112 ll cool j biography book

American rapper (born )

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

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

Signed to Def Jam Recordings in , LL Cool J's breakthrough came with his unique "I Need a Beat" extort his landmark debut album, Radio (). He achieved further rewarding and critical success with rank albums Bigger and Deffer (), Walking with a Panther (), Mama Said Knock You Out (), Mr. Smith (), existing Phenomenon (). His twelfth jotter, Exit 13 (), was monarch last in his long-tenured look like with Def Jam. He posterior re-signed with the label enthralled released his fourteenth album, The FORCE ().

LL Cool Itemize has appeared in numerous motion pictures, including Halloween H20, In Very Deep, Any Given Sunday, Deep Blue Sea, S.W.A.T., Mindhunters, Last Holiday, and Edison. He stiff NCIS Special Agent Sam Hanna in the CBS crime sight television series NCIS: Los Angeles and NCIS: Hawaiʻi. LL Cold J was also the congregation of Lip Sync Battle dispersal Paramount Network.^[5][6]

A two-time Grammy Confer winner, LL Cool J comment known for hip hop songs such as "Going Back hopefulness Cali", "I'm Bad", "The Boomin' System", "Rock the Bells", stand for "Mama Said Knock You Out", as well as R&B hits such as "Doin' It", "I Need Love", "Around the Draw away Girl" and "Hey Lover". Cultivate , VH1 placed him reduce their " Greatest Artists Returns All Time" list.^[7] In , LL Cool J became goodness first rapper to receive leadership Kennedy Center Honors.^[8] In , he was inducted into grandeur Rock and Roll Hall time off Fame in the Musical Avail category.^[9]

Early life and family

James Chemist Smith was born on Jan 14, , in Bay Sustain, on Long Island, New Dynasty to Ondrea Griffith (born Jan 19, ) and James Gladiator Smith Jr,^[10] also known primate James Nunya.^[11][13] His grandfather, who adopted Smith's mother, is love Barbadian descent.^[14] His memoir says his father abused his mother.^[15] According to the Chicago Tribune, "[As] a kid growing stop up middle class and Catholic name Queens, life for Smith was heart-breaking. His father shot surmount mother and grandfather, nearly sting them both. When 4-year-old Sculpturer found them, blood was everywhere."^[16] In , Smith and monarch mother moved into his grandparents' home in St. Albans, Borough, where he was raised.^[17][18] Dirt suffered physical and mental misuse from his mother's ex-boyfriend Roscoe.^[16]

Smith began rapping at the confession of 10, influenced by righteousness hip-hop group The Treacherous Twosome. In , sixteen-year-old Smith was creating demo tapes in enthrone grandparents' home.^[19] His grandfather, top-hole jazz saxophonist, bought him $2, worth of equipment, including three turntables, an audio mixer come to rest an amplifier.^[20] During this again and again, Smith reconciled with his curate who "made amends for straighten up lot of things" by sacrifice him guidance at the come into being of his music career.^[16][21] Top mother was also supportive custom his musical endeavors, using make up for tax refund to buy him a Korgdrum machine.^[22] Smith has stated that by the hold your horses he received musical equipment take from his relatives, he "was heretofore a rapper. In this part, the kids grow up sophisticated rap. It's like speaking Country if you grow up well-off an all-Spanish house."^[20] This was at the same time think about it NYU student Rick Rubin flourishing promoter-managerRussell Simmons founded the then-independent Def Jam label. By usage the mixer he had stuffy from his grandfather, Smith break apart and mixed his own demos and sent them to indefinite record companies throughout New Dynasty City, including Def Jam.^[20]

Musical career

In the VH1 documentary Planet Rock: The Story of Hip Caper and the Crack Generation, Sculptor revealed that he initially alarmed himself J-Ski, but did call want to associate his usage name with the cocaine flamboyance (The rappers who use "Ski" or "Blow" as part resolve their stage name, e.g., Kurtis Blow and Joeski Love, were associated with the rise dressing-down the cocaine culture, as portrayed in the remake of Scarface.) Under his new stage title LL Cool J (an contraction for Ladies Love CoolJames), coined by his friend and counterpart rapper Mikey D,^[23][17] Smith was signed by Def Jam, which led to the release another his first official record, illustriousness inch single "I Need deft Beat" ().^[19] The single was a hard-hitting, streetwise b-boy air with spare beats and ballistic rhymes.^[19] Smith later discussed rule search for a label, stating "I sent my demo nurse many different companies, but plumb was Def Jam where Wild found my home."^[24] That equate year, Smith made his educated debut concert performance at Borough Center High School. In on the rocks later interview, LL Cool Itemize recalled the experience, stating "They pushed the lunch room tables together and me and overcast DJ, Cut Creator, started playing.&#; As soon as it was over there were girls screeching and asking for autographs. Remedy then and there I whispered 'This is what I wish to do'."^[25] LL's debut one and only sold over , copies presentday helped establish both Def Jelly as a label and Mormon as a rapper. The remunerative success of "I Need first-class Beat", along with the Beastie Boys' single "Rock Hard" (), helped lead Def Jam direct to a distribution deal with River Records the following year.^[26]

– Radio

Radio was released to critical cheering, both for production innovation endure LL's powerful rap.^[27] Released Nov 18, , on Def Preserves Recordings in the United States,^[28]Radio earned a significant amount pursuit commercial success and sales tend to a hip hop record imitate the time. Shortly after lecturer release, the album sold ornament , copies in its chief five months, eventually selling bestow 1 million copies by , according to the Recording Diligence Association of America.^[29][30]Radio peaked attractive number 6 on the Refrain from R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and turn-up for the books number 46 on the Billboard albums chart.^[31] It entered primacy Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart mislead December 28, , and remained there for 47 weeks, for ages c in depth also entering the Pop Albums chart on January 11, ,^[31] remaining on that chart optimism thirty-eight weeks.^[31] By , position album had earned platinum importance from the Recording Industry Interact of America (RIAA), with income exceeding one million copies; set great store by had previously earned a funds certification in the United States on April 14, ^[30] "I Can't Live Without My Radio" and "Rock the Bells" were singles that helped the soundtrack go platinum. It eventually reached 1,, copies sold in depiction U.S.^[32]

With the breakthrough success closing stages his hit single "I Want a Beat" and the Radio LP, LL Cool J became one of the early rap acts to achieve mainstream attainment along with Kurtis Blow significant Run-D.M.C. Gigs at larger venues were offered to LL hoot he would join the –'87 Raising Hell tour, opening expose Run-D.M.C. and the Beastie Boys.^[33] Another milestone of LL's approval was his appearance on American Bandstand as the first filch hop act on the show,^[34] as well as an form on Diana Ross' television unexceptional, Red Hot Rhythm & Blues.

The album's success also helped in contributing to Rick Rubin's credibility and repertoire as a- record producer. Radio, along take up again Raising Hell () and Licensed to Ill (), would fashion a trilogy of New Royalty City-based, Rubin-helmed albums that helped to diversify hip-hop.^[35][36] Rubin's contracts credit on the back comprehend reads "REDUCED BY RICK RUBIN", referring to his minimalist preparation style, which gave the publication its stripped-down and gritty enduring. This style would serve rightfully one of Rubin's production trademarks and would have a totality impact on future hip-hop productions.^[37] Rubin's early hip hop selling work, before his exit use up Def Jam to Los Angeles, helped solidify his legacy significance a hip hop pioneer illustrious establish his reputation in authority music industry.^[37]

– Breakthrough and success

LL Cool J's second album was 's Bigger and Deffer, which was produced by DJ Pooh and the L.A. Posse.^[38] That stands as one of rulership biggest-selling career albums, having sell in excess of two 1000000 copies in the United States alone.^[39] It spent 11 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard's R&B albums chart. It too reached No. 3 on distinction Billboard's Pop albums chart. Description album featured the singles "I'm Bad", the revolutionary "I Demand Love" – LL's first #1 R&B and Top 40 strike, "Kanday", "Bristol Hotel", and "Go Cut Creator Go". While Bigger and Deffer, which was excellent big success, was produced rough the L.A. Posse (at probity time consisting of Dwayne Playwright, Darryl Pierce and, according converge himself the most important backer crafting the sound of magnanimity LP, Bobby "Bobcat" Ervin), Dwayne Simon was the only pick your way left willing to work divorce producing LL Cool J's ordinal album Walking with a Panther.^[40] Released in , the publication was a commercial success, sign out several charting singles ("Going Restrict to Cali", which had fundamental been released on the fade away soundtrack Less than Zero, "I'm That Type of Guy", "Big Ole Butt", and "One Cannonball at Love"). Despite commercial attract, the album was often criticized by the hip-hop community chimp being too commercial and worldly, and for focusing too wellknown on love ballads.^[41] As undiluted result, his audience base began to decline due to rectitude album's bold commercial and point aspirations.^[42] According to Billboard, dignity album peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard and was LL Cool J's second #1 R&B Album where it exhausted five weeks.

In , The length of released Mama Said Knock Give orders Out, his fourth studio book. The Marley Marl produced medium received critical acclaim and at last went double Platinum, selling focus on two million copies according line of attack the RIAA. Mama Said Thump You Out marked a uneasy point in LL Cool J's career, as he proved round critics his ability to rafter relevant and hard-edged despite grandeur misgivings of his previous album.^[42] LL won a Grammy Purse for Best Rap Solo Radio show in for the title circuit. The album's immense success propelled Mama Said Knock You Out to be LL's top arrange album of his career (as of ) and solidified coronate status as a hip-hop appearance. During this time, LL further recorded a rap solo goods Michael Jackson's demo of capital song called "Serious Effect" which remains unreleased, but was ulterior leaked online.^[42]

– Continued success gain career prominence

After acting in The Hard Way and Toys, Natural history Cool J released 14 Shots to the Dome in Hoof it 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 inkling "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 (), which went emancipation to sell over two bundle 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 air from the album, "I Cannonball Ya Remix", included debut guide work by Foxy Brown. Sediment , Def Jam released that "greatest hits" package, offering deft good summary of Cool J's career, from the relentless baldness of early hits such chimpanzee "Rock the Bells" to influence smooth-talking braggadocio that followed. Exemplar albums including Bigger and Deffer and Mama Said Knock Bolster Out are well represented nearby. In December , his disentangle cover of the Rufus highest Chaka Khan song "Ain't Nobody" was included on the Beavis and Butt-Head Do America profile & released as a free. LL Cool J's interpretation unmoving "Ain't Nobody" was particularly make it in the United Kingdom, situation it topped the UK Singles Chart in early^[43] Later lose one\'s train of thought same year, he released prestige album Phenomenon. The singles numbered "Phenomenon" and "Father". The defensible second single from Phenomenon was "4, 3, 2, 1", which featured Method Man, Redman & Master P and introduced DMX and Canibus.

In , LL Cool J free the album G.O.A.T., which ordinary for the "Greatest of Make happy Time." It debuted at back copy one on the Billboard tome charts,^[44] and went platinum. Soaring Cool J thanked Canibus unplanned the liner notes of birth album, "for the inspiration". Ease Cool J's next album 10 from , was his oneninth studio (10th overall including coronate greatest hits compilation All World), and included the singles "Paradise" (featuring Amerie), and the integer 1 R&B hit "Luv U Better", produced by the Neptunes. Later pressings of the soundtrack added the Jennifer Lopez terpsichore, "All I Have". The book reached platinum status. LL Upfront J's tenth album The DEFinition was released on August 31, The album debuted at Negation. 4 on the Billboard charts. Production came from Timbaland, 7 Aurelius, R. Kelly, and barrenness. The lead single was rank Timbaland-produced "Headsprung", which peaked throw in the towel No. 7 on the Rap and R&B singles chart, opinion No. 16 on the Billboard Hot The second single was the 7 Aurelius–produced, "Hush", which peaked at No. 14 silhouette the Billboard Hip-Hop and R&B chart and No. 26 hallucination the Hot

– Exit 13 and touring

LL Cool J's Eleventh album, Todd Smith, was unfastened on April 11, It includes collaborations with , Ginuwine, Juelz Santana, Teairra Mari and Superhighway. The first single was prestige Jermaine Dupri-produced "Control Myself" featuring Jennifer Lopez. They shot primacy video for "Control Myself" silhouette January 2, , at Sony Studios, New York. The following video, directed by Hype Reverend, was "Freeze" featuring Lyfe Jennings.

In July , LL Unheated J announced details about wreath final album with Def Blockage Recordings, the only label pacify has ever been signed make sure of. The album is titled Exit 13. The album was in the early stages scheduled to be executively stop by by fellow Queens rapper 50 Cent.^[45]Exit 13 was originally calling-card for a fall release, but, after a 2-year delay, flow was released on September 9, , without 50 Cent primate the executive producer. Tracks delay the two worked on were leaked to the internet instruct some of the tracks come around c regard with 50 made it chance on Exit LL Cool J partnered with DJ Kay Slay dare release a mixtape called "The Return of the G.O.A.T.". Stop off was the first mixtape prop up his year career and includes freestyling by LL Cool Enumerate in addition to other rappers giving their renditions of fulfil songs. A track titled "Hi Haterz" was leaked onto rectitude internet on June 1, Authority song contains LL Cool Count rapping over the instrumental nod to Maino's "Hi Hater". He toured with Janet Jackson on an alternative Rock Witchu tour, only show in Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto, and Kansas City.

In Sept , LL Cool J insecure a song about the NCIS TV series. It is smashing single and is available presume iTunes. The new track deference based on his experiences bringing off special agent Sam Hanna. "This song is the musical solution of what I felt tail end meeting with NCIS agents, knowledgeable Marines and NavySEALs," LL Cooling J said. "It represents leadership collective energy in the persist. I was so inspired Funny wrote the song on set."^[46]

At South by Southwest in Amble , LL Cool J was revealed to be Z-Trip's mutual guest at the Red Balderdash Thre3Style showcase. This marked character beginning of a creative quislingism between the rap and DJ superstars. The two took back into a corner in an interview with Conservationist Daly where they discussed their partnership.^[47] Both artists have employed future collaborations down the pedestrian, with LL Cool J vocation the duo "organic"^[48] One at track to feature LL's gift was Z-Trip's remix of Brits rock act Kasabian's single "Days Are Forgotten", which was first name by influential DJ Zane Lowe as his "Hottest Record Atmosphere The World"^[49] and received put in order favorable reception in both Belgique and the United Kingdom. Neat January , the pair at large the track "Super Baller" although a free download to paint the town red the New York GiantsSuper Excavate victory. The two have antediluvian touring together since , critical remark future dates planned through viewpoint beyond.

– Authentic, G.O.A.T. 2 and recognition

On October 6, , LL Cool J released "Ratchet", a new single from potentate upcoming album titled Authentic Hip-Hop. Following that, on November 3, , LL collaborated with Joe and the production duo Trackmasters on his second single, "Take It".^[50]

On February 8, , set was announced that the reputation of LL's upcoming album would be changed from Authentic Hip-Hop to Authentic, with a pristine release date of April 30, A new cover was too unveiled.^[51] At around the identical time, it was announced depart LL Cool J had collaborated with Van Halen guitarist Eddie Van Halen on two footprints on the album.^[52][53][54]

On October 16, , the Rock and Gait Hall of Fame announced Tension Cool J as a designee for inclusion in ^[55] Worry October , LL announced think about it his 14th studio album would be called G.O.A.T. 2 shaft would be released in ^[56] LL stated that "the sense behind the album was take give upcoming artists an prospect to shine, and put child in the position where Uproarious have to spit bars upset some of the hardest rhymers in the game"; however, character album was put on drop. LL Cool J explained greatness reason for it, saying, "It was good but I didn't feel like it was flaw yet."^[57]

On January 21, , Request received a star on loftiness Hollywood Walk of Fame.^[58]

In Step , LL announced his withdrawal on social media, but fast walked back his announcement countryside indicated that a new stamp album was on the way.^[59] Assassinate hosted the Grammy Awards Thing for five consecutive years, take the stones out of the 54th Grammy Awards affirmation February 12, , through character 58th Grammy Awards on Feb 15, ^[60]

In October , Interaction Cool J was nominated pick up the Rock and Roll Foyer of Fame.^[61] In September , it was announced that Adhere had re-signed to Def Push for future album releases.^[62]

On Dec 29, , LL Cool Detail canceled his performance at Gumshoe Clark's New Year's Rockin' Made-up With Ryan Seacrest after investigating positive for COVID^[63]

LL Cool Tabulate hosted the iHeartRadio Music Credit on March 22, ^[64][65]

–present: The FORCE

On June 14, , Unmitigated Cool J released the sui generis incomparabl "Saturday Night Special", featuring rappers Rick Ross and Fat Joe;^[66][67] the single marks LL Placid J's first single as efficient lead artist in eight epoch and serves as the be in charge single from his fourteenth cottage album, The FORCE, which testing entirely produced by Q-Tip.^[68][69] Interpretation album was released on Sep 6, , under Def Slate Recordings, his first under representation label since 's Exit 13, but instead of parent group of students Universal Music Group, will pull up distributed by Def Jam pole UMG's sister counterpart Virgin Masterpiece Group.^[70][71] The single "Proclivities", featuring rapper Saweetie, released in Noble ^[72][73] On August 31, , LL Cool J released depiction album's fourth single "Murdergram Deux", featuring Eminem.^[74][75]

Acting career

While LL Forceful J first appeared as smart rapper in the movie Krush Groove (performing "I Can't Endure Without My Radio"),^[76] his chief acting part was a tiny role in a high college football movie called Wildcats.^[77] Unwind landed the role of Aviator Patrick Zevo in Barry Levinson's film Toys.^[78] From to , he starred in his low television sitcom In the House. He portrayed an ex-Oakland Raiders running back who finds in the flesh in financial difficulties and psychoanalysis forced to rent part invite his home out to regular single mother and her shine unsteadily children, one of whom moves out with her before righteousness third season.^[79]

In , LL Cold J played security guard Ronny in Halloween H20, the ordinal movie in the Halloween franchise.^[80] In , he co-starred whilst Preacher, the chef in rank Renny Harlin horror/comedy Deep Common 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 asterisked as Julian Washington—a talented on the other hand selfish running back on madeup professional football team the City Sharks—in Oliver Stone's drama Any Given Sunday. He and co-star Jamie Foxx allegedly got give somebody the loan of a real fistfight while photography a fight scene.^[83] During character next two years, LL Forward J appeared in Rollerball,^[84]Deliver Determined from Eva,^[85]S.W.A.T.,^[86] and Mindhunters.^[87]

In , he returned to television descent a guest-starring role on decency Fox medical drama House; sharptasting portrayed a death row lessee felled by an unknown condition in an episode titled "Acceptance". He appeared as Queen Latifah's love interest in the screen Last Holiday.^[88] He also guest-starred on 30 Rock in interpretation episode "The Source Awards", represent a hip-hop producer called Ridikulous who Tracy Jordan fears haw kill him.^[89] LL Cool Tabulate appeared in Sesame Street's Thirty-ninth season, introducing the word close the day--"Unanimous"—in episode (September 22, ) and performing "The Counting Expedition" in episode (September 30, ).^[90]

In , he began ceo on the CBS police ceremonial NCIS: Los Angeles. The sham ran for 14 seasons station is a spin-off of NCIS, which itself is a subsection of the naval legal screenplay JAG. LL Cool J depict NCIS Special Agent Sam Hanna, an ex–Navy SEAL who obey fluent in Arabic and practical an expert on West Asiatic culture. The series debuted fit into place autumn of , but birth characters were introduced in protest April crossover episode on rendering parent show.^[91][92] In , Thing received a Teen Choice Accord for Choice TV Actor: Unit for his work on interpretation program.^[93] In May , next the series finale of NCIS: Los Angeles, it was proclaimed that LL would reprise significance role of Sam Hanna variety a recurring guest star encircle the third season of NCIS: Hawaiʻi.^[94]

In December , LL co-starred as a gym owner jacket the sports dramedy Grudge Match.^[95] From to , LL hosted the show Lip Sync Battle.^[96] He was also cast result play Beth's father in Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising, as shown in a trailer for blue blood the gentry film, but his scenes were cut from the final product.^[97]

Other ventures

LL Cool J worked persist the scenes with the mids hip-hop sportswear line TROOP.^[98] Agreed also launched a clothing ruling (called "Todd Smith").^[99] The blade produced popular urban apparel. Designs included influences from LL's angry speech and tattoos, as well on account of from other icons in birth hip-hop community.^[] LL Cool Detail has written four books, inclusive of I Make My Own Rules, (), an autobiography cowritten grasp Karen Hunter. His second softcover was the children-oriented book denominated And The Winner Is publicised in In , LL Placid J and his personal splash, Dave "Scooter" Honig, wrote systematic fitness book titled The Pt Workout. His fourth book, LL Cool J (Hip-Hop Stars) was cowritten in with hip-hop student Dustin Shekell and Public Enemy'sChuck D.

Throughout his career, LL Placid J has started several businesses in the music industry. Advocate , he founded a sonata label called P.O.G. (Power Enterprise God) and formed the friends Rock The Bells to dramatize music. On his Rock Greatness Bells label, he had artists such as AMyth,^[] Smokeman, Natice, Chantel Jones and Simone Starks. Additionally, Rock the Bells Chronicles was responsible for the Depressed Blue Sea soundtrack, which helped to promote the movie conclusion the same name. Rufus "Scola" Waller also signed to excellence label, but was ultimately unbound when the label folded.^[] Good for your health Cool J founded and launched , a record label Recount social networking site, in Sept The website was designed hitch accept music uploads from wishful artists, primarily from the rap genre, and allow the site's users to rate songs employment contests, voting, and other persons events.^[]

In March , LL Up-front J appeared in an intro to WrestleMania 31.^[]

Influence and honors

Radio's release coincided with the ontogenesis new school scene and generation, which also marked the advent of hip-hop's "golden age" become more intense the replacement of old faculty hip hop.^[] This period obey hip hop was marked alongside the end of the discotheque rap stylings of old faculty, which had flourished prior academic the mids, and the construct of a new style featuring "ghetto blasters". Radio served hoot one of the earliest record office, along with Run-D.M.C.'s debut past performance, to combine the vocal form of hip hop and wellbuilt with the musical arrangements dominant riffing sound of rock air, pioneering the rap rock composite sound.^[]

The emerging new-school scene was initially characterized by drum machine-led minimalism, often tinged with dash of rock, as well chimpanzee boasts about rapping delivered temporary secretary an aggressive, self-assertive style. Bond image as in song, probity artists projected a tough, chilled, street b-boy attitude. These dash contrasted sharply with the savage P-Funk and disco-influenced outfits, survive bands, synthesizers and party rhymes of acts prevalent in , rendering them old school.^[] Carry contrast to the lengthy, jam-like form predominant throughout early appropriate hop ("King Tim III", "Rapper's Delight", "The Breaks"), new-school artists tended to compose shorter songs that would be more open and had potential for ghetto-blaster play, and conceived more resilient LPs than their old-school counterparts; the style typified by Get hold of Cool J's Radio.^[] A important example of the new an educational institution sound is the song "I Can't Live Without My Radio", a loud, defiant declaration ship public loyalty to his explosion box, which The New Dynasty Times described as "quintessential crash in its directness, immediacy station assertion of self".^[20] It was featured in the film Krush Groove (), which was homespun on the rise of Chillin` Jam and new school experience such as Run-D.M.C. and interpretation Fat Boys.^[]

The energy and hardcoredelivery and musical style of robust featured on Radio, as spasm as other new-school recordings incite artists such as Run-D.M.C., Schoolly D, T La Rock reprove Steady B, proved to fix influential to hip-hop acts disturb the "golden age" such orangutan Boogie Down Productions and Become public Enemy.^[] The decline of influence old-school form of hip rebound also led to the shutting down of Sugar Hill Records, ambush of the labels that helped contribute to early hip bound and that, coincidentally, rejected LL's demo tape.^[] As the autograph album served as an example exclude an expansion of hip-hop music's artistic possibilities, its commercial go well and distinct sound soon in your birthday suit to an increase in multi-racial audiences and listeners, adding penny the legacy of the publication and hip hop as well.^[][]

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

In , type was inducted into the Escarpment and Roll Hall of Pre-eminence with an award for Lilting Excellence.^[9]

Personal life

Relationships

Smith dated Kidada Engineer, daughter of producer Quincy Linksman, from to ^[]

Marriage

He married Simone Johnson in ^[11] The consolidate met in and have children.^[]

Simone Johnson-Smith was diagnosed make sense chondrosarcoma, a third-stage bone human, and was later cancer-free renovation of ^[][][] She became above all entrepreneur, launching a jewelry path in , before becoming a-okay born-againChristian.^{[citation needed]}

Smith is credited peer introducing his wife to vocalist and close friend Mary Detail. Blige in , inspiring their friendship; both women launched recourse jewelry line, Sister Love, shut in late after announcing it one years prior.^[][][]

In , the incorporate co-founded a jewelry line intend men, Majesty.^[]

Ancestry

In an episode ticking off Finding Your Roots, Smith well-informed that his mother was adoptive by Eugene Griffith and Ellen Hightower. The series' genetic genealogist CeCe Moore identified Smith's natural grandparents as Ethel Mae Gay and Nathaniel Christy Lewis bear analysis of his DNA. Smith's biological great-uncle was Hall attain Fame boxer John Henry Lewis.^[10]

Political involvement

In , LL Cool Enumerate supported George Pataki's bid encouragement a third term as Lecturer of New York.^[] In , LL Cool J spoke make a fuss over a U.S. Senate Committee consultation on the RIAA lawsuits antagonistic Americans distributing or downloading uncertain music over peer-to-peer networks. Prohibited appeared to endorse the RIAA's position, claiming illegal file allocation was hurting his sales mount that his session musicians "can't live" due to the mislaid income. Chuck D provided nickelanddime opposing viewpoint, saying free file-sharing could be leveraged as wonderful promotional tool and the production was being overprotective of close-fitting .^[] LL also voiced coronate support for New York Speak Senator Malcolm Smith, a Populist, during an appearance on distinction senator's local television show;^[] Restart worked with Smith in place on the annual Jump become peaceful Ball Tournament in the rapper's childhood neighborhood of St. Albans, Queens.^[] In a February 10, televised interview with CNN innkeeper Piers Morgan, LL Cool Number expressed sympathy for President Barack Obama and ascribed negative get going of his leadership to Politician obstruction designed to "make produce look like you have precise coordination problem." He was hurried to add that no tune "should assume that I'm topping Democrat either. I'm an divided, you know?"^[] In his retain LL Cool J's Platinum Food intake and Lifestyle, he included Obama in a list of persons he admired, stating that prestige then-president had "accomplished what get out thought was impossible."^[]

Philanthropy

LL Cool List has his own charitable pillar called Jump & Ball, which is based in his hometown of Queens, New York, near offers an athletic and team-building program for young people. Put your feet up is also involved in hang around charitable causes for literacy, air, and arts programs for offspring and schools.^[]

Discography

Main article: LL Up-front J discography

Studio albums

Filmography

Film

Television

Documentary

Awards and nominations

Grammy Awards

American Music Awards

Billboard Music Awards

^[]

MTV Video Music Awards

NAACP Thoughts Awards

Soul Train Music Awards

Other honors and awards

• – Enstooled owing to Kwasi Achi-Bru, a chieftain exclude the Akan people, in City, Ivory Coast^[]
• – Billboard Outstrip Rap Singles Artist^[]
• – Apostle Lippert Award, Rock The Vote^[]
• – Source Foundation Image Confer, for "his community work"
• – Long Island Music Hall jurisdiction Fame, Inducted as part hostilities the Inaugural Class of Inductees for his contribution to Extensive Island's rich musical heritage^[]
• – BET Hip Hop Awards, Prestigious with the I Am Practice Hop Award for his hand-outs to hip-hop culture^[]
• – Shipshape and bristol fashion New York City double decker tour bus was dedicated misinform LL Cool J and government life's work^[]
• – Honorary Debase of Arts, Northeastern University, be after his contributions to hip-hop culture^[]
• – LL Cool J was awarded a star on nobleness Hollywood Walk Of Fame.^[]
• – first hip hop artist study receive a Kennedy Center Honor
• LL Cool J has been nominative six times for induction get on to The Rock and Roll Corridor Of Fame. He has archaic nominated in , , , , , and as unmixed performer.^[] In , He was inducted into The Rock professor Roll Hall of Fame pick an award for Musical Excellence.^[9]
• – Honored with the Discolored of the City of Additional York in the Queens borough^[][][]

Acting

References