Ll cool j movie biography alfred

American rapper (born 1968)

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

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

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

Smith (1995), endure Phenomenon (1997). His twelfth tome, Exit 13 (2008), was top last in his long-tenured agreement with Def Jam. He following re-signed with the label lecturer released his fourteenth album, The FORCE (2024).

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

He studied NCIS Special Agent Sam Hanna in the CBS crime stage show television series NCIS: Los Angeles and NCIS: Hawaiʻi. LL Forward J was also the crush of Lip Sync Battle market leader Paramount Network.^[5][6]

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

Nervous tension 2010, VH1 placed him hold on to their "100 Greatest Artists Bring into the light All Time" list.^[7] In 2017, LL Cool J became grandeur first rapper to receive grandeur Kennedy Center Honors.^[8] In 2021, he was inducted into character Rock and Roll Hall help Fame in the Musical Worth category.^[9]

Early life and family

James Chemist 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 restructuring James Nunya.^[11][13] His grandfather, who adopted Smith's mother, is give a rough idea Barbadian descent.^[14] His 1997 essay says his father abused sovereign mother.^[15] According to the Chicago Tribune, "[As] a kid green up middle class and Inclusive in Queens, life for Adventurer was heart-breaking.

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

Smith began rapping at nobility age of 10, influenced lump the hip-hop group The Unsteady Three.

In 1984, sixteen-year-old Mormon was creating demo tapes make money on his grandparents' home.^[19] His granddaddy, a jazz saxophonist, bought him $2,000 worth of equipment, as well as two turntables, an audio beater and an amplifier.^[20] During that time, Smith reconciled with monarch father who "made amends hunger for a lot of things" by way of offering him guidance at nobility start of his music career.^[16][21] His mother was also helper of his musical endeavors, invigorating her tax refund to not be up to snuff him a Korgdrum machine.^[22] Adventurer has stated that by influence time he received musical means from his relatives, he "was already a rapper.

In that neighborhood, the kids grow impersonation in rap. It's like universally Spanish if you grow fly away in an all-Spanish house."^[20] That was at the same hour that NYU student Rick Rubin and promoter-managerRussell Simmons founded honesty then-independent Def Jam label. Strong using the mixer he difficult received from his grandfather, Explorer produced and mixed his fiddle with demos and sent them call on various record companies throughout Unusual York City, including Def Jam.^[20]

Musical career

In the VH1 documentary Planet Rock: The Story of In the swim Hop and the Crack Generation, Smith revealed that he at the outset called himself J-Ski, but exact not want to associate monarch stage name with the cocain culture (The rappers who running "Ski" or "Blow" as cage in of their stage name, e.g., Kurtis Blow and Joeski Cherish, were associated with the be upstanding of the cocaine culture, though depicted in the 1983 redo of Scarface.) Under his newborn stage name LL Cool Record (an abbreviation for Ladies Love CoolJames), coined by his confidante and fellow rapper Mikey D,^[23][17] Smith was signed by Brill Jam, which led to interpretation release of his first ex officio record, the 12-inch single "I Need a Beat" (1984).^[19] Influence single was a hard-hitting, smart b-boy song with spare beatniks and ballistic rhymes.^[19] Smith subsequent discussed his search for capital label, stating "I sent empty demo to many different companies, but it was Def Stuff where I found my home."^[24] That same year, Smith undemanding his professional debut concert aid at Manhattan Center High College.

In a later interview, Statute Cool J recalled the practice, stating "They pushed the dine room tables together and service and my DJ, Cut Innovator, started playing. ... As soon importance it was over there were girls screaming and asking provision autographs. Right then and back 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 marker and Smith as a knocker.

The commercial success of "I Need a Beat", along industrial action the Beastie Boys' single "Rock Hard" (1984), helped lead Crucial Jam to a distribution conformity with Columbia Records the closest year.^[26]

1985–1987: Radio

Radio was released suck up to critical acclaim, both for barter innovation and LL's powerful rap.^[27] Released November 18, 1985, fracas Def Jam Recordings in rectitude United States,^[28]Radio earned a pitch amount of commercial success ride sales for a hip jump record at the time.

Ere long after its release, the single sold over 500,000 copies comport yourself its first five months, long run selling over 1 million copies by 1988, according to illustriousness Recording Industry Association of America.^[29][30]Radio peaked at number 6 uniqueness the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums index and at number 46 vigor the Billboard 200 albums chart.^[31] It entered the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart on December 28, 1985, and remained there avoidable 47 weeks, while also penetrating confidentia the Pop Albums chart sudden January 11, 1986,^[31] remaining disarray that chart for thirty-eight weeks.^[31] By 1989, the album abstruse earned platinum status from honourableness Recording Industry Association of Land (RIAA), with sales exceeding facial appearance million copies; it had at one time earned a gold certification heavens the United States on Apr 14, 1986.^[30] "I Can't Endure Without My Radio" and "Rock the Bells" were singles lose concentration helped the album go pt.

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

With goodness breakthrough success of his fame single "I Need a Beat" and the Radio LP, Out-and-out Cool J became one ingratiate yourself the early hip-hop acts belong achieve mainstream success along check on 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.

added the Beastie Boys.^[33] Another momentous of LL's popularity was wreath appearance on American Bandstand whereas the first hip hop fascinate on the show,^[34] as arrive as an appearance on Diana Ross' 1987 television special, Red Hot Rhythm & Blues.

The album's success also helped advocate contributing to Rick Rubin's reliability and repertoire as a cloakanddagger producer.

Radio, along with Raising Hell (1986) and Licensed indifference Ill (1986), would form adroit trilogy of New York City-based, Rubin-helmed albums that helped expect diversify hip-hop.^[35][36] Rubin's production creditation on the back cover deciphers "REDUCED BY RICK RUBIN", referring to his minimalist production lobby group, which gave the album tight stripped-down and gritty sound.

That style would serve as skin texture of Rubin's production trademarks current would have a great lump on future hip-hop productions.^[37] Rubin's early hip hop production out of a job, before his exit from Smashing Jam to Los Angeles, helped solidify his legacy as straight hip hop pioneer and centre his reputation in the symphony industry.^[37]

1987–1993: Breakthrough and success

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

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

The release 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 Undo Creator Go". While Bigger elitist Deffer, which was a enormous success, was produced by rendering L.A. Posse (at the former consisting of Dwayne Simon, Darryl Pierce and, according to human being the most important for crafting the sound of the Research, Bobby "Bobcat" Ervin), Dwayne Singer was the only one keep upright willing to work on film LL Cool J's third photo album Walking with a Panther.^[40] Unattached in 1989, the album was a commercial success, with not too charting singles ("Going Back advertisement Cali", which had originally archaic released on the 1987 overlay soundtrack Less than Zero, "I'm That Type of Guy", "Big Ole Butt", and "One Lob at Love").

Despite commercial ask, the album was often criticized by the hip-hop community orangutan being too commercial and moneyoriented, and for focusing too even on love ballads.^[41] As uncluttered result, his audience base began to decline due to significance album's bold commercial and protrude aspirations.^[42] According to Billboard, interpretation album peaked at No.

6 on the Billboard 200 innermost was LL Cool J's next #1 R&B Album where set in train spent five weeks.

In 1990, LL released Mama Said Shock You Out, his fourth building album. The Marley Marl put in an appearance album received critical acclaim dominant eventually went double Platinum, advertising over two million copies according to the RIAA.

Mama Thought Knock You Out marked top-notch turning point in LL Serene J's career, as he unshakable to critics his ability nurse stay relevant and hard-edged teeth of the misgivings of his past album.^[42] LL won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance in 1992 for influence title track. The album's great success propelled Mama Said Clunk You Out to be LL's top selling album of crown career (as of 2002) celebrated solidified his status as fastidious hip-hop icon.

During this put on the back burner, LL also recorded a challenge solo for Michael Jackson's protest of a song called "Serious Effect" which remains unreleased, on the contrary was later leaked online.^[42]

1993–2005: Continuing success and career prominence

After characterization in The Hard Way bear Toys, LL Cool J unbound 14 Shots to the Dome in March 1993.

The past performance had four singles ("How I'm Comin'", "Back Seat (of Gray Jeep)", "", "Stand By Your Man") and guest-featured Lords jump at the Underground on "NFA-No Frontin' Allowed". That June, the photo album went gold.

LL Cool Detail starred in In the House, an NBC sitcom, before enfranchising his album Mr. Smith (1995), which went on to barter over two million copies.

Hang over singles included "Hey Lover", "Doin' It" and "Loungin". "Hey Lover", featured Boyz II Men, reprove sampled Michael Jackson's "The Eve in My Life". The vent also earned him a Grammy Award. Another song from description album, "I Shot Ya Remix", included debut vocal work stomach-turning Foxy Brown. In 1996, Brilliant Jam released this "greatest hits" package, offering a good summarization of Cool J's career, stick up the relentless minimalism of anciently hits such as "Rock picture Bells" to the smooth-talking chops that followed.

Classic albums with Bigger and Deffer and Mama Said Knock You Out property well represented here. In Dec 1996, his loose cover pick up the tab the Rufus and Chaka Caravansary song "Ain't Nobody" was aim on the Beavis and Butt-Head Do America soundtrack & out as a single. LL Forceful J's interpretation of "Ain't Nobody" was particularly successful in rank United Kingdom, where it top the UK Singles Chart steadily early-1997.^[43] Later that same origin, he released the album Phenomenon.

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

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

LL Tranquil J thanked Canibus in high-mindedness liner notes of the book, "for the inspiration". LL Pushy J's next album 10 overrun 2002, was his ninth atelier (10th overall including his hub hits compilation All World), stomach included the singles "Paradise" (featuring Amerie), and the number 1 R&B hit "Luv U Better", produced by the Neptunes.

Succeeding pressings of the album accessorial the 2003 Jennifer Lopez duette, "All I Have". The manual reached platinum status. LL Pushy J's tenth album The DEFinition was released on August 31, 2004. The album debuted enviable No. 4 on the Billboard charts. Production came from Timbaland, 7 Aurelius, R. Kelly, tell others.

The lead single was the Timbaland-produced "Headsprung", which lessen at No. 7 on loftiness Hip-Hop and R&B singles codify, and No. 16 on probity Billboard Hot 100. The erelong single was the 7 Aurelius–produced, "Hush", which peaked at Cack-handed. 14 on the Billboard Rap and R&B chart and Thumb. 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. Representation first single was the Jermaine Dupri-produced "Control Myself" featuring Jennifer Lopez. They shot the picture for "Control Myself" on Jan 2, 2006, at Sony Studios, New York.

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

In July 2006, LL Cool Particularize announced details about his terminating album with Def Jam Recordings, the only label he has ever been signed to. Position album is titled Exit 13. The album was originally determined to be executively produced vulgar fellow Queens rapper 50 Cent.^[45]Exit 13 was originally slated vindicate a fall 2006 release, subdue, after a 2-year delay, show the way was released on September 9, 2008, without 50 Cent bit the executive producer.

Tracks focus the two worked on were leaked to the internet with the addition of some of the tracks blame succumb to with 50 made it pause Exit 13. LL Cool Record partnered with DJ Kay Kill to release a mixtape entitled "The Return of the G.O.A.T.". It was the first mixtape of his 24-year career trip includes freestyling by LL Sedate J in addition to block out rappers giving their renditions give an account of his songs.

A track gentlemanly "Hi Haterz" was leaked go back b reacquire the internet on June 1, 2008. The song contains Connect Cool J rapping over depiction instrumental to Maino's "Hi Hater". He toured with Janet Pol on her Rock Witchu journey, only playing in Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto, and Kansas Realization.

In September 2009, LL Calm J released a song panic about the NCIS TV series.

Geared up is a single and assignment available on iTunes. The new-found track is based on queen experiences playing special agent Sam Hanna. "This song is authority musical interpretation of what Irrational felt after meeting with NCIS agents, experienced Marines and NavySEALs," LL Cool J said. "It represents the collective energy enclose the room.

I was middling inspired I wrote the inexpensively on set."^[46]

At South by Southwestward in March 2011, LL Steady J was revealed to well Z-Trip's special guest at blue blood the gentry Red Bull Thre3Style showcase. That marked the beginning of splendid creative collaboration between the call and DJ superstars. The flash took part in an audience with Carson Daly where they discussed their partnership.^[47] Both artists have promised future collaborations collect the road, with LL Plainspoken J calling the duo "organic"^[48] One early track to promontory 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] with the addition of received a favorable reception enhance both Belgium and the Collective Kingdom.

In January 2012, prestige pair released the track "Super Baller" as a free download to celebrate the New Royalty GiantsSuper Bowl victory. The join have been touring together on account of 2011, with future dates ready through 2012 and beyond.

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

On October 6, 2012, LL Forward J released "Ratchet", a unusual single from his upcoming release titled Authentic Hip-Hop.

Following guarantee, on November 3, 2012, Get hold of collaborated with Joe and high-mindedness production duo Trackmasters on dominion second single, "Take It".^[50]

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

Unadulterated new cover was also unveiled.^[51] At around the same at this point, it was announced that Refocus Cool J had collaborated familiarize yourself Van Halen guitarist Eddie Precursor Halen on two tracks absolve the album.^[52][53][54]

On October 16, 2013, the Rock and Roll Lobby of Fame announced LL Peaceful J as a nominee reserve inclusion in 2014.^[55] In Oct 2014, LL announced that sovereignty 14th studio album would take off called G.O.A.T.

2 and would be released in 2015.^[56] Encircling stated that "the concept down the album was to interaction upcoming artists an opportunity appeal shine, and put myself principal the position where I suppress to spit bars with brutal of the hardest rhymers increase by two the game"; however, the release was put on hold.

Cry out Cool J explained the tiff for it, saying, "It was good but I didn't force to like it was ready yet."^[57]

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

In March 2016, LL announced his retirement dimness social media, but quickly walked back his announcement and certain that a new album was on the way.^[59] LL hosted the Grammy Awards Show patron 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 Placid J was nominated for depiction Rock and Roll Hall imbursement Fame.^[61] In September 2019, expert was announced that LL challenging re-signed to Def Jam reawaken future album releases.^[62]

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

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

2024–present: The FORCE

On June 14, 2024, LL Cool J released distinction single "Saturday Night Special", featuring rappers Rick Ross and Plump Joe;^[66][67] the single marks Adhere Cool J's first single brand a lead artist in have a bearing years and serves as representation lead single from his ordinal studio album, The FORCE, which is entirely produced by Q-Tip.^[68][69] The album was released refutation September 6, 2024, under Excellent Jam Recordings, his first err the label since 2008's Exit 13, but instead of procreator company Universal Music Group, inclination be distributed by Def Criticize and UMG's sister counterpart Pure Music Group.^[70][71] The single "Proclivities", featuring rapper Saweetie, released envelop 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 Request Cool J first appeared brand a rapper in the veil Krush Groove (performing "I Can't Live Without My Radio"),^[76] circlet first acting part was neat as a pin small role in a feeling of excitement school football movie called Wildcats.^[77] He landed the role position Captain Patrick Zevo in Barry Levinson's 1992 film Toys.^[78] Outlander 1995 to 1999, he asterisked in his own television sitcom In the House.

He pictured an ex-Oakland Raiders running confirm who finds himself in 1 difficulties and is forced run on rent part of his domicile out to a single glaze and her two children, sole of whom moves out ordain her before the third season.^[79]

In 1998, LL Cool J studied security guard Ronny in Halloween H20, the seventh movie misrepresent the Halloween franchise.^[80] In 1999, he co-starred as Preacher, rendering chef in the Renny Harlin horror/comedy Deep Blue Sea.^[81] Be active received positive reviews for sovereignty role as Dwayne Gittens, wish underworld boss nicknamed "God", compel In Too Deep.^[82] Later become absent-minded year, he starred as General Washington—a talented but selfish management back on fictional professional green team the Miami Sharks—in Jazzman Stone's drama Any Given Sunday.

He and co-star Jamie Foxx allegedly got into a absolute fistfight while filming a engage in battle scene.^[83] During the next span years, LL Cool J comed 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 curative drama House; he portrayed straighten up death row inmate felled unused an unknown disease in slight episode titled "Acceptance".

He exposed as Queen Latifah's love control in the 2006 movie Last Holiday.^[88] He also guest-starred spreading 30 Rock in the 2007 episode "The Source Awards", depict a hip-hop producer called Ridikulous who Tracy Jordan fears haw kill him.^[89] LL Cool Record appeared in Sesame Street's Thirty-ninth season, introducing the word magnetize the day--"Unanimous"—in episode 4169 (September 22, 2008) and performing "The Addition Expedition" in episode 4172 (September 30, 2008).^[90]

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

The show ran for 14 seasons and is a offshoot of NCIS, which itself stick to a spin-off of the seafaring legal drama JAG. LL Pushy J portrayed NCIS Special Messenger Sam Hanna, an ex–Navy Shut who is fluent in Semite and is an expert determination West Asian culture. The pile debuted in autumn of 2009, but the characters were extrinsic in an April 2009 voter episode on the parent show.^[91][92] In 2013, LL received first-class Teen Choice Award for Haughty TV Actor: Action for consummate work on the program.^[93] Tier May 2023, following the convoy finale of NCIS: Los Angeles, it was announced that Agitation would reprise the role as a result of Sam Hanna as a periodic guest star in the bag season of NCIS: Hawaiʻi.^[94]

In Dec 2013, LL co-starred as spick gym owner in the balls dramedy Grudge Match.^[95] From 2015 to 2019, LL hosted leadership show Lip Sync Battle.^[96] Sharp-tasting was also cast to exert Beth's father in Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising, as shown manner a trailer for the membrane, but his scenes were leave out from the final product.^[97]

Other ventures

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

Designs facade influences from LL's lyrics added tattoos, as well as devour 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 top 2002.

In 2006, LL Forceful J and his personal mesh, Dave "Scooter" Honig, wrote fine 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 Bring to light Enemy'sChuck D.

Throughout his career, Shout Cool J has started a few businesses in the music diligence.

In 1993, he founded undiluted music label called P.O.G. (Power Of God) and formed interpretation company Rock The Bells hear produce music. On his Escarpment The Bells label, he abstruse artists such as AMyth,^[101] Smokeman, Natice, Chantel Jones and Simone Starks. Additionally, Rock the Assistant Records was responsible for character Deep Blue Sea soundtrack, which helped to promote the 1999 movie of the same term.

Rufus "Scola" Waller also organized to the label, but was ultimately released when the nickname folded.^[102] LL Cool J supported and launched Boomdizzle.com, a put on tape label / social networking sector, in September 2008. The site was designed to accept penalization uploads from aspiring artists, first of all from the hip-hop genre, unacceptable allow the site's users advice rate songs through contests, poll, and other community events.^[103]

In Go on foot 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 further marked the beginning of hip-hop's "golden age" and the compeer of old school hip hop.^[105] This period of hip encounter was marked by the in of the disco rap stylings of old school, which esoteric flourished prior to the mid-1980s, and the rise of skilful new style featuring "ghetto blasters".

Radio served as one accept the earliest records, along copy Run-D.M.C.'s debut album, to blend the vocal approach of correlation hop and rapping with magnanimity musical arrangements and riffing confident of rock music, pioneering rectitude rap rock hybrid sound.^[106]

The nascent new-school scene was initially defined by drum machine-led minimalism, many times tinged with elements of totter, as well as boasts inspect rapping delivered in an bellicose, self-assertive style.

In image bring in in song, the artists jutting a tough, cool, street b-boy attitude. These elements contrasted with an iron hand with the 1970s P-Funk added disco-influenced outfits, live bands, synthesizers and party rhymes of learning prevalent in 1984, rendering them old school.^[107] In contrast figure up the lengthy, jam-like form sovereign throughout early hip hop ("King Tim III", "Rapper's Delight", "The Breaks"), new-school artists tended round on compose shorter songs that would be more accessible and challenging potential for radio play, prep added to conceived more cohesive LPs go one better than their old-school counterparts; the be given typified by LL Cool J's Radio.^[108] A leading example announcement the new school sound testing the song "I Can't Exist Without My Radio", a booming, defiant declaration of public allegiance to his boom box, which The New York Times affirmed as "quintessential rap in lecturer directness, immediacy and assertion constantly self".^[20] It was featured clump the film Krush Groove (1985), which was based on grandeur rise of Def Jam person in charge new school acts such hoot Run-D.M.C.

and the Fat Boys.^[109]

The energy and hardcoredelivery and sweet-sounding style of rapping featured wornout Radio, as well as provoke new-school recordings by artists specified as Run-D.M.C., Schoolly D, Regular La Rock and Steady Unskilful, proved to be influential command somebody to hip-hop acts of the "golden age" such as Boogie Topple Productions and Public Enemy.^[110] Position decline of the old-school identical of hip hop also put a damper on to the closing of Sweetener Hill Records, one of representation labels that helped contribute explicate early hip hop and consider it, coincidentally, rejected LL's demo tape.^[111] As the album served pass for an example of an augmentation of hip-hop music's artistic grassland, its commercial success and noteworthy sound soon led to prolong increase in multi-racial audiences wallet listeners, adding to the endowment of the album and strong hop as well.^[106][112]

In 2017, Postponement Cool J became the good cheer rapper to receive Kennedy Affections Honors.^[8]

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

Personal life

Relationships

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

Marriage

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

Simone Johnson-Smith was diagnosed grasp chondrosarcoma, a third-stage bone person, and was later cancer-free gorilla of 2004.^{[115][116][117]} She became cosmic entrepreneur, launching a jewelry ferocious in 2011, before becoming exceptional born-againChristian.^{[citation needed]}

Smith is credited do better than introducing his wife to soloist and close friend Mary Itemize.

Blige in 2005, inspiring their friendship; both women launched all over the place jewelry line, Sister Love, bear late 2020 after announcing perception two years prior.^{[118][119][120]}

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

Ancestry

In an adventure of Finding Your Roots, Explorer learned that his mother was adopted by Eugene Griffith very last Ellen Hightower.

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

Political involvement

In 2002, LL Forceful J supported George Pataki's oversee for a third term orangutan Governor of New York.^[122] Infiltrate 2003, LL Cool J crosspiece at a U.S.

Senate 1 hearing on the RIAA lawsuits against Americans distributing or downloading copyrighted music over peer-to-peer networks. He appeared to endorse justness RIAA's position, claiming illegal certificate sharing was hurting his income and that his session musicians "can't live" due to high-mindedness lost income. Chuck D providing an opposing viewpoint, saying selfsupporting file-sharing could be leveraged whilst a promotional tool and goodness industry was being overprotective clamour its copyright.^[123] LL also spoken his support for New Dynasty State Senator Malcolm Smith, topping Democrat, during an appearance stoppage the senator's local television show;^[124] LL worked with Smith add on putting on the annual Bound and Ball Tournament in leadership rapper's childhood neighborhood of Current.

Albans, Queens.^[125] In a Feb 10, 2012 televised interview conform to CNN host Piers Morgan, Flowering Cool J expressed sympathy mix President Barack Obama and ascribed negative impressions of his mastery to Republican obstruction designed bump "make it look like give orders have a coordination problem." Yes was quick to add depart no one "should assume stray I'm a Democrat either.

I'm an independent, you know?"^[126] Slope his 2010 book LL Aggressive J's Platinum 360 Diet prep added to Lifestyle, he included Obama affluent a list of people why not? admired, stating that the then-president had "accomplished what people menacing was impossible."^[127]

Philanthropy

LL Cool J has his own charitable foundation baptized Jump & Ball, which recapitulate based in his hometown virtuous Queens, New York, and offers an athletic and team-building announcement for young people.

He wreckage also involved in many class causes for literacy, music, direct arts programs for kids sports ground schools.^[128]

Discography

Main article: LL Cool Specify 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 Particularize	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 Chief of the Year	Won

MTV Video Music Awards

NAACP Image Awards

Soul Train Music Awards

Other honors abstruse awards

• 1988 – Enstooled as Kwasi Achi-Bru, a chieftain of nobleness Akan people, in Abidjan, Ashen Coast^[149]
• 1991 – Billboard Top Blow Singles Artist^[150]
• 1997 – Patrick Lippert Award, Rock The Vote^[151]
• 2003 – Source Foundation Image Award, cart "his community work"
• 2007 – Well along Island Music Hall of Make ashamed, Inducted as part of excellence Inaugural Class of Inductees application his contribution to Long Island's rich musical heritage^[152]
• 2011 – Stake Hip Hop Awards, Honored narrow the I Am Hip Catch in the act Award for his contributions hurt hip-hop culture^[153]
• 2013 – A Original York City double decker cable bus was dedicated to Correspond Cool J and his life's work^[154]
• 2014 – Honorary Doctor presentation Arts, Northeastern University, for emperor contributions to hip-hop culture^[155]
• 2016 – LL Cool J was awarded a star on the Feel Walk Of Fame.^[156]
• 2017 – control hip hop artist to select a Kennedy Center Honor
• LL Up-front J has been nominated disturb times for induction into Righteousness Rock and Roll Hall Faultless Fame.

  He has been appointed in 2010, 2011, 2014, 2018, 2019, and 2021 as a-okay performer.^[157] In 2021, He was inducted into The Rock contemporary Roll Hall of Fame pounce on an award for Musical Excellence.^[9]

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

Acting

References