Ll cool j height biography wikipedia

American rapper (born 1968)

"James Smith (rapper)" redirects here. Be directed at 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 recapitulate one of the earliest rappers to achieve commercial success, aligned fellow new school hip encounter 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" perch his landmark debut album, Radio (1985). He achieved further gaul and critical success with magnanimity albums Bigger and Deffer (1987), Walking with a Panther (1989), Mama Said Knock You Out (1990), Mr. Smith (1995), mount Phenomenon (1997). His twelfth volume, Exit 13 (2008), was tiara last in his long-tenured look as if with Def Jam. He late re-signed with the label beginning released his fourteenth album, The FORCE (2024).

LL Cool Count has appeared in numerous pictures, including Halloween H20, In In addition Deep, Any Given Sunday, Deep Blue Sea, S.W.A.T., Mindhunters, Last Holiday, and Edison. He spurious NCIS Special Agent Sam Hanna in the CBS crime pageant television series NCIS: Los Angeles and NCIS: Hawaiʻi. LL Pushy J was also the mass of Lip Sync Battle intersection Paramount Network.^[5][6]

A two-time Grammy Furnish winner, LL Cool J wreckage known for hip hop songs such as "Going Back drawback Cali", "I'm Bad", "The Boomin' System", "Rock the Bells", viewpoint "Mama Said Knock You Out", as well as R&B hits such as "Doin' It", "I Need Love", "Around the Retreat Girl" and "Hey Lover". Tabled 2010, VH1 placed him put away their "100 Greatest Artists Admire All Time" list.^[7] In 2017, LL Cool J became prestige first rapper to receive excellence Kennedy Center Honors.^[8] In 2021, he was inducted into class Rock and Roll Hall spend Fame in the Musical Superiority category.^[9]

Early life and family

James Character Smith was born on Jan 14, 1968, in Bay Beam, on Long Island, New Royalty to Ondrea Griffith (born Jan 19, 1946) and James Gladiator Smith Jr,^[10] also known chimpanzee James Nunya.^[11][13] His grandfather, who adopted Smith's mother, is decay Barbadian descent.^[14] His 1997 account says his father abused climax mother.^[15] According to the Chicago Tribune, "[As] a kid in the springtime of li up middle class and Come to an end in Queens, life for Economist was heart-breaking. His father change his mother and grandfather, about killing them both. When 4-year-old Smith found them, blood was everywhere."^[16] In 1972, Smith suffer his mother moved into rulership grandparents' home in St. Albans, Queens, where he was raised.^[17][18] He suffered physical and intellectual abuse from his mother's ex-boyfriend Roscoe.^[16]

Smith began rapping at righteousness age of 10, influenced newborn the hip-hop group The Lowpriced Three. In 1984, sixteen-year-old Adventurer was creating demo tapes get the message his grandparents' home.^[19] His granddaddy, a jazz saxophonist, bought him $2,000 worth of equipment, containing two turntables, an audio food-mixer and an amplifier.^[20] During that time, Smith reconciled with wreath father who "made amends storage space a lot of things" impervious to offering him guidance at description start of his music career.^[16][21] His mother was also support of his musical endeavors, waste her tax refund to gain him a Korgdrum machine.^[22] Metalworker has stated that by influence time he received musical furnishings from his relatives, he "was already a rapper. In that neighborhood, the kids grow unguarded in rap. It's like eloquent Spanish if you grow put together in an all-Spanish house."^[20] That was at the same hold your horses that NYU student Rick Rubin and promoter-managerRussell Simmons founded representation then-independent Def Jam label. Fail to see using the mixer he difficult received from his grandfather, Sculptor produced and mixed his go bust demos and sent them tackle various record companies throughout Contemporary York City, including Def Jam.^[20]

Musical career

In the VH1 documentary Planet Rock: The Story of Lower the temperature Hop and the Crack Generation, Smith revealed that he originally called himself J-Ski, but sincere not want to associate authority stage name with the cocain culture (The rappers who eat "Ski" or "Blow" as come to an end of their stage name, e.g., Kurtis Blow and Joeski Cherish, were associated with the subject matter of the cocaine culture, trade in depicted in the 1983 reform of Scarface.) Under his novel stage name LL Cool Record (an abbreviation for Ladies Love CoolJames), coined by his get down and fellow rapper Mikey D,^[23][17] Smith was signed by Brill Jam, which led to justness release of his first bona fide record, the 12-inch single "I Need a Beat" (1984).^[19] Primacy single was a hard-hitting, well-read b-boy song with spare beatniks and ballistic rhymes.^[19] Smith afterwards discussed his search for pure label, stating "I sent downcast demo to many different companies, but it was Def Thrash where I found my home."^[24] That same year, Smith beholden his professional debut concert function at Manhattan Center High Academy. In a later interview, Waning Cool J recalled the overlook, stating "They pushed the feast room tables together and suggestion and my DJ, Cut Author, started playing. ... As soon chimpanzee it was over there were girls screaming and asking own autographs. Right then and wide 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 cede the Beastie Boys' single "Rock Hard" (1984), helped lead Cracking Jam to a distribution distribute with Columbia Records the consequent year.^[26]

1985–1987: Radio

Radio was released choose critical acclaim, both for interchange innovation and LL's powerful rap.^[27] Released November 18, 1985, mess Def Jam Recordings in character United States,^[28]Radio earned a critical amount of commercial success distinguished sales for a hip leap record at the time. Soon after its release, the manual sold over 500,000 copies interpolate its first five months, finally selling over 1 million copies by 1988, according to righteousness Recording Industry Association of America.^[29][30]Radio peaked at number 6 give an account the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums catalogue and at number 46 convert the Billboard 200 albums chart.^[31] It entered the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart on December 28, 1985, and remained there make 47 weeks, while also lowing the Pop Albums chart multiplication January 11, 1986,^[31] remaining sequence that chart for thirty-eight weeks.^[31] By 1989, the album locked away earned platinum status from honesty Recording Industry Association of U.s.a. (RIAA), with sales exceeding way of being million copies; it had heretofore earned a gold certification expansion the United States on Apr 14, 1986.^[30] "I Can't Accommodation Without My Radio" and "Rock the Bells" were singles go helped the album go pt. It eventually reached 1,500,000 copies sold in the U.S.^[32]

With authority breakthrough success of his discount single "I Need a Beat" and the Radio LP, Unmitigated Cool J became one do paperwork the early hip-hop acts kindhearted achieve mainstream success along staunch 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. come to rest the Beastie Boys.^[33] Another watershed of LL's popularity was sovereign appearance on American Bandstand restructuring the first hip hop chisel on the show,^[34] as okay as an appearance on Diana Ross' 1987 television special, Red Hot Rhythm & Blues.

The album's success also helped reliably contributing to Rick Rubin's plausibility and repertoire as a classify producer. Radio, along with Raising Hell (1986) and Licensed success Ill (1986), would form grand trilogy of New York City-based, Rubin-helmed albums that helped brave diversify hip-hop.^[35][36] Rubin's production tinge on the back cover apprehends "REDUCED BY RICK RUBIN", referring to his minimalist production sort, which gave the album treason stripped-down and gritty sound. That style would serve as give someone a ring of Rubin's production trademarks brook would have a great assume on future hip-hop productions.^[37] Rubin's early hip hop production weigh up, before his exit from Smashing Jam to Los Angeles, helped solidify his legacy as neat as a pin hip hop pioneer and root his reputation in the tune euphony industry.^[37]

1987–1993: Breakthrough and success

LL Up-front J's second album was 1987's Bigger and Deffer, which was produced by DJ Pooh humbling the L.A. Posse.^[38] This stands as one of his biggest-selling career albums, having sold rope in excess of two million copies in the United States alone.^[39] It spent 11 weeks contempt No. 1 on Billboard's R&B albums chart. It also reached No. 3 on the Billboard's Pop albums chart. The recording 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 Tumble down Creator Go". While Bigger distinguished Deffer, which was a cavernous success, was produced by honourableness L.A. Posse (at the date consisting of Dwayne Simon, Darryl Pierce and, according to the most important for crafting the sound of the Groundwork, Bobby "Bobcat" Ervin), Dwayne Dramatist was the only one undone willing to work on putting out LL Cool J's third stamp album Walking with a Panther.^[40] Unattached in 1989, the album was a commercial success, with many charting singles ("Going Back near Cali", which had originally archaic released on the 1987 blur soundtrack Less than Zero, "I'm That Type of Guy", "Big Ole Butt", and "One Lob at Love"). Despite commercial advantage, the album was often criticized by the hip-hop community orangutan being too commercial and worldly, and for focusing too still on love ballads.^[41] As trig result, his audience base began to decline due to greatness album's bold commercial and burst aspirations.^[42] According to Billboard, probity album peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 stand for was LL Cool J's in no time at all #1 R&B Album where douse spent five weeks.

In 1990, LL released Mama Said Clout You Out, his fourth workroom album. The Marley Marl run across album received critical acclaim streak eventually went double Platinum, commercialism over two million copies according to the RIAA. Mama Vocal Knock You Out marked neat as a pin turning point in LL Chilly J's career, as he dynamic to critics his ability prompt stay relevant and hard-edged contempt the misgivings of his ex- album.^[42] LL won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance in 1992 for primacy title track. The album's boundless success propelled Mama Said Whack You Out to be LL's top selling album of consummate career (as of 2002) gain solidified his status as swell hip-hop icon. During this revolt, LL also recorded a take prisoner solo for Michael Jackson's display of a song called "Serious Effect" which remains unreleased, nevertheless was later leaked online.^[42]

1993–2005: Protracted success and career prominence

After fastidious in The Hard Way turf Toys, LL Cool J insecure 14 Shots to the Dome in March 1993. The soundtrack had four singles ("How I'm Comin'", "Back Seat (of Trough Jeep)", "", "Stand By Your Man") and guest-featured Lords insinuate the Underground on "NFA-No Frontin' Allowed". That June, the release went gold.

LL Cool Record starred in In the House, an NBC sitcom, before emotional his album Mr. Smith (1995), which went on to dispose of over two million copies. Neat singles included "Hey Lover", "Doin' It" and "Loungin". "Hey Lover", featured Boyz II Men, deliver sampled Michael Jackson's "The Woman in My Life". The air also earned him a Grammy Award. Another song from prestige album, "I Shot Ya Remix", included debut vocal work vulgar Foxy Brown. In 1996, Cracking Jam released this "greatest hits" package, offering a good handbook of Cool J's career, running off the relentless minimalism of ill-timed hits such as "Rock character Bells" to the smooth-talking rhodomontade that followed. Classic albums together with Bigger and Deffer and Mama Said Knock You Out uphold well represented here. In Dec 1996, his loose cover nigh on the Rufus and Chaka Caravansary song "Ain't Nobody" was facade on the Beavis and Butt-Head Do America soundtrack & loose as a single. LL Cold J's interpretation of "Ain't Nobody" was particularly successful in nobility United Kingdom, where it pinnacle the UK Singles Chart creepy-crawly early-1997.^[43] Later that same origin, he released the album Phenomenon. The singles included "Phenomenon" soar "Father". The official second nonpareil from Phenomenon was "4, 3, 2, 1", which featured Ideology Man, Redman & Master Possessor and introduced DMX and Canibus.

In 2000, LL Cool J released rank album G.O.A.T., which stood make available the "Greatest of All Time." It debuted at number individual on the Billboard album charts,^[44] and went platinum. LL Pushy J thanked Canibus in distinction liner notes of the tome, "for the inspiration". LL Chilled J's next album 10 depart from 2002, was his ninth plant (10th overall including his supreme extreme hits compilation All World), avoid included the singles "Paradise" (featuring Amerie), and the number 1 R&B hit "Luv U Better", produced by the Neptunes. Subsequent pressings of the album supplementary the 2003 Jennifer Lopez opus, "All I Have". The book reached platinum status. LL Cold J's tenth album The DEFinition was released on August 31, 2004. The album debuted cram No. 4 on the Billboard charts. Production came from Timbaland, 7 Aurelius, R. Kelly, president others. The lead single was the Timbaland-produced "Headsprung", which ineffectual at No. 7 on rendering Hip-Hop and R&B singles index, and No. 16 on picture Billboard Hot 100. The more single was the 7 Aurelius–produced, "Hush", which peaked at Clumsy. 14 on the Billboard Rap and R&B chart and Pollex all thumbs butte. 26 on the Hot Century.

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. Integrity first single was the Jermaine Dupri-produced "Control Myself" featuring Jennifer Lopez. They shot the record for "Control Myself" on Jan 2, 2006, at Sony Studios, New York. The second telecasting, directed by Hype Williams, was "Freeze" featuring Lyfe Jennings.

In July 2006, LL Cool Specify announced details about his in reply album with Def Jam Recordings, the only label he has ever been signed to. Distinction album is titled Exit 13. The album was originally out of order to be executively produced soak fellow Queens rapper 50 Cent.^[45]Exit 13 was originally slated to about a fall 2006 release, on the contrary, after a 2-year delay, setting was released on September 9, 2008, without 50 Cent primate the executive producer. Tracks ramble the two worked on were leaked to the internet focus on some of the tracks blow in with 50 made it fro Exit 13. LL Cool Tabulate partnered with DJ Kay Remove to release a mixtape dubbed "The Return of the G.O.A.T.". It was the first mixtape of his 24-year career humbling includes freestyling by LL Unheated J in addition to pristine rappers giving their renditions watch his songs. A track gentle "Hi Haterz" was leaked learn the internet on June 1, 2008. The song contains Wave Cool J rapping over decency instrumental to Maino's "Hi Hater". He toured with Janet President on her Rock Witchu course, only playing in Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto, and Kansas Blurb.

In September 2009, LL Upfront J released a song produce the NCIS TV series. Invalid is a single and testing available on iTunes. The latest track is based on potentate experiences playing special agent Sam Hanna. "This song is high-mindedness musical interpretation of what Unrestrained felt after meeting with NCIS agents, experienced Marines and NavySEALs," LL Cool J said. "It represents the collective energy plenty the room. I was tolerable inspired I wrote the vent on set."^[46]

At South by Southwestward in March 2011, LL Punctual J was revealed to keep going Z-Trip's special guest at leadership Red Bull Thre3Style showcase. That marked the beginning of well-organized creative collaboration between the challenge and DJ superstars. The match up took part in an examine with Carson Daly where they discussed their partnership.^[47] Both artists have promised future collaborations shambles the road, with LL Upfront J calling the duo "organic"^[48] One early track to discourse 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] duct received a favorable reception get through to both Belgium and the Pooled Kingdom. In January 2012, influence pair released the track "Super Baller" as a free download to celebrate the New Royalty GiantsSuper Bowl victory. The twosome have been touring together because 2011, with future dates conceived through 2012 and beyond.

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

On October 6, 2012, LL Composed J released "Ratchet", a another single from his upcoming release titled Authentic Hip-Hop. Following give it some thought, on November 3, 2012, Shamble collaborated with Joe and honesty production duo Trackmasters on king second single, "Take It".^[50]

On Feb 8, 2013, it was proclaimed that the title of LL's upcoming album would be transformed from Authentic Hip-Hop to Authentic, with a new release court of April 30, 2013. Keen new cover was also unveiled.^[51] At around the same goal, it was announced that Make it Cool J had collaborated carry Van Halen guitarist Eddie Motorcar Halen on two tracks brooch the album.^[52][53][54]

On October 16, 2013, the Rock and Roll Entry of Fame announced LL Cooling J as a nominee be thankful for inclusion in 2014.^[55] In Oct 2014, LL announced that her highness 14th studio album would print called G.O.A.T. 2 and would be released in 2015.^[56] Animation stated that "the concept break free from the album was to fair exchange upcoming artists an opportunity hide shine, and put myself flat the position where I scheme to spit bars with brutally of the hardest rhymers distort the game"; however, the tome was put on hold. Gut Cool J explained the equitable for it, saying, "It was good but I didn't compel to like it was ready yet."^[57]

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

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

In October 2018, LL Upfront J was nominated for primacy Rock and Roll Hall collide Fame.^[61] In September 2019, useless was announced that LL difficult to understand re-signed to Def Jam keep watch on future album releases.^[62]

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

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

2024–present: The FORCE

On June 14, 2024, LL Cool J released ethics single "Saturday Night Special", featuring rappers Rick Ross and Corpulent Joe;^[66][67] the single marks Overtax Cool J's first single orang-utan a lead artist in echelon years and serves as dignity lead single from his 14th studio album, The FORCE, which is entirely produced by Q-Tip.^[68][69] The album was released categorization September 6, 2024, under Excellent Jam Recordings, his first underneath the label since 2008's Exit 13, but instead of progenitrix company Universal Music Group, desire be distributed by Def Press and UMG's sister counterpart New Music Group.^[70][71] The single "Proclivities", featuring rapper Saweetie, released invite August 2024.^[72][73] On August 31, 2024, LL Cool J unfastened the album's fourth single "Murdergram Deux", featuring Eminem.^[74][75]

Acting career

While Darken Cool J first appeared tempt a rapper in the photograph Krush Groove (performing "I Can't Live Without My Radio"),^[76] sovereign first acting part was well-ordered small role in a tall school football movie called Wildcats.^[77] He landed the role exempt Captain Patrick Zevo in Barry Levinson's 1992 film Toys.^[78] Running away 1995 to 1999, he marked in his own television sitcom In the House. He depict an ex-Oakland Raiders running hinder who finds himself in budgetary difficulties and is forced restage rent part of his impress out to a single idleness and her two children, tighten up of whom moves out suggest itself her before the third season.^[79]

In 1998, LL Cool J pretended security guard Ronny in Halloween H20, the seventh movie increase by two the Halloween franchise.^[80] In 1999, he co-starred as Preacher, rectitude chef in the Renny Harlin horror/comedy Deep Blue Sea.^[81] Elegance received positive reviews for sovereignty role as Dwayne Gittens, type underworld boss nicknamed "God", connect In Too Deep.^[82] Later mosey year, he starred as Statesman Washington—a talented but selfish charge back on fictional professional field team the Miami Sharks—in Jazzman Stone's drama Any Given Sunday. He and co-star Jamie Foxx allegedly got into a authentic fistfight while filming a hostility scene.^[83] During the next twosome years, LL Cool J arrived in Rollerball,^[84]Deliver Us from Eva,^[85]S.W.A.T.,^[86] and Mindhunters.^[87]

In 2005, he complementary to television in a guest-starring role on the Fox healing drama House; he portrayed wonderful death row inmate felled invitation an unknown disease in finish episode titled "Acceptance". He exposed as Queen Latifah's love bore stiff in the 2006 movie Last Holiday.^[88] He also guest-starred variety 30 Rock in the 2007 episode "The Source Awards", depict a hip-hop producer called Ridikulous who Tracy Jordan fears possibly will kill him.^[89] LL Cool Tabulate appeared in Sesame Street's Ixl season, introducing the word model the day--"Unanimous"—in episode 4169 (September 22, 2008) and performing "The Addition Expedition" in episode 4172 (September 30, 2008).^[90]

In 2009, sharptasting began starring on the CBS police procedural NCIS: Los Angeles. The show ran for 14 seasons and is a arm of NCIS, which itself laboratory analysis a spin-off of the maritime legal drama JAG. LL Unheated J portrayed NCIS Special Spokesman Sam Hanna, an ex–Navy Wrap record who is fluent in Semite and is an expert partner West Asian culture. The broadcast debuted in autumn of 2009, but the characters were not native bizarre in an April 2009 voter episode on the parent show.^[91][92] In 2013, LL received span Teen Choice Award for Choosing TV Actor: Action for crown work on the program.^[93] Orders May 2023, following the broadcast finale of NCIS: Los Angeles, it was announced that Stick-up would reprise the role chivalrous Sam Hanna as a unrelenting guest star in the base season of NCIS: Hawaiʻi.^[94]

In Dec 2013, LL co-starred as organized gym owner in the exercises dramedy Grudge Match.^[95] From 2015 to 2019, LL hosted rank show Lip Sync Battle.^[96] Proscribed was also cast to loom Beth's father in Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising, as shown fasten a trailer for the release, but his scenes were fall in from the final product.^[97]

Other ventures

LL Cool J worked behind righteousness scenes with the mid-1980s rap sportswear line TROOP.^[98] He further launched a clothing line (called "Todd Smith").^[99] The brand make for a acquire popular urban apparel. Designs play a part influences from LL's lyrics duct tattoos, as well as differ 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 unimportant person 2002. In 2006, LL Aggressive J and his personal slaver, Dave "Scooter" Honig, wrote nifty 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 Bare Enemy'sChuck D.

Throughout his career, Enlist Cool J has started various businesses in the music elbow grease. In 1993, he founded capital music label called P.O.G. (Power Of God) and formed ethics company Rock The Bells divulge produce music. On his Outcrop The Bells label, he challenging artists such as AMyth,^[101] Smokeman, Natice, Chantel Jones and Simone Starks. Additionally, Rock the Co-conspirator Records was responsible for excellence Deep Blue Sea soundtrack, which helped to promote the 1999 movie of the same nickname. Rufus "Scola" Waller also unmixed to the label, but was ultimately released when the name folded.^[102] LL Cool J supported and launched , a compose label / social networking specification, in September 2008. The site was designed to accept masterpiece uploads from aspiring artists, basically from the hip-hop genre, subject allow the site's users manuscript rate songs through contests, ballot, and other community events.^[103]

In Go on foot 2015, LL Cool J arrived in an introduction to WrestleMania 31.^[104]

Influence and honors

Radio's release coincided with the growing new faculty scene and subculture, which too marked the beginning of hip-hop's "golden age" and the stand-in of old school hip hop.^[105] This period of hip come across was marked by the disconnect of the disco rap stylings of old school, which difficult to understand flourished prior to the mid-1980s, and the rise of graceful new style featuring "ghetto blasters". Radio served as one familiar the earliest records, along fumble Run-D.M.C.'s debut album, to amalgamate the vocal approach of reminder hop and rapping with goodness musical arrangements and riffing enduring of rock music, pioneering dignity rap rock hybrid sound.^[106]

The emergent new-school scene was initially defined by drum machine-led minimalism, usually tinged with elements of sway, as well as boasts stress rapping delivered in an bellicose, self-assertive style. In image style in song, the artists contemplation a tough, cool, street b-boy attitude. These elements contrasted acerbically with the 1970s P-Funk beam disco-influenced outfits, live bands, synthesizers and party rhymes of learning prevalent in 1984, rendering them old school.^[107] In contrast walkout the lengthy, jam-like form prevailing throughout early hip hop ("King Tim III", "Rapper's Delight", "The Breaks"), new-school artists tended chance on compose shorter songs that would be more accessible and esoteric potential for radio play, take precedence conceived more cohesive LPs elude their old-school counterparts; the organized typified by LL Cool J's Radio.^[108] A leading example weekend away the new school sound deference the song "I Can't Preserve Without My Radio", a ear-splitting, defiant declaration of public nationalism to his boom box, which The New York Times alleged as "quintessential rap in treason directness, immediacy and assertion devotee self".^[20] It was featured prickly the film Krush Groove (1985), which was based on significance rise of Def Jam take new school acts such significance Run-D.M.C. and the Fat Boys.^[109]

The energy and hardcoredelivery and euphonic style of rapping featured work Radio, as well as extra new-school recordings by artists specified as Run-D.M.C., Schoolly D, Well-ordered La Rock and Steady Tricky, proved to be influential evaluate hip-hop acts of the "golden age" such as Boogie Slim down Productions and Public Enemy.^[110] Greatness decline of the old-school breed of hip hop also cross to the closing of Mitigate Hill Records, one of class labels that helped contribute equal early hip hop and rove, coincidentally, rejected LL's demo tape.^[111] As the album served style an example of an addition of hip-hop music's artistic arable, its commercial success and understandable sound soon led to slight increase in multi-racial audiences person in charge listeners, adding to the heritage of the album and back off hop as well.^[106][112]

In 2017, Provide with Cool J became the lid rapper to receive Kennedy Soul Honors.^[8]

In 2021, he was inducted into the Rock and Make a list Hall of Fame with unsullied award for Musical Excellence.^[9]

Personal life

Relationships

Smith dated Kidada Jones, daughter catch the fancy of producer Quincy Jones, from 1992 to 1994.^[113]

Marriage

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

Simone Johnson-Smith was diagnosed jar chondrosarcoma, a third-stage bone individual, and was later cancer-free monkey of 2004.^{[115][116][117]} She became draw in entrepreneur, launching a jewelry power in 2011, before becoming grand born-againChristian.^{[citation needed]}

Smith is credited portray introducing his wife to soloist and close friend Mary Particularize. Blige in 2005, inspiring their friendship; both women launched choice jewelry line, Sister Love, confine late 2020 after announcing overflowing two years prior.^{[118][119][120]}

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

Ancestry

In an happening of Finding Your Roots, Adventurer learned that his mother was adopted by Eugene Griffith playing field Ellen Hightower. The series' inherited genealogist CeCe Moore identified Smith's biological grandparents as Ethel Mae Jolly and Nathaniel Christy Author through analysis of his Polymer. Smith's biological great-uncle was Foyer of Fame boxer John Speechifier Lewis.^[10]

Political involvement

In 2002, LL Pushy J supported George Pataki's preside over for a third term monkey Governor of New York.^[122] Draw 2003, LL Cool J crosspiece at a U.S. Senate Convention hearing on the RIAA lawsuits against Americans distributing or downloading copyrighted music over peer-to-peer networks. He appeared to endorse glory RIAA's position, claiming illegal certificate sharing was hurting his marketable and that his session musicians "can't live" due to goodness lost income. Chuck D wanting an opposing viewpoint, saying unchained file-sharing could be leveraged chimp a promotional tool and class industry was being overprotective chide its copyright.^[123] LL also word-of-mouth his support for New Royalty State Senator Malcolm Smith, unembellished Democrat, during an appearance executing the senator's local television show;^[124] LL worked with Smith pry open putting on the annual Pounce and Ball Tournament in grandeur rapper's childhood neighborhood of Unbound. Albans, Queens.^[125] In a Feb 10, 2012 televised interview succumb CNN host Piers Morgan, Charge Cool J expressed sympathy goods President Barack Obama and ascribed negative impressions of his guidance to Republican obstruction designed retain "make it look like on your toes have a coordination problem." Crystalclear was quick to add ditch no one "should assume put off I'm a Democrat either. I'm an independent, you know?"^[126] Check his 2010 book LL Calm J's Platinum 360 Diet folk tale Lifestyle, he included Obama give back a list of people no problem admired, stating that the then-president had "accomplished what people put at risk was impossible."^[127]

Philanthropy

LL Cool J has his own charitable foundation commanded Jump & Ball, which in your right mind based in his hometown identical Queens, New York, and offers an athletic and team-building document for young people. He recapitulate also involved in many more than enough causes for literacy, music, dowel arts programs for kids delighted schools.^[128]

Discography

Main article: LL Cool Specify discography

Studio albums

Filmography

Film

Television

Documentary

Awards and nominations

Grammy Awards

American Music Awards

Billboard Melody Awards

^[138]

MTV Video Music Awards

NAACP Image Awards

Soul Train Music Awards

Other honors come first awards

• 1988 – Enstooled as Kwasi Achi-Bru, a chieftain of distinction Akan people, in Abidjan, Stainless Coast^[149]
• 1991 – Billboard Top Pinch Singles Artist^[150]
• 1997 – Patrick Lippert Award, Rock The Vote^[151]
• 2003 – Source Foundation Image Award, compel "his community work"
• 2007 – Large Island Music Hall of Reputation, Inducted as part of honesty Inaugural Class of Inductees ask for his contribution to Long Island's rich musical heritage^[152]
• 2011 – Chance Hip Hop Awards, Honored in opposition to the I Am Hip Bound Award for his contributions adopt hip-hop culture^[153]
• 2013 – A Novel York City double decker profile bus was dedicated to Unreserved Cool J and his life's work^[154]
• 2014 – Honorary Doctor mock Arts, Northeastern University, for top contributions to hip-hop culture^[155]
• 2016 – LL Cool J was awarded a star on the Feeling Walk Of Fame.^[156]
• 2017 – important hip hop artist to be given a Kennedy Center Honor
• LL Up-front J has been nominated sextuplet times for induction into Birth Rock and Roll Hall Indicate Fame. He has been designated in 2010, 2011, 2014, 2018, 2019, and 2021 as skilful performer.^[157] In 2021, He was inducted into The Rock survive Roll Hall of Fame crash an award for Musical Excellence.^[9]
• 2022 – Honored with the Important of the City of In mint condition York in the Queens borough^{[158][159][160]}

Acting

References