LL Cool J

Quick Facts

Full Name	LL Cool J
Occupation	Rapper
Date Of Birth	Jan 14, 1968(1968-01-14)
Age	56
Birthplace	Bay Shore
Country	United States
Birth City	New York
Horoscope	Capricorn

LL Cool J Biography

LL Cool J is one of the most popular and richest Rapper who was born on January 14, 1968 in Bay Shore, New York, United States. His 1985 debut album Radio, which was a true rap star, went platinum in 1985. Mama Said Knock you Out, his 1990 studio album, is one of the most influential hip-hop albums. He was also an actor and appeared in the films Any Given Sunday, SWAT and joined the CBS series NCIS Los Angeles in 2009.

50 cent produced his 2008 album, Exit 13.

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, actor, author, and entrepreneur from Queens, New York. 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-D.M.C.

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. In image as in song, the artists projected a tough, cool, street b-boy attitude. 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. 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 conceive more cohesive LPs than their old school counterparts; the style typified by LL Cool J’s Radio. A leading example of the new school sound is the song “I Can’t Live Without My Radio”, a loud, defiant declaration of public loyalty to his boom box, which The New York Times described as “quintessential rap in its directness, immediacy and assertion of self”. It was featured in the film Krush Groove (1985), which was based on the rise of Def Jam and new school acts such as Run-D.M.C. and the Fat Boys.

On August 7, 1995, he married He married Simone Johnson on August 7, 1995 and they had four children together, Samaria, Nina, Italia, and Najee. and had four children with her: Samaria and Nina. Italia and Najee were also born to them.

LL Cool J Net Worth

LL Cool J is one of the richest Rapper from United States. According to our analysis, Wikipedia, Forbes & Business Insider, LL Cool J 's net worth $120 Million. (Last Update: December 11, 2023)

Ondrea Smith and James Smith raised him in Bay Shore, New York.

His most popular singles include “I Need Love”, “Around the Way Girl”, and “Hey Lover.”

James Todd Smith was born on January 14, 1968, in Bay Shore, New York to Ondrea Griffith (born January 19, 1946) and James Louis Smith, Jr, also known as James Nunya. According to the Chicago Tribune, “[as] a kid growing up middle class and Catholic in Queens, life for LL was heart-breaking. His father shot his mother and grandfather, nearly killing them both. When 4-year- old LL found them, blood was everywhere.” In an episode of Finding Your Roots, LL learned his mother was adopted by Eugene Griffith and Ellen Hightower. The series’ genetic genealogist CeCe Moore identified LL’s biological grandparents as Ethel Mae Jolly and Nathaniel Christy Lewis through analysis of his DNA. LL’s biological great-uncle was hall of fame boxer John Henry Lewis.

Height, Weight & Body Measurements

LL Cool J height 6 ft 2 in LL weight Not Known & body measurements will update soon.

Who is LL Cool J Dating?

According to our records, LL Cool J married to Simone Smith. As of December 1, 2023, LL Cool J’s is not dating anyone.

Relationships Record : We have no records of past relationships for LL Cool J. You may help us to build the dating records for LL Cool J!

Under his new stage name, LL Cool J (an abbreviation for Ladies Love Cool James), 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). The single was a hard-hitting, streetwise b-boy song with spare beats and ballistic rhymes. Smith later discussed his search for a label, stating “I sent my demo to many different companies, but it was Def Jam where I found my home.” That same year, Smith made his professional debut concert performance at Manhattan Center High School. In a later interview, LL Cool J recalled the experience, stating “They pushed the lunch room tables together and me and my DJ, Cut Creator, started playing. … As soon as it was over there were girls screaming and asking for autographs. Right then and there I said ‘This is what I want to do’.” LL’s debut single sold over 100,000 copies and helped establish both Def Jam as a label and Smith as a rapper. 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.

Facts & Trivia

LL Ranked on the list of most popular Rapper. Also ranked in the elit list of famous people born in United States. LL Cool J celebrates birthday on January 14 of every year.

Radio was released to critical acclaim, both for production innovation and LL’s powerful rap. Released November 18, 1985, on Def Jam Recordings in the United States, Radio earned a significant amount of commercial success and sales for a hip hop record at the time. Shortly after its release, the album sold over 500,000 copies in its first five months, eventually selling over 1 million copies by 1988, according to the Recording Industry Association of America. Radio peaked at number 6 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and at number 46 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. It entered the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart on December 28, 1985, and remained there for forty-seven weeks, while also entering the Pop Albums chart on January 11, 1986, remaining on that chart for thirty-eight weeks. 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. “I Can’t Live Without My Radio” and “Rock the Bells” were singles that helped the album go platinum. It eventually reached 1,500,000 in US sales.

What does LL Cool J stand for?

Taking the stage name LL Cool J (“ Ladies Love Cool James ”) at age 16, Smith signed with fledgling rap label Def Jam in 1984.

Who is LL Cool J's net worth?

According to Celebrity Net Worth, LL Cool J is currently worth an estimated $120 million. LL has earned his fortune mainly through his work as a rapper and an actor. He has released 13 studio albums and two greatest hits compilations, and also owns two music labels as well as a record label social media site.

Why does LL Cool J always wear a cap?

The therapist treated Ondrea kindly, but for years he abused Todd physically and verbally, which resulted in Todd becoming a bully himself. It was during this period that he started wearing hats all the time (one of L.L. Cool J’s trademarks is the fact that people never see him without a hat on –until recently).

What was LL Cool J biggest hit?

“ Mama Said Knock You Out.” was also a platinum selling single for LL Cool J. For most people, this one remains LL Cool J’s most popular song of his career.

Why does chance wear a 3 hat?

In the same interview, Chance the Rapper explained the “3” hats, saying they represent his third mixtape, Coloring Book. “I wanted to switch from the White Sox hat. I wanted to put something else on the hat. And so I decided to do ‘3,’” he explained.