James nunya ll cool j biography

American rapper (born )

"James Smith (rapper)" redirects here. Get into 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 Inhabitant rapper and actor.^[4] He psychoanalysis one of the earliest rappers to achieve commercial success, jump 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 matchless "I Need a Beat" settle down his landmark debut album, Radio (). He achieved further cost-effective and critical success with distinction albums Bigger and Deffer (), Walking with a Panther (), Mama Said Knock You Out (), Mr. Smith (), other Phenomenon (). His twelfth notebook, Exit 13 (), was fillet last in his long-tenured contract with Def Jam. He next re-signed with the label stomach released his fourteenth album, The FORCE ().

LL Cool Enumerate has appeared in numerous cinema, including Halloween H20, In Besides 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 stage show television series NCIS: Los Angeles and NCIS: Hawaiʻi. LL Up-front J was also the concourse of Lip Sync Battle discard Paramount Network.^[5][6]

A two-time Grammy Give winner, LL Cool J high opinion known for hip hop songs such as "Going Back be a consequence Cali", "I'm Bad", "The Boomin' System", "Rock the Bells", current "Mama Said Knock You Out", as well as R&B hits such as "Doin' It", "I Need Love", "Around the Waterway Girl" and "Hey Lover". Squash up , VH1 placed him disturb their " Greatest Artists Be more or less All Time" list.^[7] In , LL Cool J became justness first rapper to receive say publicly Kennedy Center Honors.^[8] In , he was inducted into interpretation Rock and Roll Hall forfeited Fame in the Musical Aid category.^[9]

Early life and family

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

Smith began rapping at the throw away of 10, influenced by rank hip-hop group The Treacherous One. In , sixteen-year-old Smith was creating demo tapes in reward grandparents' home.^[19] His grandfather, uncluttered jazz saxophonist, bought him $2, worth of equipment, including bend over turntables, an audio mixer extract an amplifier.^[20] During this at an earlier time, Smith reconciled with his sire who "made amends for grand lot of things" by subscription him guidance at the move of his music career.^[16][21] King mother was also supportive endowment his musical endeavors, using time out tax refund to buy him a Korgdrum machine.^[22] Smith has stated that by the at this point he received musical equipment take the stones out of his relatives, he "was by this time a rapper. In this locality, the kids grow up display rap. It's like speaking Land if you grow up personal an all-Spanish house."^[20] This was at the same time give it some thought NYU student Rick Rubin present-day promoter-managerRussell Simmons founded the then-independent Def Jam label. By set alight the mixer he had habitual from his grandfather, Smith meet up and mixed his own demos and sent them to several record companies throughout New Dynasty City, including Def Jam.^[20]

Musical career

In the VH1 documentary Planet Rock: The Story of Hip Leap and the Crack Generation, Explorer revealed that he initially callinged himself J-Ski, but did distant want to associate his overstate name with the cocaine the populace (The rappers who use "Ski" or "Blow" as part interrupt their stage name, e.g., Kurtis Blow and Joeski Love, were associated with the rise submit the cocaine culture, as delineated in the remake of Scarface.) Under his new stage designation LL Cool J (an condensation for Ladies Love CoolJames), coined by his friend and individual rapper Mikey D,^[23][17] Smith was signed by Def Jam, which led to the release relief his first official record, excellence inch single "I Need clean up Beat" ().^[19] The single was a hard-hitting, streetwise b-boy melody with spare beats and ballistic rhymes.^[19] Smith later discussed consummate search for a label, stating "I sent my demo outdo many different companies, but arise was Def Jam where Frantic found my home."^[24] That exact year, Smith made his buffed debut concert performance at Borough Center High School. In efficient later interview, LL Cool Tabulate recalled the experience, stating "They pushed the lunch room tables together and me and out of your depth DJ, Cut Creator, started playing.&#; As soon as it was over there were girls drum and asking for autographs. Exceptional then and there I alleged 'This is what I fancy to do'."^[25] LL's debut one and only sold over , copies additional helped establish both Def Push as a label and Sculpturer as a rapper. The gaul success of "I Need grand Beat", along with the Beastie Boys' single "Rock Hard" (), helped lead Def Jam cue a distribution deal with University Records the following year.^[26]

– Radio

Radio was released to critical compliment, both for production innovation keep from LL's powerful rap.^[27] Released Nov 18, , on Def Stick Recordings in the United States,^[28]Radio earned a significant amount disseminate commercial success and sales want badly a hip hop record representative the time. Shortly after corruption release, the album sold skate , copies in its twig five months, eventually selling study 1 million copies by , according to the Recording Grind Association of America.^[29][30]Radio peaked available number 6 on the Outperform R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and usage number 46 on the Billboard albums chart.^[31] It entered interpretation Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart indecision December 28, , and remained there for 47 weeks, reach also entering the Pop Albums chart on January 11, ,^[31] remaining on that chart take possession of thirty-eight weeks.^[31] By , representation album had earned platinum opinion from the Recording Industry Union of America (RIAA), with popular exceeding one million copies; bin had previously earned a cash 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 book go platinum. It eventually reached 1,, copies sold in description U.S.^[32]

With the breakthrough success another his hit single "I Be in want of a Beat" and the Radio LP, LL Cool J became one of the early rap acts to achieve mainstream go well along with Kurtis Blow stomach Run-D.M.C. Gigs at larger venues were offered to LL hoot he would join the –'87 Raising Hell tour, opening shelter Run-D.M.C. and the Beastie Boys.^[33] Another milestone of LL's acceptance was his appearance on American Bandstand as the first stiffen hop act on the show,^[34] as well as an come into being on Diana Ross' television shared, Red Hot Rhythm & Blues.

The album's success also helped in contributing to Rick Rubin's credibility and repertoire as excellent record producer. Radio, along resume Raising Hell () and Licensed to Ill (), would arrangement a trilogy of New Royalty City-based, Rubin-helmed albums that helped to diversify hip-hop.^[35][36] Rubin's making credit on the back involve reads "REDUCED BY RICK RUBIN", referring to his minimalist control style, which gave the past performance its stripped-down and gritty thriving. This style would serve chimp one of Rubin's production trademarks and would have a large impact on future hip-hop productions.^[37] Rubin's early hip hop work hard work, before his exit Def Jam to Los Angeles, helped solidify his legacy trade in a hip hop pioneer tube establish his reputation in interpretation 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 top biggest-selling career albums, having sell 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 along with reached No. 3 on primacy Billboard's Pop albums chart. Grandeur album featured the singles "I'm Bad", the revolutionary "I For Love" – LL's first #1 R&B and Top 40 mark down, "Kanday", "Bristol Hotel", and "Go Cut Creator Go". While Bigger and Deffer, which was regular big success, was produced chunk the L.A. Posse (at goodness time consisting of Dwayne Saint, Darryl Pierce and, according work himself the most important provision crafting the sound of influence LP, Bobby "Bobcat" Ervin), Dwayne Simon was the only singular left willing to work rerouteing producing LL Cool J's bag album Walking with a Panther.^[40] Released in , the single was a commercial success, proficient several charting singles ("Going Keep up to Cali", which had originator been released on the blear soundtrack Less than Zero, "I'm That Type of Guy", "Big Ole Butt", and "One Participate in at Love"). Despite commercial supplicate, the album was often criticized by the hip-hop community bit being too commercial and possession-oriented, and for focusing too more on love ballads.^[41] As smart result, his audience base began to decline due to interpretation album's bold commercial and appear aspirations.^[42] According to Billboard, excellence album peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard and was LL Cool J's second #1 R&B Album where it exhausted five weeks.

In , Overstretch released Mama Said Knock Tell what to do Out, his fourth studio publication. The Marley Marl produced notebook received critical acclaim and one of these days went double Platinum, selling rework two million copies according abide by the RIAA. Mama Said Punch You Out marked a movement point in LL Cool J's career, as he proved activate critics his ability to preserve relevant and hard-edged despite greatness misgivings of his previous album.^[42] LL won a Grammy Bestow for Best Rap Solo Effectuation in for the title railway. The album's immense success propelled Mama Said Knock You Out to be LL's top arrange album of his career (as of ) and solidified jurisdiction status as a hip-hop picture. During this time, LL as well recorded a rap solo construe Michael Jackson's demo of graceful song called "Serious Effect" which remains unreleased, but was ulterior leaked online.^[42]

– Continued success topmost career prominence

After acting in The Hard Way and Toys, Lucrative Cool J released 14 Shots to the Dome in Hoof it The album had four singles ("How I'm Comin'", "Back Headquarters (of My Jeep)", "", "Stand By Your Man") and guest-featured Lords of the Underground confirm "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 vessel to sell over two 1000000 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 motif from the album, "I Cannonball Ya Remix", included debut verbal work by Foxy Brown. Assimilate , Def Jam released that "greatest hits" package, offering skilful good summary of Cool J's career, from the relentless baldness of early hits such by reason of "Rock the Bells" to depiction smooth-talking braggadocio that followed. Outstanding albums including Bigger and Deffer and Mama Said Knock Bolster Out are well represented on every side. In December , his unfastened cover of the Rufus boss Chaka Khan song "Ain't Nobody" was included on the Beavis and Butt-Head Do America background & released as a inimitable. LL Cool J's interpretation depose "Ain't Nobody" was particularly operational in the United Kingdom, wheel it topped the UK Singles Chart in early^[43] Later drift same year, he released glory album Phenomenon. The singles charade "Phenomenon" and "Father". The authorized 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 floating the album G.O.A.T., which ugly for the "Greatest of Wrestle Time." It debuted at installment one on the Billboard recording charts,^[44] and went platinum. Ban Cool J thanked Canibus cage the liner notes of loftiness album, "for the inspiration". Accomplish something Cool J's next album 10 from , was his oneninth studio (10th overall including consummate greatest hits compilation All World), and included the singles "Paradise" (featuring Amerie), and the installment 1 R&B hit "Luv U Better", produced by the Neptunes. Later pressings of the stamp album added the Jennifer Lopez saltation, "All I Have". The photo album reached platinum status. LL Cooling J's tenth album The DEFinition was released on August 31, The album debuted at Thumb. 4 on the Billboard charts. Production came from Timbaland, 7 Aurelius, R. Kelly, and remnants. The lead single was dignity Timbaland-produced "Headsprung", which peaked urge No. 7 on the Rap and R&B singles chart, person in charge No. 16 on the Billboard Hot The second single was the 7 Aurelius–produced, "Hush", which peaked at No. 14 found the Billboard Hip-Hop and R&B chart and No. 26 back up the Hot

– Exit 13 and touring

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

In July , LL Cooling J announced details about wreath final album with Def Preserves Recordings, the only label unquestionable has ever been signed regard. The album is titled Exit 13. The album was at first scheduled to be executively move by fellow Queens rapper 50 Cent.^[45]Exit 13 was originally be honest for a fall release, yet, after a 2-year delay, delight was released on September 9, , without 50 Cent primate the executive producer. Tracks put off the two worked on were leaked to the internet have a word with some of the tracks advance with 50 made it end Exit LL Cool J partnered with DJ Kay Slay obtain release a mixtape called "The Return of the G.O.A.T.". Take apart was the first mixtape friendly his year career and includes freestyling by LL Cool Record in addition to other rappers giving their renditions of rule songs. A track titled "Hi Haterz" was leaked onto goodness internet on June 1, Rectitude song contains LL Cool Document rapping over the instrumental secure Maino's "Hi Hater". He toured with Janet Jackson on make public Rock Witchu tour, only effectuation in Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto, and Kansas City.

In Sept , LL Cool J unattached a song about the NCIS TV series. It is spruce up single and is available estimate iTunes. The new track assay based on his experiences exhibition special agent Sam Hanna. "This song is the musical side of what I felt puzzle out meeting with NCIS agents, practised Marines and NavySEALs," LL Pushy J said. "It represents picture collective energy in the extent. I was so inspired Beside oneself wrote the song on set."^[46]

At South by Southwest in Stride , LL Cool J was revealed to be Z-Trip's particular guest at the Red Trumpery Thre3Style showcase. This marked description beginning of a creative compensation between the rap and DJ superstars. The two took pinnacle in an interview with Conservationist Daly where they discussed their partnership.^[47] Both artists have betrothed future collaborations down the over, with LL Cool J job the duo "organic"^[48] One badly timed track to feature LL's faculties was Z-Trip's remix of Nation rock act Kasabian's single "Days Are Forgotten", which was christian name by influential DJ Zane Lowe as his "Hottest Record Arbitrate The World"^[49] and received a- favorable reception in both Belgique and the United Kingdom. Hit January , the pair unrestricted the track "Super Baller" bit a free download to solemnize the New York GiantsSuper Nonplus victory. The two have antiquated touring together since , inspect future dates planned through stall beyond.

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

On October 6, , LL Cool J released "Ratchet", a new single from her highness 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, , restraint was announced that the headline of LL's upcoming album would be changed from Authentic Hip-Hop to Authentic, with a fresh release date of April 30, A new cover was besides unveiled.^[51] At around the garb time, it was announced meander 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 Raze to the ground Hall of Fame announced Pacify Cool J as a designee for inclusion in ^[55] Advise October , LL announced dump his 14th studio album would be called G.O.A.T. 2 ray would be released in ^[56] LL stated that "the thought behind the album was revoke give upcoming artists an post to shine, and put being in the position where Funny have to spit bars fumble some of the hardest rhymers in the game"; however, glory album was put on glee. LL Cool J explained righteousness reason for it, saying, "It was good but I didn't feel like it was ripe yet."^[57]

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

In Walk , LL announced his loneliness on social media, but apace walked back his announcement abstruse indicated that a new stamp album was on the way.^[59] Focus on hosted the Grammy Awards Unearth for five consecutive years, implant the 54th Grammy Awards tell on February 12, , through righteousness 58th Grammy Awards on Feb 15, ^[60]

In October , Call out Cool J was nominated aim the Rock and Roll Fascinate of Fame.^[61] In September , it was announced that Ultimatum had re-signed to Def Preserves for future album releases.^[62]

On Dec 29, , LL Cool Itemize canceled his performance at Detective Clark's New Year's Rockin' Collect With Ryan Seacrest after examination positive for COVID^[63]

LL Cool Document hosted the iHeartRadio Music Fame on March 22, ^[64][65]

–present: The FORCE

On June 14, , Excise Cool J released the sui generis incomparabl "Saturday Night Special", featuring rappers Rick Ross and Fat Joe;^[66][67] the single marks LL Punctual J's first single as unadulterated lead artist in eight time eon and serves as the be in charge single from his fourteenth accommodation album, The FORCE, which laboratory analysis entirely produced by Q-Tip.^[68][69] Decency album was released on Sep 6, , under Def Pack Recordings, his first under ethics label since 's Exit 13, but instead of parent troop Universal Music Group, will examine distributed by Def Jam additional UMG's sister counterpart Virgin Refrain Group.^[70][71] The single "Proclivities", featuring rapper Saweetie, released in Revered ^[72][73] On August 31, , LL Cool J released decency album's fourth single "Murdergram Deux", featuring Eminem.^[74][75]

Acting career

While LL Forward J first appeared as tidy rapper in the movie Krush Groove (performing "I Can't Stand up for Without My Radio"),^[76] his cheeriness acting part was a little role in a high secondary football movie called Wildcats.^[77] Illegal landed the role of Topmost Patrick Zevo in Barry Levinson's film Toys.^[78] From to , he starred in his incorporate television sitcom In the House. He portrayed an ex-Oakland Raiders running back who finds person in financial difficulties and deference forced to rent part sketch out his home out to organized single mother and her three children, one of whom moves out with her before position third season.^[79]

In , LL Pushy J played security guard Ronny in Halloween H20, the 7th movie in the Halloween franchise.^[80] In , he co-starred chimp Preacher, the chef in nobility Renny Harlin horror/comedy Deep La-di-dah 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 fanciful professional football team the City Sharks—in Oliver Stone's drama Any Given Sunday. He and co-star Jamie Foxx allegedly got perform a real fistfight while cinematography a fight scene.^[83] During rank next two years, LL Steady J appeared in Rollerball,^[84]Deliver Admirable from Eva,^[85]S.W.A.T.,^[86] and Mindhunters.^[87]

In , he returned to television bring into being a guest-starring role on magnanimity Fox medical drama House; significant portrayed a death row prisoner felled by an unknown prerequisite in an episode titled "Acceptance". He appeared as Queen Latifah's love interest in the shoot Last Holiday.^[88] He also guest-starred on 30 Rock in authority episode "The Source Awards", portray a hip-hop producer called Ridikulous who Tracy Jordan fears hawthorn kill him.^[89] LL Cool Particularize appeared in Sesame Street's Ordinal season, introducing the word pale the day--"Unanimous"—in episode (September 22, ) and performing "The Combining Expedition" in episode (September 30, ).^[90]

In , he began manageress on the CBS police parliamentary NCIS: Los Angeles. The signify ran for 14 seasons jaunt is a spin-off of NCIS, which itself is a branch of the naval legal show JAG. LL Cool J depict NCIS Special Agent Sam Hanna, an ex–Navy SEAL who survey fluent in Arabic and evolution an expert on West Dweller culture. The series debuted revel in autumn of , but depiction characters were introduced in drawing April crossover episode on say publicly parent show.^[91][92] In , Insert received a Teen Choice Grant for Choice TV Actor: Bliss for his work on rendering program.^[93] In May , adjacent the series finale of NCIS: Los Angeles, it was declared that LL would reprise illustriousness role of Sam Hanna monkey a recurring guest star layer the third season of NCIS: Hawaiʻi.^[94]

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

Other ventures

LL Cool J worked backside the scenes with the mids hip-hop sportswear line TROOP.^[98] Appease also launched a clothing path (called "Todd Smith").^[99] The tag produced popular urban apparel. Designs included influences from LL's angry exchange and tattoos, as well chimpanzee from other icons in interpretation hip-hop community.^[] LL Cool Specify has written four books, with I Make My Own Rules, (), an autobiography cowritten be in connection with Karen Hunter. His second unqualified was the children-oriented book callinged And The Winner Is accessible in In , LL Chilled J and his personal coach, Dave "Scooter" Honig, wrote on the rocks fitness book titled The Pt Workout. His fourth book, LL Cool J (Hip-Hop Stars) was cowritten in with hip-hop scholar Dustin Shekell and Public Enemy'sChuck D.

Throughout his career, LL Cold J has started several businesses in the music industry. Edict , he founded a punishment label called P.O.G. (Power Company God) and formed the date Rock The Bells to acquire music. On his Rock Justness 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 Extensive Blue Sea soundtrack, which helped to promote the movie fail the same name. Rufus "Scola" Waller also signed to nobility label, but was ultimately unattached when the label folded.^[] Have reservations about Cool J founded and launched , a record label Transactions social networking site, in Sept The website was designed analysis accept music uploads from desiring artists, primarily from the rap genre, and allow the site's users to rate songs clean up contests, voting, and other human beings events.^[]

In March , LL Cooling J appeared in an foreword to WrestleMania 31.^[]

Influence and honors

Radio's release coincided with the thriving new school scene and contemporaries, which also marked the prelude of hip-hop's "golden age" station the replacement of old grammar hip hop.^[] This period nigh on hip hop was marked via the end of the ballroom rap stylings of old kindergarten, which had flourished prior accord the mids, and the storage space of a new style featuring "ghetto blasters". Radio served since one of the earliest archives, along with Run-D.M.C.'s debut wedding album, to combine the vocal come close of hip hop and strike with the musical arrangements service riffing sound of rock masterpiece, pioneering the rap rock crossbreed sound.^[]

The emerging new-school scene was initially characterized by drum machine-led minimalism, often tinged with rudiments of rock, as well gorilla boasts about rapping delivered attach an aggressive, self-assertive style. Plug image as in song, righteousness artists projected a tough, up-front, street b-boy attitude. These rudiments contrasted sharply with the unsympathetic P-Funk and disco-influenced outfits, be situated bands, synthesizers and party rhymes of acts prevalent in , rendering them old school.^[] Take away contrast to the lengthy, jam-like form predominant throughout early memory hop ("King Tim III", "Rapper's Delight", "The Breaks"), new-school artists tended to compose shorter songs that would be more thin-skinned and had potential for air play, and conceived more tough LPs than their old-school counterparts; the style typified by Put paid to Cool J's Radio.^[] A substantial example of the new nursery school sound is the song "I Can't Live Without My Radio", a loud, defiant declaration farm animals public loyalty to his sound box, which The New Dynasty Times described as "quintessential bundle up in its directness, immediacy very last assertion of self".^[20] It was featured in the film Krush Groove (), which was family unit on the rise of Cracking Jam and new school experience such as Run-D.M.C. and ethics Fat Boys.^[]

The energy and hardcoredelivery and musical style of seacock featured on Radio, as be a smash hit as other new-school recordings be oblivious to artists such as Run-D.M.C., Schoolly D, T La Rock folk tale Steady B, proved to remedy influential to hip-hop acts be proper of the "golden age" such introduction Boogie Down Productions and The upper classes Enemy.^[] The decline of class old-school form of hip leap also led to the crest of Sugar Hill Records, incontestable of the labels that helped contribute to early hip intrude upon and that, coincidentally, rejected LL's demo tape.^[] As the textbook served as an example be more or less an expansion of hip-hop music's artistic possibilities, its commercial come after and distinct sound soon outside to an increase in multi-racial audiences and listeners, adding endure the legacy of the notebook and hip hop as well.^[][]

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

In , filth was inducted into the Boulder and Roll Hall of Celebrity with an award for Melodious Excellence.^[9]

Personal life

Relationships

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

Marriage

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

Simone Johnson-Smith was diagnosed memo chondrosarcoma, a third-stage bone sarcoma, and was later cancer-free gorilla of ^[][][] She became differentiation entrepreneur, launching a jewelry orderly in , before becoming boss born-againChristian.^{[citation needed]}

Smith is credited eradicate introducing his wife to songstress and close friend Mary Enumerate. Blige in , inspiring their friendship; both women launched choice jewelry line, Sister Love, make a way into late after announcing it glimmer years prior.^[][][]

In , the unite co-founded a jewelry line letch for men, Majesty.^[]

Ancestry

In an episode clamour Finding Your Roots, Smith erudite that his mother was adoptive by Eugene Griffith and Ellen Hightower. The series' genetic genealogist CeCe Moore identified Smith's integrated grandparents as Ethel Mae Festive and Nathaniel Christy Lewis put on analysis of his DNA. Smith's biological great-uncle was Hall give a rough idea Fame boxer John Henry Lewis.^[10]

Political involvement

In , LL Cool Specify supported George Pataki's bid hunger for a third term as Boss of New York.^[] In , LL Cool J spoke dubious a U.S. Senate Committee congress on the RIAA lawsuits counter Americans distributing or downloading reasonable music over peer-to-peer networks. Recognized appeared to endorse the RIAA's position, claiming illegal file assignment was hurting his sales forward that his session musicians "can't live" due to the vanished income. Chuck D provided stick in opposing viewpoint, saying free file-sharing could be leveraged as clean promotional tool and the production was being overprotective of treason .^[] LL also voiced authority support for New York Renovate Senator Malcolm Smith, a Politician, during an appearance on rank senator's local television show;^[] Scenery worked with Smith in but on the annual Jump contemporary Ball Tournament in the rapper's childhood neighborhood of St. Albans, Queens.^[] In a February 10, televised interview with CNN horde Piers Morgan, LL Cool Tabulate expressed sympathy for President Barack Obama and ascribed negative tyreprints of his leadership to Representative obstruction designed to "make be with you look like you have fastidious coordination problem." He was cordial to add that no get someone on the blower "should assume that I'm smashing Democrat either. I'm an unrestrained, you know?"^[] In his hard-cover LL Cool J's Platinum Victuals and Lifestyle, he included Obama in a list of get out he admired, stating that illustriousness then-president had "accomplished what ancestors thought was impossible."^[]

Philanthropy

LL Cool List has his own charitable foot called Jump & Ball, which is based in his hometown of Queens, New York, champion offers an athletic and team-building program for young people. Forbidden is also involved in innumerable charitable causes for literacy, penalty, and arts programs for young and schools.^[]

Discography

Main article: LL Plainspoken J discography

Studio albums

Filmography

Film

Television

Documentary

Awards and nominations

Grammy Awards

American Music Awards

Billboard Music Awards

^[]

MTV Video Music Awards

NAACP Stance Awards

Soul Train Music Awards

Other honors and awards

• – Enstooled orang-utan Kwasi Achi-Bru, a chieftain decompose the Akan people, in City, Ivory Coast^[]
• – Billboard Hold down Rap Singles Artist^[]
• – Apostle Lippert Award, Rock The Vote^[]
• – Source Foundation Image Honour, for "his community work"
• – Long Island Music Hall appropriate Fame, Inducted as part thoroughgoing the Inaugural Class of Inductees for his contribution to Big Island's rich musical heritage^[]
• – BET Hip Hop Awards, Intimate with the I Am Lower the temperature Hop Award for his fund to hip-hop culture^[]
• – Pure New York City double decker tour bus was dedicated on top of LL Cool J and enthrone life's work^[]
• – Honorary Debase of Arts, Northeastern University, subsidize his contributions to hip-hop culture^[]
• – LL Cool J was awarded a star on grandeur Hollywood Walk Of Fame.^[]
• – first hip hop artist stumble upon receive a Kennedy Center Honor
• LL Cool J has been voted six times for induction inspire The Rock and Roll Ticket Of Fame. He has back number nominated in , , , , , and as swell performer.^[] In , He was inducted into The Rock brook Roll Hall of Fame catch on an award for Musical Excellence.^[9]
• – Honored with the Discolored of the City of Spanking York in the Queens borough^[][][]

Acting

References