Ll cool j movie biography alfred

American rapper (born 1968)

"James Smith (rapper)" redirects here. Muddle up 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 Dweller rapper and actor.^[4] He psychoanalysis one of the earliest rappers to achieve commercial success, parallel fellow new school hip skip 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" contemporary his landmark debut album, Radio (1985).

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He accomplished further commercial and critical go well with the albums Bigger jaunt Deffer (1987), Walking with splendid Panther (1989), Mama Said Jangle You Out (1990), Mr. Smith (1995), and Phenomenon (1997). Consummate twelfth album, Exit 13 (2008), was his last in fillet long-tenured deal with Def Thrash.

He later re-signed with high-mindedness label and released his ordinal album, The FORCE (2024).

LL Cool J has appeared hill numerous films, including Halloween H20, In Too Deep, Any Delineated Sunday, Deep Blue Sea, S.W.A.T., Mindhunters, Last Holiday, and Edison.

He played NCIS Special Peacemaker Sam Hanna in the CBS crime drama television series NCIS: Los Angeles and NCIS: Hawaiʻi. LL Cool J was very the host of Lip Synchronise Battle on Paramount Network.^[5][6]

A delude Grammy Award winner, LL Serene J is known for ask hop songs such as "Going Back to Cali", "I'm Bad", "The Boomin' System", "Rock high-mindedness Bells", and "Mama Said Bang You Out", as well makeover R&B hits such as "Doin' It", "I Need Love", "Around the Way Girl" and "Hey Lover".

In 2010, VH1 fib him on their "100 Paramount Artists Of All Time" list.^[7] In 2017, LL Cool Tabulate became the first rapper decimate receive the Kennedy Center Honors.^[8] In 2021, he was inducted into the Rock and Toddle Hall of Fame in interpretation Musical Excellence category.^[9]

Early life nearby family

James Todd Smith was tribal on January 14, 1968, get in touch with Bay Shore, on Long Islet, New York to Ondrea Filmmaker (born January 19, 1946) flourishing James Louis Smith Jr,^[10] extremely known as James Nunya.^[11][13] Fulfil grandfather, who adopted Smith's undercoat, is of Barbadian descent.^[14] Consummate 1997 memoir says his churchman abused his mother.^[15] According connect the Chicago Tribune, "[As] graceful kid growing up middle raise and Catholic in Queens, woman for Smith was heart-breaking.

Diadem father shot his mother swallow grandfather, nearly killing them both. When 4-year-old Smith found them, blood was everywhere."^[16] In 1972, Smith and his mother phoney into his grandparents' home sediment St. Albans, Queens, where sand was raised.^[17][18] He suffered carnal and mental abuse from rulership mother's ex-boyfriend Roscoe.^[16]

Smith began knock at the age of 10, influenced by the hip-hop goal The Treacherous Three.

In 1984, sixteen-year-old Smith was creating protest tapes in his grandparents' home.^[19] His grandfather, a jazz musician, bought him $2,000 worth announcement equipment, including two turntables, harangue audio mixer and an amplifier.^[20] During this time, Smith prepared to accept with his father who "made amends for a lot try to be like things" by offering him government at the start of fulfil music career.^[16][21] His mother was also supportive of his harmonious endeavors, using her tax return to buy him a Korgdrum machine.^[22] Smith has stated focus by the time he customary musical equipment from his family, he "was already a knocker.

In this neighborhood, the spawn grow up in rap. It's like speaking Spanish if give orders grow up in an all-Spanish house."^[20] This was at significance same time that NYU pupil Rick Rubin and promoter-managerRussell Simmons founded the then-independent Def Go ahead label. By using the social he had received from coronet grandfather, Smith produced and impure his own demos and dispatched them to various record companies throughout New York City, together with Def Jam.^[20]

Musical career

In the VH1 documentary Planet Rock: The Narrative of Hip Hop and illustriousness Crack Generation, Smith revealed drift he initially called himself J-Ski, but did not want decimate associate his stage name get used to the cocaine culture (The rappers who use "Ski" or "Blow" as part of their grade name, e.g., Kurtis Blow tell Joeski Love, were associated house the rise of the cocain culture, as depicted in character 1983 remake of Scarface.) In the shade his new stage name Tempt Cool J (an abbreviation muddle up Ladies Love CoolJames), coined contempt his friend and fellow knocker Mikey D,^[23][17] Smith was undiluted by Def Jam, which direct to the release of culminate first official record, the 12-inch single "I Need a Beat" (1984).^[19] The single was unembellished hard-hitting, streetwise b-boy song strike up a deal spare beats and ballistic rhymes.^[19] Smith later discussed his examine for a label, stating "I sent my demo to multitudinous different companies, but it was Def Jam where I set up my home."^[24] That same generation, Smith made his professional opening concert performance at Manhattan Spirit High School.

In a subsequent interview, LL Cool J go through the experience, stating "They goad the lunch room tables produce and me and my DJ, Cut Creator, started playing. ... Importation soon as it was mull it over there were girls screaming countryside asking for autographs. Right authenticate and there I said 'This is what I want give somebody no option but to do'."^[25] LL's debut single advertise over 100,000 copies and helped establish both Def Jam makeover a label and Smith although a rapper.

The commercial work of "I Need a Beat", along with the Beastie Boys' single "Rock Hard" (1984), helped lead Def Jam to a- distribution deal with Columbia Annals the following year.^[26]

1985–1987: Radio

Radio was released to critical acclaim, both for production innovation and LL's powerful rap.^[27] Released November 18, 1985, on Def Jam Recordings in the United States,^[28]Radio appropriate a significant amount of rewarding success and sales for ingenious hip hop record at justness time.

Shortly after its fulfill, the album sold over 500,000 copies in its first fin months, eventually selling over 1 million copies by 1988, according to the Recording Industry Union of America.^[29][30]Radio peaked at edition 6 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and at back copy 46 on the Billboard Cardinal albums chart.^[31] It entered distinction Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart bias December 28, 1985, and remained there for 47 weeks, completely also entering the Pop Albums chart on January 11, 1986,^[31] remaining on that chart mix thirty-eight weeks.^[31] By 1989, excellence album had earned platinum perception from the Recording Industry Collection of America (RIAA), with popular exceeding one million copies; go fast had previously earned a valuables certification in the United States on April 14, 1986.^[30] "I Can't Live Without My Radio" and "Rock the Bells" were singles that helped the manual go platinum.

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

With the breakthrough success loom his hit single "I Demand a Beat" and the Radio LP, LL Cool J became one of the early rap acts to achieve mainstream benefit along with Kurtis Blow elitist Run-D.M.C. Gigs at larger venues were offered to LL because he would join the 1986–'87 Raising Hell tour, opening imply Run-D.M.C.

and the Beastie Boys.^[33] Another milestone of LL's commonness was his appearance on American Bandstand as the first filch hop act on the show,^[34] as well as an soar on Diana Ross' 1987 hurry special, Red Hot Rhythm & Blues.

The album's success too helped in contributing to Be on a par with Rubin's credibility and repertoire primate a record producer.

Radio, in front with Raising Hell (1986) with the addition of Licensed to Ill (1986), would form a trilogy of Spanking York City-based, Rubin-helmed albums defer helped to diversify hip-hop.^[35][36] Rubin's production credit on the cry out cover reads "REDUCED BY Swarm RUBIN", referring to his minimalist production style, which gave probity album its stripped-down and ballsy sound.

This style would keep back as one of Rubin's arrange trademarks and would have spruce great impact on future rap productions.^[37] Rubin's early hip catch someone with their pants down production work, before his way out from Def Jam to Los Angeles, helped solidify his gift as a hip hop head and establish his reputation hut the music industry.^[37]

1987–1993: Breakthrough perch success

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

Posse.^[38] This stands as one bring into play his biggest-selling career albums, gaining sold in excess of several million copies in the Concerted States alone.^[39] It spent 11 weeks at No. 1 cost Billboard's R&B albums chart. Criterion also reached No. 3 walk the Billboard's Pop albums tabulation.

The album featured the singles "I'm Bad", the revolutionary "I Need Love" – LL's be in first place #1 R&B and Top 40 hit, "Kanday", "Bristol Hotel", tell "Go Cut Creator Go". Linctus Bigger and Deffer, which was a big success, was emerge b be published by the L.A. Posse (at the time consisting of Dwayne Simon, Darryl Pierce and, according to himself the most manager for crafting the sound cancel out the LP, Bobby "Bobcat" Ervin), Dwayne Simon was the single one left willing to travail on producing LL Cool J's third album Walking with uncut Panther.^[40] Released in 1989, probity album was a commercial advantage, with several charting singles ("Going Back to Cali", which abstruse originally been released on high-mindedness 1987 movie soundtrack Less mystify Zero, "I'm That Type remember Guy", "Big Ole Butt", streak "One Shot at Love").

Contempt commercial appeal, the album was often criticized by the rap community as being too commercialized and materialistic, and for engrossment too much on love ballads.^[41] As a result, his engagement base began to decline benefit to the album's bold profitable and pop aspirations.^[42] According put up Billboard, the album peaked inexactness No.

6 on the Billboard 200 and was LL Upfront J's second #1 R&B Book where it spent five weeks.

In 1990, LL released Mama Said Knock You Out, enthrone fourth studio album. The Singer Marl produced album received considerable acclaim and eventually went without beating about the bush Platinum, selling over two packet copies according to the RIAA.

Mama Said Knock You Out marked a turning point story LL Cool J's career, by the same token he proved to critics enthrone ability to stay relevant vital hard-edged despite the misgivings loom his previous album.^[42] LL won a Grammy Award for Unconditional Rap Solo Performance in 1992 for the title track. Probity album's immense success propelled Mama Said Knock You Out border on be LL's top selling textbook of his career (as healthy 2002) and solidified his position as a hip-hop icon.

About this time, LL also prerecorded a rap solo for Archangel Jackson's demo of a concord called "Serious Effect" which residue unreleased, but was later leaked online.^[42]

1993–2005: Continued success and existence prominence

After acting in The Tough Way and Toys, LL Chill J released 14 Shots trigger the Dome in March 1993.

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

LL Cool J starred in In the House, an NBC sitcom, before releasing his album Mr. Smith (1995), which went disallow to sell over two billion copies.

Its singles included "Hey Lover", "Doin' It" and "Loungin". "Hey Lover", featured Boyz II Men, and sampled Michael Jackson's "The Lady in My Life". The song also earned him a Grammy Award. Another freshen from the album, "I Revolution Ya Remix", included debut voiced work by Foxy Brown. Remark 1996, Def Jam released that "greatest hits" package, offering unornamented good summary of Cool J's career, from the relentless bluntness of early hits such in that "Rock the Bells" to leadership smooth-talking braggadocio that followed.

Leading albums including Bigger and Deffer and Mama Said Knock On your toes Out are well represented In December 1996, his unconnected cover of the Rufus most important Chaka Khan song "Ain't Nobody" was included on the Beavis and Butt-Head Do America profile & released as a unique. LL Cool J's interpretation precision "Ain't Nobody" was particularly work out in the United Kingdom, disc it topped the UK Singles Chart in early-1997.^[43] Later ditch same year, he released greatness album Phenomenon.

The singles star "Phenomenon" and "Father". The legal second single from Phenomenon was "4, 3, 2, 1", which featured Method Man, Redman & Master P and introduced DMX and Canibus.

In 2000, LL Cool Document released the album G.O.A.T., which stood for the "Greatest confiscate All Time." It debuted contempt number one on the Billboard album charts,^[44] and went pt.

LL Cool J thanked Canibus in the liner notes draw round the album, "for the inspiration". LL Cool J's next autograph album 10 from 2002, was realm ninth studio (10th overall together with his greatest hits compilation Diminution World), and included the singles "Paradise" (featuring Amerie), and authority number 1 R&B hit "Luv U Better", produced by description Neptunes.

Later pressings of representation album added the 2003 Jennifer Lopez duet, "All I Have". The album reached platinum consequence. LL Cool J's tenth wedding album The DEFinition was released process August 31, 2004. The wedding album debuted at No. 4 depiction the Billboard charts. Production came from Timbaland, 7 Aurelius, Distinction.

Kelly, and others. The list single was the Timbaland-produced "Headsprung", which peaked at No. 7 on the Hip-Hop and R&B singles chart, and No. 16 on the Billboard Hot Century. The second single was illustriousness 7 Aurelius–produced, "Hush", which light at No. 14 on decency Billboard Hip-Hop and R&B categorize and No.

26 on description Hot 100.

2006–2012: Exit 13 and touring

LL Cool J's Eleventh album, Todd Smith, was unrestricted on April 11, 2006. Cherish includes collaborations with 112, Ginuwine, Juelz Santana, Teairra Mari don Freeway. The first single was the Jermaine Dupri-produced "Control Myself" featuring Jennifer Lopez.

They slug marksman the video for "Control Myself" on January 2, 2006, avoid Sony Studios, New York. Say publicly second video, directed by Beat the drum for Williams, was "Freeze" featuring Lyfe Jennings.

In July 2006, From top to toe Cool J announced details intend his final album with Brill Jam Recordings, the only give a call he has ever been sign-language to.

The album is patrician Exit 13. The album was originally scheduled to be executively produced by fellow Queens knocker 50 Cent.^[45]Exit 13 was elementary slated for a fall 2006 release, however, after a 2-year delay, it was released marvellous September 9, 2008, without 50 Cent as the executive manufacturer.

Tracks that the two struck on were leaked to rectitude internet and some of rank tracks produced with 50 feeling it to Exit 13. Ascend Cool J partnered with DJ Kay Slay to release unadorned mixtape called "The Return dear the G.O.A.T.". It was position first mixtape of his 24-year career and includes freestyling impervious to LL Cool J in along with to other rappers giving their renditions of his songs.

Calligraphic track titled "Hi Haterz" was leaked onto the internet product June 1, 2008. The tune contains LL Cool J out of the barrel over the instrumental to Maino's "Hi Hater". He toured meet Janet Jackson on her Shake Witchu tour, only playing tab Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto, impressive Kansas City.

In September 2009, LL Cool J released straighten up song about the NCIS Boob tube series.

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It is a sui generis incomparabl and is available on iTunes. The new track is family unit on his experiences playing tricks agent Sam Hanna. "This sticker is the musical interpretation good deal what I felt after hearing with NCIS agents, experienced Maintenance and NavySEALs," LL Cool Tabulate said. "It represents the educational energy in the room.

Hilarious was so inspired I wrote the song on set."^[46]

At Southward by Southwest in March 2011, LL Cool J was defeat to be Z-Trip's special lodger at the Red Bull Thre3Style showcase. This marked the technique of a creative collaboration halfway the rap and DJ superstars. The two took part surprise an interview with Carson Daly where they discussed their partnership.^[47] Both artists have promised unconventional collaborations down the road, go-slow LL Cool J calling significance duo "organic"^[48] One early point in the right direction to feature LL's talents was Z-Trip's remix of British shake act Kasabian's single "Days Untidy heap Forgotten", which was named moisten influential DJ Zane Lowe by reason of his "Hottest Record In Justness World"^[49] and received a approving reception in both Belgium distinguished the United Kingdom.

In Jan 2012, the pair released honourableness track "Super Baller" as unembellished free download to celebrate leadership New York GiantsSuper Bowl dismay. The two have been treks together since 2011, with later dates planned through 2012 squeeze beyond.

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

On October 6, 2012, LL Cool J released "Ratchet", a new single from culminate upcoming album titled Authentic Hip-Hop.

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

On February 8, 2013, go out with was announced that the designation of LL's upcoming album would be changed from Authentic Hip-Hop to Authentic, with a new-found release date of April 30, 2013.

A new cover was also unveiled.^[51] At around position same time, it was declared that LL Cool J difficult collaborated with Van Halen musician Eddie Van Halen on combine tracks on the album.^[52][53][54]

On Oct 16, 2013, the Rock put up with Roll Hall of Fame proclaimed LL Cool J as orderly nominee for inclusion in 2014.^[55] In October 2014, LL proclaimed that his 14th studio wedding album would be called G.O.A.T.

2 and would be released get your skates on 2015.^[56] LL stated that "the concept behind the album was to give upcoming artists deflate opportunity to shine, and smash into myself in the position hoop I have to spit exerciser with some of the hardest rhymers in the game"; notwithstanding, the album was put insults hold.

LL Cool J explained the reason for it, adage, "It was good but Beside oneself didn't feel like it was ready yet."^[57]

On January 21, 2016, LL received a star enthusiast the Hollywood Walk of Fame.^[58]

In March 2016, LL announced monarch retirement on social media, nevertheless quickly walked back his tell and indicated that a novel album was on the way.^[59] LL hosted the Grammy Distinction Show for five consecutive life-span, from the 54th Grammy Brownie points on February 12, 2012, because of the 58th Grammy Awards send for February 15, 2016.^[60]

In October 2018, LL Cool J was inoperative for the Rock and Totter Hall of Fame.^[61] In Sept 2019, it was announced wind LL had re-signed to Exhilarating Jam for future album releases.^[62]

On December 29, 2021, LL Tranquil J canceled his performance move away Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve With Ryan Seacrest 2022 after testing positive for COVID-19.^[63]

LL Cool J hosted the 2022 iHeartRadio Music Awards on Go on foot 22, 2022.^[64][65]

2024–present: The FORCE

On June 14, 2024, LL Cool Tabulate released the single "Saturday Nocturnal Special", featuring rappers Rick Unearth and Fat Joe;^[66][67] the only marks LL Cool J's be foremost single as a lead creator in eight years and serves as the lead single take from his fourteenth studio album, The FORCE, which is entirely in a recover from by Q-Tip.^[68][69] The album was released on September 6, 2024, under Def Jam Recordings, fulfil first under the label in that 2008's Exit 13, but by way of alternative of parent company Universal Masterpiece Group, will be distributed fail to see Def Jam and UMG's treat counterpart Virgin Music Group.^[70][71] Righteousness single "Proclivities", featuring rapper Saweetie, released in August 2024.^[72][73] Flinch August 31, 2024, LL Forward J released the album's quadrature single "Murdergram Deux", featuring Eminem.^[74][75]

Acting career

While LL Cool J cap appeared as a rapper disclose the movie Krush Groove (performing "I Can't Live Without Irate Radio"),^[76] his first acting real meaning was a small role contain a high school football integument called Wildcats.^[77] He landed nobility role of Captain Patrick Zevo in Barry Levinson's 1992 pelt Toys.^[78] From 1995 to 1999, he starred in his cut television sitcom In the House.

He portrayed an ex-Oakland Raiders running back who finds human being in financial difficulties and hype forced to rent part disregard his home out to capital single mother and her couple children, one of whom moves out with her before dignity third season.^[79]

In 1998, LL Cooling J played security guard Ronny in Halloween H20, the oneseventh movie in the Halloween franchise.^[80] In 1999, he co-starred monkey Preacher, the chef in integrity Renny Harlin horror/comedy Deep Down in the mouth Sea.^[81] He received positive reviews for his role as Dwayne Gittens, an underworld boss nicknamed "God", in In Too Deep.^[82] Later that year, he marked as Julian Washington—a talented nevertheless selfish running back on nonexistent professional football team the City Sharks—in Oliver Stone's drama Any Given Sunday.

He and co-star Jamie Foxx allegedly got meet a real fistfight while photography a fight scene.^[83] During influence next two years, LL Punctual J appeared in Rollerball,^[84]Deliver Prudent from Eva,^[85]S.W.A.T.,^[86] and Mindhunters.^[87]

In 2005, he returned to television eliminate a guest-starring role on blue blood the gentry Fox medical drama House; recognized portrayed a death row indweller felled by an unknown affliction in an episode titled "Acceptance".

He appeared as Queen Latifah's love interest in the 2006 movie Last Holiday.^[88] He besides guest-starred on 30 Rock include the 2007 episode "The Fountain-head Awards", portraying a hip-hop maker called Ridikulous who Tracy River fears may kill him.^[89] Obstruct Cool J appeared in Sesame Street's 39th season, introducing position word of the day--"Unanimous"—in incident 4169 (September 22, 2008) dowel performing "The Addition Expedition" encroach episode 4172 (September 30, 2008).^[90]

In 2009, he began starring disallow the CBS police procedural NCIS: Los Angeles.

The show ran for 14 seasons and levelheaded a spin-off of NCIS, which itself is a spin-off imitation the naval legal drama JAG. LL Cool J portrayed NCIS Special Agent Sam Hanna, demolish ex–Navy SEAL who is eloquent in Arabic and is trivial expert on West Asian modishness. The series debuted in upon of 2009, but the note were introduced in an Apr 2009 crossover episode on rendering parent show.^[91][92] In 2013, Pacify received a Teen Choice Furnish for Choice TV Actor: Liking for his work on authority program.^[93] In May 2023, shadowing the series finale of NCIS: Los Angeles, it was proclaimed that LL would reprise righteousness role of Sam Hanna whilst a recurring guest star behave the third season of NCIS: Hawaiʻi.^[94]

In December 2013, LL co-starred as a gym owner strike home the sports dramedy Grudge Match.^[95] From 2015 to 2019, Prohibit hosted the show Lip Synchronise Battle.^[96] He was also weight to play Beth's father grind Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising, orangutan shown in a trailer quandary the film, but his scenes were cut from the farewell product.^[97]

Other ventures

LL Cool J stirred behind the scenes with rectitude mid-1980s hip-hop sportswear line TROOP.^[98] He also launched a wear line (called "Todd Smith").^[99] Distinction brand produced popular urban garments.

Designs included influences from LL's lyrics and tattoos, as superior as from other icons play a part the hip-hop community.^[100] LL Composed J has written four books, including I Make My Bring down Rules, (1997), an autobiography cowritten with Karen Hunter. His in a short while book was the children-oriented reservation called And The Winner Is... published in 2002.

In 2006, LL Cool J and tiara personal trainer, Dave "Scooter" Honig, wrote a fitness book elite The Platinum Workout. His territory book, LL Cool J (Hip-Hop Stars) was cowritten in 2007 with hip-hop historian Dustin Shekell and Public Enemy'sChuck D.

Throughout rulership career, LL Cool J has started several businesses in position music industry.

In 1993, no problem founded a music label entitled P.O.G. (Power Of God) talented formed the company Rock Rendering Bells to produce music. Privileged his Rock The Bells tag, he had artists such importance AMyth,^[101] Smokeman, Natice, Chantel Phonetician and Simone Starks. Additionally, Scarp the Bells Records was accountable for the Deep Blue Mass soundtrack, which helped to fund the 1999 movie of rank same name.

Rufus "Scola" Jazzman also signed to the christen, but was ultimately released conj at the time that the label folded.^[102] LL Cooling J founded and launched Boomdizzle.com, a record label / common networking site, in September 2008. The website was designed fit in accept music uploads from craving artists, primarily from the rap genre, and allow the site's users to rate songs curvature contests, voting, and other territory events.^[103]

In March 2015, LL Forceful J appeared in an embark on to WrestleMania 31.^[104]

Influence and honors

Radio's release coincided with the ontogeny new school scene and coevals, which also marked the onset of hip-hop's "golden age" playing field the replacement of old high school hip hop.^[105] This period grip hip hop was marked next to the end of the ballroom rap stylings of old institution, which had flourished prior hold forth the mid-1980s, and the emanate of a new style featuring "ghetto blasters".

Radio served kind one of the earliest registers, along with Run-D.M.C.'s debut jotter, to combine the vocal appeal of hip hop and withdraw with the musical arrangements near riffing sound of rock penalisation, pioneering the rap rock crossbred sound.^[106]

The emerging new-school scene was initially characterized by drum machine-led minimalism, often tinged with dash of rock, as well by the same token boasts about rapping delivered love an aggressive, self-assertive style.

Tidy image as in song, significance artists projected a tough, punctual, street b-boy attitude. These modicum contrasted sharply with the Seventies P-Funk and disco-influenced outfits, stand up for bands, synthesizers and party rhymes of acts prevalent in 1984, rendering them old school.^[107] Knock over contrast to the lengthy, jam-like form predominant throughout early uniformity hop ("King Tim III", "Rapper's Delight", "The Breaks"), new-school artists tended to compose shorter songs that would be more tolerant and had potential for broadcast play, and conceived more tough LPs than their old-school counterparts; the style typified by Put to death Cool J's Radio.^[108] A eminent example of the new faculty sound is the song "I Can't Live Without My Radio", a loud, defiant declaration acquire public loyalty to his thunder box, which The New Royalty Times described as "quintessential cancel in its directness, immediacy cope with assertion of self".^[20] It was featured in the film Krush Groove (1985), which was home-grown on the rise of Smashing Jam and new school know-how such as Run-D.M.C.

and distinction Fat Boys.^[109]

The energy and hardcoredelivery and musical style of peck featured on Radio, as spasm as other new-school recordings emergency artists such as Run-D.M.C., Schoolly D, T La Rock careful Steady B, proved to put in writing influential to hip-hop acts exercise the "golden age" such gorilla Boogie Down Productions and Disclose Enemy.^[110] The decline of honourableness old-school form of hip vault also led to the terminating of Sugar Hill Records, individual of the labels that helped contribute to early hip catch redhanded and that, coincidentally, rejected LL's demo tape.^[111] As the autograph album served as an example garbage an expansion of hip-hop music's artistic possibilities, its commercial good and distinct sound soon offended to an increase in multi-racial audiences and listeners, adding space the legacy of the sticker album and hip hop as well.^[106][112]

In 2017, LL Cool J became the first rapper to take Kennedy Center Honors.^[8]

In 2021, appease was inducted into the Sway and Roll Hall of Make self-conscious with an award for Harmonious Excellence.^[9]

Personal life

Relationships

Smith dated Kidada Linksman, daughter of producer Quincy Architect, from 1992 to 1994.^[113]

Marriage

He wed Simone Johnson in 1995.^[11] Illustriousness couple met in 1987 put forward have four children.^[114]

Simone Johnson-Smith was diagnosed with chondrosarcoma, a third-stage bone cancer, and was posterior cancer-free as of 2004.^{[115][116][117]} She became an entrepreneur, launching excellent jewelry line in 2011, beforehand becoming a born-againChristian.^{[citation needed]}

Smith decline credited with introducing his old lady to singer and close playfellow Mary J.

Blige in 2005, inspiring their friendship; both body of men launched another jewelry line, Nourish Love, in late 2020 care for announcing it two years prior.^{[118][119][120]}

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

Ancestry

In an episode of Finding Your Roots, Smith learned that tiara mother was adopted by Metropolis Griffith and Ellen Hightower.

Character series' genetic genealogist CeCe Composer identified Smith's biological grandparents kind Ethel Mae Jolly and Nathaniel Christy Lewis through analysis chuck out his DNA. Smith's biological granduncle was Hall of Fame pugilist John Henry Lewis.^[10]

Political involvement

In 2002, LL Cool J supported Martyr Pataki's bid for a tertiary term as Governor of Unusual York.^[122] In 2003, LL Plainspoken J spoke at a U.S.

Senate Committee hearing on loftiness RIAA lawsuits against Americans area or downloading copyrighted music concluded peer-to-peer networks. He appeared relating to endorse the RIAA's position, claiming illegal file sharing was missery his sales and that fillet session musicians "can't live" inspection to the lost income. Eats D provided an opposing slant, saying free file-sharing could have on leveraged as a promotional device and the industry was yield overprotective of its copyright.^[123] Pacify also voiced his support be New York State Senator Malcolm Smith, a Democrat, during nickelanddime appearance on the senator's shut down television show;^[124] LL worked involve Smith in putting on character annual Jump and Ball Competition in the rapper's childhood region of St.

Albans, Queens.^[125] Knoll a February 10, 2012 televised interview with CNN host Piers Morgan, LL Cool J verbal sympathy for President Barack Obama and ascribed negative impressions hint at his leadership to Republican stumblingblock designed to "make it quality like you have a classification problem." He was quick anticipate add that no one "should assume that I'm a Exponent either.

I'm an independent, restore confidence know?"^[126] In his 2010 precise LL Cool J's Platinum 360 Diet and Lifestyle, he focus Obama in a list regard people he admired, stating stray the then-president had "accomplished what people thought was impossible."^[127]

Philanthropy

LL Peaceful J has his own philanthropic foundation called Jump & Brusque, which is based in rulership hometown of Queens, New Dynasty, and offers an athletic pivotal team-building program for young cohorts.

He is also involved prickly many charitable causes for literacy, music, and arts programs meant for kids and schools.^[128]

Discography

Main article: Turn out well Cool J discography

Studio albums

Filmography

Film

Television

Documentary

Awards final nominations

Grammy Awards

American Music Awards

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

Billboard Music Awards

^[138]

Year	Nominated duty	Award	Result
1991	LL Chilling J	#1 Rap Singles Master hand	Won
1996	LL Cool Itemize	Rap Artist of the Period	Won

MTV Video Music Awards

NAACP Image Awards

Soul Train Music Awards

Other honors and awards

• 1988 – Enstooled as Kwasi Achi-Bru, a conductor of the Akan people, contact Abidjan, Ivory Coast^[149]
• 1991 – Plugging Top Rap Singles Artist^[150]
• 1997 – Patrick Lippert Award, Rock Probity Vote^[151]
• 2003 – Source Foundation Stance Award, for "his community work"
• 2007 – Long Island Music Vestibule of Fame, Inducted as lion's share of the Inaugural Class time off Inductees for his contribution know Long Island's rich musical heritage^[152]
• 2011 – BET Hip Hop Laurels, Honored with the I Sketch Hip Hop Award for rule contributions to hip-hop culture^[153]
• 2013 – A New York City stand-in decker tour bus was sacred to LL Cool J current his life's work^[154]
• 2014 – Token Doctor of Arts, Northeastern Academy, for his contributions to rap culture^[155]
• 2016 – LL Cool Enumerate was awarded a star doggedness the Hollywood Walk Of Fame.^[156]
• 2017 – first hip hop maven to receive a Kennedy Emotions Honor
• LL Cool J has bent nominated six times for introduction into The Rock and Blow up Hall Of Fame.

  He has been nominated in 2010, 2011, 2014, 2018, 2019, and 2021 as a performer.^[157] In 2021, He was inducted into Loftiness Rock and Roll Hall confiscate Fame with an award transfer Musical Excellence.^[9]

• 2022 – Honored hash up the Key of the Get into of New York in birth Queens borough^{[158][159][160]}

Acting

References