LL Cool J facts for kids

Quick facts for kids LL Cool J
LL Cool J at 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	East Coast 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 an American rapper and actor. His stage name means Ladies Love Cool James. He was one of the first rappers to become very famous. Other early successful hip hop artists included the Beastie Boys and Run-DMC.

LL Cool J signed with Def Jam Recordings in 1984. He became well-known 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 most recent album, The FORCE, was released in 2024.

LL Cool J has acted in many movies, such as Deep Blue Sea and S.W.A.T.. He played Special Agent Sam Hanna in the TV show NCIS: Los Angeles. He also hosted the popular show Lip Sync Battle.

He has won two Grammy Awards. Some of his famous songs include "Mama Said Knock You Out" and "I Need Love". In 2017, LL Cool J was the first rapper to receive the Kennedy Center Honors. He was also added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2021.

Early Life and Music Start

James Todd Smith was born on January 14, 1968, in Bay Shore, New York. He grew up in St. Albans, Queens, New York. He started rapping when he was 10 years old. He was inspired by the hip-hop group The Treacherous Three.

In 1984, when he was 16, James made demo tapes at his grandparents' house. His grandfather, a jazz musician, bought him music equipment. This included turntables, a mixer, and an amplifier. His mother also supported him, buying him a drum machine. James said that kids in his neighborhood grew up with rap music.

At this time, Rick Rubin and Russell Simmons started the Def Jam record label. James sent his demos to different companies, including Def Jam. He found his musical home there.

Musical Journey

LL Cool J first called himself J-Ski. But he changed his name to LL Cool J, which means "Ladies Love Cool James." His friend and fellow rapper Mikey D helped him choose the name. Def Jam signed him, and he released his first song, "I Need a Beat" (1984). This song was very popular and helped make Def Jam famous.

LL Cool J's first concert was 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.

Radio and Early Success

His first album, Radio, came out in 1985. Critics loved it for its new sound and LL's strong rapping. It sold over 500,000 copies in five months. By 1988, it sold over 1 million copies. Songs like "I Can't Live Without My Radio" and "Rock the Bells" helped the album become a platinum hit.

Radio helped LL Cool J become a mainstream hip-hop star. He joined the "Raising Hell" tour in 1986–1987. He opened for Run-D.M.C. and the Beastie Boys. He was also the first hip-hop artist to appear on American Bandstand.

The album's success also boosted Rick Rubin's career as a producer. Radio had a simple, raw sound that influenced many future hip-hop songs.

More Hits and Fame

LL Cool J's second album, Bigger and Deffer, was released in 1987. It sold over two million copies in the U.S. It stayed at number one on the R&B albums chart for 11 weeks. This album included hits like "I'm Bad" and "I Need Love". "I Need Love" was his first number one R&B song.

In 1989, he released Walking with a Panther. It had popular songs like "Going Back to Cali". Some people thought this album was too focused on love songs and being commercial.

In 1990, LL released his fourth album, Mama Said Knock You Out. This album was a huge success and proved he could stay a strong, edgy rapper. It sold over two million copies. He won a Grammy Award for the title track in 1992. This album became his best-selling one.

Continuing His Career

LL Cool J in 1999

After acting in movies like Toys, LL Cool J released 14 Shots to the Dome in 1993. It quickly sold well.

He then starred in the TV show In the House. In 1995, he released the album Mr. Smith, which sold over two million copies. It featured hit songs like "Hey Lover" and "Doin' It". "Hey Lover" won him another Grammy Award.

In 1997, he released Phenomenon. This album included the song "4, 3, 2, 1", which featured other famous rappers.

LL Cool J during a 2001 performance in Germany

In 2000, LL Cool J released G.O.A.T., which stands for "Greatest of All Time." It reached number one on the Billboard charts. His album 10 (2002) included the hit "Luv U Better". This album also sold over a million copies.

His album The DEFinition came out in 2004. It featured popular songs like "Headsprung" and "Hush."

Later Albums and Tours

LL Cool J's album Todd Smith was released in 2006. It included songs with other artists like Jennifer Lopez.

LL Cool J performing in Wilmington, Delaware in August 2008

His 11th album, Exit 13, was his last with Def Jam Recordings for a while. It was released in 2008. He later rejoined Def Jam and released The FORCE in 2024.

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

In 2011, LL Cool J started working with DJ Z-Trip. They toured together and released new music. In 2013, he released the album Authentic.

In 2016, LL Cool J received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He also hosted the Grammy Awards for five years in a row.

Acting Career

LL Cool J first appeared as a rapper in the movie Krush Groove (1985). His first acting role was 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, he was in Halloween H20. In 1999, he played a chef in the movie Deep Blue Sea. He also played a talented football player in Any Given Sunday. He continued to act in movies like S.W.A.T. and Mindhunters.

In 2009, he began starring in the CBS show NCIS: Los Angeles. He played Special Agent Sam Hanna, an ex-Navy SEAL. The show ran for 14 seasons. In 2013, he won a Teen Choice Award for his role. In 2023, he returned as Sam Hanna in NCIS: Hawaiʻi.

From 2015 to 2019, LL Cool J hosted the popular show Lip Sync Battle.

Other Activities

LL Cool J has done many things outside of music and acting. He launched a clothing line called "Todd Smith." He has also written four books. These include his autobiography I Make My Own Rules (1997) and a fitness book called The Platinum Workout (2006).

He started a music label called P.O.G. (Power Of God) in 1993. He also created Boomdizzle.com in 2008. This website was a record label and social networking site. It allowed new artists to upload music and get feedback from users.

Impact and Awards

LL Cool J's album Radio helped shape the "new school" hip-hop sound. This new style moved away from older disco-influenced rap. It featured strong, confident rapping and a raw, simple sound. This style influenced many famous hip-hop artists.

In 2017, LL Cool J made history as the first hip-hop artist to receive a Kennedy Center Honors. This award celebrates artists for their lifetime contributions to American culture.

In 2021, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He received an award for Musical Excellence. In 2022, he was given the Key of the City of New York in Queens.

Personal Life

LL Cool J, whose real name is James Todd Smith, married Simone Johnson in 1995. They met in 1987 and have four children. Simone Johnson-Smith had chondrosarcoma, a type of bone cancer, but she became cancer-free in 2004. She later started her own jewelry line.

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

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

Television

Documentary

Tours

• 1987 Def Jam Tour (1987)
• Nitro World Tour (1989–1990)
• Top Secret Tour (1996)

Awards and Nominations

Grammy Awards

American Music Awards

Billboard Music Awards

MTV Video Music Awards

NAACP Image Awards

Soul Train Music Awards

Other Honors and Awards

• 1988 – Honored as Kwasi Achi-Bru, a chief of the Akan people, 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 – Long Island Music Hall of Fame, Inducted as part of the first group for his music contributions
• 2011 – BET Hip Hop Awards, Honored with the I Am Hip Hop Award for his impact on hip-hop culture
• 2013 – A New York City tour bus was dedicated to LL Cool J and his life's work
• 2014 – Honorary Doctor of Arts, Northeastern University, for his contributions to hip-hop culture
• 2016 – LL Cool J was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame.
• 2017 – First hip hop artist to receive a Kennedy Center Honor
• LL Cool J has been nominated six times for the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame. He was nominated in 2010, 2011, 2014, 2018, 2019, and 2021 as a performer. In 2021, he was inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for Musical Excellence.
• 2022 – Honored with the Key of the City of New York in the Queens borough

Acting

See also

In Spanish: LL Cool J para niños