[98] The decline of the old-school form of hip hop also led to the closing of Sugar Hill Records, one of the labels that helped contribute to early hip hop and that, coincidentally, rejected LL's demo tape. Its singles included "Doin' It" and "Loungin". 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. LL Cool J came out and said that Jay and LL Cool J stand for Jackson. He didnt need a good reason. [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". _taboola.push({ LL Cool J - IMDb Track 9 on Phenomenon. - I Shot Ya 1995. Eventually, LLs father James came back into his life and helped him out in the early stages of his budding rap career. Apr 3, 2018 - Explore Kellz M's board "LL Cool J" on Pinterest. LL (birth name James Todd Smith) recounted his painful childhood memories in his biography I Make My Own Rules and the details are shocking. In 2006, LL Cool J and his personal trainer, Dave "Scooter" Honig, wrote a fitness book titled The Platinum Workout. The abuse he suffered from Roscoe was damaging, but living with the pain of his father shooting his mother and grandfather must have been worse. When his father then moved to California, his mother's boyfriend was physically . [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. He actually had to overcome many challenges to get to where he is today. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. LL Cool J Facts for Kids My family is a very interesting family. We humbly honor the old school soul music era and will keep pushing forward to keep it alive. August 22, 2019. in Rolling Stone's "Last Word" interview. I was doing all kinds of wild things by then and getting in all kinds of trouble.. Who is LL Cool J dating? LL Cool J girlfriend, wife - Who's Dated Who? iloveoldschoolmusic.com. Hip Hop History - LL Cool J | 1ncredible When four-year-old Smith found them, LL Cool J covered the scene in . }); Copyright 2015 . When he was very young his parents got a divorce and it angered his biological father, James, so much that he shot both LL's mother and grandfather with a shotgun. Now he is the first hip-hop artist to ever receive a Kennedy Centre Honour this month for his lifetime . advocates for a healthy discussion about the instances of violence, abuse, sexual misconduct, animal cruelty, abuse etc. The second single was the 7 Aureliusproduced, "Hush", which peaked at No. LL Cool J Bio, Early Life, Family, Career, Wife, Net Worth, Measurements [83] Since April 2015, LL has hosted the show Lip Sync Battle. He would beat me for watching television, for lookin at him funny, for looking out the window watching other kids play. "Father" is the third single from LL Cool J's seventh album, Phenomenon. His mother, Ondrea, was a nurse's assistant, while his father, James, drove a truck. placement: 'Right Rail Thumbnails', [68], In 1998, LL Cool J played security guard Ronny in Halloween H20, the seventh movie in the Halloween franchise. [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. [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. With the Rock The Bells label, he had artists such as AMyth,[89] Smokeman, Natice, Chantel Jones and Simone Starks. LL Cool J Net Worth 2022: Age, Height, Weight, Wife, Kids - Ear Shot LL Cool J and American artist Tito Jackson are not related as father and child. Though he was beginning to act out in the aftermath of the abuse by the age of 16 LL found his calling during the Golden Age of Hip Hop as one of the top emcees of the time. [53], In October 2014, LL announced that his 14th studio album would be called G.O.A.T. The two have been touring together since 2011, with future dates planned through 2012 and beyond. [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. James Todd Smith (born January 14, 1968 in Bay Shore, New York), better known as LL Cool J (Ladies Love Cool James), is a Grammy Award winning American rapper and actor signed to Def Jam. LL Cool J also dealt with a friend's betrayal and ruthless accountants that siphoned his money. . ", "NAACP Image Awards 2014: Complete winners list", "EIC Announces Nominations For 18th Annual PRISM Awards- Nods for Julia Roberts, Meryl Streep, Oprah, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Edie Falco, Allison Janney, LL Cool J, Jewel", "Television - 'Creed,' 'Empire' Top NAACP Image Award Nominations; Full List", "People's Choice Awards 2017: Full List Of Nominees", Pink Cookies In a Plastic Bag Getting Crushed by Buildings, Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance, NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series, NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Male Artist, Teen Choice Award for Choice Action TV Actor, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=LL_Cool_J&oldid=1142520506, Articles with dead external links from September 2010, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from February 2010, Articles with unsourced statements from October 2022, Articles with unsourced statements from November 2016, Pages using Sister project links with wikidata namespace mismatch, Pages using Sister project links with hidden wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Episodes: "Legend: Part 1 & 2", "Too Many Cooks", Outstanding Career Achievements in the Field of Entertainment, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture, Male Performance in a Drama Series Multi-Episode Storyline. Thank you. [10], In 2002, LL Cool J supported George Pataki's bid for a third term as Governor of New York. As a result LL fired James and hired a new manager. Later pressings of the album added the 2003 Jennifer Lopez duet, "All I Have". [36] This stands as one of his biggest-selling career albums, having sold in excess of two million copies in the United States alone. The pair are highly supportive of their kids and have taught them the value of being confident and determined about their goals. The actor and his wife have been married for twenty-five years. L.L. Gigs at larger venues were offered to LL as he would join the 1986-'87 Raising Hell tour, opening for Run-D.M.C. You know how glad I was to have Roscoe out of my life, but the damage was done. placement: 'Right Rail Thumbnails', LL Cool J won his first Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance for his song "Mama Said Knock You Out" at the 1992 Grammy Awards. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100. speaks out against the above mentioned and. Cool J was born James Todd Smith on January 14, 1968, in Bay Shore, Long Island, New York, the son of Ondrea Griffith and James Louis Smith, Jr. Todd, as he was called, did not have a very happy childhood. During his time at Def Jam, LL released an album every two or three years from 1987 to . [80][81] In 2013, LL received a Teen Choice Award for Choice TV Actor: Action for his work on the show. Hed even pull me out of the shower to get a beating. And LL was the one who discovered them! 00:00. The abuse he suffered from Roscoe was damaging, but living with the pain of his father shooting his mother and grandfather must have been worse. [40] According to Billboard, the album peaked at No. [97], The energy and hardcore delivery and musical style of rapping featured on Radio, as well as other new-school recordings by artists such as Run-D.M.C., Schooly D, T La Rock and Steady B, proved to be influential to hip-hop acts of the "golden age" such as Boogie Down Productions and Public Enemy. LL Cool J, whose real name is James Todd Smith, was born in January 1968 in Queens, New York, in a middle-class and catholic family. 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 . [60] His upcoming album will be produced by Q-Tip. 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 Journal of Steffanie Jay-Zs Shock in Running Into Kelly Rowland Is Your WATCH LIVE! LL Cool J - Listal 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. What most people don't know, however, is that before becoming the big star he is today, he had to go through some painful times in his life. The rapper was surrounded by drugs, gangsterism, crime, all the vices that could have limited his progress. My family is a very interesting family. Kodak Black Caught Having Sex in White Teacher Hits The Jerk as Students Go Wild Are AKAs Too Insecure? Both relatives survived their injuries, and the NCIS: Los Angeles star insists he has since made peace with his dad even though he was initially reluctant to allow him back into his life. But even with all of that negativity LL still found a way to forgive his father for everything hes ever done to him. [25] LL Cool J's friend and mentor, Run-DMC's Jam Master Jay, was shot and killed at his studio in Queens in 2002. When 4-year-old Smith found them, blood was everywhere. [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. LL Cool J's interpretation of "Ain't Nobody" was particularly successful in the United Kingdom, where it topped the UK Singles Chart in early-1997. Decades later LL sat down with Oprah Winfrey during a segment on Oprahs Next Chapter to discuss how he coped with Roscoes constant abuse and its sad to hear that he had to become so strong at such a young age. It's too long for a . It's like speaking Spanish if you grow up in an all-Spanish house. The official second single from Phenomenon was "4, 3, 2, 1", which featured Method Man, Redman & Master P and introduced DMX and Canibus. But even with all of that negativity LL still found a way to forgive his father for everything hes ever done to him. James Todd Smith, popularly known as LL Cool J, is a well-known artist in the movie and music industry. The Marley Marl produced album received critical acclaim and eventually went double Platinum, selling over two million copies according to the RIAA. [31] Another milestone of LL's popularity was his appearance on American Bandstand as the first hip-hop act on the show. James Todd Smith (born January 14, 1968), better known by his stage name LL Cool J (short for Ladies Love Cool James), is an American rapper, record producer. LL Cool J Painfully Detailed Why His Dad Shot His Mom & Grandfather And LL was the one who discovered them! 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. They made amends and until later when he felt his father was mismanaging his money and he cut ties with him again. LL opened up about Roscoes constant abuse during an interview with Oprah back in the day. The incident happened at the couple's home at New Meadows Road . It debuted at number one on the Billboard album charts,[42] and went platinum. DiscoverNet | Tragic Details About LL Cool J "This song is the musical interpretation of what I felt after meeting with NCIS agents, experienced Marines and Navy SEALs," LL Cool J said. Rufus "Scola" Waller was also signed to the label, but was released when the label folded. This page was last edited on 2 March 2023, at 21:38. target_type: 'mix' When he was very young his parents got a divorce and it angered his biological father, James, so much that he shot both LL's mother and grandfather with a shotgun. placement: 'Right Rail Thumbnails', 00:00. The two took part in an interview with Carson Daly where they discussed their partnership. He and co-star Jamie Foxx allegedly got into a real fistfight while filming a fight scene. LL Cool J combined acting with his rap career; his acting debut was in 1985's "Krush Groove." Both relatives survived their injuries, and the NCIS: Los Angeles star insists he has since made peace with his dad even though he was initially reluctant to allow him back into his life. 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. In 1990, LL released Mama Said Knock You Out, his fourth studio album. [62], LL hosted the 2022 iHeartRadio Music Awards on March 22, 2022. LL and his mother moved into his grandparents' home in St. Albans, Queens in 1972 where he was raised. [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. [29] By 1989, the album had earned platinum status from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), with sales exceeding one million copies; it had previously earned a gold certification in the United States on April 14, 1986. That's when the father of two made a big reveal about his own childhood: He was sexually violated at a young age by a male family member. LL Cool J Graduates From Harvard - Our Weekly It was tough. We also encourage everyone to report any crime incident they witness as soon as possible. L.A. City Council Shutdown Because Council Members Caught on Opinion: Sacramento Mass Shooting Confirms What Experts Already Knew, What the Puck? LL Cool J has been in a relationship with Kidada Jones (1992 - 1994).. LL Cool J is rumoured to have hooked up with Karrine Steffans (2007), Pilar Sanders (1996) and Gabrielle Union.. About. [88] Roscoe would flog him at any given opportunity, and the actor described that time in his life as "hell." I'm an Independent, you know? It includes collaborations with 112, Ginuwine, Juelz Santana, Teairra Mari and Freeway. These elements contrasted sharply with the 1970s P-Funk and disco-influenced outfits, live bands, synthesizers and party rhymes of acts prevalent in 1984, rendering them old school. LL Cool J Revealed in 1997 Memoir That His Dad Shot His Mom, Grandfather He is best known for romantic ballads like I Need Love as well as hardcore rap like I Can't Live Without My Radio. At the age of four, he saw his mother and grandfather shot by his own father. Ll Cool J Forgives Dad For Shooting Mother - Contactmusic.com The album featured the singles "I'm Bad", the revolutionary "I Need Love" - LL's first #1 R&B and Top 40 hit, "Kanday", "Bristol Hotel", and "Go Cut Creator Go". 1: The Genesis", "About.com Rick Rubin's Style and Approach", "Beavis and Butt-Head Do America - Original Soundtrack", "50 Cent, LL Cool J Teaming Up For LP News Story Music, Celebrity, Artist News | MTV News", "VIDEO: Check out LL Cool J's New NCIS:LA-Inspired Song", "SXSW Interview: LL Cool J and Z-Trip Talk About Their Collaboration, Their High Esteem For The Hip-Hop "Blueprint" and Their Thoughts On Rap's Up-And-Coming Talent", "Hottest Record - Kasabian - Days Are Forgotten (LL Cool J Remix)", "LL Cool J Announces "Authentic" Release Date & Tracklist", "LL Cool J On Eddie Van Halen Collabo: "Now He's Officially Done Hip-Hop", "Eddie Van Halen Teams Up With LL Cool J", "Hear Eddie Van Halen Perform on Two New LL Cool J Songs", "Nirvana, Kiss, Hall and Oates Nominated for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame", "LL Cool J On Def Jam's 30th Anniversary And His New Street Album", "Unretired Rap Legend LL Cool J Shares New Album Details & Offers 'G.O.A.T. mode: 'thumbnails-rr1', According to a Chicago Tribune report, his father shot his mother and grandfather, nearly killing them. [41] Hed even pull me out of the shower to get a beating. LL Cool J is one of the most respected rappers in the game but even he has endured his fair share of obstacles. As a result LL fired James and hired a new manager. Dont Miss A Story. After they recovered from their injuries,. In this neighborhood, the kids grow up in rap. In his book, LL details (via The Daily Press) how Roscoe constantly beat his mother. ", "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. LL Cool J part 3", "One On 1: Hip-Hop Artist LL Cool J Leaves Footprints Beyond Music", "LL Cool J: 2018 We are Family Humanitarian Award honoree", "WWII in HD DVD Set | WW2 HD DVD History Channel", "Rock On The Net: 31st Annual Grammy Awards - 1989", "Rock On The Net: 34th Annual Grammy Awards - 1992", "Rock On The Net: 35th Annual Grammy Awards - 1993", "Rock On The Net: 36th Annual Grammy Awards - 1994", "Rock On The Net: 39th Annual Grammy Awards - 1997", "40th Annual Grammy Award Nominations Coverage (1998) |DigitalHit.com", "Complete List Of 2004 Grammy Nominations", "Rock On The Net: 1991 MTV Video Music Awards", "Rock On The Net: 1996 MTV Video Music Awards", "The 1997 Edition Was the Best MTV Video Music Awards", "5 Films Head Nominations for NAACP Image Awards", "Blackflix.com: 34th NAACP Image Award Nominees", "Ashanti, Amerie Lead Pack Of Nominees For Soul Train Awards", "19th Annual Soul Train Awards Nominations", "LL Cool J | Long Island Music Hall of Fame". In January 2012, the pair released the track "Super Baller" as a free download to celebrate the New York Giants Super Bowl victory. [35] Rubin's early hip hop production work, before his exit from Def Jam to Los Angeles, helped solidify his legacy as a hip hop pioneer and establish his reputation in the music industry.[35]. [102], In an episode of Finding Your Roots, Smith learned that his mother was adopted by Eugene Griffith and Ellen Hightower. Best Episode | Law & Order: SVU - Best Episode - Facebook Through the love and attitude of others around, the rapper easily forgave his dad, and they enjoyed a perfect relationship from that moment. However, the victims survived, and thankfully, things were repaired in the household, with the Smith patriarch admitting and turning away from his errors. LL Cool J was born and raised in Queens, New York, the son of Ondrea (ne Griffith) and James Smith. American rapper, songwriter, record producer, actor (born 1968), LL Cool J during a 2001 performance in Germany, 19932005: Continued success and career prominence. Jul 19, 2021 09:00 P.M. 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. His mother, Ondrea, was a nurses assistant while his father, James, was a truck driver. Father (LL Cool J song) - Wikipedia [43] 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. LL Cool J during a press conference at Hotel St. Regis on June 5, 2019 in Mexico City, Mexico | Source: Getty Images. LL Cool J's 11th album, Todd Smith, was released on April 11, 2006. My mother forgave my father He came back into my life and made amends for a lot of things by helping to guide me with my music career early on, and kinda helping me in that area (sic). 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. His second book was the children-oriented book called And The Winner Is. As a rap phenom, LL Cool J needed love. As a rap legend, he's finally LL Cool J - Father Samples | Genius LL Cool J. (Power Of God) and formed the company Rock The Bells to produce music. When 4-year-old LL found them, blood was everywhere." L.L. 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. In 2010, VH1 placed him on their "100 Greatest Artists Of All Time" list. In his memoir I Make My Own Rules, the rapper recalled the day his father James almost killed his mother and grandfather. LL Cool J, Simone Smith and family at The Fashion Institute of Technology on May 25, 2017 | Source: Getty Images. 2. Punched me in the chest stomped me out on the flo'. His upbringing, though, was quite traumatic. He was driving and stopped by a friends house to say hi. My family is a very interesting family. My mother forgave my father He came back into my life and made amends for a lot of things by helping to guide me with my music career early on, and kinda helping me in that area (sic). On October 6, 2012, LL Cool J released a new single from Authentic Hip-Hop called "Ratchet". James Todd Smith (born January 14, 1968), known professionally as LL Cool J (short for Ladies Love Cool James), is an American rapper, songwriter, record producer, and actor. I think thats important.. When LL was four years old, his father shot his mother and grandfather. AmoMama creates engaging, meaningful content for women. Tamron Hall Talks About Her Live-In Nanny and the Joy Raising NBA Comes for Ja Morant After He Flashes Gun in Nightclub Jon Jones Set for UFC Return After Body Transformation | WATCH. Young James had a rather traumatic childhood. We humbly honor the old school soul music era and will keep pushing forward to keep it alive. Season 2 Episode 220. The series debuted in autumn of 2009, but the characters were introduced in an April 2009 crossover episode on the parent show. After their lavish wedding, she mentioned that the rapper played one of his video clips, showing how a video vixen was licking his face. [17] The single was a hard-hitting, streetwise b-boy song with spare beats and ballistic rhymes. This marked the beginning of a creative collaboration between the rap and DJ superstars. Posse. [94], The emerging new-school scene was initially characterized by drum machine-led minimalism, often tinged with elements of rock, as well as boasts about rapping delivered in an aggressive, self-assertive style.