James Todd Smith better known as
LL Cool J (
abbreviationAn abbreviation is a shortened form of a word or phrase. Usually, but not always, it consists of a letter or group of letters taken from the word or phrase...
for
Ladies
Love
Cool James), is an American rapper, entrepreneur, and actor. He is known for romantic ballads such as "
I Need Love"I Need Love" was the second single from LL Cool J's second album, Bigger and Deffer. The song is considered the first rap ballad and was released in September 1987...
", "
Around the Way Girl"Around The Way Girl" is a hit single by LL Cool J from his 1990 album Mama Said Knock You Out.The song is about LL searching for a girl who is streetwise. The single samples Mary Jane Girls' "All Night Long", Keni Burke's "Risin' To the Top", and Honeydrippers' "Impeach the President", which is...
" and "
Hey Lover"Hey Lover" is the Grammy Award winning first single released from LL Cool J's sixth album, Mr. Smith, featuring Boyz II Men. It was released on October 31, 1995 for Def Jam Recordings and was produced by The Trackmasters and LL Cool J...
" as well as pioneering hip-hop such as "
I Can't Live Without My Radio"I Can't Live Without My Radio" is the lead single from LL Cool J's debut album, Radio. It was released in 1985 for Def Jam Recordings and was both written and produced by LL Cool J and Rick Rubin. The song found modest success, making it to #15 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks...
", "
I'm Bad"I'm Bad" is the first single from LL Cool J's second album, Bigger and Deffer. It was released in 1987 for Def Jam Recordings and was produced by the production group, The L.A. Posse and LL Cool J himself, with Russell Simmons executive producing the single...
", "
The Boomin' System"The Boomin' System" was the first single released from LL Cool J's fourth album, Mama Said Knock You Out. It was released on August 2, 1990, for Def Jam Recordings, produced by Marley Marl and co-produced by LL Cool J. "The Boomin' System" was the first of the six singles released from the album...
", and "Mama Said Knock You Out". He has released thirteen studio albums and two greatest hits compilations, including 2008's
Exit 13, the last for his record deal with
Def Jam RecordingsDef Jam Recordings is an American record label, focused primarily on hip hop and urban music, owned by Universal Music Group, and operates as a part of The Island Def Jam Motown Music Group...
. He has also appeared in numerous films, and currently stars as
NCISThe United States Naval Criminal Investigative Service is the primary security, counter-intelligence, counter-terrorism, and law enforcement agency of the United States Department of the Navy...
Special Agent Sam Hanna on the
CBSCBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
crime drama television series
NCIS: Los Angeles.
Early life
James Todd Smith was born January 14, 1968 in Bay Shore, New York, to James and Ondrea Smith. Todd, as he was called, did not have a very happy childhood. His mother began to date a young physical therapist she met while in the hospital. The therapist treated Ondrea kindly, but for years he abused Todd physically and verbally, which resulted in Todd becoming a bully himself. It was during this period that he started wearing hats all the time. Fortunately, Ondrea finally discovered what this man was doing to her son and left him.
As he grew older, Todd found a way to escape the effects of his abuse and his bullying attitude: hip-hop music. He fell in love with it at the age of nine, and by 11 he was writing lyrics and making his own songs with some DJ equipment his grandmother gave him to stop him riding motorcycles or doing karate.
Influenced by
Grandmaster FlashJoseph Saddler better known as King Grandmaster Flash, is an American hip hop musician and DJ; one of the pioneers of hip-hop DJing, cutting, and mixing....
,
Afrika BambaataaAfrika Bambaataa is an American DJ from the South Bronx, New York who was instrumental in the early development of hip hop throughout the 1980s. Afrika Bambaataa is one of the three originators of break-beat deejaying, and is respectfully known as the "Grandfather" and the Amen Ra of Universal...
, funk legend
Rick JamesJames Ambrose Johnson, Jr. , better known by his stage name Rick James, was an American singer, songwriter, musician and record producer. James was a popular performer in the late 1970s and 1980s, scoring four number-one hits on the U.S. R&B charts performing in the genres of funk and R&B...
,
Kurtis BlowKurt Walker , better known by his stage name Kurtis Blow, is an American rapper and record producer. He is one of the first commercially successful rappers and the first to sign with a major record label...
, and pioneers Run-DMC, LL started to create his own rap style.
Radio (1985)
RadioRadio is the debut album of American rapper LL Cool J, released November 18, 1985 on Def Jam Recordings in the United States. It serves as the label's first full-length album release. Recording sessions for the album took place during 1984 to 1985 at Chung King House of Metal in New York City...
was released to critical acclaim, as LL was one of the first rappers to use conventional song structure to make pop oriented rap. "
I Can't Live Without My Radio"I Can't Live Without My Radio" is the lead single from LL Cool J's debut album, Radio. It was released in 1985 for Def Jam Recordings and was both written and produced by LL Cool J and Rick Rubin. The song found modest success, making it to #15 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks...
" and "
Rock the BellsRock the Bells is the third single from LL Cool J's debut album, Radio. It was released in 1985 for Def Jam Recordings, was written by LL Cool J and produced by Rick Rubin. It was the follow-up to I Can Give You More. Rock the Bells peaked at #17 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. Despite the song's...
" were singles that helped the album go platinum with 1,500,000 sales.
Bigger and Deffer (1987)
In 1987, he released
Bigger and DefferBigger And Deffer , is the second studio album by rapper LL Cool J and is remembered most for containing the first commercially successful "rap ballad", "I Need Love". It also contains the single "Go Cut Creator Go", which paid homage to his DJ, and the breakthrough single in the U.K. "I'm Bad"...
which included "
I Need Love"I Need Love" was the second single from LL Cool J's second album, Bigger and Deffer. The song is considered the first rap ballad and was released in September 1987...
". Also featured on the album was "
Go Cut Creator Go"Go Cut Creator Go" is the third and final single released by LL Cool J from his second album Bigger and Deffer. It was released in 1987 for Def Jam Recordings and featured production from The L.A. Posse, LL Cool J and Cut Creator. The song was a tribute to LL Cool J's DJ at the time, Cut Creator...
", which pays homage to the DJ. The album sold about 2,300,000 copies. In 1998, The Source Magazine named it as one of the top 100 albums ever.
"I Need Love" was the second single from LL Cool J's second album, Bigger and Deffer. The song, released in the fall of 1987, reached #1 on the R&B/Hip Hop charts, #14 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts, and #8 in the UK Singles Chart. The single won a Soul Train Music Award for Best Rap - Single in 1987. "I Need Love" was ranked #13 on the 100 Greatest Rap Songs.
Walking with a Panther (1989)
LL Cool J's third album was 1989's
Walking with a PantherWalking with a Panther is the third studio album by high-selling hip-hop artist LL Cool J. Released in 1989, the album was a commercial success, with several charting singles...
. The album featured the singles "
Going Back to Cali"Going Back to Cali" is single by LL Cool J from the Less Than Zero soundtrack and his third album Walking with a Panther. Produced by Rick Rubin and LL Cool J, the song was a success, peaking at #31 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #12 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, and was eventually certified gold by...
", "
I'm That Type of GuyI'm That Type of Guy is a single from LL Cool J's third album, Walking with a Panther. It was released in 1989 for Def Jam Recordings and was produced by The L.A. Posse and LL Cool J. The song would prove to be the most successful single from the critically bashed album, making it to #15 on the...
", "
Jingling BabyJingling Baby was the final single released from LL Cool J's third album, Walking with a Panther. It was released on January 8, 1990 for Def Jam Recordings and was produced by LL Cool J, The L.A. Posse and Marley Marl. Jingling Baby peaked at #32 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs...
", and "
Big Ole ButtBig Ole Butt is the third single from LL Cool J's third album, Walking with a Panther. It was released in 1989 for Def Jam Recordings and was produced by the L.A. Posse and LL Cool J. Big Ole Butt would prove to be a mild success, making it to #13 on the Hot Rap Singles and #57 on the Hot...
" and went platinum with 1,100,000 sales.
Mama Said Knock You Out (1990)
Following this, LL Cool J released
Mama Said Knock You Out, which contained three singles, "
The Boomin' System"The Boomin' System" was the first single released from LL Cool J's fourth album, Mama Said Knock You Out. It was released on August 2, 1990, for Def Jam Recordings, produced by Marley Marl and co-produced by LL Cool J. "The Boomin' System" was the first of the six singles released from the album...
", "
Around the Way Girl"Around The Way Girl" is a hit single by LL Cool J from his 1990 album Mama Said Knock You Out.The song is about LL searching for a girl who is streetwise. The single samples Mary Jane Girls' "All Night Long", Keni Burke's "Risin' To the Top", and Honeydrippers' "Impeach the President", which is...
", and the title track, which he performed during an episode of
MTV UnpluggedMTV Unplugged is a TV series showcasing many popular musical artists usually playing acoustic instruments. The show has received the George Foster Peabody Award and 3 Primetime Emmy nominations among many accolades.-Unplugged:...
. It was also featured in the film
The Hard WayThe Hard Way is a 1991 action-comedy film starring Michael J. Fox and James Woods. It is directed by John Badham. The film also had notable performances by Stephen Lang, Annabella Sciorra, Luis Guzmán, LL Cool J, Delroy Lindo, Penny Marshall, and Bryant Gumbel, as himself...
. The album went on to sell over 2,700,000 copies.
14 Shots to the Dome (1993)
After acting in
The Hard WayThe Hard Way may refer to:* The Hart Way , a silent British film directed by Walter West* The Hard Way , an American showbiz drama starring Ida Lupino* The Hard Way , an American comedy with Michael J...
and
Toys, LL Cool J released
14 Shots to the Dome14 Shots To The Dome is the fifth studio album by rapper LL Cool J, released in 1993, and the first since his highly successful comeback album Mama Said Knock You Out. Unlike that release, which saw him have success on his own terms, 14 Shots sees LL adopting the sound of his West coast gangsta rap...
. The album had three singles ("How I'm Comin'", "Back Seat" and the strangely titled "Pink Cookies in a Plastic Bag Getting Crushed by Buildings") and guest-featured labelmates
Lords of the UndergroundThe Lords of the Underground are a hip-hop trio based in Newark, New Jersey. MCs Mr. Funke and DoItAll Dupré met DJ Lord Jazz when all three were undergraduates at Shaw University....
on "NFA-No Frontin' Allowed". The album went gold.
Mr. Smith (1995)
LL Cool J starred in
In the House, an
NBCThe National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
sitcom, before releasing
Mr. Smith-Track Notes:* No Airplay - edited on both the Edited and Explicit Versions of the Album, However the Explicit only backmasks on the song, the Edited version even edits the intro....
(1995), which went on to sell over two million copies. Its singles included "Doin' It" (that samples "My Jamaican Guy" by
Grace JonesGrace Jones is a Jamaican-American singer, model and actress.Jones secured a record deal with Island Records in 1977, which resulted in a string of dance-club hits. In the late 1970s, she adapted the emerging electronic music style and adopted a severe, androgynous look with square-cut hair and...
) and "
Loungin"Loungin" is the third and final single from LL Cool J's sixth album, Mr. Smith and from the soundtrack to Nickelodeon Movies' 1997 film, Good Burger. It was released on June 25, 1996 for Def Jam Recordings and Columbia Records and was produced by Rashad "Ringo" Smith and LL Cool J. A popular...
" (that samples "Who Do You Love?" by
Bernard WrightBernard Wright is an American funk and jazz keyboardist who began his career as a session musician and later released several solo albums in the 1980s....
). Another of the album's singles, "
Hey Lover"Hey Lover" is the Grammy Award winning first single released from LL Cool J's sixth album, Mr. Smith, featuring Boyz II Men. It was released on October 31, 1995 for Def Jam Recordings and was produced by The Trackmasters and LL Cool J...
", featured
Boyz II MenBoyz II Men is an American R&B vocal group best known for emotional ballads and a cappella harmonies. They are the most successful R&B group of all time, having sold more than albums worldwide. In the 1990s, Boyz II Men found fame on Motown Records as a quartet, but original member Michael McCary...
sampling
Michael JacksonMichael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
's "The Lady in My Life," which eventually became one of the first hip hop music videos to air on
VH1VH1 or Vh1 is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting's short-lived Cable Music Channel, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly...
. The song also earned him a
Grammy AwardA Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
. Yet another single from the album, "I Shot Ya Remix", included vocal work by Foxy Brown.
Phenomenon (1997)
In 1997, he released the album
PhenomenonPhenomenon is the seventh studio album by rapper LL Cool J. After the success of his previous release Mr. Smith, the same basic principles are followed here, with several R&B-influenced tracks, and a couple of more hardcore Rap tracks. The album was not as commercially successful as Mr. Smith in...
. The singles included "Phenomenon" and "Father". The official second single from
PhenomenonPhenomenon is the seventh studio album by rapper LL Cool J. After the success of his previous release Mr. Smith, the same basic principles are followed here, with several R&B-influenced tracks, and a couple of more hardcore Rap tracks. The album was not as commercially successful as Mr. Smith in...
was "4, 3, 2, 1," which featured
Method ManClifford Smith , better known by his stage name Method Man is an American hip hop artist, record producer, actor and member of the hip hop collective Wu-Tang Clan. He took his stage name from the 1979 film The Fearless Young Boxer, also known as Method Man. He is one half of the rap duo Method Man...
, Redman &
Master PPercy Robert Miller , better known by his stage name Master P or his business name P. Miller, is an American rapper, actor, entrepreneur, investor, and producer. He is the founder of the popular label No Limit Records, which went bankrupt and was relaunched as New No Limit Records through Koch...
and introduced
DMXEarl Simmons , better known by his stage name DMX, is a multiplatinum American rapper and actor who rose to fame in the late 1990s. His stage name pays tribute to the Oberheim DMX drum machine, an instrument he used when he made his own rap beats in the 80's...
and
CanibusGermaine Williams , better known by his stage name Canibus, is a Jamaican-born American rapper. He is a part of supergroup The HRSMN. Canibus rose to fame in the mid-nineties...
.
G.O.A.T. (2000)
In 2000, LL Cool J released the album
G.O.A.T.G.O.A.T. is the eighth studio album by American rapper LL Cool J, issued on Def Jam Recordings. It was released on September 5, 2000, and peaked at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200...
, which stood for the "greatest of all time." It debuted at number one on the Billboard album charts, and went platinum. LL Cool J thanked Canibus in the liner notes of the album, "for the inspiration".
10 (2002)
LL Cool J's next album
10-Charts:Albums – Billboard Singles – Billboard...
from 2002, was his 9th studio (10th overall including his greatest hits compilation All World), and included the singles "
Paradise"Paradise" is a song by American rapper LL Cool J featuring American R&B singer Amerie. Produced by Trackmasters, the track was released in early 2003 as the second single from LL Cool J's ninth studio album, 10 . It also appears on the soundtrack to the 2003 film Deliver Us from Eva, in which LL...
" (featuring
AmerieAmerie Mi Marie Rogers , known professionally as Amerie or Ameriie, is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. She debuted in 2002 with the album All I Have, primarily co-written and produced by Rich Harrison, and was well-received in the urban market...
), "
Luv U Better"Luv U Better" is a song by LL Cool J, released as the lead single from his ninth studio album, 10 . Released on August 13, 2002 by Def Jam Recordings, it was produced by The Neptunes and features additional vocals from Marc Dorsey...
", produced by The Neptunes and the 2003
Jennifer LopezJennifer Lynn Lopez is an American actress, singer, record producer, dancer, television personality, and fashion designer. Lopez began her career as a dancer on the television comedy program In Living Color. Subsequently venturing into acting, she gained recognition in the 1995 action-thriller...
duet, "
All I Have"All I Have" is the title of a song by American recording artist Jennifer Lopez, featuring American rapper LL Cool J. Written by Lopez, Makeba Riddick, Curtis Richardson, and Ron G and produced by Cory Rooney, Ron G, and Dave McPherson, it was released in December 2002 as the second single from...
". The album reached platinum status.
The DEFinition (2004)
LL Cool J's 10th album
The DEFinitionThe DEFinition is the 10th studio album by American rapper LL Cool J, issued on Def Jam Recordings. It was released on August 31, 2004 and peaked at #4 on the U.S. Billboard 200. It debuted in the top 5, and The DEFinition went Gold in the United States...
was released on August 31, 2004. The album debuted at #4 on the Billboard charts. Production came from
TimbalandTimothy Zachery Mosley , better known by his stage name Timbaland, is an American record producer, songwriter and rapper....
,
7 AureliusMarcus Vest better known by his stage name Channel 7, formerly 7 Aurelius, is a singer, songwriter, and producer most noted for his work with The Inc. Records....
,
R. KellyRobert Sylvester Kelly , better known by his stage name R. Kelly, is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. A native of Chicago, Kelly began performing during the late 1980s and debuted in 1992 with the group Public Announcement. In 1993, Kelly went solo with the album 12 Play...
, and others. The lead single was the Timbaland-produced "Headsprung," which peaked at #16 on the Billboard Hot 100. The second single was the
7 AureliusMarcus Vest better known by his stage name Channel 7, formerly 7 Aurelius, is a singer, songwriter, and producer most noted for his work with The Inc. Records....
– produced, "Hush," which peaked at #26 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Todd Smith (2006)
LL Cool J's 11th album,
Todd SmithTodd Smith is LL Cool J's 11th studio album, released on April 11, 2006 by his label Def Jam Recordings. It includes collaborations with Jennifer Lopez, Pharrell, Juelz Santana, Teairra Mari, Ginuwine, Mary J...
, was released on April 11, 2006. It includes collaborations with
112112 is an American R&B quartet from Atlanta, Georgia. Formerly artists on Diddy's Bad Boy Records, the group signed to the Def Soul roster in 2002. They had great success in the late 1990s and early 2000s with hits such as "Only You", "Anywhere" and "Peaches & Cream"...
,
GinuwineElgin Baylor Lumpkin , better known by his stage name Ginuwine is an American singer-songwriter and actor. Signed to Epic Records since the mid-1990s, Ginuwine had released a number of multi-platinum and platinum-selling albums and singles, becoming one of R&B's top artists during the late 1990's...
,
Juelz SantanaLaRon Louis James , better known by his stage name Juelz Santana, is an American rapper, producer, and actor. He appeared on Cam'ron's 2002 singles, "Oh Boy" and "Hey Ma"...
,
Teairra MariTeairra Maria Thomas , better known by her stage name Teairra Marí, is an American singer-songwriter, actress, model, and dancer. At the age of 16, she was signed to Def Jam and released her first album, Teairra Marí. After disappointing sales, she was let go from her recording contract in the...
and
FreewayLeslie Edward Pridgen , better known by his stage name Freeway, is an American rapper. Best known for his tenure on Roc-A-Fella Records and his affiliation with Jay-Z and Beanie Sigel, he is recognized by his high-pitched delivery and for the long beard he keeps due to his Muslim faith...
. The first single was the
Jermaine DupriJermaine Dupri Mauldin , known as Jermaine Dupri or JD, is an American record producer, songwriter and rapper.- Early life and career :...
produced "Control Myself" aka the "zzz song" which was with singer
Jennifer "J-Lo" LopezJennifer Lynn Lopez is an American actress, singer, record producer, dancer, television personality, and fashion designer. Lopez began her career as a dancer on the television comedy program In Living Color. Subsequently venturing into acting, she gained recognition in the 1995 action-thriller...
. They shot the video for "
Control Myself"Control Myself" is a song by American rapper LL Cool J from his twelfth album, Todd Smith . It was produced by Jermaine Dupri and features fellow American singer Jennifer Lopez...
" on January 2, 2006 at Sony Studios, New York. The second video, directed by
Hype WilliamsHarold "Hype" Williams , previously known as HYPE, is an American music video and film director of African-American and Honduran descent. His nickname "Hype" comes from his hyperactive nature as a child....
, was "Freeze" featuring
Lyfe JenningsLyfe Jennings is a platinum-selling American R&B and soul singer-songwriter, record producer, and instrumentalist. He plays the guitar, bass, and piano which he integrates into his music...
.
Exit 13 (2008)
In July 2006, LL Cool J announced details about his final album with Def Jam recordings, the only label he has ever been signed to. The album is titled
Exit 13. The album was originally scheduled to be executively produced by fellow Queens rapper
50 CentCurtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...
.
Exit 13 was originally slated for a fall 2006 release, however, after a 2 year delay, it was released September 9, 2008 without 50 Cent as the executive producer. Tracks that the two worked on were leaked to the Internet and some of the tracks produced with 50 made it to Exit 13.
LL Cool J partnered with
DJ Kay SlayDJ Kay Slay is an American hip hop deejay. He was referred to by the New York Times as "Hip Hop's One-Man Ministry of Insults". He has sold 350,000 copies of his two official albums.-Early life:...
to release a
mixtapeA Mix Tape or Mixed Tape is a compilation of songs recorded in a specific order, traditionally onto an audio Compact Cassette.A Mix Tape, which usually reflects the musical tastes of its compiler, can range from a casually selected list of favorite songs, to a conceptual mix of songs linked by a...
called "The Return of the G.O.A.T.". It was the first mixtape of his 24 year career and includes freestyling by LL Cool J in addition to other rappers giving their rendition of his songs. A track entitled "Hi Haterz" was leaked onto the internet on June 1, 2008. The song contains LL Cool J rapping over the instrumental to Maino's "
Hi Hater"Hi Hater" is the first single from Brooklyn rapper Maino's debut album If Tomorrow Comes.... It was featured in the video game Midnight Club: Los Angeles.-Music video:...
". He toured with
Janet JacksonJanet Damita Jo Jackson is an American recording artist and actress. Known for a series of sonically innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows, television and film roles, she has been a prominent figure in popular culture for over 25 years...
on her Rock Witchu tour, only playing in Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto, and Kansas City.
NCIS: No Crew Is Superior
In September 2009, LL Cool J released a song about the
NCIS TV series. It is a single and is available on
iTunesiTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
. The new track is based on his experiences playing special agent Sam Hanna. "This song is the musical interpretation of what I felt after meeting with NCIS agents, experienced
MarinesThe United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
and
NavyThe United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
SEALThe United States Navy's Sea, Air and Land Teams, commonly known as Navy SEALs, are the U.S. Navy's principal special operations force and a part of the Naval Special Warfare Command as well as the maritime component of the United States Special Operations Command.The acronym is derived from their...
s," LL Cool J said. "It represents the collective energy in the room. I was so inspired I wrote the song on set."
Acting career
While LL Cool J first appeared as a rapper in the movie
Krush GrooveKrush Groove is a 1985 Warner Bros. film, written by Ralph Farquhar and directed by Michael Schultz . This film is based on the early days of Def Jam Recordings and up-and-coming record producer Russell Simmons , portrayed by Blair Underwood in his feature film debut...
(performing "I Can't Live Without My Radio"), his first acting part was a small role in a high school football movie called
WildcatsWildcats is a 1986 film starring Goldie Hawn and costarring Jan Hooks and Swoosie Kurtz. It is the film debut of Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson. They also appeared together in White Men Can't Jump and Money Train...
. He continued to work in movies from then until 1995 when he landed his own television sitcom,
In the HouseIn the House is an American sitcom that premiered on April 10, 1995 on NBC. The series moved to UPN after its second season where it remained for an additional three seasons until it was canceled on August 11, 1999. In the House starred LL Cool J and Maia Campbell.-Synopsis:Marion Hill is a former...
. He starred as an ex-
Oakland RaidersThe Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
running back who finds himself in financial difficulties and is forced to rent part of his home out to a single mother and her two children.
In 1998 he had a role in the film
Halloween H20. In 1999's
Deep Blue SeaDeep Blue Sea is a 1999 science fiction horror film that stars Thomas Jane, Saffron Burrows, LL Cool J, and Samuel L Jackson. The film was directed by Renny Harlin and was released in the United States on July 28, 1999.- Plot :...
, he played the wise-cracking cook on a top-secret sea base besieged by genetically-enhanced sharks. He received rave review for his role as Dwayne Gittens, an underworld boss, nicknamed "God" in
In Too Deep. Later that year, he had a starring role in
Any Given SundayAny Given Sunday is a 1999 American drama film directed by Oliver Stone depicting a fictional professional American football team. The film features an ensemble cast, consisting of Al Pacino, Cameron Diaz, Dennis Quaid, Jamie Foxx, James Woods, LL Cool J, Matthew Modine, John C...
, in which he played Julian Washington, the talented but selfish running back on the dysfunctional Miami Sharks. Since then, LL Cool J has appeared in a variety of films, such as the
2002 remake of RollerballRollerball is a 2002 remake of the 1975 science-fiction film of the same name. This updated version stars Chris Klein, LL Cool J, Rebecca Romijn and Jean Reno, was directed by John McTiernan and has a much greater concentration on action with more muted social and political overtones...
,
Deliver Us from EvaDeliver Us from Eva is a 2003 American feature film starring LL Cool J and Gabrielle Union, revolving around LL's character Ray being paid to date a troublesome young lady named Eva . To some extent, it is a modern, urban update of William Shakespeare's play, The Taming of the Shrew...
, and
S.W.A.T.S.W.A.T. is a 2003 action-crime film directed by Clark Johnson, and is based on the 1975 television series of the same name. It stars Samuel L. Jackson, Colin Farrell, LL Cool J and Michelle Rodriguez. It was produced by Neal H...
.
In 2005, he returned to television in a guest starring role on the Fox medical drama
House as a death row inmate felled by an unknown disease.
LL Cool J also appeared as
Queen LatifahDana Elaine Owens , better known by her stage name Queen Latifah, is an American singer, rapper, and actress. Her work in music, film and television has earned her a Golden Globe award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, two Image Awards, a Grammy Award, six additional Grammy nominations, an Emmy...
's love interest in the 2006 movie Last Holiday.
He also guest starred on
30 Rock30 Rock is an American television comedy series created by Tina Fey that airs on NBC. The series is loosely based on Fey's experiences as head writer for Saturday Night Live...
in the 2007 episode "The Source Awards" as the hip hop producer Ridiculous, who Tracy Jordan fears is going to kill him.
LL Cool J appeared in Sesame Street's 39th season where he introduced the word of the day, "Unanimous", in episode 4169 (Sept. 22, 2008) and performing "The Addition Expedition" in episode 4172 (Sept. 30, 2008).
LL Cool J is currently a series regular on the CBS police procedural
NCIS: Los Angeles, a spin-off of
NCISNCIS, formerly known as NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service, is an American police procedural drama television series revolving around a fictional team of special agents from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, which conducts criminal investigations involving the U.S...
(which itself is a spin-off of the naval legal drama
JAGJAG is an American adventure/legal drama television show that was produced by Belisarius Productions, in association with Paramount Network Television and, for the first season only, NBC Productions...
). He portrays
NCISThe United States Naval Criminal Investigative Service is the primary security, counter-intelligence, counter-terrorism, and law enforcement agency of the United States Department of the Navy...
Special Agent Sam Hanna, an ex–Navy SEAL who is fluent in Arabic and an expert on West Asian culture. The series debuted in autumn of 2009, but the characters were introduced in an April 2009 crossover episode on the parent show.
Fashion
LL Cool J worked behind the scenes with the mid-eighties Hip-Hop sportswear line TROOP. In the mid 90's, he also helped to launch the clothing line
FUBUFUBU is a clothing company. It includes casual wear, sports wear, a suit collection, eyewear, belts, and shoes for the African-American community in the sense of economic investment but not to be exclusively worn by African Americans...
.
LL Cool J launched a clothing line (called
Todd SmithTodd Smith is LL Cool J's 11th studio album, released on April 11, 2006 by his label Def Jam Recordings. It includes collaborations with Jennifer Lopez, Pharrell, Juelz Santana, Teairra Mari, Ginuwine, Mary J...
). The brand produces popular urban apparel. Designs include influences from LL's lyrics and tattoos, as well as from other icons in the hip-hop community.
Books
LL Cool J has written four books, including 1998's
I Make My Own Rules, an autobiography co-written with
Karen HunterKaren Hunter is an American journalist and publisher, and the coauthor of several books.-Career:Between 1996 and 1998, Hunter taught journalism at New York University....
. His second book was the children-oriented book called
And The Winner Is... published in 2002. In 2006, LL Cool J and his personal trainer, Dave "Scooter" Honig wrote a fitness book,
The Platinum Workout. His fourth book
LL Cool J (Hip-Hop Stars) was co-written in 2007 with hip-hop historian Dustin Shekell and Public Enemy's Chuck D.
Businessman and entrepreneur
LL Cool J started his own businesses in the music industry such as the music label in 1993 called P.O.G. (Power Of God) and formed the company
Rock The Bells to produce music. With the Rock The Bells label, he had artists such as Amyth, Smokeman, Natice, Chantel Jones and Simone Starks. Rock the Bells Records was also responsible for the
Deep Blue Sea soundtrackDeep Blue Sea is the soundtrack to the 1999 sci-fi thriller film Deep Blue Sea. It was released on June 27, 1999 through Warner Bros. Records and consisted of hip hop and R&B music. The soundtrack didn't find much success, only making it to #55 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums...
for the 1999 movie of the same name. Rufus "Scola" Waller was also signed to the label, but was released when the label folded.
Music Videos
LL Cool J Appears In the Music Video Mrs. Right By Mindless Behavior
LL Cool J founded and launched
BoomdizzleBoomdizzle is a record label and social networking and music website founded by rapper LL Cool J in 2008. Since its launch in September 2008, the website accepts music uploads from aspiring artists, primarily from the hip hop genre, and the site's users rate songs through contests, voting, and...
.com, a record label / social networking site launched in September 2008. The website accepts music uploads from aspiring artists, primarily from the hip hop genre, and the site's users rate songs through contests, voting, and other community events.
Personal life
LL Cool J married his wife, Simone Johnson, on August,9 1995 at his home in Long Island, New York. The couple have four children: one son, Najee (born September 19, 1989) and three daughters, Italia (born January 1, 1991), Samaria (born September 15, 1995) and Nina Simone (born 2000).
Discography
- Radio
Radio is the debut album of American rapper LL Cool J, released November 18, 1985 on Def Jam Recordings in the United States. It serves as the label's first full-length album release. Recording sessions for the album took place during 1984 to 1985 at Chung King House of Metal in New York City...
(1985)
- Bigger and Deffer
Bigger And Deffer , is the second studio album by rapper LL Cool J and is remembered most for containing the first commercially successful "rap ballad", "I Need Love". It also contains the single "Go Cut Creator Go", which paid homage to his DJ, and the breakthrough single in the U.K. "I'm Bad"...
(1987)
- Walking with a Panther
Walking with a Panther is the third studio album by high-selling hip-hop artist LL Cool J. Released in 1989, the album was a commercial success, with several charting singles...
(1989)
- Mama Said Knock You Out (1990)
- 14 Shots to the Dome
14 Shots To The Dome is the fifth studio album by rapper LL Cool J, released in 1993, and the first since his highly successful comeback album Mama Said Knock You Out. Unlike that release, which saw him have success on his own terms, 14 Shots sees LL adopting the sound of his West coast gangsta rap...
(1993)
- Mr. Smith
-Track Notes:* No Airplay - edited on both the Edited and Explicit Versions of the Album, However the Explicit only backmasks on the song, the Edited version even edits the intro....
(1995)
- Phenomenon
Phenomenon is the seventh studio album by rapper LL Cool J. After the success of his previous release Mr. Smith, the same basic principles are followed here, with several R&B-influenced tracks, and a couple of more hardcore Rap tracks. The album was not as commercially successful as Mr. Smith in...
(1997)
- G.O.A.T.
G.O.A.T. is the eighth studio album by American rapper LL Cool J, issued on Def Jam Recordings. It was released on September 5, 2000, and peaked at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200...
(2000)
- 10
-Charts:Albums – Billboard Singles – Billboard...
(2002)
- The DEFinition
The DEFinition is the 10th studio album by American rapper LL Cool J, issued on Def Jam Recordings. It was released on August 31, 2004 and peaked at #4 on the U.S. Billboard 200. It debuted in the top 5, and The DEFinition went Gold in the United States...
(2004)
- Todd Smith
Todd Smith is LL Cool J's 11th studio album, released on April 11, 2006 by his label Def Jam Recordings. It includes collaborations with Jennifer Lopez, Pharrell, Juelz Santana, Teairra Mari, Ginuwine, Mary J...
(2006)
- Exit 13 (2008)
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1985 |
Krush Groove Krush Groove is a 1985 Warner Bros. film, written by Ralph Farquhar and directed by Michael Schultz . This film is based on the early days of Def Jam Recordings and up-and-coming record producer Russell Simmons , portrayed by Blair Underwood in his feature film debut...
|
Himself |
|
| 1986 |
Wildcats Wildcats is a 1986 film starring Goldie Hawn and costarring Jan Hooks and Swoosie Kurtz. It is the film debut of Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson. They also appeared together in White Men Can't Jump and Money Train...
|
Rapper |
|
| 1991 |
The Hard Way The Hard Way is a 1991 action-comedy film starring Michael J. Fox and James Woods. It is directed by John Badham. The film also had notable performances by Stephen Lang, Annabella Sciorra, Luis Guzmán, LL Cool J, Delroy Lindo, Penny Marshall, and Bryant Gumbel, as himself...
|
Detective Billy, NYPD |
|
| 1992 |
Toys |
Captain Patrick Zevo |
|
| 1995 |
Out-of-Sync Out-of-Sync is a 1995 crime drama film featuring LL Cool J in his first starring role. The film was directed by Debbie Allen and co-starred Victoria Dillard, Tim Reid and Howard Hesseman.-Plot:...
|
Jason St. Julian |
|
| 1995–1999 |
In The House In the House is an American sitcom that premiered on April 10, 1995 on NBC. The series moved to UPN after its second season where it remained for an additional three seasons until it was canceled on August 11, 1999. In the House starred LL Cool J and Maia Campbell.-Synopsis:Marion Hill is a former...
(TV) |
Marion Hill |
|
| 1997 |
B*A*P*S |
Himself |
Cameo appearance A cameo role or cameo appearance is a brief appearance of a known person in a work of the performing arts, such as plays, films, video games and television...
|
| 1998 |
Caught Up Caught Up is a 1998 American crime-drama film written and directed by Darin Scott. The film stars Bokeem Woodbine and Cynda Williams.-Plot:...
|
Roger |
|
| All That All That is an American live-action, sketch comedy-variety show that aired on the Nickelodeon cable television network featuring short comedic sketches and weekly musical guests. The theme song for All That was performed by TLC...
(TV) |
Himself |
Guest appearance In show business , a guest appearance is a participation of an outsider performer , usually called guest artist , in an event , i.e., the participation of a performer which does not belong to the regular crew In performance...
|
OzOz is an American television drama series created by Tom Fontana, who also wrote or co-wrote all of the series' 56 episodes . It was the first one-hour dramatic television series to be produced by premium cable network HBO. Oz premiered on July 12, 1997 and ran for six seasons...
(TV) |
Jiggy Walker |
Guest appearance |
| Woo Woo is a 1998 romantic comedy film, directed by Daisy V.S. Mayer, and starring Jada Pinkett Smith in the title role. Tommy Davidson co-stars.-Plot:...
|
Darryl |
|
| Caught Up Caught Up is a 1998 American crime-drama film written and directed by Darin Scott. The film stars Bokeem Woodbine and Cynda Williams.-Plot:...
|
Roger |
|
Halloween H20: 20 Years LaterHalloween H20: Twenty Years Later is a 1998 slasher film and is the seventh installment in the Halloween film series. It is directed by Steve Miner and starring Jamie Lee Curtis, Josh Hartnett, and Michelle Williams. The screenplay, based on a story by Kevin Williamson further developed by Robert...
|
Ronald "Ronny" Jones |
|
| 1999 |
Deep Blue Sea Deep Blue Sea is a 1999 science fiction horror film that stars Thomas Jane, Saffron Burrows, LL Cool J, and Samuel L Jackson. The film was directed by Renny Harlin and was released in the United States on July 28, 1999.- Plot :...
|
Sherman "Preacher" Dudley |
|
| In Too Deep |
Dwayne Gittens/god |
|
| Any Given Sunday Any Given Sunday is a 1999 American drama film directed by Oliver Stone depicting a fictional professional American football team. The film features an ensemble cast, consisting of Al Pacino, Cameron Diaz, Dennis Quaid, Jamie Foxx, James Woods, LL Cool J, Matthew Modine, John C...
|
Julian Washington |
|
| 2000 |
Charlie's Angels Charlie's Angels is a 2000 American action comedy film directed by McG, starring Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore, and Lucy Liu as three women working for a private investigation agency...
|
Mr. Jones |
Cameo appearance |
| 2001 |
Kingdom Come Kingdom Come is a 2001 comedy-drama film, written by David Bottrell and Jessie Jones, and directed by Doug McHenry. This film stars LL Cool J, Jada Pinkett Smith, Vivica A...
|
Ray Bud Slocumb |
|
| 2002 |
RollerballRollerball is a 2002 remake of the 1975 science-fiction film of the same name. This updated version stars Chris Klein, LL Cool J, Rebecca Romijn and Jean Reno, was directed by John McTiernan and has a much greater concentration on action with more muted social and political overtones...
|
Marcus Ridley |
|
| 2003 |
Deliver Us from Eva Deliver Us from Eva is a 2003 American feature film starring LL Cool J and Gabrielle Union, revolving around LL's character Ray being paid to date a troublesome young lady named Eva . To some extent, it is a modern, urban update of William Shakespeare's play, The Taming of the Shrew...
|
Raymond "Ray" Adams |
|
S.W.A.T.S.W.A.T. is a 2003 action-crime film directed by Clark Johnson, and is based on the 1975 television series of the same name. It stars Samuel L. Jackson, Colin Farrell, LL Cool J and Michelle Rodriguez. It was produced by Neal H...
|
Officer Deacon "Deke" Kaye |
|
| 2004 |
MindhuntersMindhunters is a 2004 thriller film directed by Renny Harlin and written by Wayne Kramer and Kevin Brodbin...
|
Gabe Jensen |
|
| 2005 |
EdisonEdison , is a 2005 American thriller film written and directed by David J. Burke, starring Morgan Freeman, LL Cool J, Justin Timberlake, and Kevin Spacey....
|
Officer Rafe Deed |
|
| Slow Burn Slow Burn is an American drama thriller film starring Ray Liotta, Jolene Blalock and LL Cool J, which is notable for the extended period between production and eventual release...
|
Luther Pinks |
|
HouseHouse is an American television medical drama that debuted on the Fox network on November 16, 2004. The show's central character is Dr. Gregory House , an unconventional and misanthropic medical genius who heads a team of diagnosticians at the fictional Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital in...
(TV) |
Clarence |
Guest appearance |
| 2006 |
Last Holiday |
Sean Williams |
|
| 2007 |
The Man (TV) |
Manny Baxter |
|
| 30 Rock 30 Rock is an American television comedy series created by Tina Fey that airs on NBC. The series is loosely based on Fey's experiences as head writer for Saturday Night Live...
(TV) |
Ridikulous |
Guest appearance |
| 2008 |
The DealThe Deal is a 2008 American satirical comedy film directed by Steven Schachter. The screenplay by Schachter and William H. Macy is based on the 1991 novel of the same title by Peter Lefcourt. Macy and Meg Ryan co-star....
|
Bobby Mason |
|
| 2009 |
WWII in HD WWII in HD is a 10-part American documentary television miniseries that originally aired from November 15 to November 19, 2009 on the History Channel...
(TV) |
Shelby Westbrook |
Voice |
NCISNCIS, formerly known as NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service, is an American police procedural drama television series revolving around a fictional team of special agents from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, which conducts criminal investigations involving the U.S...
(TV) |
Special Agent Sam Hanna |
Guest appearance (2 episodes) |
| 2009–present |
NCIS: Los Angeles (TV) |
Special Agent Sam Hanna |
starring role, alongside Chris O'DonnellChristopher Eugene "Chris" O'Donnell is an American actor. He has played Robin in two Batman films, Batman Forever and Batman & Robin, Charlie Simms in Scent of a Woman, Finn Dandridge in Grey's Anatomy, Peter Garrett in Vertical Limit, and more recently, Jack McAuliffe in The Company. O'Donnell...
and Daniela RuahDaniela Sofia Korn Ruah is a Portuguese-American actress best known for playing NCIS Special Agent Kensi Blye in the CBS series NCIS: Los Angeles.-Early years:...
|
| 2011 |
Sesame StreetSesame Street has undergone significant changes in its history. According to writer Michael Davis, by the mid-1970s the show had become "an American institution". The cast and crew expanded during this time, including the hiring of women in the crew and additional minorities in the cast. The...
(TV) |
Himself |
|
Awards and Nominations
Grammy Awards
| Year |
Nominated work |
Award |
Result |
| 1989 The 31st Grammy Awards were held in 1989. They recognized accomplishments by musicians from the previous year.-Award winners:*Record of the Year**Linda Goldstein & Bobby McFerrin for "Don't Worry, Be Happy"*Album of the Year...
|
"Going Back To Cali" |
Best Rap Performance |
|
| 1992 The 34th Grammy Awards were held on February 26, 1992. They recognized accomplishments by musicians from the previous year . Natalie Cole was the big winner winning three awards including Album of the Year.-Award winners:*Record of the Year...
|
"Mama Said Knock You Out" |
Best Rap Solo Performance |
|
| 1993 The 35th Grammy Awards were held in 1993. They recognized accomplishments by musicians from the previous year. Eric Clapton was the night's big winner, winning 6 awards including Album of the Year.-Award winners:*Record of the Year...
|
"Strictly Business" |
Best Rap Solo Performance |
|
| 1994 The 36th Grammy Awards were held in 1994. They recognized accomplishments by musicians from the previous year. Whitney Houston is the Big Winner winning 3 awards including Record of the Year and Album of the Year.-Award winners:*Record of the Year...
|
"Stand By Your Man" |
Best Rap Solo Performance |
|
| 1997 The 39th Grammy Awards were held on February 26, 1997. They recognized accomplishments by musicians from the previous year.- Award winners :*Record of the Year**Babyface & Eric Clapton for "Change the World"*Album of the Year...
|
"Hey Lover" |
Best Rap Solo Performance |
|
| 1997 The 39th Grammy Awards were held on February 26, 1997. They recognized accomplishments by musicians from the previous year.- Award winners :*Record of the Year**Babyface & Eric Clapton for "Change the World"*Album of the Year...
|
Mr. Smith -Track Notes:* No Airplay - edited on both the Edited and Explicit Versions of the Album, However the Explicit only backmasks on the song, the Edited version even edits the intro....
|
Best Rap Album |
|
1998The 40th Grammy Awards were held on February 25, 1998. They recognized accomplishments by musicians from the previous year. Rock icon Bob Dylan, Alison Krauss, and R...
|
"Ain't Nobody" |
Best Rap Solo Performance |
|
2004The 46th Grammy Awards were held on the February 8, 2004. They recognized accomplishments by musicians from the previous year. The big winners were Outkast, who won three awards including Album of the Year & Beyoncé Knowles, who won 5 Awards...
|
"Luv U Better" |
Best Rap/Sung Collaboration |
|
2005The 47th Grammy Awards were held on February 13, 2005 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. They were hosted by Queen Latifah , and televised in the United States by CBS. They recognized accomplishments by musicians from the previous year...
|
The DEFinition The DEFinition is the 10th studio album by American rapper LL Cool J, issued on Def Jam Recordings. It was released on August 31, 2004 and peaked at #4 on the U.S. Billboard 200. It debuted in the top 5, and The DEFinition went Gold in the United States...
|
Best Rap Album |
|
MTV Video Music Awards
- 1991 - MTV Video Music Award for Best Rap Video
The MTV Video Music Award for Best Rap Video was first given out in 1989, and it was one the four original genre categories added at the 1989 MTV Video Music Awards. This award was last given out in 2006, as MTV did not bring it back in 2008 like it did with other genre awards...
, for "Mama Said Knock You Out"
- 1997 - MTV Video Music Vanguard Award, for "career achievement"
NAACP Image AwardAn NAACP Image Award is an accolade presented by the American National Association for the Advancement of Colored People to honor outstanding people of color in film, television, music, and literature....
s
- 1996 - Best Rap Artist, for "Mr. Smith"
- 1997 - Best Rap Artist, for "Mr. Smith"
- 2001 - Outstanding Hip-Hop/Rap Artist, for "G.O.A.T."
- 2003 - Outstanding Male Artist
Soul Train Music AwardsThe Soul Train Music Awards is an annual award show which previously aired in national television syndication, and honors the best in Black music and entertainment...
- 1987 - Soul Train Music Award for Best Rap - Single
The Soul Train Music Award winners for Best Rap - Single The award has not been given out since 1988....
for "I Need Love"
- 2003 - Quincy Jones Award, for "outstanding career achievements in the field of entertainment"
Blockbuster Entertainment Awards
- 2000 - "Favorite Supporting Actor - Action" from Deep Blue Sea
Deep Blue Sea is a 1999 science fiction horror film that stars Thomas Jane, Saffron Burrows, LL Cool J, and Samuel L Jackson. The film was directed by Renny Harlin and was released in the United States on July 28, 1999.- Plot :...
The New York Music Awards
Soul Train Awards
Billboard Awards
Rock The VoteRock the Vote is a non-profit organization in the United States of America whose mission is to engage and build the political power of young people....
Award
- 1997 - "Patrick Lippert Award"'
Source Awards
- 2003 - Source Foundation Image Award, for "his community work"
Long Island Music Hall of FameThe Long Island Music Hall of Fame is an organization whose office is located in Port Jefferson, New York. It was incorporated in July 2005 under the New York State Board of Regents as a non profit organization and holds a provisional charter to operate as a museum in the state of New York...
- 2007 - Inducted as part of the Inaugural Class of Inductees for his contribution to Long Island's rich musical heritage
BET Hip Hop AwardsThe BET Hip Hop Awards are an annual awards show, airing on BET, showcasing hip hop performers, producers and music video directors. The awards ceremony began in 2006, was held on November 12, 2006 at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia, was first aired November 15 and was hosted by comedian Katt...
- 2011 - Honored with the I Am Hip Hop Award for his contributions to hip-hop culture
External links