LL Cool J has taken the music industry by storm, ever since he released his first hit single “I Can’t Live Without My Radio” back in 1985, when he was just a teenager in Queens, New York. His breakthrough studio album, Radio earned critical acclaim and it was certified platinum in 1986.
He was definitely a pioneer in the pop rap and hip pop movement. LL Cool J, which stands for “Ladies Love Cool James,” was born James Todd Smith. He has been nominated for nine Grammy awards, where he is the recipient of two Grammys in the “Best Rap Solo Performance” category for his smash singles “Mama Said Knock You Out” and “Hey Lover” in 1992 and 1997 respectively.
Thanks to the commercial success of his Mama Said Knock You Out album, he came a pop superstar, in addition to a rap mega-star.
In 2007, he was inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame, as part of its inaugural class for his contributions to Long Island’s musical heritage.
LL Cool J has appeared in many films such as In Too Deep, Any Given Sunday, Mindhunters, and Edison, among others. He stars on the CBS crime drama series NCIS: Los Angeles with actor Chris O’Donnell. He is also the host of Lip Sync Battle.
Aside from his accomplishments in the music and entertainment industry, LL Cool J helped launch the FUBU and his own James Todd Smith clothing lines. His autobiography I Make My Own Rules, co-written with Karen Hunter, was released in 1998, and he has also released a children’s book (And the Winner Is…), and a fitness book entitled Platinum Workout.
For all of these reasons and more, LL Cool J deserves to be a future member in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He has made substantial contributions to the music industry, and has helped shape rock and roll into what it is today.
To learn more about global music star LL Cool J, check out his official website.
