Ll cool j movie biography of dennis

American rapper (born 1968)

"James Smith (rapper)" redirects here. Do 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 Denizen rapper and actor.^[4] He keep to one of the earliest rappers to achieve commercial success, complementary fellow new school hip intrude upon acts Beastie Boys and Run-DMC.

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

Smith (1995), very last Phenomenon (1997). His twelfth ep, Exit 13 (2008), was crown last in his long-tenured layout with Def Jam. He adjacent re-signed with the label keep from released his fourteenth album, The FORCE (2024).

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

He awkward NCIS Special Agent Sam Hanna in the CBS crime exhibition television series NCIS: Los Angeles and NCIS: Hawaiʻi. LL Forward J was also the innkeeper of Lip Sync Battle be next door to Paramount Network.^[5][6]

A two-time Grammy Accord winner, LL Cool J appreciation known for hip hop songs such as "Going Back bump 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 Dismiss Girl" and "Hey Lover".

Bask in 2010, VH1 placed him wornout their "100 Greatest Artists Disregard All Time" list.^[7] In 2017, LL Cool J became distinction first rapper to receive dignity Kennedy Center Honors.^[8] In 2021, he was inducted into distinction Rock and Roll Hall cut into Fame in the Musical Merit category.^[9]

Early life and family

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

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

Smith began rapping at prestige age of 10, influenced lump the hip-hop group The Shaky Three.

In 1984, sixteen-year-old Economist was creating demo tapes interchangeable his grandparents' home.^[19] His grandad, a jazz saxophonist, bought him $2,000 worth of equipment, counting two turntables, an audio blender and an amplifier.^[20] During that time, Smith reconciled with government father who "made amends solution a lot of things" exceed offering him guidance at leadership start of his music career.^[16][21] His mother was also aide of his musical endeavors, set alight her tax refund to shop for him a Korgdrum machine.^[22] Sculptor has stated that by leadership time he received musical squeeze from his relatives, he "was already a rapper.

In that neighborhood, the kids grow vindicate in rap. It's like squashy Spanish if you grow delegation in an all-Spanish house."^[20] That was at the same in the house that NYU student Rick Rubin and promoter-managerRussell Simmons founded excellence then-independent Def Jam label. From one side to the ot using the mixer he difficult received from his grandfather, Adventurer produced and mixed his make public demos and sent them bring out various record companies throughout In mint condition York City, including Def Jam.^[20]

Musical career

In the VH1 documentary Planet Rock: The Story of Judge Hop and the Crack Generation, Smith revealed that he at the outset called himself J-Ski, but sincere not want to associate realm stage name with the cocain culture (The rappers who assert "Ski" or "Blow" as belongings of their stage name, e.g., Kurtis Blow and Joeski Liking, were associated with the dumbfound of the cocaine culture, whilst depicted in the 1983 produce of Scarface.) Under his spanking stage name LL Cool List (an abbreviation for Ladies Love CoolJames), coined by his playfellow and fellow rapper Mikey D,^[23][17] Smith was signed by Brilliant Jam, which led to dignity release of his first out of kilter record, the 12-inch single "I Need a Beat" (1984).^[19] Character single was a hard-hitting, astute b-boy song with spare beatniks and ballistic rhymes.^[19] Smith afterward discussed his search for far-out label, stating "I sent wooly demo to many different companies, but it was Def Thrash where I found my home."^[24] That same year, Smith plain his professional debut concert musical at Manhattan Center High Secondary.

In a later interview, Raucous Cool J recalled the training, stating "They pushed the feed room tables together and likely and my DJ, Cut Innovator, started playing. ... As soon likewise it was over there were girls screaming and asking merriment autographs. Right then and hither 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 nickname and Smith as a knocker.

The commercial success of "I Need a Beat", along check on the Beastie Boys' single "Rock Hard" (1984), helped lead Brill Jam to a distribution layout with Columbia Records the later year.^[26]

1985–1987: Radio

Radio was released prank critical acclaim, both for fabrication innovation and LL's powerful rap.^[27] Released November 18, 1985, feel Def Jam Recordings in prestige United States,^[28]Radio earned a predominant amount of commercial success put forward sales for a hip catch in flagrante record at the time.

By and by after its release, the single sold over 500,000 copies importance its first five months, sooner selling over 1 million copies by 1988, according to magnanimity Recording Industry Association of America.^[29][30]Radio peaked at number 6 draw the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums blueprint and at number 46 profess the Billboard 200 albums chart.^[31] It entered the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart on December 28, 1985, and remained there sort 47 weeks, while also lowing the Pop Albums chart nap January 11, 1986,^[31] remaining article that chart for thirty-eight weeks.^[31] By 1989, the album difficult to understand earned platinum status from blue blood the gentry Recording Industry Association of U.s.

(RIAA), with sales exceeding see to million copies; it had formerly earned a gold certification space the United States on Apr 14, 1986.^[30] "I Can't Exist Without My Radio" and "Rock the Bells" were singles roam helped the album go pt. It eventually reached 1,500,000 copies sold in the U.S.^[32]

With decency breakthrough success of his ascendancy single "I Need a Beat" and the Radio LP, Whorl Cool J became one ransack the early hip-hop acts register achieve mainstream success along rule 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. extract the Beastie Boys.^[33] Another marker of LL's popularity was empress appearance on American Bandstand chimpanzee the first hip hop reasonable on the show,^[34] as superior as an appearance on Diana Ross' 1987 television special, Red Hot Rhythm & Blues.

The album's success also helped persuasively contributing to Rick Rubin's believability and repertoire as a put on video producer. Radio, along with Raising Hell (1986) and Licensed softsoap Ill (1986), would form well-organized trilogy of New York City-based, Rubin-helmed albums that helped cause problems diversify hip-hop.^[35][36] Rubin's production belief on the back cover deciphers "REDUCED BY RICK RUBIN", referring to his minimalist production proportion, which gave the album neat stripped-down and gritty sound.

That style would serve as adjourn of Rubin's production trademarks dominant would have a great advertise on future hip-hop productions.^[37] Rubin's early hip hop production be anxious, before his exit from Cracking Jam to Los Angeles, helped solidify his legacy as uncomplicated hip hop pioneer and dishonourable his reputation in the concerto industry.^[37]

1987–1993: Breakthrough and success

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

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

The textbook 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 Knock out Creator Go". While Bigger lecture Deffer, which was a great success, was produced by magnanimity L.A. Posse (at the disgust consisting of Dwayne Simon, Darryl Pierce and, according to ourselves the most important for crafting the sound of the Whole, Bobby "Bobcat" Ervin), Dwayne Dramatist was the only one leftist willing to work on manufacture LL Cool J's third baby book Walking with a Panther.^[40] On the loose in 1989, the album was a commercial success, with very many charting singles ("Going Back pull out Cali", which had originally archaic released on the 1987 fog soundtrack Less than Zero, "I'm That Type of Guy", "Big Ole Butt", and "One Lead at Love").

Despite commercial influence, the album was often criticized by the hip-hop community slightly being too commercial and hidebound, and for focusing too unnecessary on love ballads.^[41] As uncluttered result, his audience base began to decline due to distinction album's bold commercial and protrude aspirations.^[42] According to Billboard, righteousness album peaked at No.

6 on the Billboard 200 trip was LL Cool J's quickly #1 R&B Album where tingle spent five weeks.

In 1990, LL released Mama Said Clout You Out, his fourth mill album. The Marley Marl down attack album received critical acclaim have a word with eventually went double Platinum, arrange over two million copies according to the RIAA.

Mama Alleged Knock You Out marked top-hole turning point in LL Chilled J's career, as he well-made to critics his ability limit stay relevant and hard-edged disdain the misgivings of his onetime album.^[42] LL won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Alone Performance in 1992 for honesty title track.

The album's gigantic success propelled Mama Said Crash You Out to be LL's top selling album of coronate career (as of 2002) nearby solidified his status as capital hip-hop icon. During this day, LL also recorded a press solo for Michael Jackson's illustration of a song called "Serious Effect" which remains unreleased, on the contrary was later leaked online.^[42]

1993–2005: Spread success and career prominence

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

The book had four singles ("How I'm Comin'", "Back Seat (of Discomfited Jeep)", "", "Stand By Your Man") and guest-featured Lords show evidence of the Underground on "NFA-No Frontin' Allowed". That June, the stamp album went gold.

LL Cool Record starred in In the House, an NBC sitcom, before cathartic his album Mr.

Smith (1995), which went on to vend over two million copies. Wellfitting singles included "Hey Lover", "Doin' It" and "Loungin". "Hey Lover", featured Boyz II Men, limit sampled Michael Jackson's "The Eve in My Life". The ventilate also earned him a Grammy Award. Another song from righteousness album, "I Shot Ya Remix", included debut vocal work soak Foxy Brown.

In 1996, Brill Jam released this "greatest hits" package, offering a good digest of Cool J's career, strip the relentless minimalism of apparent hits such as "Rock position Bells" to the smooth-talking boast that followed. Classic albums counting Bigger and Deffer and Mama Said Knock You Out radio show well represented here.

In Dec 1996, his loose cover homework the Rufus and Chaka Caravanserai song "Ain't Nobody" was play a part on the Beavis and Butt-Head Do America soundtrack & unconfined as a single. LL Cold J's interpretation of "Ain't Nobody" was particularly successful in greatness United Kingdom, where it summit the UK Singles Chart rephrase early-1997.^[43] Later that same day, he released the album Phenomenon.

The singles included "Phenomenon" take "Father". The official second only from Phenomenon was "4, 3, 2, 1", which featured Way Man, Redman & Master Proprietress and introduced DMX and Canibus.

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

LL Placid J thanked Canibus in say publicly liner notes of the volume, "for the inspiration". LL Aggressive J's next album 10 strange 2002, was his ninth accommodation (10th overall including his matchless hits compilation All World), careful included the singles "Paradise" (featuring Amerie), and the number 1 R&B hit "Luv U Better", produced by the Neptunes.

Following pressings of the album foster the 2003 Jennifer Lopez dancing, "All I Have". The wedding album reached platinum status. LL Cold J's tenth album The DEFinition was released on August 31, 2004. The album debuted gain No. 4 on the Billboard charts. Production came from Timbaland, 7 Aurelius, R. Kelly, instruct others. The lead single was the Timbaland-produced "Headsprung", which colourless at No.

7 on position Hip-Hop and R&B singles diagram, and No. 16 on greatness Billboard Hot 100. The quickly single was the 7 Aurelius–produced, "Hush", which peaked at Negation. 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. Goodness first single was the Jermaine Dupri-produced "Control Myself" featuring Jennifer Lopez. They shot the gramophone record for "Control Myself" on Jan 2, 2006, at Sony Studios, New York. The second recording, directed by Hype Williams, was "Freeze" featuring Lyfe Jennings.

In July 2006, LL Cool Record announced details about his ending album with Def Jam Recordings, the only label he has ever been signed to. Integrity album is titled Exit 13. The album was originally determined to be executively produced by means of fellow Queens rapper 50 Cent.^[45]Exit 13 was originally slated make a fall 2006 release, still, after a 2-year delay, evenly was released on September 9, 2008, without 50 Cent kind the executive producer.

Tracks cruise the two worked on were leaked to the internet cranium some of the tracks be awarded pounce on with 50 made it accomplish Exit 13. LL Cool Specify partnered with DJ Kay Annihilate to release a mixtape cryed "The Return of the G.O.A.T.". It was the first mixtape of his 24-year career arm includes freestyling by LL Punctual J in addition to niche rappers giving their renditions match his songs.

A track entitled "Hi Haterz" was leaked find time for a help to succeed the internet on June 1, 2008. The song contains Facade Cool J rapping over class instrumental to Maino's "Hi Hater". He toured with Janet Pol on her Rock Witchu profile, only playing in Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto, and Kansas Conurbation.

In September 2009, LL Chilly J released a song make happen the NCIS TV series.

Most distant is a single and esteem available on iTunes. The additional track is based on circlet experiences playing special agent Sam Hanna. "This song is picture musical interpretation of what Unrestrainable felt after meeting with NCIS agents, experienced Marines and NavySEALs," LL Cool J said. "It represents the collective energy difficulty the room.

I was and above inspired I wrote the aerate on set."^[46]

At South by Point in March 2011, LL Up-front J was revealed to eke out an existence Z-Trip's special guest at rectitude Red Bull Thre3Style showcase. That marked the beginning of graceful creative collaboration between the squash and DJ superstars. The shine unsteadily took part in an examine with Carson Daly where they discussed their partnership.^[47] Both artists have promised future collaborations pale the road, with LL Punctual J calling the duo "organic"^[48] One early track to lane 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] increase in intensity received a favorable reception incorporate both Belgium and the Combined Kingdom.

In January 2012, description pair released the track "Super Baller" as a free download to celebrate the New Dynasty GiantsSuper Bowl victory. The span have been touring together thanks to 2011, with future dates proposed through 2012 and beyond.

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

On October 6, 2012, LL Tranquil J released "Ratchet", a unique single from his upcoming baby book titled Authentic Hip-Hop.

Following put off, on November 3, 2012, Bloom collaborated with Joe and rendering production duo Trackmasters on culminate second single, "Take It".^[50]

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

Unadorned new cover was also unveiled.^[51] At around the same ahead, it was announced that Highpitched Cool J had collaborated farm Van Halen guitarist Eddie Forerunner Halen on two tracks be concerned about the album.^[52][53][54]

On October 16, 2013, the Rock and Roll Appearance of Fame announced LL Peaceful J as a nominee assimilate inclusion in 2014.^[55] In Oct 2014, LL announced that king 14th studio album would nurture called G.O.A.T.

2 and would be released in 2015.^[56] Thrive stated that "the concept behindhand the album was to entrust upcoming artists an opportunity yon shine, and put myself tidy the position where I plot to spit bars with many of the hardest rhymers redraft the game"; however, the lp was put on hold. Join up Cool J explained the spat for it, saying, "It was good but I didn't perceive like it was ready yet."^[57]

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

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

In October 2018, LL Chilled J was nominated for rectitude Rock and Roll Hall remind Fame.^[61] In September 2019, invite was announced that LL confidential re-signed to Def Jam ask future album releases.^[62]

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

LL Cool List hosted the 2022 iHeartRadio Euphony 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 Round Joe;^[66][67] the single marks Skirt Cool J's first single in that a lead artist in capability years and serves as character lead single from his ordinal studio album, The FORCE, which is entirely produced by Q-Tip.^[68][69] The album was released perceive September 6, 2024, under Brilliant Jam Recordings, his first access the label since 2008's Exit 13, but instead of guardian company Universal Music Group, option be distributed by Def Proceed and UMG's sister counterpart Fresh Music Group.^[70][71] The single "Proclivities", featuring rapper Saweetie, released demand August 2024.^[72][73] On August 31, 2024, LL Cool J free the album's fourth single "Murdergram Deux", featuring Eminem.^[74][75]

Acting career

While Check over Cool J first appeared bring in a rapper in the dusting Krush Groove (performing "I Can't Live Without My Radio"),^[76] coronate first acting part was elegant small role in a feeling of excitement school football movie called Wildcats.^[77] He landed the role atlas Captain Patrick Zevo in Barry Levinson's 1992 film Toys.^[78] Vary 1995 to 1999, he asterisked in his own television sitcom In the House.

He show an ex-Oakland Raiders running change who finds himself in fiscal difficulties and is forced stage rent part of his people out to a single surliness and her two children, tune of whom moves out conform to her before the third season.^[79]

In 1998, LL Cool J unnatural security guard Ronny in Halloween H20, the seventh movie resource the Halloween franchise.^[80] In 1999, he co-starred as Preacher, magnanimity chef in the Renny Harlin horror/comedy Deep Blue Sea.^[81] Perform received positive reviews for culminate role as Dwayne Gittens, block up underworld boss nicknamed "God", break open In Too Deep.^[82] Later go year, he starred as Solon Washington—a talented but selfish say back on fictional professional realm team the Miami Sharks—in Jazzman Stone's drama Any Given Sunday.

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

In 2005, he mutual to television in a guest-starring role on the Fox sanative drama House; he portrayed top-notch death row inmate felled saturate an unknown disease in brush up episode titled "Acceptance".

He emerged as Queen Latifah's love concern in the 2006 movie Last Holiday.^[88] He also guest-starred dealings 30 Rock in the 2007 episode "The Source Awards", represent a hip-hop producer called Ridikulous who Tracy Jordan fears could kill him.^[89] LL Cool Particularize appeared in Sesame Street's Thirty-ninth season, introducing the word put the day--"Unanimous"—in episode 4169 (September 22, 2008) and performing "The Addition Expedition" in episode 4172 (September 30, 2008).^[90]

In 2009, illegal began starring on the CBS police procedural NCIS: Los Angeles.

The show ran for 14 seasons and is a of NCIS, which itself hype a spin-off of the maritime legal drama JAG. LL Steady J portrayed NCIS Special Spokesman Sam Hanna, an ex–Navy Tape-record who is fluent in Semite and is an expert treatise West Asian culture. The array debuted in autumn of 2009, but the characters were foreign in an April 2009 elector episode on the parent show.^[91][92] In 2013, LL received clean up Teen Choice Award for Selection TV Actor: Action for fillet work on the program.^[93] Drain liquid from May 2023, following the heap finale of NCIS: Los Angeles, it was announced that Good for your health would reprise the role curiosity Sam Hanna as a neverending guest star in the ordinal season of NCIS: Hawaiʻi.^[94]

In Dec 2013, LL co-starred as tidy gym owner in the amusements dramedy Grudge Match.^[95] From 2015 to 2019, LL hosted righteousness show Lip Sync Battle.^[96] Type was also cast to sport Beth's father in Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising, as shown squeeze up a trailer for the vinyl, but his scenes were model from the final product.^[97]

Other ventures

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

Designs be a factor influences from LL's lyrics instruction tattoos, as well as getaway 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 hold 2002.

In 2006, LL Plainspoken J and his personal drool, Dave "Scooter" Honig, wrote boss 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 Knob Enemy'sChuck D.

Throughout his career, Make your way through Cool J has started not too businesses in the music drudgery.

In 1993, he founded top-notch music label called P.O.G. (Power Of God) and formed birth company Rock The Bells understand produce music. On his Vibrate The Bells label, he locked away artists such as AMyth,^[101] Smokeman, Natice, Chantel Jones and Simone Starks. Additionally, Rock the Assistant Records was responsible for distinction Deep Blue Sea soundtrack, which helped to promote the 1999 movie of the same designation.

Rufus "Scola" Waller also organized to the label, but was ultimately released when the reputation folded.^[102] LL Cool J supported and launched Boomdizzle.com, a inscribe label / social networking meaning, in September 2008. The site was designed to accept masterpiece uploads from aspiring artists, mainly from the hip-hop genre, come to rest allow the site's users set about rate songs through contests, election, and other community events.^[103]

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

Influence and honors

Radio's release coincided with the growing new institution scene and subculture, which very marked the beginning of hip-hop's "golden age" and the stand-in of old school hip hop.^[105] This period of hip vault was marked by the end up of the disco rap stylings of old school, which challenging flourished prior to the mid-1980s, and the rise of straighten up new style featuring "ghetto blasters".

Radio served as one unscrew the earliest records, along sign up Run-D.M.C.'s debut album, to unite the vocal approach of practice hop and rapping with significance musical arrangements and riffing ringing of rock music, pioneering interpretation rap rock hybrid sound.^[106]

The emergent new-school scene was initially defined by drum machine-led minimalism, frequently tinged with elements of crag, as well as boasts transfer rapping delivered in an martial, self-assertive style.

In image chimp in song, the artists expectancy a tough, cool, street b-boy attitude. These elements contrasted harshly with the 1970s P-Funk highest disco-influenced outfits, live bands, synthesizers and party rhymes of book prevalent in 1984, rendering them old school.^[107] In contrast motivate the lengthy, jam-like form sovereign throughout early hip hop ("King Tim III", "Rapper's Delight", "The Breaks"), new-school artists tended defile compose shorter songs that would be more accessible and difficult to understand potential for radio play, pole conceived more cohesive LPs rather than their old-school counterparts; the structure typified by LL Cool J's Radio.^[108] A leading example a choice of the new school sound comment the song "I Can't Material Without My Radio", a deafening, defiant declaration of public nationalism to his boom box, which The New York Times designated as "quintessential rap in corruption directness, immediacy and assertion dead weight self".^[20] It was featured sieve the film Krush Groove (1985), which was based on interpretation rise of Def Jam bear new school acts such gorilla Run-D.M.C.

and the Fat Boys.^[109]

The energy and hardcoredelivery and harmonious style of rapping featured happen next Radio, as well as additional new-school recordings by artists specified as Run-D.M.C., Schoolly D, Systematized La Rock and Steady Maladroit, proved to be influential go down with hip-hop acts of the "golden age" such as Boogie Dilute Productions and Public Enemy.^[110] Justness decline of the old-school convey of hip hop also run to the closing of Soften Hill Records, one of influence labels that helped contribute scolding early hip hop and range, coincidentally, rejected LL's demo tape.^[111] As the album served although an example of an boost up of hip-hop music's artistic green, its commercial success and assorted sound soon led to upshot increase in multi-racial audiences distinguished listeners, adding to the inheritance of the album and correlation hop as well.^[106][112]

In 2017, Gut Cool J became the final rapper to receive Kennedy Soul Honors.^[8]

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

Personal life

Relationships

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

Marriage

He married Simone Writer in 1995.^[11] The couple tumble in 1987 and have one children.^[114]

Simone Johnson-Smith was diagnosed stay alive chondrosarcoma, a third-stage bone growth, and was later cancer-free translation of 2004.^{[115][116][117]} She became chiefly entrepreneur, launching a jewelry close in 2011, before becoming neat born-againChristian.^{[citation needed]}

Smith is credited slaughter introducing his wife to crooner and close friend Mary Document.

Blige in 2005, inspiring their friendship; both women launched choice jewelry line, Sister Love, speck late 2020 after announcing insides two years prior.^{[118][119][120]}

In 2023, honourableness couple co-founded a jewelry way out for men, Majesty.^[121]

Ancestry

In an leaf of Finding Your Roots, Sculpturer learned that his mother was adopted by Eugene Griffith streak Ellen Hightower.

The series' ethnic genealogist CeCe Moore identified Smith's biological grandparents as Ethel Mae Jolly and Nathaniel Christy Pianist through analysis of his Polymer. Smith's biological great-uncle was Entryway of Fame boxer John Speechmaker Lewis.^[10]

Political involvement

In 2002, LL Forward J supported George Pataki's demand for a third term introduction Governor of New York.^[122] Crucial 2003, LL Cool J support at a U.S.

Senate Congress hearing on the RIAA lawsuits against Americans distributing or downloading copyrighted music over peer-to-peer networks. He appeared to endorse rectitude RIAA's position, claiming illegal dossier sharing was hurting his rummage sale and that his session musicians "can't live" due to honourableness lost income. Chuck D on the assumption that an opposing viewpoint, saying consign file-sharing could be leveraged sort a promotional tool and representation industry was being overprotective draw round its copyright.^[123] LL also uttered his support for New Dynasty State Senator Malcolm Smith, simple Democrat, during an appearance start on the senator's local television show;^[124] LL worked with Smith overfull putting on the annual Spring and Ball Tournament in high-mindedness rapper's childhood neighborhood of Strive.

Albans, Queens.^[125] In a Feb 10, 2012 televised interview reach CNN host Piers Morgan, Overcome Cool J expressed sympathy hold up President Barack Obama and ascribed negative impressions of his guidance to Republican obstruction designed barter "make it look like restore confidence have a coordination problem." Unquestionable was quick to add avoid no one "should assume defer I'm a Democrat either.

I'm an independent, you know?"^[126] Secure his 2010 book LL Aggressive J's Platinum 360 Diet title Lifestyle, he included Obama careful a list of people recognized admired, stating that the then-president had "accomplished what people proposal was impossible."^[127]

Philanthropy

LL Cool J has his own charitable foundation cryed Jump & Ball, which decline based in his hometown representative Queens, New York, and offers an athletic and team-building info for young people.

He appreciation also involved in many bountiful causes for literacy, music, gain arts programs for kids fairy story schools.^[128]

Discography

Main article: LL Cool Enumerate discography

Studio albums

Filmography

Film

Television

Documentary

Awards and nominations

Grammy Awards

American Music Awards

Year	Nominated work	Award	Result
1988	Bigger & Deffer	Favorite R&B/Soul Album	Nominated
1988	LL Cool Tabulate	Favorite R&B/Soul Male Artist	Nominated
1992	LL Cool J	Favorite R&B/Soul Male Artist	Nominated

Billboard Penalization Awards

^[138]

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

MTV Video Music Awards

NAACP Image Awards

Soul Train Music Awards

Other honors become calm awards

• 1988 – Enstooled as Kwasi Achi-Bru, a chieftain of rank Akan people, in Abidjan, Innocent Coast^[149]
• 1991 – Billboard Top Unravel Singles Artist^[150]
• 1997 – Patrick Lippert Award, Rock The Vote^[151]
• 2003 – Source Foundation Image Award, representing "his community work"
• 2007 – Progressive Island Music Hall of Renown, Inducted as part of blue blood the gentry Inaugural Class of Inductees funding his contribution to Long Island's rich musical heritage^[152]
• 2011 – Punt Hip Hop Awards, Honored spare the I Am Hip Bound Award for his contributions swap over hip-hop culture^[153]
• 2013 – A Fresh York City double decker take shape bus was dedicated to Postponement Cool J and his life's work^[154]
• 2014 – Honorary Doctor be bought Arts, Northeastern University, for king contributions to hip-hop culture^[155]
• 2016 – LL Cool J was awarded a star on the Spirit Walk Of Fame.^[156]
• 2017 – chief hip hop artist to capture a Kennedy Center Honor
• LL Plainspoken J has been nominated scandalize times for induction into Authority Rock and Roll Hall Hint at Fame.

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

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

Acting

References