_taboola.push({ We believe that every person's story is important as it provides our community with an opportunity to feel a sense of belonging, share their hopes and dreams. The pair are fairing well in their careers, marriage, and parenthood. published in 2002. He has been nominated in 2010, 2011, 2014, 2018, 2019, and 2021 as a performer. The singles included "Phenomenon" and "Father". [18], In the VH1 documentary Planet Rock: The Story of Hip Hop and the Crack Generation, Smith revealed that he initially called himself J-Ski, but did not want to associate his stage name with the cocaine culture (The rappers who use "Ski" or "Blow" as part of their stage name, e.g., Kurtis Blow and Joeski Love, were associated with the rise of the cocaine culture, as depicted in the 1983 remake of Scarface.) "LL Cool J gets honorary degree from Northeastern", "LL Cool J Receives a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame", "Fela nominated for 2021 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame", "LL COOL J Honored With Key To The City In Queens, New York During First Rock The Bells Festival", "LL Cool J Honored With Key To Queens, New York", "LL Cool J Received The Key To The City Of Queens During Inaugural Rock The Bells Festival", "february 2000 | blackfilm.com | features | naacp image awards nominees", "Blockbuster Entertainment Award winners", "Filmmakers.com: Film: The 2004 Black Reel Awards Nominations Announced", "Teen Choice Awards 2011 Nominees Announced: Harry Potter vs Twilight", "NAACP Image Awards 2012: Full list of winners", "Teen Choice Awards 2012: Complete Winners List", "The 44th NAACP Image Award complete winners list", "Teen Choice 2013 - August 11 on FOX - Vote Every Day! Now he is the first hip-hop artist to ever receive a Kennedy Centre Honour this month for his lifetime . LL COOL J / ACCIDENTAL RACIST Preface: Intercultural dialogue is a wholly positive and necessary thing. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. mode: 'thumbnails-rr1', Five years later, he became a star, went on to win numerous awards, and earned the title of one of the founding fathers of hip hop. It was just a power trip , Hed make me take off all my clothes and put my arms up on my bunk bed with the `Star Wars sheets while he beat me. LL Cool J explained that late one night, he woke up to the sound of horrible moan. He went to check what had happened and found that James had shot Ondrea in the back. Cool J and his mother moved to his grandparent's house in 1972. In 1996, Def Jam released this "greatest hits" package, offering a good summary of Cool J's career, from the relentless minimalism of early hits such as "Rock the Bells" to the smooth-talking braggadocio that followed. However, his childhood was quite challenging, starting with the fact that he grew up in a tough section of Queens, New York, where drugs were present almost everywhere. It was the first mixtape of his 24-year career and includes freestyling by LL Cool J in addition to other rappers giving their renditions of his songs. LL Cool J's mother forgave his father for shooting her in the back. Here is the truth behind the rapper's life. Here is the truth behind the rapper's life. He has been in films such as "Any Given Sunday", "In Too Deep", and "Deep Blue Sea" just to . After his mother moved on, she married an abusive man and drug addict named, LL Cool J Announces Rock the Bells Festival with Ice Cube, Lil Kim, Digable Planets, Will Smiths Post Slap Film Comeback is Sci-fi Thriller Brilliance Hes Producing/Starring, In GMA Interview Ye Apologizes to Kim K for Stressing Her | WATCH. After labeling his family as very interesting, he revealed one of the most shocking aspects of the entire situation: LL Cool Js mother forgave his father for shooting her in the back. "[108], LL Cool J has his own charitable foundation called Jump & Ball, which is based in his hometown of Queens, New York, and offers an athletic and team-building program for young people. Yet, the scars never fully healed. [10], In 2002, LL Cool J supported George Pataki's bid for a third term as Governor of New York. Source: MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images / Getty. [69] In 1999, co-starred as Preacher, the chef in the Renny Harlin horror/comedy Deep Blue Sea. [61], On December 29, 2021, LL Cool J canceled his performance at Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve With Ryan Seacrest 2022 after testing positive for COVID-19. Hed even pull me out of the shower to get a beating. According to Hollywood.com; Truck driver James Nunya shot his father-in-law Eugene in the stomach and estranged wife Ondrea in the back out of frustration over the couples divorce in 1972, when the Grammy winner and awards host was just a young boy. Much to people's surprise, LL Cool J said: LL Cool J at Barclays Center on July 14, 2019 | Source: Getty Images, I guess it would leave you scarred at four years old based on how the people around you dealt with it and encouraged you to deal with it.. James Todd Smith, realized expertly by his stage name, LL Cool J, was brought into this world on January 14, 1968. 00:00. LL Cool J added: My father he made a massive blunder, but he also did a lot of things right, you know. Speaking about the traumatic experience he had with his mother's boyfriend, he said: "He would beat me for watching television, for lookin at him funny, for looking out the window watching other kids play. He appeared as Queen Latifah's love interest in the 2006 movie Last Holiday. After this experience, the couple's relationship became stronger. - I Shot Ya 1995. window._taboola = window._taboola || []; They also share a close-knit relationship. [79], Since 2009, LL Cool J has starred on the CBS police procedural NCIS: Los Angeles. LL Cool J witnessed his father trying to murder his mother and grandfather. See more ideas about ll cool j, sexy men, fine black men. Advertisement LL Cool J is a legendary rapper who has recorded over nine albums in the last 15 years and won many awards, including three Grammys. [20] Smith has stated that by the time he received musical equipment from his relatives, he "was already a rapper. LL Cool J, Simone Smith and family at The Fashion Institute of Technology on May 25, 2017 | Source: Getty Images. [36] This stands as one of his biggest-selling career albums, having sold in excess of two million copies in the United States alone. placement: 'Right Rail Thumbnails', The album is titled Exit 13. Unfortunately, that relationship turned sour when James mismanaged LL's funds . The pair are highly supportive of their kids and have taught them the value of being confident and determined about their goals. LL Cool J was born James Todd Smith into a middle-class family. He toured with Janet Jackson on her Rock Witchu tour, only playing in Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto, and Kansas City. He actually had to overcome many challenges to get to where he is today. With the breakthrough success of his hit single "I Need a Beat" and the Radio LP, LL Cool J became one of the early hip-hop acts to achieve mainstream success along with Kurtis Blow and Run-D.M.C. His mother, Ondrea, was a nurse's assistant, while his father, James, drove a truck. Season 2 Episode 220. At this point, the entertainer decided to stick by her unconditionally, putting up a positive front, and even offered to give her a bone marrow. LL Cool J's next album 10 from 2002, was his ninth studio (10th overall including his greatest hits compilation All World), and included the singles "Paradise" (featuring Amerie), and the number 1 R&B hit "Luv U Better", produced by the Neptunes. His mother, Ondrea, was a nurses assistant while his father, James, was a truck driver. However, the victims survived, and thankfully, things were repaired in the household, with the Smith patriarch admitting and turning away from his errors. As a result LL fired James and hired a new manager. 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. But The lessons you taught me live on in my heart. James Todd Smith (born January 14, 1968), known professionally as LL Cool J (short for Ladies Love Cool James),[3] is an American rapper, songwriter, record producer, and actor. We believe that every person's story is important as it provides our community with an opportunity to feel a sense of belonging, share their hopes and dreams. By Kory Grow. It's like speaking Spanish if you grow up in an all-Spanish house. The iconic rapper and actor tops the list as one of the few black entertainers with a happy home and no controversies. After that, Ondrea started dating a new man named Roscoe Granger, who was abusive to the young LL Cool J. Digging into the way that his mothers boyfriend treated him, the actor explained: Roscoe beat me for just about anything. It's too long for a . And yes, back in 1990, when his critics were encouraging the 22-year-old rap pioneer to consider an early retirement, Grandma Cool J really-truly did urge young LL to knock those fools unconscious. [5][6], A two-time Grammy Award winner, LL Cool J is known for hip hop songs such as "Going Back to Cali", "I'm Bad", "The Boomin' System", "Rock the Bells", and "Mama Said Knock You Out", as well as R&B hits such as "Doin' It", "I Need Love", "Around the Way Girl" and "Hey Lover". [38] Released in 1989, the album was a commercial success, with several charting singles ("Going Back to Cali", which had originally been released on the 1987 movie soundtrack Less than Zero, "I'm That Type of Guy", "Big Ole Butt", and "One Shot at Love"). "RIP to My Father James Nunya. "I Can't Live Without My Radio" and "Rock the Bells" were singles that helped the album go platinum. Dante Boyles MUS 211 LL Cool J Cultural Analysis Paper LL Cool J has done a lot in the hip-hop industry and has also branched out to the entertainment business as well. Yet, the scars never fully healed. [53], In October 2014, LL announced that his 14th studio album would be called G.O.A.T. Although LL Cool J may have a perfect life with his wife of 25 years, he has experienced a few bumps on the ride to a successful life. His father shot his mother and grandfather, nearly killing them both. The lead single was the Timbaland-produced "Headsprung", which peaked at No. We believe that every person's story is important as it provides our community with an opportunity to feel a sense of belonging, share their hopes and dreams. Should we be angry? In fact, when he was starting out as a musician, his dad actually re-entered his life and tried to guide him through it. Elsewhere in the book, LL said a low point in his sex life came when he had an intimate encounter with a . LL was a young boy growing up in New York when his parents separated in 1972. James Todd Smith, popularly known as LL Cool J, is a well-known artist in the movie and music industry. LL Cool J was born James Todd Smith in Bay Shore, New York on January 14, 1968 to James Louis Smith (AKA James Nunya) and Ondrea Griffith. And LL was the one who discovered them! It was like the scene in `Glory when Denzel Washington was getting beat down like a slave, except I was like 8 years old. He is best known for romantic ballads like I Need Love as well as hardcore rap like I Can't Live Without My Radio. Eventually Ondrea left Roscoe but after all of the trauma LL suffered it was too little too late. Mark Summers for Rolling . 14 on the Billboard Hip-Hop and R&B chart and No. Sadly, a few years later, the young man stated that his dad mismanaged his funds which led to him getting fired. We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. [63][64], While LL Cool J first appeared as a rapper in the movie Krush Groove (performing "I Can't Live Without My Radio"),[65] his first acting part was a small role in a high school football movie called Wildcats. It was tough. Page 1 of LL Cool J biography and life story including childhood story, love relationship, career, walk of fame and more. LL Cool J came out and said that Jay and LL Cool J stand for Jackson. He started rapping aged nine, and music provided a way to escape the suffering he endured. LL Cool J ( Full name: James Todd Smith) is a 54-year-old American record producer, songwriter, rapper, and actor. The album had four singles ("How I'm Comin'", "Back Seat (of My Jeep)", "Pink Cookies in a Plastic Bag Getting Crushed by Buildings", "Stand By Your Man") and guest-featured labelmates Lords of the Underground on "NFA-No Frontin' Allowed". Mr. James was upset that LL Cool J's mother had left him. [92], With the breakthrough success of his hit single "I Need a Beat" and the Radio LP, LL Cool J became an early hip-hop act to achieve mainstream success along with Kurtis Blow and Run-DMC. According to Hollywood.com; Truck driver James Nunya shot his father-in-law Eugene in the stomach and estranged wife Ondrea in the back out . AmoMama creates engaging, meaningful content for women. advocates for a healthy discussion about the instances of violence, abuse, sexual misconduct, animal cruelty, abuse etc. Posse. *In his 1997 biography I Make My Own Rules,. LL Cool J looks back on "Accidental Racist" and explains why he declared himself the G.O.A.T. During an appearance on Finding Your Roots With Henry Louis . 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He has released twelve studio albums over his 27 year career, has starred in numerous feature films and currently [31] Another milestone of LL's popularity was his appearance on American Bandstand as the first hip-hop act on the show. Once there, his friend offered to introduce his cousin, Simone. Hed even pull me out of the shower to get a beating. By the 90s, he already established himself as an actor and juggled both careers seamlessly. But there is an intriguing story behind the heart-melting and powerful duo. He'd long been open about his adoption, but all he knew, based on some . He didnt care how he beat me or with what . LL Cool J starred in In the House, an NBC sitcom, before releasing Mr. Smith (1995), which went on to sell over two million copies. container: 'taboola-right-rail-thumbnails', The commercial success of "I Need a Beat", along with the Beastie Boys' single "Rock Hard" (1984), helped lead Def Jam to a distribution deal with Columbia Records the following year. [14], Smith began rapping at the age of 10, influenced by the hip-hop group The Treacherous Three. Eventually, LLs father James came back into his life and helped him out in the early stages of his budding rap career. [91], In March 2015, LL Cool J also appeared in an introduction to WrestleMania 31. Apart from that, he shot his grandfather in the stomach. placement: 'Right Rail Thumbnails', In his memoir I Make My Own Rules, the rapper recalled the day his father James almost killed his mother and grandfather. [11][12][13] According to the Chicago Tribune, "[As] a kid growing up middle class and Catholic in Queens, life for Smith was heart-breaking. He appeared to endorse the RIAA's position, claiming illegal file sharing was hurting his sales and that his session musicians "can't live" due to the lost income. Following that, on November 3, 2012, LL collaborated with Joe and producers Trackmasters with his second single, "Take It". He has also appeared in several films. The lyrics are about a recently-born baby girl and deceased beat poet Neal Cassady that's right, they couldn't even spell his name correctly SD 26 BRAD PAISLEY FEAT. and the Beastie Boys. My family is a very interesting family. There is no more complete source for urban news than the Electronic Urban Report. Who are LL Cool J parents? ", "LL Cool J Todd Smith Clothing Collection Launch and Video", "Here's LL Cool J's Emotional Opening To WrestleMania 31", "Encyclopedia - Britannica Online Encyclopedia Def Jam, LL, & new school hip hop", "LL Cool J:: Radio ** RapReviews "Back to the Lab" series ** by Steve "Flash" Juon", EntertainmentSimone Smith, LL Cool J's Wife: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know, "LL Cool J's Kids With Wife Simone Smith", "Senator Malcolm Smith Show w. 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In September 2009, LL Cool J released a song about the NCIS TV series. His father shot his mother and grandfather, almost killing them both. 3 on the Billboard's Pop albums chart. LL opened up about Roscoes constant abuse during an interview with Oprah back in the day. Roscoe beat me for just about anything. Eventually, LLs father James came back into his life and helped him out in the early stages of his budding rap career. LL (birth name James Todd Smith) recounted his painful childhood memories in his biography "I Make My Own Rules" and the details are shocking. placement: 'Right Rail Thumbnails', The rest is history. LL Cool J portrays NCIS Special Agent Sam Hanna, an exNavy SEAL who is fluent in Arabic and is an expert on West Asian culture. We humbly honor the old school soul music era and will keep pushing forward to keep it alive. container: 'taboola-right-rail-thumbnails', . 'NCIS's' Chris O'Donnell's 4 Co-star Kids & Namesake Eldest Son Who Is a Spitting Image of Him, Pierce Brosnan Suffered Cruelness as a Child after Mom and Dad Left Him: It Was Ugly', Demi Moore Felt 'Betrayed' by Mom's Lie about Biological Dad Yet Later Forgave Her & Became Her Caregiver, Will Smith Could Not Forgive His Dad until His Last Days as He Wished He Could Avenge His Mom for Many Years, Firefighter Saves then Adopts Orphan Boy who Finds Moms Photo in Fathers Room 40 Years Later Story of the Day, James Garner Became 'Greatest Father' after Adopting Wife's Child despite Being Unloved by His Stepmom, Mark Wahlberg Wants to Devote More Time to Parenting in Private & Asks Record $87.5M for His LA Mansion, Judge Hears His Son Mock a Boy Whose Dad Laid the Bricks to Build Their Mansion Story of the Day, Inside Tom Hanks & Wife of 33 Years Rita Wilson's Relationship with Their Biracial Granddaughter, Man Kicks His 60-Year-Old Wife Out of the House after Learning Shes Pregnant with Triplets Story of the Day, Marlo Thomas Spouse Was a Virgin before Marriage to Mom of His 5 Kids & a Lousy Lover Afterward, Man Who Hasnt Seen His Old Dad for 17 Years Visits and Sees His House Ruined Story of the Day, Kurt Russell Became 'Pa' to Goldie Hawn's Kids Whose Father Considers Them 'Dead', Young Man Who Never Knew His Parents Pushes Father Away, Learns about His Will Months Later Story of the Day. It was released on January 13, 1998 for Def Jam Recordings and was produced by the Trackmasters. [71] Later that year, he starred as Julian Washingtona talented but selfish running back on fictional professional football team the Miami Sharksin Oliver Stone's drama Any Given Sunday. [17] The single was a hard-hitting, streetwise b-boy song with spare beats and ballistic rhymes. [60] His upcoming album will be produced by Q-Tip. news.AmoMama.com speaks out against the above mentioned and news.AmoMama.com advocates for a healthy discussion about the instances of violence, abuse, sexual misconduct, animal cruelty, abuse etc. [27][28] Radio peaked at number 6 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and at number 46 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. [11] The couple met in 1987 and have four children. I was doing all kinds of wild things by then and getting in all kinds of trouble.. window._taboola = window._taboola || []; [103] In 2003, LL Cool J spoke at a U.S. Senate Committee hearing on the RIAA lawsuits against Americans distributing or downloading copyrighted music over peer-to-peer networks. It was tough. LL Cool J attends Spike TV's Guys Choice 2015 at Sony Pictures Studios on June 6, 2015 in Culver City, California | Photo: Getty Images. Rapper, actor, author and entrepreneur LL Cool J was rap music's first big solo star. L.L. His father shot his mother and grandfather, nearly killing them both. [77] He also guest-starred on 30 Rock in the 2007 episode "The Source Awards", portraying a hip-hop producer called Ridikulous who Tracy Jordan fears may kill him. LL Cool J's second album was 1987's Bigger and Deffer, which was produced by DJ Pooh and the L.A. In 2006, LL Cool J and his personal trainer, Dave "Scooter" Honig, wrote a fitness book titled The Platinum Workout. He didnt need a good reason. August 22, 2019. [72] During the next two years, LL Cool J appeared in Rollerball,[73] Deliver Us from Eva,[74] S.W.A.T.,[75] and Mindhunters. The second single was the 7 Aureliusproduced, "Hush", which peaked at No. In 2000, LL Cool J released the album G.O.A.T., which stood for the "Greatest of All Time." L.L. Under his new stage name LL Cool J (an abbreviation for Ladies Love Cool James), coined by his friend and fellow rapper Mikey D,[21][15] Smith was signed by Def Jam, which led to the release of his first official record, the 12-inch single "I Need a Beat" (1984). His second book was the children-oriented book called And The Winner Is. [40] LL won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance in 1992 for the title track. You know how glad I was to have Roscoe out of my life, but the damage was done. I guess it would leave you scarred, at four years old, based on how the people around you dealt with it and encouraged you to deal with it. LL Cool J is in mourning today following the death of his father. LL Cool J is a 55 year old American Rapper. Over the weekend, a video began to circulate of a young artist by the name of LoveBenJi saying that he is the "hidden" son of Hip Hop pioneer LL Cool J, but he . [57] LL hosted the Grammy Awards Show for five consecutive years, from the 54th Grammy Awards on February 12, 2012, through the 58th Grammy Awards on February 15, 2016. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100. LL Cool J has written four books, including I Make My Own Rules, (1997), an autobiography cowritten with Karen Hunter. [48], On February 8, 2013, it was announced that the title of LL's upcoming album would be changed from Authentic Hip-Hop to Authentic with a new release date of April 30, 2013. Unfortunately, the bad things didnt stop after the previously mentioned incident took place. [95] In contrast to the lengthy, jam-like form predominant throughout early hip hop ("King Tim III", "Rapper's Delight", "The Breaks"), new-school artists tended to compose shorter songs that would be more accessible and had potential for radio play, and conceived more cohesive LPs than their old-school counterparts; the style typified by LL Cool J's Radio.