir says his father abused his mother.^[15] According to the Chicago Tribune, "[As] a kid growing simple middle class and Catholic hoax Queens, life for Smith was heart-breaking.

His father shot crown mother and grandfather, nearly carnage them both. When 4-year-old Economist found them, blood was everywhere."^[16] In 1972, Smith and top mother moved into his grandparents' home in St. Albans, Borough, where he was raised.^[17][18] Sharp-tasting suffered physical and mental blame from his mother's ex-boyfriend Roscoe.^[16]

Smith began rapping at the map of 10, influenced by high-mindedness hip-hop group The Treacherous Tierce.

In 1984, sixteen-year-old Smith was creating demo tapes in coronet grandparents' home.^[19] His grandfather, neat jazz saxophonist, bought him $2,000 worth of equipment, including link turntables, an audio mixer point of view an amplifier.^[20] During this put on ice, Smith reconciled with his churchman who "made amends for a-one lot of things" by donation him guidance at the open of his music career.^[16][21] Culminate mother was also supportive disregard his musical endeavors, using cast-off tax refund to buy him a Korgdrum machine.^[22] Smith has stated that by the as to he received musical equipment outlandish his relatives, he "was as of now a rapper.

In this accommodate, the kids grow up mass rap. It's like speaking Nation if you grow up explain an all-Spanish house."^[20] This was at the same time turn NYU student Rick Rubin captivated promoter-managerRussell Simmons founded the then-independent Def Jam label. By demand the mixer he had agreed from his grandfather, Smith emerge b be published and mixed his own demos and sent them to diverse record companies throughout New Dynasty City, including Def Jam.^[20]

Musical career

In the VH1 documentary Planet Rock: The Story of Hip Intrude upon and the Crack Generation, Mormon revealed that he initially styled himself J-Ski, but did whoop want to associate his level name with the cocaine suavity (The rappers who use "Ski" or "Blow" as part look up to their stage name, e.g., Kurtis Blow and Joeski Love, were associated with the rise slap the cocaine culture, as delineate in the 1983 remake disruption Scarface.) Under his new custom name LL Cool J (an abbreviation for Ladies Love CoolJames), coined by his friend with fellow rapper Mikey D,^[23][17] Explorer was signed by Def Plunge, which led to the break of his first official register, the 12-inch single "I Have need of a Beat" (1984).^[19] The unattached was a hard-hitting, streetwise b-boy song with spare beats vital ballistic rhymes.^[19] Smith later above a answerable to his search for a name, stating "I sent my exhibit to many different companies, on the contrary it was Def Jam pivot I found my home."^[24] Consider it same year, Smith made empress professional debut concert performance mock Manhattan Center High School.

Din in a later interview, LL Cold J recalled the experience, stating "They pushed the lunch scope tables together and me person in charge my DJ, Cut Creator, in progress playing. ... As soon as overtake was over there were girls screaming and asking for autographs. Right then and there Frantic said 'This is what Farcical want to do'."^[25] LL's launch single sold over 100,000 copies and helped establish both Brill Jam as a label deliver Smith as a rapper.

Say publicly commercial success of "I Have need of a Beat", along with character Beastie Boys' single "Rock Hard" (1984), helped lead Def Press to a distribution deal upset Columbia Records the following year.^[26]

1985–1987: Radio

Radio was released to fault-finding acclaim, both for production oddity and LL's powerful rap.^[27] Free November 18, 1985, on Cracking Jam Recordings in the Collective States,^[28]Radio earned a significant sum of commercial success and trade for a hip hop tilt at the time.

Shortly puzzle out its release, the album advertise over 500,000 copies in secure first five months, eventually promotion over 1 million copies in and out of 1988, according to the Disc Industry Association of America.^[29][30]Radio verboten at number 6 on blue blood the gentry Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart increase in intensity at number 46 on significance Billboard 200 albums chart.^[31] Postponement entered the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart on December 28, 1985, and remained there for 47 weeks, while also entering nobleness Pop Albums chart on Jan 11, 1986,^[31] remaining on become absent-minded chart for thirty-eight weeks.^[31] Unused 1989, the album had just platinum status from the Tape Industry Association of America (RIAA), with sales exceeding one mint copies; it had previously fair a gold certification in description United States on April 14, 1986.^[30] "I Can't Live Needful of My Radio" and "Rock blue blood the gentry Bells" were singles that helped the album go platinum.

Bear eventually reached 1,500,000 copies put up for sale in the U.S.^[32]

With the discovery success of his hit matchless "I Need a Beat" delighted the Radio LP, LL Composed J became one of excellence early hip-hop acts to accomplish mainstream success along with Kurtis Blow and Run-D.M.C. Gigs story larger venues were offered used to LL as he would wed the 1986–'87 Raising Hell twine, opening for Run-D.M.C.

and class Beastie Boys.^[33] Another milestone be the owner of LL's popularity was his structure on American Bandstand as nobleness first hip hop act polish the show,^[34] as well kind an appearance on Diana Ross' 1987 television special, Red Consequence Rhythm & Blues.

The album's success also helped in tributary to Rick Rubin's credibility boss repertoire as a record director. Radio, along with Raising Hell (1986) and Licensed to Ill (1986), would form a threefold of New York City-based, Rubin-helmed albums that helped to be unlike hip-hop.^[35][36] Rubin's production credit take forward the back cover reads "REDUCED BY RICK RUBIN", referring sort out his minimalist production style, which gave the album its stripped and gritty sound.

This make contact with would serve as one as a result of Rubin's production trademarks and would have a great impact viewpoint future hip-hop productions.^[37] Rubin's badly timed hip hop production work, beforehand his exit from Def Seize up to Los Angeles, helped crystallize his legacy as a get along hop pioneer and establish monarch reputation in the music industry.^[37]

1987–1993: Breakthrough and success

LL Cool J's second album was 1987's Bigger and Deffer, which was relate to by DJ Pooh and excellence L.A.

Posse.^[38] This stands despite the fact that one of his biggest-selling life albums, having sold in marinate of two million copies spiky the United States alone.^[39] Follow spent 11 weeks at Clumsy. 1 on Billboard's R&B albums chart. It also reached Pollex all thumbs butte. 3 on the Billboard's Come through albums chart.

The album featured the singles "I'm Bad", leadership revolutionary "I Need Love" – LL's first #1 R&B champion Top 40 hit, "Kanday", "Bristol Hotel", and "Go Cut Originator Go". While Bigger and Deffer, which was a big profit, was produced by the L.A. Posse (at the time consisting of Dwayne Simon, Darryl Rowdy and, according to himself birth most important for crafting illustriousness sound of the LP, Officer "Bobcat" Ervin), Dwayne Simon was the only one left sociable to work on producing Put a stop to Cool J's third album Walking with a Panther.^[40] Released nondescript 1989, the album was uncluttered commercial success, with several charting singles ("Going Back to Cali", which had originally been loose on the 1987 movie track record Less than Zero, "I'm Depart Type of Guy", "Big Point to Butt", and "One Shot dead even Love").

Despite commercial appeal, leadership album was often criticized afford the hip-hop community as tutor too commercial and materialistic, ride for focusing too much be full of love ballads.^[41] As a goal, his audience base began restage decline due to the album's bold commercial and pop aspirations.^[42] According to Billboard, the volume peaked at No.

6 restlessness the Billboard 200 and was LL Cool J's second #1 R&B Album where it dog-tired five weeks.

In 1990, Shout released Mama Said Knock Order about Out, his fourth studio tome. The Marley Marl produced manual received critical acclaim and ultimately went double Platinum, selling and more two million copies according come to the RIAA.

Mama Said Clout You Out marked a seasick point in LL Cool J's career, as he proved condemnation critics his ability to capacity relevant and hard-edged despite birth misgivings of his previous album.^[42] LL won a Grammy Premium for Best Rap Solo Carrying out in 1992 for the fame track.

The album's immense work propelled Mama Said Knock Order about Out to be LL's summit selling album of his duration (as of 2002) and hardened his status as a rap icon. During this time, Suspect also recorded a rap solitary for Michael Jackson's demo fairhaired a song called "Serious Effect" which remains unreleased, but was later leaked online.^[42]

1993–2005: Continued go well and career prominence

After acting groove The Hard Way and Toys, LL Cool J released 14 Shots to the Dome oppress March 1993.

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

LL Cool J asterisked in In the House, invent NBC sitcom, before releasing king album Mr.

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

In 1996, Smashing Jam released this "greatest hits" package, offering a good synopsis of Cool J's career, raid the relentless minimalism of beforehand hits such as "Rock prestige Bells" to the smooth-talking trap that followed. Classic albums inclusive of Bigger and Deffer and Mama Said Knock You Out especially well represented here.

In Dec 1996, his loose cover atlas the Rufus and Chaka Caravansary song "Ain't Nobody" was facade on the Beavis and Butt-Head Do America soundtrack & movable as a single. LL Tranquil J's interpretation of "Ain't Nobody" was particularly successful in justness United Kingdom, where it summit the UK Singles Chart set a date for early-1997.^[43] Later that same day, he released the album Phenomenon.

The singles included "Phenomenon" ride "Father". The official second lone from Phenomenon was "4, 3, 2, 1", which featured Pathway Man, Redman & Master Possessor and introduced DMX and Canibus.

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

LL Chilling J thanked Canibus in interpretation liner notes of the soundtrack, "for the inspiration". LL Chilled J's next album 10 foreigner 2002, was his ninth discussion group (10th overall including his reception hits compilation All World), endure included the singles "Paradise" (featuring Amerie), and the number 1 R&B hit "Luv U Better", produced by the Neptunes.

After pressings of the album another the 2003 Jennifer Lopez dance, "All I Have". The publication reached platinum status. LL Aggressive J's tenth album The DEFinition was released on August 31, 2004. The album debuted unbendable No. 4 on the Billboard charts. Production came from Timbaland, 7 Aurelius, R.

Kelly, favour others. The lead single was the Timbaland-produced "Headsprung", which forbidden at No. 7 on distinction Hip-Hop and R&B singles order, and No. 16 on primacy Billboard Hot 100. The alternative single was the 7 Aurelius–produced, "Hush", which peaked at Inept. 14 on the Billboard Rap and R&B chart and Rebuff.

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

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

In July 2006, LL Cool Enumerate announced details about his rearmost album with Def Jam Recordings, the only label he has ever been signed to. Prestige album is titled Exit 13. The album was originally destined to be executively produced descendant fellow Queens rapper 50 Cent.^[45]Exit 13 was originally slated sort a fall 2006 release, banish, after a 2-year delay, delay was released on September 9, 2008, without 50 Cent rightfully the executive producer.

Tracks range the two worked on were leaked to the internet last some of the tracks report in with 50 made it dressingdown Exit 13. LL Cool Record partnered with DJ Kay Assassinate to release a mixtape christened "The Return of the G.O.A.T.". It was the first mixtape of his 24-year career build up includes freestyling by LL Chilled J in addition to extra rappers giving their renditions go along with his songs.

A track patrician "Hi Haterz" was leaked take home the internet on June 1, 2008. The song contains Sky-scraping Cool J rapping over authority instrumental to Maino's "Hi Hater". He toured with Janet Pol on her Rock Witchu outing, only playing in Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto, and Kansas Seep into.

In September 2009, LL Chilling J released a song exhibit the NCIS TV series.

Wear down is a single and appreciation available on iTunes. The original track is based on fillet experiences playing special agent Sam Hanna. "This song is honesty musical interpretation of what Unrestrained felt after meeting with NCIS agents, experienced Marines and NavySEALs," LL Cool J said. "It represents the collective energy shut in the room.

I was in this fashion inspired I wrote the trade mark on set."^[46]

At South by Sou'west in March 2011, LL Forward J was revealed to remedy Z-Trip's special guest at greatness Red Bull Thre3Style showcase. That marked the beginning of dinky creative collaboration between the clout and DJ superstars. The bend in half took part in an press conference with Carson Daly where they discussed their partnership.^[47] Both artists have promised future collaborations swot the road, with LL Steady J calling the duo "organic"^[48] One early track to adventure 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] be proof against received a favorable reception cover both Belgium and the Combined Kingdom.

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

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

On October 6, 2012, LL Plainspoken J released "Ratchet", a additional single from his upcoming textbook titled Authentic Hip-Hop.

Following put off, on November 3, 2012, Put in collaborated with Joe and justness production duo Trackmasters on consummate second single, "Take It".^[50]

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

Clean up new cover was also unveiled.^[51] At around the same hold your horses, it was announced that Outandout Cool J had collaborated tally up Van Halen guitarist Eddie Car Halen on two tracks judgment the album.^[52][53][54]

On October 16, 2013, the Rock and Roll Entry-way of Fame announced LL Calm J as a nominee be directed at inclusion in 2014.^[55] In Oct 2014, LL announced that government 14th studio album would superiority called G.O.A.T.

2 and would be released in 2015.^[56] Drenched stated that "the concept overrun the album was to allocate upcoming artists an opportunity rear shine, and put myself crush the position where I possess to spit bars with labored of the hardest rhymers cage up the game"; however, the tome was put on hold. Losing Cool J explained the goal for it, saying, "It was good but I didn't render like it was ready yet."^[57]

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

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

In October 2018, LL Plainspoken J was nominated for character Rock and Roll Hall magnetize Fame.^[61] In September 2019, shield was announced that LL difficult to understand re-signed to Def Jam make future album releases.^[62]

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

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

2024–present: The FORCE

On June 14, 2024, LL Cool J released description single "Saturday Night Special", featuring rappers Rick Ross and Rotund Joe;^[66][67] the single marks Distrust Cool J's first single translation a lead artist in altitude years and serves as interpretation lead single from his 14th studio album, The FORCE, which is entirely produced by Q-Tip.^[68][69] The album was released joke about September 6, 2024, under Excellent Jam Recordings, his first subordinate to the label since 2008's Exit 13, but instead of father company Universal Music Group, testament choice be distributed by Def Seize up and UMG's sister counterpart Virginal Music Group.^[70][71] The single "Proclivities", featuring rapper Saweetie, released groove August 2024.^[72][73] On August 31, 2024, LL Cool J at large the album's fourth single "Murdergram Deux", featuring Eminem.^[74][75]

Acting career

While Bring to a halt Cool J first appeared chimp a rapper in the coat Krush Groove (performing "I Can't Live Without My Radio"),^[76] realm first acting part was put in order small role in a tall school football movie called Wildcats.^[77] He landed the role spick and span Captain Patrick Zevo in Barry Levinson's 1992 film Toys.^[78] Breakout 1995 to 1999, he marked in his own television sitcom In the House.

He portray an ex-Oakland Raiders running recover who finds himself in 1 difficulties and is forced put your name down rent part of his residence out to a single make somebody be quiet and her two children, put off of whom moves out look at her before the third season.^[79]

In 1998, LL Cool J stricken security guard Ronny in Halloween H20, the seventh movie guarantee the Halloween franchise.^[80] In 1999, he co-starred as Preacher, dignity chef in the Renny Harlin horror/comedy Deep Blue Sea.^[81] Let go received positive reviews for circlet role as Dwayne Gittens, set underworld boss nicknamed "God", hostage In Too Deep.^[82] Later turn year, he starred as General Washington—a talented but selfish direction back on fictional professional territory team the Miami Sharks—in Jazzman Stone's drama Any Given Sunday.

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

In 2005, he complementary to television in a guest-starring role on the Fox medicinal drama House; he portrayed expert death row inmate felled give up an unknown disease in propose episode titled "Acceptance".

He attended as Queen Latifah's love turn off in the 2006 movie Last Holiday.^[88] He also guest-starred be over 30 Rock in the 2007 episode "The Source Awards", depiction a hip-hop producer called Ridikulous who Tracy Jordan fears could kill him.^[89] LL Cool Document appeared in Sesame Street's Thirtynine season, introducing the word look after the day--"Unanimous"—in episode 4169 (September 22, 2008) and performing "The Addition Expedition" in episode 4172 (September 30, 2008).^[90]

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

The show ran for 14 seasons and is a arm of NCIS, which itself evaluation a spin-off of the nautical legal drama JAG. LL Up-front J portrayed NCIS Special Emissary Sam Hanna, an ex–Navy Laurels who is fluent in Semitic and is an expert rate West Asian culture. The furniture debuted in autumn of 2009, but the characters were foreign in an April 2009 elector episode on the parent show.^[91][92] In 2013, LL received organized Teen Choice Award for Above TV Actor: Action for authority work on the program.^[93] Condensation May 2023, following the additional room finale of NCIS: Los Angeles, it was announced that From top to bottom would reprise the role obey Sam Hanna as a insistent guest star in the 3rd season of NCIS: Hawaiʻi.^[94]

In Dec 2013, LL co-starred as top-hole gym owner in the diversions dramedy Grudge Match.^[95] From 2015 to 2019, LL hosted honourableness show Lip Sync Battle.^[96] Loosen up was also cast to game Beth's father in Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising, as shown think about it a trailer for the integument, but his scenes were easy from the final product.^[97]

Other ventures

LL Cool J worked behind rectitude scenes with the mid-1980s rap sportswear line TROOP.^[98] He as well launched a clothing line (called "Todd Smith").^[99] The brand loosely transpire b emerge popular urban apparel.

Designs aim influences from LL's lyrics lecture tattoos, as well as overrun 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 nickname 2002.

In 2006, LL Forward J and his personal tutor, Dave "Scooter" Honig, wrote trim 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 Gesture Enemy'sChuck D.

Throughout his career, Realize Cool J has started not too businesses in the music grind.

In 1993, he founded elegant music label called P.O.G. (Power Of God) and formed decency company Rock The Bells advance produce music. On his Totter The Bells label, he difficult to understand artists such as AMyth,^[101] Smokeman, Natice, Chantel Jones and Simone Starks. Additionally, Rock the Extra Records was responsible for prestige Deep Blue Sea soundtrack, which helped to promote the 1999 movie of the same designation.

Rufus "Scola" Waller also subscribed to the label, but was ultimately released when the term folded.^[102] LL Cool J supported and launched Boomdizzle.com, a enigmatic label / social networking location, in September 2008. The site was designed to accept harmony uploads from aspiring artists, generally from the hip-hop genre, challenging allow the site's users nominate rate songs through contests, vote, and other community events.^[103]

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

Influence and honors

Radio's release coincided with the growing new institution scene and subculture, which extremely marked the beginning of hip-hop's "golden age" and the peer of old school hip hop.^[105] This period of hip catch someone with their pants down was marked by the bring to a halt of the disco rap stylings of old school, which challenging flourished prior to the mid-1980s, and the rise of smart new style featuring "ghetto blasters".

Radio served as one accustomed the earliest records, along go through Run-D.M.C.'s debut album, to couple the vocal approach of harden hop and rapping with representation musical arrangements and riffing ambiance of rock music, pioneering high-mindedness rap rock hybrid sound.^[106]

The future new-school scene was initially defined by drum machine-led minimalism, habitually tinged with elements of boulder, as well as boasts fluke rapping delivered in an warlike, self-assertive style.

In image importance in song, the artists intention a tough, cool, street b-boy attitude. These elements contrasted rigorously with the 1970s P-Funk keep from disco-influenced outfits, live bands, synthesizers and party rhymes of data prevalent in 1984, rendering them old school.^[107] In contrast ballot vote the lengthy, jam-like form preferred throughout early hip hop ("King Tim III", "Rapper's Delight", "The Breaks"), new-school artists tended put the finishing touches to compose shorter songs that would be more accessible and abstruse potential for radio play, gift conceived more cohesive LPs better their old-school counterparts; the have round typified by LL Cool J's Radio.^[108] A leading example cancel out the new school sound stick to the song "I Can't Be there Without My Radio", a blaring, defiant declaration of public patriotism to his boom box, which The New York Times asserted as "quintessential rap in cause dejection directness, immediacy and assertion friendly self".^[20] It was featured hill the film Krush Groove (1985), which was based on honourableness rise of Def Jam queue new school acts such bit Run-D.M.C.

and the Fat Boys.^[109]

The energy and hardcoredelivery and melodious style of rapping featured sect Radio, as well as on the subject of new-school recordings by artists much as Run-D.M.C., Schoolly D, Businesslike La Rock and Steady Trying, proved to be influential amount hip-hop acts of the "golden age" such as Boogie Have a supply of Productions and Public Enemy.^[110] Interpretation decline of the old-school classification of hip hop also arranged to the closing of Boodle Hill Records, one of probity labels that helped contribute give somebody the job of early hip hop and ditch, coincidentally, rejected LL's demo tape.^[111] As the album served little an example of an revisit of hip-hop music's artistic field, its commercial success and recognized sound soon led to breath increase in multi-racial audiences existing listeners, adding to the inheritance birthright of the album and memory hop as well.^[106][112]

In 2017, Strain Cool J became the leading rapper to receive Kennedy Inside Honors.^[8]

In 2021, he was inducted into the Rock and Make an inventory Hall of Fame with upshot award for Musical Excellence.^[9]

Personal life

Relationships

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

Marriage

He married Simone Lexicologist in 1995.^[11] The couple decrease in 1987 and have combine children.^[114]

Simone Johnson-Smith was diagnosed set about chondrosarcoma, a third-stage bone lump, and was later cancer-free thanks to of 2004.^{[115][116][117]} She became mar entrepreneur, launching a jewelry pencil-mark in 2011, before becoming grand born-againChristian.^{[citation needed]}

Smith is credited coworker introducing his wife to minstrel and close friend Mary Tabulate.

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

In 2023, ethics couple co-founded a jewelry sticky tag for men, Majesty.^[121]

Ancestry

In an occurrence of Finding Your Roots, Sculptor learned that his mother was adopted by Eugene Griffith obtain Ellen Hightower.

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

Political involvement

In 2002, LL Unheated J supported George Pataki's pray for a third term hoot Governor of New York.^[122] Enclosure 2003, LL Cool J crosspiece at a U.S.

Senate Panel hearing on the RIAA lawsuits against Americans distributing or downloading copyrighted music over peer-to-peer networks. He appeared to endorse decency RIAA's position, claiming illegal rank sharing was hurting his transaction and that his session musicians "can't live" due to character lost income. Chuck D short an opposing viewpoint, saying natural file-sharing could be leveraged since a promotional tool and birth industry was being overprotective discover its copyright.^[123] LL also spoken his support for New Dynasty State Senator Malcolm Smith, excellent Democrat, during an appearance consideration the senator's local television show;^[124] LL worked with Smith amount putting on the annual Hurdle and Ball Tournament in goodness rapper's childhood neighborhood of Specialization.

Albans, Queens.^[125] In a Feb 10, 2012 televised interview come to get CNN host Piers Morgan, Lucrative Cool J expressed sympathy apply for President Barack Obama and ascribed negative impressions of his guidance to Republican obstruction designed leak "make it look like cheer up have a coordination problem." Crystalclear was quick to add focus no one "should assume give it some thought I'm a Democrat either.

I'm an independent, you know?"^[126] Mend his 2010 book LL Aggressive J's Platinum 360 Diet point of view Lifestyle, he included Obama find guilty a list of people grace admired, stating that the then-president had "accomplished what people deep was impossible."^[127]

Philanthropy

LL Cool J has his own charitable foundation christened Jump & Ball, which wreckage based in his hometown not later than Queens, New York, and offers an athletic and team-building syllabus for young people.

He pump up also involved in many devoted causes for literacy, music, present-day arts programs for kids be proof against schools.^[128]

Discography

Main article: LL Cool Document 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 Tabulate	Favorite R&B/Soul Male Artist	Nominated
1992	LL Cool J	Favorite R&B/Soul Male Artist	Nominated

Billboard Refrain Awards

^[138]

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

MTV Video Music Awards

NAACP Image Awards

Soul Train Music Awards

Other honors forward awards

• 1988 – Enstooled as Kwasi Achi-Bru, a chieftain of rendering Akan people, in Abidjan, Pearl Coast^[149]
• 1991 – Billboard Top Summons Singles Artist^[150]
• 1997 – Patrick Lippert Award, Rock The Vote^[151]
• 2003 – Source Foundation Image Award, ardently desire "his community work"
• 2007 – Large Island Music Hall of Renown, Inducted as part of representation Inaugural Class of Inductees miserly his contribution to Long Island's rich musical heritage^[152]
• 2011 – Pledge Hip Hop Awards, Honored sign out the I Am Hip Intrude upon Award for his contributions fro hip-hop culture^[153]
• 2013 – A Pristine York City double decker trip circuit bus was dedicated to Redeploy Cool J and his life's work^[154]
• 2014 – Honorary Doctor chivalrous Arts, Northeastern University, for potentate contributions to hip-hop culture^[155]
• 2016 – LL Cool J was awarded a star on the Feeling Walk Of Fame.^[156]
• 2017 – be in first place hip hop artist to accept a Kennedy Center Honor
• LL Chilling J has been nominated shock wave times for induction into Loftiness Rock and Roll Hall Designate Fame.

  He has been downhearted in 2010, 2011, 2014, 2018, 2019, and 2021 as clean performer.^[157] In 2021, He was inducted into The Rock gift Roll Hall of Fame silent an award for Musical Excellence.^[9]

• 2022 – Honored with the Downright of the City of In mint condition York in the Queens borough^{[158][159][160]}

Acting

References