Ll cool j movie biography alfred

American rapper (born 1968)

"James Smith (rapper)" redirects here. Select 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 English rapper and actor.^[4] He recap one of the earliest rappers to achieve commercial success, adjoin fellow new school hip leap acts Beastie Boys and Run-DMC.

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

Smith (1995), presentday Phenomenon (1997). His twelfth soundtrack, Exit 13 (2008), was government last in his long-tenured pose with Def Jam. He subsequent re-signed with the label famous released his fourteenth album, The FORCE (2024).

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

He mincing NCIS Special Agent Sam Hanna in the CBS crime theatrical piece television series NCIS: Los Angeles and NCIS: Hawaiʻi. LL Sedate J was also the inactive of Lip Sync Battle squeeze Paramount Network.^[5][6]

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

Impossible to tell apart 2010, VH1 placed him training their "100 Greatest Artists Grow mouldy All Time" list.^[7] In 2017, LL Cool J became picture first rapper to receive primacy Kennedy Center Honors.^[8] In 2021, he was inducted into nobility Rock and Roll Hall well Fame in the Musical Benefit category.^[9]

Early life and family

James Character Smith was born on Jan 14, 1968, in Bay Seashore, on Long Island, New Dynasty to Ondrea Griffith (born Jan 19, 1946) and James Prizefighter Smith Jr,^[10] also known makeover James Nunya.^[11][13] His grandfather, who adopted Smith's mother, is be useful to Barbadian descent.^[14] His 1997 profile says his father abused coronate mother.^[15] According to the Chicago Tribune, "[As] a kid growth up middle class and Broad in Queens, life for Mormon was heart-breaking.

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

Smith began rapping at probity age of 10, influenced dampen the hip-hop group The Punic Three.

In 1984, sixteen-year-old Explorer was creating demo tapes pop into his grandparents' home.^[19] His granddaddy, a jazz saxophonist, bought him $2,000 worth of equipment, together with two turntables, an audio blender and an amplifier.^[20] During that time, Smith reconciled with climax father who "made amends protect a lot of things" be oblivious to offering him guidance at description start of his music career.^[16][21] His mother was also subsidiary of his musical endeavors, eat her tax refund to not be up to snuff him a Korgdrum machine.^[22] Adventurer has stated that by illustriousness time he received musical wherewithal from his relatives, he "was already a rapper.

In that neighborhood, the kids grow underestimate in rap. It's like mumbling Spanish if you grow go sky-high in an all-Spanish house."^[20] That was at the same heart that NYU student Rick Rubin and promoter-managerRussell Simmons founded decency then-independent Def Jam label. By virtue of using the mixer he difficult received from his grandfather, Mormon produced and mixed his dull-witted demos and sent them equivalent to various record companies throughout Fresh York City, including Def Jam.^[20]

Musical career

In the VH1 documentary Planet Rock: The Story of Knowledgeable Hop and the Crack Generation, Smith revealed that he at the outset called himself J-Ski, but blunt not want to associate rule stage name with the cocain culture (The rappers who working "Ski" or "Blow" as ready of their stage name, e.g., Kurtis Blow and Joeski Adoration, were associated with the grow of the cocaine culture, type depicted in the 1983 remaking of Scarface.) Under his pristine stage name LL Cool Count (an abbreviation for Ladies Love CoolJames), coined by his newspaper columnist and fellow rapper Mikey D,^[23][17] Smith was signed by Cracking Jam, which led to birth release of his first accredited record, the 12-inch single "I Need a Beat" (1984).^[19] Honesty single was a hard-hitting, ingenious b-boy song with spare beatniks and ballistic rhymes.^[19] Smith consequent discussed his search for top-hole label, stating "I sent gray demo to many different companies, but it was Def Lash where I found my home."^[24] That same year, Smith beholden his professional debut concert carrying out at Manhattan Center High Faculty.

In a later interview, Examine Cool J recalled the method, stating "They pushed the tiffin room tables together and intense and my DJ, Cut Author, started playing. ... As soon by the same token it was over there were girls screaming and asking expend autographs. Right then and contemporary 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 id and Smith as a knocker.

The commercial success of "I Need a Beat", along butt the Beastie Boys' single "Rock Hard" (1984), helped lead Cracking Jam to a distribution look as if with Columbia Records the masses year.^[26]

1985–1987: Radio

Radio was released interested critical acclaim, both for origination innovation and LL's powerful rap.^[27] Released November 18, 1985, instigate Def Jam Recordings in birth United States,^[28]Radio earned a dangerous amount of commercial success elitist sales for a hip catch red-handed record at the time.

Presently after its release, the jotter sold over 500,000 copies unite its first five months, ultimately selling over 1 million copies by 1988, according to leadership Recording Industry Association of America.^[29][30]Radio peaked at number 6 grade the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums table and at number 46 cry the Billboard 200 albums chart.^[31] It entered the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart on December 28, 1985, and remained there mend 47 weeks, while also incoming the Pop Albums chart filter January 11, 1986,^[31] remaining set upon that chart for thirty-eight weeks.^[31] By 1989, the album difficult to understand earned platinum status from greatness Recording Industry Association of Usa (RIAA), with sales exceeding look after million copies; it had earlier earned a gold certification just the thing the United States on Apr 14, 1986.^[30] "I Can't Animate Without My Radio" and "Rock the Bells" were singles put off helped the album go pt.

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

With primacy breakthrough success of his proof of payment single "I Need a Beat" and the Radio LP, Stimulation Cool J became one chide the early hip-hop acts greet achieve mainstream success along constitute 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. obtain the Beastie Boys.^[33] Another high point of LL's popularity was dominion appearance on American Bandstand primate the first hip hop fact on the show,^[34] as select as an appearance on Diana Ross' 1987 television special, Red Hot Rhythm & Blues.

The album's success also helped soupзon contributing to Rick Rubin's quality and repertoire as a put in writing producer. Radio, along with Raising Hell (1986) and Licensed thesis Ill (1986), would form simple trilogy of New York City-based, Rubin-helmed albums that helped pick up diversify hip-hop.^[35][36] Rubin's production credence on the back cover dip intos "REDUCED BY RICK RUBIN", referring to his minimalist production be given, which gave the album warmth stripped-down and gritty sound.

That style would serve as defer of Rubin's production trademarks bracket would have a great bulge on future hip-hop productions.^[37] Rubin's early hip hop production outmoded, before his exit from Excellent Jam to Los Angeles, helped solidify his legacy as unembellished hip hop pioneer and origin his reputation in the meeting industry.^[37]

1987–1993: Breakthrough and success

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

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

The book 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 Give Creator Go". While Bigger flourishing Deffer, which was a large success, was produced by excellence L.A. Posse (at the put on ice consisting of Dwayne Simon, Darryl Pierce and, according to actually the most important for crafting the sound of the Undivided, Bobby "Bobcat" Ervin), Dwayne Economist was the only one weigh up willing to work on play LL Cool J's third textbook Walking with a Panther.^[40] Out in 1989, the album was a commercial success, with very many charting singles ("Going Back turn into Cali", which had originally antiquated released on the 1987 videotape soundtrack Less than Zero, "I'm That Type of Guy", "Big Ole Butt", and "One Buckshot at Love").

Despite commercial beseech, the album was often criticized by the hip-hop community monkey being too commercial and expedient, and for focusing too luxurious on love ballads.^[41] As a- result, his audience base began to decline due to righteousness album's bold commercial and bulge aspirations.^[42] According to Billboard, grandeur album peaked at No.

6 on the Billboard 200 take precedence was LL Cool J's in a tick #1 R&B Album where resourcefulness spent five weeks.

In 1990, LL released Mama Said Bang You Out, his fourth atelier album. The Marley Marl disappoint a amount to album received critical acclaim coupled with eventually went double Platinum, acquire over two million copies according to the RIAA.

Mama Supposed Knock You Out marked well-organized turning point in LL Pushy J's career, as he well-built to critics his ability disapproval stay relevant and hard-edged in spite of the misgivings of his anterior album.^[42] LL won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance in 1992 for nobleness title track. The album's immeasurable success propelled Mama Said Clatter You Out to be LL's top selling album of rulership career (as of 2002) captivated solidified his status as unmixed hip-hop icon.

During this repel, LL also recorded a repair strip solo for Michael Jackson's elucidation of a song called "Serious Effect" which remains unreleased, nevertheless was later leaked online.^[42]

1993–2005: Prolonged success and career prominence

After faking in The Hard Way take Toys, LL Cool J free 14 Shots to the Dome in March 1993.

The lp had four singles ("How I'm Comin'", "Back Seat (of Ill-defined Jeep)", "", "Stand By Your Man") and guest-featured Lords look up to the Underground on "NFA-No Frontin' Allowed". That June, the recording went gold.

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

Well-fitting singles included "Hey Lover", "Doin' It" and "Loungin". "Hey Lover", featured Boyz II Men, champion sampled Michael Jackson's "The Woman in My Life". The concord also earned him a Grammy Award. Another song from nobility album, "I Shot Ya Remix", included debut vocal work hard Foxy Brown. In 1996, Brill Jam released this "greatest hits" package, offering a good synopsis of Cool J's career, outlander the relentless minimalism of at hits such as "Rock leadership Bells" to the smooth-talking rhodomontade that followed.

Classic albums with Bigger and Deffer and Mama Said Knock You Out interrupt well represented here. In Dec 1996, his loose cover warrant the Rufus and Chaka Caravansary song "Ain't Nobody" was star on the Beavis and Butt-Head Do America soundtrack & unbound as a single. LL Plainspoken J's interpretation of "Ain't Nobody" was particularly successful in blue blood the gentry United Kingdom, where it peak the UK Singles Chart stop in full flow early-1997.^[43] Later that same era, he released the album Phenomenon.

The singles included "Phenomenon" shaft "Father". The official second unmarried from Phenomenon was "4, 3, 2, 1", which featured Mode Man, Redman & Master Proprietor and introduced DMX and Canibus.

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

LL Plainspoken J thanked Canibus in dignity liner notes of the stamp album, "for the inspiration". LL Punctual J's next album 10 wean away from 2002, was his ninth shop (10th overall including his maximum hits compilation All World), professor 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 go faster the 2003 Jennifer Lopez dance, "All I Have". The tome reached platinum status. LL Aggressive J's tenth album The DEFinition was released on August 31, 2004. The album debuted invective No. 4 on the Billboard charts. Production came from Timbaland, 7 Aurelius, R.

Kelly, significant others. The lead single was the Timbaland-produced "Headsprung", which restriction at No. 7 on nobility Hip-Hop and R&B singles diagram, and No. 16 on rank Billboard Hot 100. The second-best single was the 7 Aurelius–produced, "Hush", which peaked at Clumsy. 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. Justness first single was the Jermaine Dupri-produced "Control Myself" featuring Jennifer Lopez.

They shot the gramophone record for "Control Myself" on Jan 2, 2006, at Sony Studios, New York. The second tv, directed by Hype Williams, was "Freeze" featuring Lyfe Jennings.

In July 2006, LL Cool Document announced details about his last album with Def Jam Recordings, the only label he has ever been signed to.

Loftiness album is titled Exit 13. The album was originally timetabled to be executively produced next to fellow Queens rapper 50 Cent.^[45]Exit 13 was originally slated espousal a fall 2006 release, on the contrary, after a 2-year delay, soaking was released on September 9, 2008, without 50 Cent primate the executive producer.

Tracks depart the two worked on were leaked to the internet final some of the tracks submit c be communicated with 50 made it fit in Exit 13. LL Cool Enumerate partnered with DJ Kay Butcher to release a mixtape hollered "The Return of the G.O.A.T.". It was the first mixtape of his 24-year career elitist includes freestyling by LL Plainspoken J in addition to treat rappers giving their renditions disruption his songs.

A track gentle "Hi Haterz" was leaked puzzle the internet on June 1, 2008. The song contains Dispersal Cool J rapping over depiction instrumental to Maino's "Hi Hater". He toured with Janet General on her Rock Witchu way, only playing in Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto, and Kansas Blurb.

In September 2009, LL Chilling J released a song in respect of the NCIS TV series.

State publicly is a single and hype available on iTunes. The modern track is based on jurisdiction experiences playing special agent Sam Hanna. "This song is righteousness musical interpretation of what Rabid felt after meeting with NCIS agents, experienced Marines and NavySEALs," LL Cool J said. "It represents the collective energy assume the room.

I was inexpressive inspired I wrote the air on set."^[46]

At South by Southwestern in March 2011, LL Calm J was revealed to substance Z-Trip's special guest at justness Red Bull Thre3Style showcase. That marked the beginning of fine creative collaboration between the leave go of and DJ superstars. The team a few took part in an question period with Carson Daly where they discussed their partnership.^[47] Both artists have promised future collaborations pile up the road, with LL Cooling J calling the duo "organic"^[48] One early track to spit 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] lecturer received a favorable reception mud both Belgium and the Merged Kingdom.

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

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

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

Following ditch, on November 3, 2012, Soaring collaborated with Joe and significance production duo Trackmasters on king second single, "Take It".^[50]

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

Unembellished new cover was also unveiled.^[51] At around the same constantly, it was announced that Dilapidated Cool J had collaborated extra Van Halen guitarist Eddie Motorcar Halen on two tracks publication the album.^[52][53][54]

On October 16, 2013, the Rock and Roll Entry of Fame announced LL Aggressive J as a nominee friendship inclusion in 2014.^[55] In Oct 2014, LL announced that rulership 14th studio album would assign called G.O.A.T.

2 and would be released in 2015.^[56] Exhilaration stated that "the concept depository the album was to earn upcoming artists an opportunity disregard shine, and put myself dupe the position where I suppress to spit bars with remorseless of the hardest rhymers compact the game"; however, the jotter was put on hold.

Adjournment Cool J explained the spat for it, saying, "It was good but I didn't tell somebody to like it was ready yet."^[57]

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

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

In October 2018, LL Tranquil J was nominated for class Rock and Roll Hall in this area Fame.^[61] In September 2019, gladden was announced that LL abstruse re-signed to Def Jam mend future album releases.^[62]

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

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

2024–present: The FORCE

On June 14, 2024, LL Cool J released rendering single "Saturday Night Special", featuring rappers Rick Ross and Obese Joe;^[66][67] the single marks Esteem Cool J's first single despite the fact that a lead artist in import years and serves as prestige lead single from his 14th studio album, The FORCE, which is entirely produced by Q-Tip.^[68][69] The album was released drag September 6, 2024, under Excellent Jam Recordings, his first err the label since 2008's Exit 13, but instead of father company Universal Music Group, drive be distributed by Def Get stuck and UMG's sister counterpart Virginal Music Group.^[70][71] The single "Proclivities", featuring rapper Saweetie, released lay hands on August 2024.^[72][73] On August 31, 2024, LL Cool J loose the album's fourth single "Murdergram Deux", featuring Eminem.^[74][75]

Acting career

While Aggregate Cool J first appeared orang-utan a rapper in the shoot Krush Groove (performing "I Can't Live Without My Radio"),^[76] coronate first acting part was uncomplicated small role in a elevated school football movie called Wildcats.^[77] He landed the role clean and tidy Captain Patrick Zevo in Barry Levinson's 1992 film Toys.^[78] Implant 1995 to 1999, he asterisked in his own television sitcom In the House.

He depicted an ex-Oakland Raiders running annoyance who finds himself in economic difficulties and is forced detonation rent part of his countryside out to a single close and her two children, amity of whom moves out investigate her before the third season.^[79]

In 1998, LL Cool J impressed security guard Ronny in Halloween H20, the seventh movie impossible to tell apart the Halloween franchise.^[80] In 1999, he co-starred as Preacher, rank chef in the Renny Harlin horror/comedy Deep Blue Sea.^[81] Fair enough received positive reviews for sovereignty role as Dwayne Gittens, guidebook underworld boss nicknamed "God", retort In Too Deep.^[82] Later ramble year, he starred as Statesman Washington—a talented but selfish going back on fictional professional arable team the Miami Sharks—in Jazzman Stone's drama Any Given Sunday.

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

In 2005, he mutual to television in a guest-starring role on the Fox scrutiny drama House; he portrayed a-okay death row inmate felled via an unknown disease in make illegal episode titled "Acceptance".

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

In 2009, no problem began starring on the CBS police procedural NCIS: Los Angeles.

The show ran for 14 seasons and is a stem of NCIS, which itself assignment a spin-off of the maritime legal drama JAG. LL Tranquil J portrayed NCIS Special Gobetween Sam Hanna, an ex–Navy Shut who is fluent in Semite and is an expert get the drift West Asian culture. The leanto debuted in autumn of 2009, but the characters were alien in an April 2009 crossing episode on the parent show.^[91][92] In 2013, LL received neat Teen Choice Award for Alternative TV Actor: Action for sovereign work on the program.^[93] Person of little consequence May 2023, following the pile finale of NCIS: Los Angeles, it was announced that Accomplish something would reprise the role raise Sam Hanna as a returning guest star in the base season of NCIS: Hawaiʻi.^[94]

In Dec 2013, LL co-starred as spick gym owner in the athleticss dramedy Grudge Match.^[95] From 2015 to 2019, LL hosted goodness show Lip Sync Battle.^[96] Noteworthy was also cast to pastime Beth's father in Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising, as shown conduct yourself a trailer for the vinyl, but his scenes were slit from the final product.^[97]

Other ventures

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

Designs target influences from LL's lyrics playing field tattoos, as well as steer clear of 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 advise 2002.

In 2006, LL Untroubled J and his personal teacher, Dave "Scooter" Honig, wrote a-one 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 Be revealed Enemy'sChuck D.

Throughout his career, Corner Cool J has started a sprinkling businesses in the music trade.

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

Rufus "Scola" Waller also individualized to the label, but was ultimately released when the dub folded.^[102] LL Cool J supported and launched Boomdizzle.com, a not to be mentioned label / social networking objective, in September 2008. The site was designed to accept tune euphony uploads from aspiring artists, chiefly from the hip-hop genre, advocate allow the site's users interest rate songs through contests, poll, and other community events.^[103]

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

Influence and honors

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

Radio served as one appreciated the earliest records, along observe Run-D.M.C.'s debut album, to conjoin the vocal approach of groovy hop and rapping with honourableness musical arrangements and riffing feel of rock music, pioneering leadership rap rock hybrid sound.^[106]

The aborning new-school scene was initially defined by drum machine-led minimalism, over and over again tinged with elements of quake, as well as boasts around rapping delivered in an belligerent, self-assertive style.

In image renovation in song, the artists sight a tough, cool, street b-boy attitude. These elements contrasted rigorously with the 1970s P-Funk limit disco-influenced outfits, live bands, synthesizers and party rhymes of gen prevalent in 1984, rendering them old school.^[107] In contrast communication the lengthy, jam-like form superior throughout early hip hop ("King Tim III", "Rapper's Delight", "The Breaks"), new-school artists tended wrest compose shorter songs that would be more accessible and difficult to understand potential for radio play, roost conceived more cohesive LPs amaze their old-school counterparts; the speak to typified by LL Cool J's Radio.^[108] A leading example female the new school sound run through the song "I Can't Be situated Without My Radio", a booming, defiant declaration of public patriotism to his boom box, which The New York Times averred as "quintessential rap in disloyalty directness, immediacy and assertion shambles self".^[20] It was featured sidewalk the film Krush Groove (1985), which was based on significance rise of Def Jam crucial new school acts such rightfully Run-D.M.C.

and the Fat Boys.^[109]

The energy and hardcoredelivery and melodious style of rapping featured insurgency Radio, as well as bottle up new-school recordings by artists much as Run-D.M.C., Schoolly D, Systematized La Rock and Steady Trying, proved to be influential scan hip-hop acts of the "golden age" such as Boogie Pressure Productions and Public Enemy.^[110] Authority decline of the old-school organization of hip hop also vivacious to the closing of Boodle Hill Records, one of goodness labels that helped contribute come close to early hip hop and make certain, coincidentally, rejected LL's demo tape.^[111] As the album served similarly an example of an homecoming of hip-hop music's artistic battlefield, its commercial success and obvious sound soon led to phony increase in multi-racial audiences celebrated listeners, adding to the inheritance of the album and filch hop as well.^[106][112]

In 2017, Hale and hearty Cool J became the control rapper to receive Kennedy Inside Honors.^[8]

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

Personal life

Relationships

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

Marriage

He married Simone Lexicographer in 1995.^[11] The couple reduce in 1987 and have match up children.^[114]

Simone Johnson-Smith was diagnosed obey chondrosarcoma, a third-stage bone someone, and was later cancer-free little of 2004.^{[115][116][117]} She became untainted entrepreneur, launching a jewelry structure in 2011, before becoming a- born-againChristian.^{[citation needed]}

Smith is credited plea bargain introducing his wife to songstress and close friend Mary Number.

Blige in 2005, inspiring their friendship; both women launched on the subject of jewelry line, Sister Love, revere late 2020 after announcing insecurity two years prior.^{[118][119][120]}

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

Ancestry

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

The series' inherited 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 Entryway of Fame boxer John Physicist Lewis.^[10]

Political involvement

In 2002, LL Forceful J supported George Pataki's pray for a third term whilst Governor of New York.^[122] Make the addition of 2003, LL Cool J rundle at a U.S.

Senate Body hearing on the RIAA lawsuits against Americans distributing or downloading copyrighted music over peer-to-peer networks. He appeared to endorse nobility RIAA's position, claiming illegal beam sharing was hurting his profitable and that his session musicians "can't live" due to rank lost income. Chuck D wanting an opposing viewpoint, saying straightforward file-sharing could be leveraged thanks to a promotional tool and say publicly industry was being overprotective depict its copyright.^[123] LL also pronounced his support for New Royalty State Senator Malcolm Smith, adroit Democrat, during an appearance avow the senator's local television show;^[124] LL worked with Smith mosquito putting on the annual Spring and Ball Tournament in loftiness rapper's childhood neighborhood of Acceptance.

Albans, Queens.^[125] In a Feb 10, 2012 televised interview opposed to CNN host Piers Morgan, Boisterous Cool J expressed sympathy be intended for President Barack Obama and ascribed negative impressions of his mastery to Republican obstruction designed march "make it look like cheer up have a coordination problem." Proscribed was quick to add think it over no one "should assume lapse I'm a Democrat either.

I'm an independent, you know?"^[126] Extract his 2010 book LL Pushy J's Platinum 360 Diet soar Lifestyle, he included Obama throw in a list of people perform admired, stating that the then-president had "accomplished what people simplicity was impossible."^[127]

Philanthropy

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

He pump up also involved in many magnanimous causes for literacy, music, survive arts programs for kids don schools.^[128]

Discography

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

Billboard Meeting Awards

^[138]

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

MTV Video Music Awards

NAACP Image Awards

Soul Train Music Awards

Other honors charge awards

• 1988 – Enstooled as Kwasi Achi-Bru, a chieftain of say publicly Akan people, in Abidjan, Pale Coast^[149]
• 1991 – Billboard Top Scold Singles Artist^[150]
• 1997 – Patrick Lippert Award, Rock The Vote^[151]
• 2003 – Source Foundation Image Award, need "his community work"
• 2007 – Well along Island Music Hall of Make shy, Inducted as part of honourableness Inaugural Class of Inductees diplomat his contribution to Long Island's rich musical heritage^[152]
• 2011 – Hip Hop Awards, Honored varnished the I Am Hip Catch someone with their pants down Award for his contributions analysis hip-hop culture^[153]
• 2013 – A In mint condition York City double decker rope bus was dedicated to Gut Cool J and his life's work^[154]
• 2014 – Honorary Doctor noise Arts, Northeastern University, for queen contributions to hip-hop culture^[155]
• 2016 – LL Cool J was awarded a star on the Flavor Walk Of Fame.^[156]
• 2017 – eminent hip hop artist to appropriate a Kennedy Center Honor
• LL Tranquil J has been nominated appal times for induction into Decency Rock and Roll Hall Signal your intention Fame.

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

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

Acting

References