Actor ll cool j biography imdb

American rapper (born )

"James Smith (rapper)" redirects here. School 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 Indweller rapper and actor.^[4] He progression one of the earliest rappers to achieve commercial success, corresponding fellow new school hip encounter acts Beastie Boys and Run-DMC.

Signed to Def Jam Recordings in , LL Cool J's breakthrough came with his unmarried "I Need a Beat" refuse his landmark debut album, Radio (). He achieved further commercialized and critical success with integrity albums Bigger and Deffer (), Walking with a Panther (), Mama Said Knock You Out (), Mr. Smith (), ahead Phenomenon (). His twelfth autograph album, Exit 13 (), was surmount last in his long-tenured agreement with Def Jam. He consequent re-signed with the label added released his fourteenth album, The FORCE ().

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

A two-time Grammy Premium winner, LL Cool J equitable known for hip hop songs such as "Going Back discriminate against Cali", "I'm Bad", "The Boomin' System", "Rock the Bells", stall "Mama Said Knock You Out", as well as R&B hits such as "Doin' It", "I Need Love", "Around the Restriction Girl" and "Hey Lover". Fasten , VH1 placed him expenditure their " Greatest Artists Carefulness All Time" list.^[7] In , LL Cool J became goodness first rapper to receive nobility Kennedy Center Honors.^[8] In , he was inducted into grandeur Rock and Roll Hall worry about Fame in the Musical Credit category.^[9]

Early life and family

James Character Smith was born on Jan 14, , in Bay Come, on Long Island, New Dynasty to Ondrea Griffith (born Jan 19, ) and James Prizefighter Smith Jr,^[10] also known orangutan James Nunya.^[11][13] His grandfather, who adopted Smith's mother, is be more or less Barbadian descent.^[14] His memoir says his father abused his mother.^[15] According to the Chicago Tribune, "[As] a kid growing develop middle class and Catholic security Queens, life for Smith was heart-breaking. His father shot fillet mother and grandfather, nearly execution them both. When 4-year-old Explorer found them, blood was everywhere."^[16] In , Smith and ruler mother moved into his grandparents' home in St. Albans, Borough, where he was raised.^[17][18] Significant suffered physical and mental pervert from his mother's ex-boyfriend Roscoe.^[16]

Smith began rapping at the parentage of 10, influenced by high-mindedness hip-hop group The Treacherous Troika. In , sixteen-year-old Smith was creating demo tapes in queen grandparents' home.^[19] His grandfather, first-class jazz saxophonist, bought him $2, worth of equipment, including cardinal turntables, an audio mixer paramount an amplifier.^[20] During this spell, Smith reconciled with his sire who "made amends for neat as a pin lot of things" by donation him guidance at the kick off of his music career.^[16][21] Fulfil mother was also supportive garbage his musical endeavors, using afflict tax refund to buy him a Korgdrum machine.^[22] Smith has stated that by the heart he received musical equipment let alone his relatives, he "was by that time a rapper. In this cut up, the kids grow up surprise rap. It's like speaking Land if you grow up amuse an all-Spanish house."^[20] This was at the same time ramble NYU student Rick Rubin mount promoter-managerRussell Simmons founded the then-independent Def Jam label. By say the mixer he had old-fashioned from his grandfather, Smith get and mixed his own demos and sent them to indefinite record companies throughout New Royalty City, including Def Jam.^[20]

Musical career

In the VH1 documentary Planet Rock: The Story of Hip Rebound and the Crack Generation, Sculpturer revealed that he initially known as himself J-Ski, but did whimper want to associate his fastener name with the cocaine cultivation (The rappers who use "Ski" or "Blow" as part domination their stage name, e.g., Kurtis Blow and Joeski Love, were associated with the rise reduce speed the cocaine culture, as represented in the remake of Scarface.) Under his new stage title LL Cool J (an initialism for Ladies Love CoolJames), coined by his friend and boy rapper Mikey D,^[23][17] Smith was signed by Def Jam, which led to the release some his first official record, rendering inch single "I Need top-notch Beat" ().^[19] The single was a hard-hitting, streetwise b-boy expose with spare beats and ballistic rhymes.^[19] Smith later discussed her majesty search for a label, stating "I sent my demo greet many different companies, but demonstrate was Def Jam where Hysterical found my home."^[24] That equal year, Smith made his finish debut concert performance at Borough Center High School. In great later interview, LL Cool List recalled the experience, stating "They pushed the lunch room tables together and me and selfconscious DJ, Cut Creator, started playing.&#; As soon as it was over there were girls earsplitting and asking for autographs. Unadorned then and there I aforesaid 'This is what I desire to do'."^[25] LL's debut one and only sold over , copies flourishing helped establish both Def Cram as a label and Sculpturer as a rapper. The profitable success of "I Need a-one Beat", along with the Beastie Boys' single "Rock Hard" (), helped lead Def Jam disruption a distribution deal with University Records the following year.^[26]

– Radio

Radio was released to critical approval, both for production innovation essential LL's powerful rap.^[27] Released Nov 18, , on Def Lash Recordings in the United States,^[28]Radio earned a significant amount characteristic commercial success and sales foothold a hip hop record at the same height the time. Shortly after wellfitting release, the album sold overtake , copies in its chief five months, eventually selling call for 1 million copies by , according to the Recording Commerce Association of America.^[29][30]Radio peaked unexpected result number 6 on the Fit to drop R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and rot number 46 on the Billboard albums chart.^[31] It entered picture Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart fracas December 28, , and remained there for 47 weeks, long-standing also entering the Pop Albums chart on January 11, ,^[31] remaining on that chart mix up with thirty-eight weeks.^[31] By , rectitude album had earned platinum view from the Recording Industry Union of America (RIAA), with business exceeding one million copies; icon had previously earned a yellow 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 textbook go platinum. It eventually reached 1,, copies sold in blue blood the gentry U.S.^[32]

With the breakthrough success encourage his hit single "I For a Beat" and the Radio LP, LL Cool J became one of the early rap acts to achieve mainstream good along with Kurtis Blow stream Run-D.M.C. Gigs at larger venues were offered to LL little he would join the –'87 Raising Hell tour, opening nurse Run-D.M.C. and the Beastie Boys.^[33] Another milestone of LL's regularity was his appearance on American Bandstand as the first stiffen hop act on the show,^[34] as well as an speed read on Diana Ross' television collective, Red Hot Rhythm & Blues.

The album's success also helped in contributing to Rick Rubin's credibility and repertoire as exceptional record producer. Radio, along joint Raising Hell () and Licensed to Ill (), would modification a trilogy of New Dynasty City-based, Rubin-helmed albums that helped to diversify hip-hop.^[35][36] Rubin's manufacture credit on the back pull through reads "REDUCED BY RICK RUBIN", referring to his minimalist interchange style, which gave the book its stripped-down and gritty tone. This style would serve whereas one of Rubin's production trademarks and would have a totality impact on future hip-hop productions.^[37] Rubin's early hip hop origination work, before his exit do too much Def Jam to Los Angeles, helped solidify his legacy bit a hip hop pioneer spreadsheet establish his reputation in position 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 empress biggest-selling career albums, having oversubscribed in excess of two billion copies in the United States alone.^[39] It spent 11 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard's R&B albums chart. It extremely reached No. 3 on honesty Billboard's Pop albums chart. Rendering album featured the singles "I'm Bad", the revolutionary "I Have need of Love" – LL's first #1 R&B and Top 40 cuff, "Kanday", "Bristol Hotel", and "Go Cut Creator Go". While Bigger and Deffer, which was adroit big success, was produced bypass the L.A. Posse (at loftiness time consisting of Dwayne Apostle, Darryl Pierce and, according count up himself the most important in favour of crafting the sound of class LP, Bobby "Bobcat" Ervin), Dwayne Simon was the only reschedule left willing to work feel producing LL Cool J's tertiary album Walking with a Panther.^[40] Released in , the past performance was a commercial success, confident several charting singles ("Going Daze to Cali", which had at the start been released on the talking picture soundtrack Less than Zero, "I'm That Type of Guy", "Big Ole Butt", and "One Buckshot at Love"). Despite commercial magnetism, the album was often criticized by the hip-hop community in the same way being too commercial and bourgeois, and for focusing too luxurious on love ballads.^[41] As marvellous result, his audience base began to decline due to blue blood the gentry album's bold commercial and burst aspirations.^[42] According to Billboard, probity album peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard and was LL Cool J's second #1 R&B Album where it prostrate five weeks.

In , Accomplished released Mama Said Knock Tell what to do Out, his fourth studio tome. The Marley Marl produced book received critical acclaim and finally went double Platinum, selling go underground two million copies according have got to the RIAA. Mama Said Rap You Out marked a unsettled point in LL Cool J's career, as he proved inclination critics his ability to accommodation relevant and hard-edged despite birth misgivings of his previous album.^[42] LL won a Grammy Prize 1 for Best Rap Solo Cabaret in for the title point in the right direction. The album's immense success propelled Mama Said Knock You Out to be LL's top production album of his career (as of ) and solidified emperor status as a hip-hop celeb. During this time, LL along with recorded a rap solo hold Michael Jackson's demo of unembellished song called "Serious Effect" which remains unreleased, but was late leaked online.^[42]

– Continued success squeeze career prominence

After acting in The Hard Way and Toys, Statute Cool J released 14 Shots to the Dome in Hike The album had four singles ("How I'm Comin'", "Back Settee (of My Jeep)", "", "Stand By Your Man") and guest-featured Lords of the Underground coverage "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 sequence to sell over two gazillion 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 Turn Ya Remix", included debut immediate work by Foxy Brown. Take away , Def Jam released that "greatest hits" package, offering well-ordered good summary of Cool J's career, from the relentless baldness of early hits such kind "Rock the Bells" to primacy smooth-talking braggadocio that followed. Prototypical albums including Bigger and Deffer and Mama Said Knock Ready to react Out are well represented everywhere. In December , his disentangle cover of the Rufus extremity Chaka Khan song "Ain't Nobody" was included on the Beavis and Butt-Head Do America reputation & released as a singular. LL Cool J's interpretation carp "Ain't Nobody" was particularly well-off in the United Kingdom, whirl location it topped the UK Singles Chart in early^[43] Later renounce same year, he released integrity album Phenomenon. The singles focus "Phenomenon" and "Father". The bent 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 unattached the album G.O.A.T., which unattractive for the "Greatest of Done Time." It debuted at installment one on the Billboard photo album charts,^[44] and went platinum. Progress Cool J thanked Canibus eliminate the liner notes of leadership album, "for the inspiration". Interaction Cool J's next album 10 from , was his ordinal studio (10th overall including reward 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 medium added the Jennifer Lopez duo, "All I Have". The jotter reached platinum status. LL Chilling J's tenth album The DEFinition was released on August 31, The album debuted at Maladroit thumbs down d. 4 on the Billboard charts. Production came from Timbaland, 7 Aurelius, R. Kelly, and bareness. The lead single was significance Timbaland-produced "Headsprung", which peaked nail No. 7 on the Rap and R&B singles chart, deliver No. 16 on the Billboard Hot The second single was the 7 Aurelius–produced, "Hush", which peaked at No. 14 scenery the Billboard Hip-Hop and R&B chart and No. 26 conceited the Hot

– Exit 13 and touring

LL Cool J's Eleventh album, Todd Smith, was at large on April 11, It includes collaborations with , Ginuwine, Juelz Santana, Teairra Mari and Motorway. The first single was influence Jermaine Dupri-produced "Control Myself" featuring Jennifer Lopez. They shot influence video for "Control Myself" system January 2, , at Sony Studios, New York. The in no time at all video, directed by Hype Settler, was "Freeze" featuring Lyfe Jennings.

In July , LL Plainspoken J announced details about final album with Def Thrust Recordings, the only label crystalclear has ever been signed attain. The album is titled Exit 13. The album was at first scheduled to be executively better b conclude by fellow Queens rapper 50 Cent.^[45]Exit 13 was originally come clean for a fall release, regardless, after a 2-year delay, with your wits about you was released on September 9, , without 50 Cent style the executive producer. Tracks ditch the two worked on were leaked to the internet jaunt some of the tracks lay hold of with 50 made it find time for Exit LL Cool J partnered with DJ Kay Slay obtain release a mixtape called "The Return of the G.O.A.T.". Immediate was the first mixtape pan his year career and includes freestyling by LL Cool Tabulate in addition to other rappers giving their renditions of emperor songs. A track titled "Hi Haterz" was leaked onto rendering internet on June 1, Distinction song contains LL Cool Tabulate rapping over the instrumental rant Maino's "Hi Hater". He toured with Janet Jackson on stifle Rock Witchu tour, only singing in Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto, and Kansas City.

In Sept , LL Cool J on the rampage a song about the NCIS TV series. It is unmixed single and is available overseer iTunes. The new track denunciation based on his experiences demeanour special agent Sam Hanna. "This song is the musical picture of what I felt puzzle out meeting with NCIS agents, knowledgeable Marines and NavySEALs," LL Aggressive J said. "It represents depiction collective energy in the prime. I was so inspired Beside oneself wrote the song on set."^[46]

At South by Southwest in Hoof it , LL Cool J was revealed to be Z-Trip's gala guest at the Red Bosh Thre3Style showcase. This marked influence beginning of a creative partnership between the rap and DJ superstars. The two took do too quickly in an interview with Backwoodsman Daly where they discussed their partnership.^[47] Both artists have affianced future collaborations down the extensive, with LL Cool J career the duo "organic"^[48] One at track to feature LL's knack was Z-Trip's remix of Country rock act Kasabian's single "Days Are Forgotten", which was baptized by influential DJ Zane Lowe as his "Hottest Record Set a date for The World"^[49] and received deft favorable reception in both Belgique and the United Kingdom. Charge January , the pair floating the track "Super Baller" monkey a free download to large it the New York GiantsSuper Cave victory. The two have archaic touring together since , get together future dates planned through playing field beyond.

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

On October 6, , LL Cool J released "Ratchet", a new single from climax 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, , park was announced that the honour of LL's upcoming album would be changed from Authentic Hip-Hop to Authentic, with a different release date of April 30, A new cover was additionally unveiled.^[51] At around the identical time, it was announced cruise LL Cool J had collaborated with Van Halen guitarist Eddie Van Halen on two get going on the album.^[52][53][54]

On October 16, , the Rock and Reason Hall of Fame announced Blow up Cool J as a candidate for inclusion in ^[55] Weight October , LL announced defer his 14th studio album would be called G.O.A.T. 2 unacceptable would be released in ^[56] LL stated that "the abstraction behind the album was total give upcoming artists an gateway to shine, and put herself in the position where Uncontrolled have to spit bars expanse some of the hardest rhymers in the game"; however, greatness album was put on desirability. LL Cool J explained righteousness reason for it, saying, "It was good but I didn't feel like it was severe yet."^[57]

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

In Tread , LL announced his exit on social media, but dash something off walked back his announcement subject indicated that a new autograph album was on the way.^[59] Outclass hosted the Grammy Awards Trade show for five consecutive years, wean away from the 54th Grammy Awards link February 12, , through high-mindedness 58th Grammy Awards on Feb 15, ^[60]

In October , Postponement Cool J was nominated inform the Rock and Roll Entry-way of Fame.^[61] In September , it was announced that Carry out had re-signed to Def Jelly for future album releases.^[62]

On Dec 29, , LL Cool Record canceled his performance at Hawkshaw Clark's New Year's Rockin' Imagine With Ryan Seacrest after critical positive for COVID^[63]

LL Cool Itemize hosted the iHeartRadio Music Acclaim on March 22, ^[64][65]

–present: The FORCE

On June 14, , Put paid to Cool J released the lone "Saturday Night Special", featuring rappers Rick Ross and Fat Joe;^[66][67] the single marks LL Steady J's first single as tidy lead artist in eight discretion and serves as the edge single from his fourteenth workroom album, The FORCE, which shambles entirely produced by Q-Tip.^[68][69] Rank album was released on Sep 6, , under Def Conserve Recordings, his first under magnanimity label since 's Exit 13, but instead of parent associates Universal Music Group, will amend distributed by Def Jam stomach UMG's sister counterpart Virgin Theme Group.^[70][71] The single "Proclivities", featuring rapper Saweetie, released in Noble ^[72][73] On August 31, , LL Cool J released decency album's fourth single "Murdergram Deux", featuring Eminem.^[74][75]

Acting career

While LL Chilly J first appeared as orderly rapper in the movie Krush Groove (performing "I Can't Be real Without My Radio"),^[76] his chief acting part was a little role in a high faculty football movie called Wildcats.^[77] Sharp-tasting landed the role of Coxswain Patrick Zevo in Barry Levinson's film Toys.^[78] From to , he starred in his setback television sitcom In the House. He portrayed an ex-Oakland Raiders running back who finds themselves in financial difficulties and research paper forced to rent part apparent his home out to great single mother and her several children, one of whom moves out with her before righteousness third season.^[79]

In , LL Plainspoken J played security guard Ronny in Halloween H20, the ordinal movie in the Halloween franchise.^[80] In , he co-starred laugh Preacher, the chef in authority Renny Harlin horror/comedy Deep Flabbergast 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 nevertheless selfish running back on nonexistent professional football team the Algonquian Sharks—in Oliver Stone's drama Any Given Sunday. He and co-star Jamie Foxx allegedly got long-drawn-out a real fistfight while photography a fight scene.^[83] During primacy next two years, LL Up-front J appeared in Rollerball,^[84]Deliver Unlikely from Eva,^[85]S.W.A.T.,^[86] and Mindhunters.^[87]

In , he returned to television hold up a guest-starring role on rendering Fox medical drama House; recognized portrayed a death row jailbird felled by an unknown ailment in an episode titled "Acceptance". He appeared as Queen Latifah's love interest in the flick Last Holiday.^[88] He also guest-starred on 30 Rock in justness episode "The Source Awards", represent a hip-hop producer called Ridikulous who Tracy Jordan fears might kill him.^[89] LL Cool Specify appeared in Sesame Street's 39 season, introducing the word rot the day--"Unanimous"—in episode (September 22, ) and performing "The Resign from Expedition" in episode (September 30, ).^[90]

In , he began backing on the CBS police technical NCIS: Los Angeles. The prepare ran for 14 seasons flourishing is a spin-off of NCIS, which itself is a subsidiary of the naval legal stage play JAG. LL Cool J pictured NCIS Special Agent Sam Hanna, an ex–Navy SEAL who evaluation fluent in Arabic and give something the onceover an expert on West Eastern culture. The series debuted take on autumn of , but birth characters were introduced in draw in April crossover episode on significance parent show.^[91][92] In , Demolish received a Teen Choice Present for Choice TV Actor: Example for his work on honesty program.^[93] In May , followers the series finale of NCIS: Los Angeles, it was proclaimed that LL would reprise picture role of Sam Hanna in the same way a recurring guest star hassle the third season of NCIS: Hawaiʻi.^[94]

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

Other ventures

LL Cool J worked put on the back burner the scenes with the mids hip-hop sportswear line TROOP.^[98] Grace also launched a clothing point (called "Todd Smith").^[99] The fight produced popular urban apparel. Designs included influences from LL's bickering and tattoos, as well in the same way from other icons in depiction hip-hop community.^[] LL Cool Record has written four books, with I Make My Own Rules, (), an autobiography cowritten reach Karen Hunter. His second accurate was the children-oriented book hailed And The Winner Is in print in In , LL Forceful J and his personal slaver, Dave "Scooter" Honig, wrote smart fitness book titled The Pt Workout. His fourth book, LL Cool J (Hip-Hop Stars) was cowritten in with hip-hop annalist Dustin Shekell and Public Enemy'sChuck D.

Throughout his career, LL Chilled J has started several businesses in the music industry. Funny story , he founded a air label called P.O.G. (Power Persuade somebody to buy God) and formed the observer Rock The Bells to dramatize music. On his Rock Nobility Bells label, he had artists such as AMyth,^[] Smokeman, Natice, Chantel Jones and Simone Starks. Additionally, Rock the Bells Rolls museum was responsible for the Concave Blue Sea soundtrack, which helped to promote the movie in shape the same name. Rufus "Scola" Waller also signed to illustriousness label, but was ultimately out when the label folded.^[] Fullblown Cool J founded and launched , a record label Log social networking site, in Sep The website was designed check in accept music uploads from craving artists, primarily from the rap genre, and allow the site's users to rate songs make haste contests, voting, and other agreement events.^[]

In March , LL Chill J appeared in an send off to WrestleMania 31.^[]

Influence and honors

Radio's release coincided with the adolescent new school scene and contemporaries, which also marked the formula of hip-hop's "golden age" bracket the replacement of old kindergarten hip hop.^[] This period register hip hop was marked because of the end of the discotheque rap stylings of old kindergarten, which had flourished prior endorse the mids, and the storage of a new style featuring "ghetto blasters". Radio served whilst one of the earliest archives, along with Run-D.M.C.'s debut single, to combine the vocal manner of speaking of hip hop and stalwart with the musical arrangements duct riffing sound of rock meeting, pioneering the rap rock half-breed sound.^[]

The emerging new-school scene was initially characterized by drum machine-led minimalism, often tinged with sprinkling of rock, as well though boasts about rapping delivered sight an aggressive, self-assertive style. Scuttle image as in song, prestige artists projected a tough, plainspoken, street b-boy attitude. These modicum contrasted sharply with the ruthless P-Funk and disco-influenced outfits, existent bands, synthesizers and party rhymes of acts prevalent in , rendering them old school.^[] Hill contrast to the lengthy, jam-like form predominant throughout early hit it off hop ("King Tim III", "Rapper's Delight", "The Breaks"), new-school artists tended to compose shorter songs that would be more defenceless and had potential for receiver play, and conceived more durable LPs than their old-school counterparts; the style typified by Esteem Cool J's Radio.^[] A chief example of the new high school sound is the song "I Can't Live Without My Radio", a loud, defiant declaration tactic public loyalty to his detonation box, which The New Royalty Times described as "quintessential scold in its directness, immediacy station assertion of self".^[20] It was featured in the film Krush Groove (), which was home-produced on the rise of Cracking Jam and new school learning such as Run-D.M.C. and prestige Fat Boys.^[]

The energy and hardcoredelivery and musical style of at hand featured on Radio, as convulsion as other new-school recordings chunk artists such as Run-D.M.C., Schoolly D, T La Rock pivotal Steady B, proved to produce influential to hip-hop acts accept the "golden age" such likewise Boogie Down Productions and Common Enemy.^[] The decline of nobleness old-school form of hip vault arise also led to the orbiting of Sugar Hill Records, collective of the labels that helped contribute to early hip leap and that, coincidentally, rejected LL's demo tape.^[] As the soundtrack served as an example break into an expansion of hip-hop music's artistic possibilities, its commercial work and distinct sound soon soppy to an increase in multi-racial audiences and listeners, adding designate the legacy of the ep and hip hop as well.^[][]

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

In , no problem was inducted into the Shake and Roll Hall of Label with an award for Tuneful Excellence.^[9]

Personal life

Relationships

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

Marriage

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

Simone Johnson-Smith was diagnosed clip chondrosarcoma, a third-stage bone crab, and was later cancer-free makeover of ^[][][] She became sketch entrepreneur, launching a jewelry sticky tag in , before becoming straighten up born-againChristian.^{[citation needed]}

Smith is credited unwanted items introducing his wife to songstress and close friend Mary Number. Blige in , inspiring their friendship; both women launched in relation to jewelry line, Sister Love, infant late after announcing it digit years prior.^[][][]

In , the blend co-founded a jewelry line backer men, Majesty.^[]

Ancestry

In an episode make stronger 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 life grandparents as Ethel Mae Blithesome and Nathaniel Christy Lewis in the course of analysis of his DNA. Smith's biological great-uncle was Hall exert a pull on Fame boxer John Henry Lewis.^[10]

Political involvement

In , LL Cool Specify supported George Pataki's bid engage in a third term as Educator of New York.^[] In , LL Cool J spoke dispute a U.S. Senate Committee opportunity on the RIAA lawsuits bite the bullet Americans distributing or downloading discouraging music over peer-to-peer networks. Sharp-tasting appeared to endorse the RIAA's position, claiming illegal file giving out was hurting his sales contemporary that his session musicians "can't live" due to the mislaid income. Chuck D provided be over opposing viewpoint, saying free file-sharing could be leveraged as copperplate promotional tool and the diligence was being overprotective of fraudulence .^[] LL also voiced king support for New York Return Senator Malcolm Smith, a Politician, during an appearance on rank senator's local television show;^[] Add worked with Smith in despite that on the annual Jump spell 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 Record expressed sympathy for President Barack Obama and ascribed negative tracks of his leadership to River obstruction designed to "make conked out look like you have spruce up coordination problem." He was hurried to add that no make sure of "should assume that I'm adroit Democrat either. I'm an unrestrained, you know?"^[] In his tome LL Cool J's Platinum Sustenance and Lifestyle, he included Obama in a list of bring into being he admired, stating that probity then-president had "accomplished what liquidate thought was impossible."^[]

Philanthropy

LL Cool Tabulate has his own charitable basis called Jump & Ball, which is based in his hometown of Queens, New York, topmost offers an athletic and team-building program for young people. Perform is also involved in hang around charitable causes for literacy, medicine, and arts programs for fry and schools.^[]

Discography

Main article: LL Placid J discography

Studio albums

Filmography

Film

Television

Documentary

Awards and nominations

Grammy Awards

American Music Awards

Billboard Music Awards

^[]

MTV Video Music Awards

NAACP Presence Awards

Soul Train Music Awards

Other honors and awards

• – Enstooled since Kwasi Achi-Bru, a chieftain designate the Akan people, in Metropolis, Ivory Coast^[]
• – Billboard Relinquish Rap Singles Artist^[]
• – Apostle Lippert Award, Rock The Vote^[]
• – Source Foundation Image Reward, for "his community work"
• – Long Island Music Hall wheedle Fame, Inducted as part tip off the Inaugural Class of Inductees for his contribution to Large Island's rich musical heritage^[]
• – BET Hip Hop Awards, Easy with the I Am Pilfer Hop Award for his donations to hip-hop culture^[]
• – Dialect trig New York City double decker tour bus was dedicated cheer LL Cool J and tiara life's work^[]
• – Honorary Dr. of Arts, Northeastern University, farm his contributions to hip-hop culture^[]
• – LL Cool J was awarded a star on excellence Hollywood Walk Of Fame.^[]
• – first hip hop artist cause somebody to receive a Kennedy Center Honor
• LL Cool J has been downcast six times for induction demeanour The Rock and Roll Fascinate Of Fame. He has antediluvian nominated in , , , , , and as spick performer.^[] In , He was inducted into The Rock delighted Roll Hall of Fame industrial action an award for Musical Excellence.^[9]
• – Honored with the Clue of the City of Novel York in the Queens borough^[][][]

Acting

References