LL Cool J facts for kids

Quick facts for kids LL Cool J
LL Cool J receiving the 2017 Kennedy Center Honors
Born	James Todd Smith (1968-01-14) January 14, 1968 (age 57) Bay Shore, New York, U.S.
Occupation	Rapper songwriter record producer actor
Years active	1984–present
Spouse(s)	Simone Johnson ​ (m. 1995)​
Partner(s)	Kidada Jones (1992–1994)
Children	4
Musical career
Origin	Queens, New York City, U.S.
Genres	Hip hop
Labels	Virgin 429 Def Jam Columbia CBS Violator S-BRO
Signature

James Todd Smith (born January 14, 1968), known as LL Cool J, is a famous American rapper and actor. His stage name means Ladies Love Cool James. He was one of the first rappers to become super successful. Other early hip hop stars include the Beastie Boys and Run-DMC.

LL Cool J signed with Def Jam Recordings in 1984. He became famous with his song "I Need a Beat." His first album, Radio (1985), was a big hit. He continued to have success with albums like Bigger and Deffer (1987) and Mama Said Knock You Out (1990). His latest album, The FORCE, came out in 2024.

Besides music, LL Cool J has acted in many movies. These include Halloween H20, Deep Blue Sea, and S.W.A.T.. He also played NCIS Special Agent Sam Hanna in the TV show NCIS: Los Angeles. He was also the host of Lip Sync Battle.

LL Cool J has won two Grammy Awards. He is known for hip hop songs like "Going Back to Cali" and "Mama Said Knock You Out". He also had R&B hits like "I Need Love" and "Hey Lover". In 2017, he made history as the first rapper to receive the Kennedy Center Honors. In 2021, he joined the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Early Life and Family

James Todd Smith was born on January 14, 1968. His birthplace was Bay Shore, New York. He grew up in St. Albans, Queens. He faced a difficult childhood.

James started rapping when he was 10 years old. He was inspired by the group The Treacherous Three. In 1984, when he was 16, he made demo tapes at his grandparents' house. His grandfather, who played jazz saxophone, bought him music equipment. This included turntables and an audio mixer. His mother also helped by buying him a Korg drum machine.

James said that kids in his neighborhood grew up with rap music. It was like learning a language. Around this time, Rick Rubin and Russell Simmons started Def Jam Recordings. James sent his demos to different record companies, including Def Jam.

Music Career

LL Cool J first called himself J-Ski. But he changed his stage name to LL Cool J. This name was suggested by his friend Mikey D. LL Cool J stands for "Ladies Love Cool James." Def Jam signed him, and he released his first song, "I Need a Beat" (1984). This song was a strong, street-smart b-boy track.

LL Cool J said he sent his demo to many companies. But he found his home at Def Jam. He performed his first concert at Manhattan Center High School. He remembered girls screaming and asking for autographs. He knew then that music was what he wanted to do. His first song sold over 100,000 copies. This helped make Def Jam a famous label.

Radio Album Success (1985–1987)

LL Cool J's album Radio came out on November 18, 1985. Critics loved it for its new sound and LL's powerful rapping. The album sold very well for a hip hop record at that time. It sold over 500,000 copies in five months. By 1988, it had sold over 1 million copies.

Radio reached number 6 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. It also hit number 46 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. Songs like "I Can't Live Without My Radio" and "Rock the Bells" helped the album become a platinum seller. It eventually sold 1.5 million copies in the U.S.

The success of Radio made LL Cool J a mainstream hip hop star. He joined the 1986-'87 Raising Hell tour. He opened for Run-DMC and the Beastie Boys. LL also appeared on American Bandstand. He was the first hip hop act on that show.

The album's success also boosted Rick Rubin's career as a producer. Radio had a simple, raw sound. This style became one of Rubin's trademarks. It greatly influenced future hip hop music.

Breakthrough and Continued Success (1987–1993)

LL Cool J's second album was Bigger and Deffer (1987). It was produced by DJ Pooh and the L.A. Posse. This album sold over two million copies in the United States. It stayed at number 1 on Billboard's R&B albums chart for 11 weeks. It also reached number 3 on the Pop albums chart. The album featured hits like "I'm Bad" and "I Need Love". "I Need Love" was LL's first number 1 R&B hit.

In 1989, LL released Walking with a Panther. This album was also a commercial success. It had popular songs like "Going Back to Cali". However, some hip hop fans felt the album was too commercial. They thought it had too many love songs.

In 1990, LL released Mama Said Knock You Out. This was his fourth studio album. Marley Marl produced it. The album was praised by critics and sold over two million copies. Mama Said Knock You Out showed that LL Cool J could stay relevant. He won a Grammy Award in 1992 for the title track. This album became LL's best-selling album. It cemented his place as a hip hop icon.

Continued Success and Prominence (1993–2005)

LL Cool J in 1999

After acting in movies like The Hard Way, LL Cool J released 14 Shots to the Dome. This album had four singles and sold well.

LL Cool J starred in the NBC sitcom In the House. Then he released Mr. Smith (1995). This album sold over two million copies. It included hit songs like "Doin' It" and "Hey Lover". "Hey Lover" featured Boyz II Men and won him another Grammy Award.

In 1996, Def Jam released a "greatest hits" album. It showed his career from early hits to smoother songs. In 1997, his song "Ain't Nobody" was very popular in the United Kingdom. It topped the UK Singles Chart.

That same year, he released the album Phenomenon. Singles included "Phenomenon" and "Father". The song "4, 3, 2, 1" featured other rappers like Method Man and DMX.

In 2000, LL Cool J released G.O.A.T., which means "Greatest of All Time." It debuted at number one on the Billboard charts. It also went platinum. His next album, 10 (2002), included hits like "Paradise" and "Luv U Better". This album also reached platinum status.

LL Cool J's album The DEFinition came out in 2004. It debuted at number 4 on the Billboard charts. It featured production from Timbaland and R. Kelly. The lead single was "Headsprung."

Later Albums and Tours (2006–2012)

LL Cool J's 11th album, Todd Smith, was released in 2006. It had collaborations with other artists. The first single was "Control Myself" featuring Jennifer Lopez.

LL Cool J performing in Wilmington, Delaware in August 2008

In 2006, LL Cool J announced his final album with Def Jam Recordings. The album was called Exit 13. It was released on September 9, 2008. LL Cool J also released his first mixtape called "The Return of the G.O.A.T." He toured with Janet Jackson in 2008.

In 2009, LL Cool J released a song about the NCIS TV series. He wrote it based on his role as Special Agent Sam Hanna. He said he was inspired by meeting real NCIS agents and Navy SEALs.

In 2011, LL Cool J started working with DJ Z-Trip. They discussed their partnership in an interview. They released a free song called "Super Baller" in 2012. They have been touring together since 2011.

Authentic, G.O.A.T. 2 and Recognition (2012–2023)

On October 6, 2012, LL Cool J released "Ratchet." This was a new song from his album Authentic Hip-Hop. The album title was later changed to Authentic. It was released on April 30, 2013. He even worked with Van Halen guitarist Eddie Van Halen on two songs for the album.

In 2013, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominated LL Cool J. In 2014, he announced his 14th album, G.O.A.T. 2. But the album was put on hold because he felt it wasn't ready.

On January 21, 2016, LL received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In March 2016, he hinted at retirement but then said a new album was coming. LL hosted the Grammy Awards for five years in a row, from 2012 to 2016.

In 2019, LL re-signed with Def Jam for future albums. On December 29, 2021, he canceled a performance after testing positive for COVID-19. LL Cool J hosted the 2022 iHeartRadio Music Awards on March 22, 2022.

Recent Music: The FORCE (2024–present)

On June 14, 2024, LL Cool J released "Saturday Night Special." This song featured rappers Rick Ross and Fat Joe. It was his first lead single in eight years. This song is from his 14th studio album, The FORCE. The album was released on September 6, 2024. It was produced entirely by Q-Tip. The album also includes the song "Proclivities" with Saweetie. On August 31, 2024, he released "Murdergram Deux" featuring Eminem.

Acting Career

LL Cool J first appeared as a rapper in the movie Krush Groove (1985). His first acting role was a small part in the movie Wildcats. He played Captain Patrick Zevo in the 1992 film Toys. From 1995 to 1999, he starred in his own TV show, In the House. He played a former football player who rented out part of his home.

In 1998, LL Cool J played a security guard named Ronny in Halloween H20. This was the seventh movie in the Halloween series. In 1999, he played Preacher, the chef, in the movie Deep Blue Sea. He also received good reviews for his role as Dwayne Gittens in In Too Deep. Later that year, he starred as Julian Washington in Any Given Sunday. Over the next two years, he appeared in movies like Rollerball and S.W.A.T..

In 2005, he guest-starred on the TV show House. He played a character with an unknown disease. He also appeared with Queen Latifah in the 2006 movie Last Holiday. He guest-starred on 30 Rock in 2007. LL Cool J also appeared on Sesame Street in 2008.

In 2009, he began starring in the CBS police show NCIS: Los Angeles. He played Special Agent Sam Hanna. Sam Hanna is an ex-Navy SEAL who speaks Arabic. The show ran for 14 seasons. In 2013, LL won a Teen Choice Award for his role. In 2023, it was announced that LL would continue playing Sam Hanna in NCIS: Hawaiʻi.

In 2013, LL co-starred in the movie Grudge Match. From 2015 to 2019, LL hosted the show Lip Sync Battle.

Other Ventures

LL Cool J has been involved in many businesses. In the 1980s, he worked with the hip hop clothing line TROOP. He also launched his own clothing line called "Todd Smith." This brand made popular urban clothes.

LL Cool J has written four books. These include his autobiography I Make My Own Rules (1997). He also wrote a children's book called And The Winner Is... (2002). In 2006, he wrote a fitness book called The Platinum Workout.

In 1993, he started a music label called P.O.G. (Power Of God). He also formed Rock The Bells to produce music. This company helped promote the Deep Blue Sea soundtrack.

In 2008, LL Cool J launched Boomdizzle.com. This website was a record label and social networking site. It allowed new artists to upload music. Users could then rate the songs.

In 2015, LL Cool J appeared in the introduction to WrestleMania 31.

Influence and Honors

The release of Radio happened during the rise of the new school scene. This time is also known as hip-hop's "golden age". This period saw a change from older hip hop styles. Radio was one of the first records to mix hip hop vocals with rock music. This helped create the rap rock sound.

New school hip hop used drum machines and had an aggressive style. Artists showed a tough, cool, street b-boy attitude. This was different from the older hip hop styles. New school artists made shorter songs that were easier to play on the radio. They also made more complete albums, like LL Cool J's Radio. The song "I Can't Live Without My Radio" is a great example of this new style. It was featured in the film Krush Groove (1985).

The strong style of rapping on Radio influenced many hip hop artists. These included Boogie Down Productions and Public Enemy. The album's success also led to more diverse audiences. This helped grow the legacy of hip hop music.

In 2017, LL Cool J became the first rapper to receive Kennedy Center Honors. This is a very high award for artists.

In 2021, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He received an award for Musical Excellence.

Personal Life

Relationships and Family

James Smith married Simone Johnson in 1995. They met in 1987 and have four children.

Simone Johnson-Smith was diagnosed with a type of bone cancer. She later became cancer-free in 2004. She started a jewelry line in 2011. In 2020, she launched another jewelry line, Sister Love, with Mary J. Blige. In 2023, the couple started a men's jewelry line called Majesty.

On the show Finding Your Roots, Smith learned about his biological grandparents. His biological great-uncle was the famous boxer John Henry Lewis.

Political Views

In 2002, LL Cool J supported George Pataki for Governor of New York. In 2003, he spoke about music sharing and copyright. He said illegal file sharing hurt his sales. He also supported New York State Senator Malcolm Smith.

In 2012, LL Cool J said he was an independent. He said he admired President Barack Obama. He wrote in his book that Obama had achieved what people thought was impossible.

Helping Others

LL Cool J has his own charity called Jump & Ball. It is in his hometown of Queens, New York. It offers sports and team-building programs for young people. He also supports many charities for reading, music, and arts programs for kids and schools.

Discography

Studio albums

• Radio (1985)
• Bigger and Deffer (1987)
• Walking with a Panther (1989)
• Mama Said Knock You Out (1990)
• 14 Shots to the Dome (1993)
• Mr. Smith (1995)
• Phenomenon (1997)
• G.O.A.T. (2000)
• 10 (2002)
• The DEFinition (2004)
• Todd Smith (2006)
• Exit 13 (2008)
• Authentic (2013)
• The FORCE (2024)

Filmography

Film Roles

Television Roles

Documentaries

Awards and Honors

Grammy Awards

American Music Awards

Billboard Music Awards

MTV Video Music Awards

NAACP Image Awards

Soul Train Music Awards

Other Honors and Awards

• 1988 – Named Kwasi Achi-Bru, a chieftain in Abidjan, Ivory Coast
• 1991 – Billboard Top Rap Singles Artist
• 1997 – Patrick Lippert Award, Rock The Vote
• 2003 – Source Foundation Image Award, for "his community work"
• 2007 – Inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame
• 2011 – Honored with the I Am Hip Hop Award at the BET Hip Hop Awards
• 2013 – A tour bus in New York City was dedicated to LL Cool J
• 2014 – Received an Honorary Doctor of Arts from Northeastern University
• 2016 – Awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame
• 2017 – First hip hop artist to receive a Kennedy Center Honor
• 2021 – Inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame for Musical Excellence
• 2022 – Honored with the Key of the City of New York in Queens

Acting Awards

Images for kids

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  LL Cool J during a 2001 performance in Germany

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  LL Cool J during a 2001 performance in Germany

See also

In Spanish: LL Cool J para niños