:LL Cool J

James Todd Smith was born on January 14, 1968, in Bay Shore, on Long Island, New York to Ondrea Griffith (born January 19, 1946) and James Louis Smith Jr,{{Cite episode |series= Finding Your Roots |series-link= Finding Your Roots |network= Public Broadcasting Station |date= February 16, 2016 |season= 3 |number= 27 |language=en}} also known as James Nunya.{{cite web|url=https://people.com/archive/hip-pop-vol-59-no-6/ |title=Hip Pop |work=People |last=Schneider |first=Karen |date=February 13, 2003 |access-date=August 5, 2018}}{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/llcoolj/status/251558465821106176?lang=en|title=RIP to My Father James Nunya. You passed away yesterday. But The lessons you taught me live on in my heart. Thank you. I love you.|website=Twitter.com|date=September 27, 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywood.com/general/ll-cool-j-forgives-dad-for-shooting-mother-59572160/ |title=LL Cool J forgives dad for shooting mother |work=Hollywood.com |access-date=August 5, 2018|date=January 28, 2013 }} His grandfather, who adopted Smith's mother, is of Barbadian descent.{{cite web | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WNoDAAAAMBAJ&q=LL.+Cool+J+from+Barbados+grandfather+Ebony&pg=PA116 | title=Ebony | date=January 2003 | publisher=Johnson Publishing Company }} His 1997 memoir says his father abused his mother.{{cite news|url=https://ca.news.yahoo.com/ll-cool-j-t-stop-150734002.html|title=LL Cool J Can't Stop, Won't Stop. (And Why Would He?)|last=Ryzik|first=Melena|work=The New York Times|via=Yahoo News|date=August 31, 2024|access-date=September 6, 2024}} According to the Chicago Tribune, "[As] a kid growing up middle class and Catholic in Queens, life for Smith was heart-breaking. His father shot his mother and grandfather, nearly killing them both. When 4-year-old Smith found them, blood was everywhere."{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1997-09-19-9709190033-story.html |title=Rapper Ll Cool J Puts Wild Days, Demons Behind Him |work=Chicago Tribune |last=Wiltz |first=Teresa |date=September 19, 1997 |access-date=August 5, 2018}} In 1972, Smith and his mother moved into his grandparents' home in St. Albans, Queens, where he was raised.Hess, Mickey (2009). Hip Hop in America: A Regional Guide. ABC-CLIO. p. 59. {{ISBN|0-31334-321-7}}.{{cite web |url=http://qnsmade.co/history/saint-albans/ |title=Southeastern Queens: Saint Albans |work=QNSMADE |access-date=July 1, 2021 |archive-date=July 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709183100/http://qnsmade.co/history/saint-albans/ |url-status=dead }}. He suffered physical and mental abuse from his mother's ex-boyfriend Roscoe.

Smith began rapping at the age of 10, influenced by the hip-hop group The Treacherous Three. In 1984, sixteen-year-old Smith was creating demo tapes in his grandparents' home. His grandfather, a jazz saxophonist, bought him $2,000 worth of equipment, including two turntables, an audio mixer and an amplifier.Holden, Stephen. [https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DE2DF1E31F935A15757C0A961948260 "From Rock To Rap"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205203358/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DE2DF1E31F935A15757C0A961948260 |date=December 5, 2008 }}, New York Times, April 26, 1987. Retrieved on November 16, 2008. During this time, Smith reconciled with his father who "made amends for a lot of things" by offering him guidance at the start of his music career.{{Cite web|access-date=September 22, 2022|title=LL Cool J Revealed in 1997 Memoir That His Dad Shot His Mom, Grandfather|url=https://eurweb.com/2022/ll-cool-js-dad-shot-his-mom-grandfather/|website=eurweb.com|date=September 22, 2022 |language=en-US}} His mother was also supportive of his musical endeavors, using her tax refund to buy him a Korg drum machine.{{cite web|url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.27159/title.ll-cool-j-says-his-mothers-tax-refund-funded-his-demo|title=LL Cool J Says His Mother's Tax Refund Funded His Demo|website=Hiphopdx.com|author=Danielle Harling|date=January 21, 2014|quote=I sent demo after demo into every record company. And I got rejection letters from company after company. And I just kept at it. And then what actually happened is I quit and my mother got her tax return. And she took her tax return and bought me some equipment because she knew I was depressed and I was down in the dumps because I didn't have the proper equipment to make what I felt was a good demo. So, she took her whole tax return bought me a drum machine. It was a Korg actually. And me and my man Frankie we went in the basement, we didn't even read the instructions. We played it manually.}} Smith has stated that by the time he received musical equipment from his relatives, he "was already a rapper. In this neighborhood, the kids grow up in rap. It's like speaking Spanish if you grow up in an all-Spanish house." This was at the same time that NYU student Rick Rubin and promoter-manager Russell Simmons founded the then-independent Def Jam label. By using the mixer he had received from his grandfather, Smith produced and mixed his own demos and sent them to various record companies throughout New York City, including Def Jam.

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.) Under his new stage name LL Cool J (an abbreviation for Ladies Love Cool James), coined by his friend and fellow rapper Mikey D,{{cite web|url=http://acronyms.thefreedictionary.com/Ladies+Love+Cool+James+(rap+artist)|title=Acronyms and abbreviations by the Free Online Dictionary|publisher=Farlex, Inc.|access-date=July 1, 2008}} 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).{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/ll_cool_j/artist.jhtml#bio|title=MTV.com – LL Cool J Bio|publisher=MTV Networks.|access-date=June 24, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080515014436/http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/ll_cool_j/artist.jhtml#bio|archive-date=May 15, 2008|df=mdy-all}} 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."{{cite web|url=http://www.defjam.com/site/artist_bio.php?artist_id=202|title=Def Jam Recordings – LL Cool J Biography|publisher=The Island Def Jam Music Group|access-date=May 25, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080429202053/http://www.defjam.com/site/artist_bio.php?artist_id=202 |archive-date=April 29, 2008}} 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'."{{cite web|url=http://www.tribute.ca/people/LL+Cool+J/2045/8892|title=LL Cool J bio: Edison Force ActorTribute.ca....|publisher=Tribute Entertainment Media Group|access-date=June 24, 2008}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.addressdefjam.com/ |title=Address Island / Def Jam Records ... Def Jam history |publisher=GoDaddy.com, Inc. |access-date=June 24, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724195111/http://www.addressdefjam.com/ |archive-date=July 24, 2008 }}

Radio was released to critical acclaim, both for production innovation and LL's powerful rap.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/02/magazine/02rubin.t.html|first=Lynn|last=Hirschberg|title=The Music Man |work= New York Times Magazine|date=September 2, 2007}}

Released November 18, 1985, on Def Jam Recordings in the United States,{{cite web|url=http://www.headsprung.net/discography.php |title=LL Cool J career discography at HeadSprung.net |website=Headsprung.net |access-date=June 24, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724083420/http://www.headsprung.net/discography.php |archive-date=July 24, 2008 }} 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.George (2000), pp. 1–4.{{cite web |url=https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=Radio&artist=L.L.%20Cool%20J&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2008&sort=Artist&perPage=25 |title=RIAA searchable database |publisher=Recording Industry Association of America |access-date=June 19, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924154740/http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=Radio&artist=L.L.%20Cool%20J&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2008&sort=Artist&perPage=25 |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |df=mdy-all }} 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 47 weeks, while also entering the Pop Albums chart on January 11, 1986, remaining on that chart for thirty-eight weeks.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/searchResult.jsp?exp=y&Ntt=LL+Cool+J+Radio&Ntk=Keyword&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&nor=10&an=bbcom&N=36&Ns=FORMATTED_DATE|title=Billboard Music Charts – Search Results – LL Cool J Radio.|magazine=Billboard|access-date=August 4, 2008}}{{dead link|date=July 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} 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 copies sold in the U.S.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1528980/ll-cool-j-cant-knock-out-billboard-champs.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120209101045/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1528980/ll-cool-j-cant-knock-out-billboard-champs.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 9, 2012|title=LL Cool J Can't Knock Out Billboard Champs|author =Chris Harris |publisher= MTV|date=April 19, 2006 }}

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. Gigs at larger venues were offered to LL as he would join the 1986–'87 Raising Hell tour, opening for Run-D.M.C. and the Beastie Boys.{{cite web|url=http://www.askmen.com/men/entertainment_100/100_ll_cool_j.html |title=Biography and other information at Askmen.com |publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc. |access-date=June 24, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080720051144/http://www.askmen.com/men/entertainment_100/100_ll_cool_j.html |archive-date=July 20, 2008 }} Another milestone of LL's popularity was his appearance on American Bandstand as the first hip hop act on the show,{{cite web|url=http://www.mcgillismusic.com/ll_cool_j.htm|title=Career overview at McgillisMusic|publisher=World Wide Entertainment USA, Inc.|access-date=June 24, 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080412075151/http://www.mcgillismusic.com/ll_cool_j.htm |archive-date = April 12, 2008}} as well as an appearance on Diana Ross' 1987 television special, Red Hot Rhythm & Blues.

The album's success also helped in contributing to Rick Rubin's credibility and repertoire as a record producer. Radio, along with Raising Hell (1986) and Licensed to Ill (1986), would form a trilogy of New York City-based, Rubin-helmed albums that helped to diversify hip-hop.{{cite web |url=http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/pid/1084925/a/Radio.htm |title=Radio cd product notes |publisher=Muze Inc. |access-date=June 19, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828222712/http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/pid/1084925/a/Radio.htm |archive-date=August 28, 2008 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.rhino.com/Features/liners/72851lin.html |title=Kurtis Blow Presents: The History Of Rap, Vol. 1: The Genesis |publisher=Rhino Entertainment |access-date=June 24, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110916062142/http://www.rhino.com/Features/liners/72851lin.html |archive-date=September 16, 2011 }} Rubin's production credit on the back cover reads "REDUCED BY RICK RUBIN", referring to his minimalist production style, which gave the album its stripped-down and gritty sound. This style would serve as one of Rubin's production trademarks and would have a great impact on future hip-hop productions.{{cite web|url=http://top40.about.com/od/popmusicproducers/p/rickrubin.htm|title=About.com ... Rick Rubin's Style and Approach|access-date=June 24, 2008|archive-date=January 23, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080123084256/http://top40.about.com/od/popmusicproducers/p/rickrubin.htm|url-status=dead}} 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.

LL Cool J's second album was 1987's Bigger and Deffer, which was produced by DJ Pooh and the L.A. Posse.{{cite web|author=Stephen Thomas Erlewine |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/dj-pooh-mn0000663828/biography |title=DJ Pooh | Biography |website=AllMusic |access-date=April 19, 2014|author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine }} This stands as one of his biggest-selling career albums, having sold in excess of two million copies in the United States alone.{{cite web |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=ll+cool+j#search_section |title=US Certifications |publisher=Recording Industry Association of America |access-date=2015-01-17}} It spent 11 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard{{'}}s R&B albums chart. It also reached No. 3 on the Billboard{{'}}s Pop albums chart. 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".

While Bigger and Deffer, which was a big success, was produced by the L.A. Posse (at the time consisting of Dwayne Simon, Darryl Pierce and, according to himself the most important for crafting the sound of the LP, Bobby "Bobcat" Ervin), Dwayne Simon was the only one left willing to work on producing LL Cool J's third album Walking with a Panther.{{cite web|url=http://www.raptalk.net/news/features/RaptalksitsdownwithBobcatinahistoricinterview.php |title=A historic sit-down with Bobcat |publisher=Rap Talk Magazine |author=The Rap Talk Crew |access-date=October 25, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810115629/http://www.raptalk.net/news/features/RaptalksitsdownwithBobcatinahistoricinterview.php |archive-date=August 10, 2011 }} 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"). Despite commercial appeal, the album was often criticized by the hip-hop community as being too commercial and materialistic, and for focusing too much on love ballads.{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r28044/review|pure_url=yes}}|title=Walking with a Panther: Review|website=AllMusic|author=Huey, Steve|access-date=December 23, 2009}} As a result, his audience base began to decline due to the album's bold commercial and pop aspirations.{{cite book |title=All Music Guide to Rock: The Definitive Guide to Rock, Pop, and Soul|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1-pH4i3jXvAC&q=%22Mama+Said+Knock+You+Out%22+comeback+music+guide&pg=PA664|year=2002 |publisher=Backbeat Books |isbn=087930653X |page=664}} According to Billboard, the album peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 and was LL Cool J's second #1 R&B Album where it spent five weeks.

In 1990, LL released Mama Said Knock You Out, his fourth studio album. The Marley Marl produced album received critical acclaim and eventually went double Platinum, selling over two million copies according to the RIAA. Mama Said Knock You Out marked a turning point in LL Cool J's career, as he proved to critics his ability to stay relevant and hard-edged despite the misgivings of his previous album. LL won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance in 1992 for the title track. The album's immense success propelled Mama Said Knock You Out to be LL's top selling album of his career (as of 2002) and solidified his status as a hip-hop icon. During this time, LL also recorded a rap solo for Michael Jackson's demo of a song called "Serious Effect" which remains unreleased, but was later leaked online.

File:LL.COOL_J._1999.jpg

After acting in The Hard Way and Toys, LL Cool J released 14 Shots to the Dome in March 1993. 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 Lords of the Underground on "NFA-No Frontin' Allowed". That June, the album went gold.

LL Cool J starred in In the House, an NBC sitcom, before releasing his album Mr. Smith (1995), which went on to sell over two million copies. Its singles included "Hey Lover", "Doin' It" and "Loungin". "Hey Lover", featured Boyz II Men, and sampled Michael Jackson's "The Lady in My Life". The song also earned him a Grammy Award. Another song from the album, "I Shot Ya Remix", included debut vocal work by Foxy Brown.

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. Classic albums including Bigger and Deffer and Mama Said Knock You Out are well represented here. In December 1996, his loose cover of the Rufus and Chaka Khan song "Ain't Nobody" was included on the Beavis and Butt-Head Do America soundtrack & released as a single. 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.{{cite web |title=Beavis and Butt-Head Do America – Original Soundtrack |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/beavis-and-butt-head-do-america-mw0000613302 |website=Allmusic.com}}

Later that same year, he released the album Phenomenon. The singles included "Phenomenon" and "Father". The official second single from Phenomenon was "4, 3, 2, 1", which featured Method Man, Redman & Master P and introduced DMX and Canibus.

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In 2000, LL Cool J released the album G.O.A.T., which stood for the "Greatest of All Time." It debuted at number one on the Billboard album charts,{{cite magazine|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=ll cool j|bio=true}} |title=Biography – LL Cool J |magazine=Billboard |access-date=March 24, 2011}} and went platinum. LL Cool J thanked Canibus in the liner notes of the album, "for the inspiration". 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. Later pressings of the album added the 2003 Jennifer Lopez duet, "All I Have". The album reached platinum status. LL Cool J's tenth album The DEFinition was released on August 31, 2004. The album debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard charts. Production came from Timbaland, 7 Aurelius, R. Kelly, and others. The lead single was the Timbaland-produced "Headsprung", which peaked at No. 7 on the Hip-Hop and R&B singles chart, and No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100. The second single was the 7 Aurelius–produced, "Hush", which peaked at No. 14 on the Billboard Hip-Hop and R&B chart and No. 26 on the Hot 100.

LL Cool J's 11th album, Todd Smith, was released on April 11, 2006. It includes collaborations with 112, Ginuwine, Juelz Santana, Teairra Mari and Freeway. The first single was the Jermaine Dupri-produced "Control Myself" featuring Jennifer Lopez. They shot the video for "Control Myself" on January 2, 2006, at Sony Studios, New York. The second video, directed by Hype Williams, was "Freeze" featuring Lyfe Jennings.

File:LL Cool J performing in Wilmington, Delaware.jpg in August 2008]]

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. The album is titled Exit 13. The album was originally scheduled to be executively produced by fellow Queens rapper 50 Cent.{{cite web|last=Moss |first=Corey |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1535528/20060630/50_cent.jhtml?headlines=true |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060720105910/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1535528/20060630/50_cent.jhtml?headlines=true |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 20, 2006 |title=50 Cent, LL Cool J Teaming Up For LP – News Story Music, Celebrity, Artist News | MTV News |publisher=Mtv |date=July 5, 2006 |access-date=March 24, 2011}} Exit 13 was originally slated for a fall 2006 release, however, after a 2-year delay, it was released on September 9, 2008, without 50 Cent as the executive producer. Tracks that the two worked on were leaked to the internet and some of the tracks produced with 50 made it to Exit 13.

LL Cool J partnered with DJ Kay Slay to release a mixtape called "The Return of the G.O.A.T.". 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. A track titled "Hi Haterz" was leaked onto the internet on June 1, 2008. The song contains LL Cool J rapping over the instrumental to Maino's "Hi Hater". He toured with Janet Jackson on her Rock Witchu tour, only playing in Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto, and Kansas City.

In September 2009, LL Cool J released a song about the NCIS TV series. It is a single and is available on iTunes. The new track is based on his experiences playing special agent Sam Hanna. "This song is the musical interpretation of what I felt after meeting with NCIS agents, experienced Marines and Navy SEALs," LL Cool J said. "It represents the collective energy in the room. I was so inspired I wrote the song on set."{{Cite news | author=Adam Bryant | title=VIDEO: Check out LL Cool J's New NCIS:LA-Inspired Song | url=https://www.tvguide.com/News/NCIS-Cool-J-1009723.aspx | work=TV Guide | date=September 16, 2010 | access-date=September 16, 2010}}

At South by Southwest in March 2011, LL Cool J was revealed to be Z-Trip's special guest at the Red Bull Thre3Style showcase. This marked the beginning of a creative collaboration between the rap and DJ superstars. The two took part in an interview with Carson Daly where they discussed their partnership.{{cite web|last=Daly |first=Carson |title=Last Call |url=http://www.nbc.com/last-call-with-carson-daly/video/ll-cool-j-and-dj-z-trip/1317254 |publisher=NBC |access-date=May 14, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602230418/http://www.nbc.com/last-call-with-carson-daly/video/ll-cool-j-and-dj-z-trip/1317254/ |archive-date=June 2, 2013 }} Both artists have promised future collaborations down the road, with LL Cool J calling the duo "organic"{{cite web|last=Freedman|first=Pete|title=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.|url=http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/dc9/2011/03/sxsw_interview_ll_cool_j_and_z.php|publisher=Dallas Observer|access-date=May 15, 2012|date=March 20, 2011|archive-date=May 18, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518123521/http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/dc9/2011/03/sxsw_interview_ll_cool_j_and_z.php|url-status=dead}} One early track to feature LL's talents was Z-Trip's remix of British rock act Kasabian's single "Days Are Forgotten", which was named by influential DJ Zane Lowe as his "Hottest Record In The World"{{cite web|last=Lowe|first=Zane|title=Hottest Record – Kasabian – Days Are Forgotten (LL Cool J Remix)|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/zanelowe/2011/08/hottest_record_-_kasabian_-_da.html|work=BBC|access-date=May 15, 2012}} and received a favorable reception in both Belgium and the United Kingdom. In January 2012, the pair released the track "[https://web.archive.org/web/20131005190429/http://ztrip.bandcamp.com/track/super-baller Super Baller]" as a free download to celebrate the New York Giants Super Bowl victory. The two have been touring together since 2011, with future dates planned through 2012 and beyond.

On October 6, 2012, LL Cool J released "Ratchet", a new single from his upcoming album titled Authentic Hip-Hop. Following that, on November 3, 2012, LL collaborated with Joe and the production duo Trackmasters on his second single, "Take It".{{cite web|url=https://youtube.com/watch?v=2qYWVpFsdDo|title=LL Cool J – Take It ft. Joe|website=Youtube|date=April 3, 2013 }}

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. A new cover was also unveiled.{{cite web|last=Horowitz |first=Steven J. |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.21831/title.ll-cool-j-authentic-hip-hop-cover-art-release-date |title=LL Cool J Announces "Authentic" Release Date & Tracklist |website=HipHopdx.com|date=February 14, 2013 |access-date=May 2, 2013}} At around the same time, it was announced that LL Cool J had collaborated with Van Halen guitarist Eddie Van Halen on two tracks on the album.{{Cite web|url=http://kearth101.cbslocal.com/2013/03/28/ll-cool-j-on-eddie-van-halen-i-have-worked-with-one-of-the-greatest-guitarists-that-ever-lived/|title=LL Cool J On Eddie Van Halen Collabo: "Now He's Officially Done Hip-Hop"|access-date=June 30, 2016|archive-date=August 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816012514/http://kearth101.cbslocal.com/2013/03/28/ll-cool-j-on-eddie-van-halen-i-have-worked-with-one-of-the-greatest-guitarists-that-ever-lived/|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.guitarworld.com/eddie-van-halen-teams-ll-cool-j|title=Eddie Van Halen Teams Up With LL Cool J|work=Guitar World |date=April 2, 2013|access-date=June 30, 2016}}{{Cite web|url=http://ultimateclassicrock.com/eddie-van-halen-ll-cool-j-songs/|title=Hear Eddie Van Halen Perform on Two New LL Cool J Songs|website=Ultimate Classic Rock|date=May 2013 |access-date=June 30, 2016}}

On October 16, 2013, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced LL Cool J as a nominee for inclusion in 2014.[https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/nirvana-kiss-hall-and-oates-nominated-for-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-20131016 "Nirvana, Kiss, Hall and Oates Nominated for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160902070929/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/nirvana-kiss-hall-and-oates-nominated-for-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-20131016 |date=September 2, 2016 }}. Rolling Stone. October 16, 2013. Retrieved October 16, 2013. In October 2014, LL announced that his 14th studio album would be called G.O.A.T. 2 and would be released in 2015.{{cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2014/10/ll-cool-j-def-jam-interview/|title=LL Cool J On Def Jam's 30th Anniversary And His New Street Album|work=XXL Mag|date=October 6, 2014 }} LL stated that "the concept behind the album was to give upcoming artists an opportunity to shine, and put myself in the position where I have to spit bars with some of the hardest rhymers in the game"; however, the album was put on hold. LL Cool J explained the reason for it, saying, "It was good but I didn't feel like it was ready yet."{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/7262648/ll-cool-j-new-album-goat-2-eminem-twitter |title=Unretired Rap Legend LL Cool J Shares New Album Details & Offers 'G.O.A.T. 2' Update |magazine=Billboard |access-date=March 18, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160419000033/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/7262648/ll-cool-j-new-album-goat-2-eminem-twitter |archive-date=April 19, 2016 |df=mdy }}

On January 21, 2016, LL received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbs.com/shows/ncis_los_angeles/photos/1005644/ll-cool-j-gets-a-star-on-the-hollywood-walk-of-fame/101595/everybody-loves-ll-cool-j/ |title=LL COOL J Gets a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame |website=CBS |access-date=January 22, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303192304/http://www.cbs.com/shows/ncis_los_angeles/photos/1005644/ll-cool-j-gets-a-star-on-the-hollywood-walk-of-fame/101595/everybody-loves-ll-cool-j/ |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |df=mdy }}

In March 2016, LL announced his retirement on social media, but quickly walked back his announcement and indicated that a new album was on the way.{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/15/entertainment/ll-cool-j-retire-feat/index.html |title=LL Cool J retires, unretires, then announces new album |website=CNN |date=March 15, 2016 |access-date=March 18, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160503003118/http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/15/entertainment/ll-cool-j-retire-feat/index.html |archive-date=May 3, 2016 |df=mdy }} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/grammys-2016-ll-cool-j-849351/|title=Grammys: LL Cool J Back for Fifth Year as Host|access-date=May 29, 2021|website=Hollywood Reporter|date=December 16, 2015 }}

In October 2018, LL Cool J was nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.{{Cite news|url=https://www.rockhall.com/class-2019-nominees|title=Class of 2019 Nominees|work=Rock & Roll Hall of Fame|access-date=2018-10-11|language=en}} In September 2019, it was announced that LL had re-signed to Def Jam for future album releases.{{Cite web|url=https://allhiphop.com/news/exclusive-def-jam-records-re-signs-ll-cool-j-to-iconic-label-VVCdYIfpMUeXJXkXRHUMkw|title=EXCLUSIVE: Def Jam Records Re-Signs LL Cool J To Iconic Label|website=Allhiphop.com|access-date=2020-04-13|archive-date=February 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200227164406/https://allhiphop.com/news/exclusive-def-jam-records-re-signs-ll-cool-j-to-iconic-label-VVCdYIfpMUeXJXkXRHUMkw|url-status=dead}}

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.{{Cite magazine|last=Mamo|first=Heran|title=LL Cool J Cancels 'New Year's Rockin' Eve' Performance After Testing Positive for COVID-19|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/ll-cool-j-chloe-cancel-new-years-rockin-eve-performance-covid-1235014619/|date=December 29, 2021|access-date=December 29, 2021|magazine=Billboard}}

LL Cool J hosted the 2022 iHeartRadio Music Awards on March 22, 2022.{{Cite magazine|last=Grein|first=Paul|title=LL Cool J Set to Host 2022 iHeartRadio Music Awards|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/ll-cool-j-host-2022-iheartradio-music-awards-1235035400/|date=February 24, 2022|access-date=February 24, 2022|magazine=Billboard}}{{Cite web |last=Carter |first=Justin |title=How to Watch iHeartRadio Music Awards |url=https://www.si.com/tv/entertainment/iheartradio-music-awards-mar-22-live-stream-watch-online-free |access-date=2022-03-23 |website=How to Watch and Stream Major League & College Sports – Sports Illustrated. |date=March 22, 2022 |language=en-us}}

On June 14, 2024, LL Cool J released the single "Saturday Night Special", featuring rappers Rick Ross and Fat Joe;{{cite web|url=https://x.com/llcoolj/status/1801473607119552852|title=Saturday Night Special now available. Video out now on YouTube. Streaming everywhere.|website=X|date=June 14, 2024|access-date=June 14, 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.revolt.tv/article/ll-cool-j-dropped-a-song-with-rick-ross-and-fat-joe-and-fans-are-loving-it|title=Twitter reacts to LL Cool J, Rick Ross and Fat Joe's new collaboration|website=Revolt TV|last=Powell|first=Jon|date=June 14, 2024|access-date=June 14, 2024}} the single marks LL Cool J's first single as a lead artist in eight years and serves as the lead single from his fourteenth studio album, The FORCE, which is entirely produced by Q-Tip.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/ll-cool-j-tracklist-the-force-album-learn-how-to-rap-again-1235729693/|title=LL Cool J Reveals Tracklist for 'The FORCE,' Says He Had to Learn 'How to Rap Again' For First Album in 11 Years|first=Gil|last=Kaufman|magazine=Billboard|access-date=July 30, 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/ll-cool-j-on-his-first-album-in-11-years-the-force-this-was-for-the-culture-q-tip-fat-joe-rick-ross-kendrick-lamar-drake-3765693|title=LL COOL J on his first album in 11 years, The Force: "I want to do the Blackest shit in the world"|website=NME|last=Williams|first=Kyann-Sian|date=June 14, 2024|access-date=June 14, 2024}} The album was released on September 6, 2024, under Def Jam Recordings, his first under the label since 2008's Exit 13, and distributed by Def Jam and UMG's sister counterpart Virgin Music Group, instead of parent company Universal Music Group.{{Cite magazine |last=Kreps |first=Daniel |date=2024-07-12 |title=LL Cool J Announces First Album in 11 Years, The Force |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/ll-cool-j-new-album-the-force-passion-video-1235059059/ |access-date=2024-07-15 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2024-07-12 |title=LL Cool J Announced A New Album, The Force — His First In 10 Years |url=https://uproxx.com/music/ll-cool-j-announced-new-album-the-force/ |access-date=2024-07-15 |website=UPROXX |language=en-US}} The single "Proclivities", featuring rapper Saweetie, was released in August 2024.{{cite web|url=https://thesource.com/2024/08/09/ll-cool-j-drops-new-single-proclivities-featuring-saweetie-ahead-of-upcoming-album-the-force/|title=LL COOL J Drops New Single "Proclivities" Featuring Saweetie Ahead of Upcoming Album 'The Force'|website=The Source|date=August 9, 2024|access-date=August 9, 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.vibe.com/music/videos/ll-cool-j-saweetie-proclivities-new-video-1234904401/|title=LL Cool J, Saweetie Open Up About Their "Proclivities" In New Video|website=Vibe|last=Griffin|first=Marc|date=August 9, 2024|access-date=August 9, 2024}} On August 31, 2024, LL Cool J released the album's fourth single "Murdergram Deux", featuring Eminem.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/listen-to-eminem-and-ll-cool-js-first-ever-collaboration-murdergram-deux-3789374|title=Listen to Eminem and LL COOL J's first ever collaboration 'Murdergram Deux'|website=NME|last=Jones|first=Damian|date=31 August 2024|access-date=3 September 2024}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/eminem-ll-cool-j-team-up-first-collab-murdergram-deux-1235092410/|title=Eminem and LL Cool J Team Up for First Collab Ever, 'Murdergram Deux'|magazine=Rolling Stone|last=Mier|first=Tomás|date=30 August 2024|access-date=3 September 2024}}

While LL Cool J first appeared as a rapper in the movie Krush Groove (performing "I Can't Live Without My Radio"),{{cite web |title=LL Cool J's Journey From 'Krush Groove' To The Grammys |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1678974/ll-cool-j-grammy-host/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191020170840/http://www.mtv.com/news/1678974/ll-cool-j-grammy-host/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 20, 2019 |website=MTV |access-date=20 October 2019}} his first acting part was a small role in a high school football movie called Wildcats.{{cite web |title=Movie review : 'Wildcats' doesn't put points on scoreboard |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-02-13-ca-23413-story.html |website=L.A. Times |date=February 13, 1986 |access-date=20 October 2019}} He landed the role of Captain Patrick Zevo in Barry Levinson's 1992 film Toys.{{cite web |title=The Military Industrial Toy Chest: Barry Levinson's Toys at 25 |url=https://consequence.net/2017/12/the-military-industrial-toy-chest-barry-levinsons-toys-at-25/ |website=Consequence of Sound |date=December 17, 2017 |access-date=20 October 2019}} From 1995 to 1999, he starred in his own television sitcom In the House. He portrayed an ex-Oakland Raiders running back who finds himself in financial difficulties and is forced to rent part of his home out to a single mother and her two children, one of whom moves out with her before the third season.{{cite web |title=LL Cool J's Defense : With the Rapper 'In the House,' His Street Rep Is on the Line |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-03-21-ca-49744-story.html |website=L.A. Times |date=March 21, 1996 |access-date=20 October 2019}}

In 1998, LL Cool J played security guard Ronny in Halloween H20, the seventh movie in the Halloween franchise.{{cite news |title=FILM REVIEW; Monster and Victim: Older, Not Wiser |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/08/05/movies/film-review-monster-and-victim-older-not-wiser.html |website=The New York Times|date=August 5, 1998 |last1=Gelder |first1=Lawrence Van }} In 1999, he co-starred as Preacher, the chef in the Renny Harlin horror/comedy Deep Blue Sea.{{cite news |title=FILM REVIEW; Superjaws: Lab Sharks Turn Men Into Sushi |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/07/28/movies/film-review-superjaws-lab-sharks-turn-men-into-sushi.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=July 28, 1999 |access-date=20 October 2019|last1=Holden |first1=Stephen }} He received positive reviews for his role as Dwayne Gittens, an underworld boss nicknamed "God", in In Too Deep.{{cite news |title='In Too Deep': The Charisma of Human Evil |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/movies/reviews/intoodeephunter.htm |newspaper=Washington Post |access-date=20 October 2019}} Later that year, he starred as Julian Washington—a talented but selfish running back on fictional professional football team the Miami Sharks—in Oliver Stone's drama Any Given Sunday. He and co-star Jamie Foxx allegedly got into a real fistfight while filming a fight scene.{{cite web |title=LL Cool J, Jamie Foxx Exchange Blows On Set Of Oliver Stone Football Flick |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1431099/ll-cool-j-jamie-foxx-exchange-blows-on-set-of-oliver-stone-football-flick/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715081757/http://www.mtv.com/news/1431099/ll-cool-j-jamie-foxx-exchange-blows-on-set-of-oliver-stone-football-flick/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 15, 2014 |website=MTV}} During the next two years, LL Cool J appeared in Rollerball,{{cite web |last1=Simmons |first1=Bill |title=Dropping the 'Rollerball' |url=https://proxy.espn.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/020214 |website=ESPN |access-date=20 October 2019}} Deliver Us from Eva,{{cite news |title=FILM REVIEW; Dreaming Up a Riddle for a Know-It-All |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/02/07/movies/film-review-dreaming-up-a-riddle-for-a-know-it-all.html |website=The New York Times |date=February 7, 2003 |access-date=20 October 2019|last1=Holden |first1=Stephen }} S.W.A.T.,{{cite news |title=FILM REVIEW; Working Up A S.W.E.A.T. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/08/movies/film-review-working-up-a-sweat.html |website=The New York Times |date=August 8, 2003 |access-date=20 October 2019|last1=Mitchell |first1=Elvis }} and Mindhunters.{{cite web |last1=Ebert |first1=Roger |title=Mindhunters movie review & film summary |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/mindhunters-2005 |website=RogerEbert.com |access-date=20 October 2019}}

In 2005, he returned to television in a guest-starring role on the Fox medical drama House; he portrayed a death row inmate felled by an unknown disease in an episode titled "Acceptance". He appeared as Queen Latifah's love interest in the 2006 movie Last Holiday.{{cite news |title=From Bad News Springs a Newfound Joie de Vivre |url=http://movies2.nytimes.com/2006/01/13/movies/13holi.html |website=The New York Times |date=January 13, 2006 |access-date=20 October 2019|last1=Dargis |first1=Manohla }} 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.{{cite news |title=Why you should revisit '30 Rock' this St. Patrick's Day |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/act-four/wp/2015/03/17/why-you-should-revisit-30-rock-this-st-patricks-day/ |newspaper=Washington Post |access-date=20 October 2019}} LL Cool J appeared in Sesame Street's 39th season, introducing the word of the day--"Unanimous"—in episode 4169 (September 22, 2008) and performing "The Addition Expedition" in episode 4172 (September 30, 2008).{{cite web |title=See What Happens When Rappers Visit Sesame Street |url=https://www.ifc.com/shows/comedy-bang-bang/blog/2015/01/see-what-happens-when-rappers-visit-sesame |website=IFC |access-date=20 October 2019}}

In 2009, he began starring on the CBS police procedural NCIS: Los Angeles. The show ran for 14 seasons and is a spin-off of NCIS, which itself is a spin-off of the naval legal drama JAG. LL Cool J portrayed NCIS Special Agent Sam Hanna, an ex–Navy SEAL who is fluent in Arabic and is an expert on West Asian culture. The series debuted in autumn of 2009, but the characters were introduced in an April 2009 crossover episode on the parent show.{{Cite magazine |title='NCIS' spinoff officially lands LL Cool J |url=http://popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2009/02/ncis-ll-cool-j.html |date=February 25, 2009 |access-date=February 25, 2009 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |first=Mandi |last=Bierly |archive-date=March 1, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090301143416/http://popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2009/02/ncis-ll-cool-j.html |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |title=There's something familiar about 'NCIS: Los Angeles' |url=https://www.newsday.com/entertainment/tv/ll-cool-j-stars-in-ncis-los-angeles-1.1460231 |website=Newsday |access-date=20 October 2019 |archive-date=October 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191020143010/https://www.newsday.com/entertainment/tv/ll-cool-j-stars-in-ncis-los-angeles-1.1460231 |url-status=dead }} In 2013, LL received a Teen Choice Award for Choice TV Actor: Action for his work on the program.{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-teen-choice-2013-awards-winners-list-story.html|title=Complete list of Teen Choice 2013 Awards winners|date=August 12, 2013|website=Los Angeles Times}} In May 2023, following the series finale of NCIS: Los Angeles, it was announced that LL would reprise the role of Sam Hanna as a recurring guest star in the third season of NCIS: Hawaiʻi.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2023/05/ll-cool-sam-hanna-cast-ncis-hawaii-season-3-1235376371/|work=Deadline Hollywood|title=LL Cool J Joins Cast Of 'NCIS: Hawai'i' Season 3 Reprising Sam Hanna Role|first=Rosy|last=Cordero|date=May 22, 2023|access-date=May 23, 2023}}

In December 2013, LL co-starred as a gym owner in the sports dramedy Grudge Match.{{cite web |title=In Grudge Match, Not Quite Rocky Balboa Against Raging Bull |url=https://www.villagevoice.com/2013/12/24/in-grudge-match-not-quite-rocky-balboa-against-raging-bull/ |website=The Village Voice |date=December 24, 2013 |access-date=21 October 2019}} From 2015 to 2019, LL hosted the show Lip Sync Battle.{{cite web |title=LL Cool J to Host Spike's 'Lip Sync Battle' for EP Jimmy Fallon |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/ll-cool-j-host-spikes-761618 |website=Hollywood Reporter |date=January 7, 2015 |access-date=20 October 2019}} He was also cast to play Beth's father in Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising, as shown in a trailer for the film, but his scenes were cut from the final product.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2016/05/23/jokes-from-the-neighbors-2-trailer-arent-in-the-movie-should-we-be-angry/ |title=Jokes from the 'Neighbors 2' trailer aren't in the movie. Should we be angry? |date=2016-05-23 |author1=Stephanie Merry |newspaper=The Washington Post |place=Washington, D.C. |issn=0190-8286 |oclc=1330888409}}

LL Cool J worked behind the scenes with the mid-1980s hip-hop sportswear line TROOP.{{Cite web|url=https://allhiphop.com/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012151659/http://www.allhiphop.com/hiphopnews/?ID=4109|url-status=dead|title=Allhiphop|archive-date=October 12, 2007|website=AllHipHop.com}}

He also launched a clothing line (called "Todd Smith").{{cite web |url=http://www.toddsmithny.com |title=Todd Smith by LL Cool J |website=Toddsmithny.com |date=December 29, 2010 |access-date=March 24, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110208052432/http://www.toddsmithny.com/ |archive-date=February 8, 2011 |df=mdy-all }} The brand produced popular urban apparel. Designs included influences from LL's lyrics and tattoos, as well as from other icons in the hip-hop community.{{cite web |url=http://www.celebrityclothingline.com/celebrity-clothing-line/ll-cool-j-todd-smith-clothing-collection-launch/ |title=LL Cool J Todd Smith Clothing Collection Launch and Video |publisher=Celebrity Clothing Line |date=March 14, 2008 |access-date=March 24, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110527220131/http://www.celebrityclothingline.com/celebrity-clothing-line/ll-cool-j-todd-smith-clothing-collection-launch/ |archive-date=May 27, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}

LL Cool J has written four books, including I Make My Own Rules, (1997), an autobiography cowritten with Karen Hunter. His second book was the children-oriented book called And The Winner Is... published in 2002. In 2006, LL Cool J and his personal trainer, Dave "Scooter" Honig, wrote a fitness book titled The Platinum Workout. His fourth book, LL Cool J (Hip-Hop Stars) was cowritten in 2007 with hip-hop historian Dustin Shekell and Public Enemy's Chuck D.

Throughout his career, LL Cool J has started several businesses in the music industry. In 1993, he founded a music label called P.O.G. (Power Of God) and formed the company Rock The Bells to produce music. On his Rock The Bells label, he had artists such as AMyth,{{cite book |last=Whitburn |first=Joel |author-link=Joel Whitburn |title=Top Pop Singles 1955–1999|year=2000 |publisher=Record Research, Inc. |location=Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin |isbn=0-89820-139-X |page=13}} Smokeman, Natice, Chantel Jones and Simone Starks. Additionally, Rock the Bells Records was responsible for the Deep Blue Sea soundtrack, which helped to promote the 1999 movie of the same name. Rufus "Scola" Waller also signed to the label, but was ultimately released when the label folded.{{cite web |url=http://music.blackplanet.com/scola/ |title=SCOLA |website=Music.blackplanet.com |access-date=March 24, 2011 |archive-date=September 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919121854/http://music.blackplanet.com/scola/ |url-status=dead }}

LL Cool J founded and launched Boomdizzle.com, a record label / social networking site, in September 2008. The website was designed to accept music uploads from aspiring artists, primarily from the hip-hop genre, and allow the site's users to rate songs through contests, voting, and other community events.{{cite web|url=http://www.boomdizzle.com/bdlaunch_pr |title=Press Release |website=Boomdizzle.com |date=July 15, 2008 |access-date=March 24, 2011}}

In March 2015, LL Cool J appeared in an introduction to WrestleMania 31.{{cite web |title=Here's LL Cool J's Emotional Opening To WrestleMania 31 |url=https://uproxx.com/prowrestling/spoiler-alert-heres-ll-cool-js-emotional-opening-to-wrestlemania-31/ |website=Uproxx |date=March 29, 2015 |access-date=20 October 2019}}

Radio{{'}}s release coincided with the growing new school scene and subculture, which also marked the beginning of hip-hop's "golden age" and the replacement of old school hip hop.{{cite web |url=https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/345049/LL-Cool-J |title=Encyclopedia – Britannica Online Encyclopedia ... Def Jam, LL, & new school hip hop |publisher=2008 Encyclopædia Britannica|access-date=June 24, 2008}} This period of hip hop was marked by the end of the disco rap stylings of old school, which had flourished prior to the mid-1980s, and the rise of a new style featuring "ghetto blasters". Radio served as one of the earliest records, along with Run-D.M.C.'s debut album, to combine the vocal approach of hip hop and rapping with the musical arrangements and riffing sound of rock music, pioneering the rap rock hybrid sound.[http://ca.music.yahoo.com/read/review/12039423 Yahoo! Music: Radio] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717003047/http://ca.music.yahoo.com/read/review/12039423 |date=July 17, 2011 }}. Yahoo! Inc. Retrieved on November 16, 2008.

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.Toop (2000), p. 126. 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.Shapiro (2005), p. 228. 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.casenet.com/people/llcoolj.htm|title=CaseNet.com – LL Cool J|publisher=CaseNet|access-date=June 24, 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071121204648/http://www.casenet.com/people/llcoolj.htm |archive-date = November 21, 2007}}

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., Schoolly 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.Coleman (2007), p. 354. 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.rapreviews.com/archive/BTTL_radio.html |title=LL Cool J :: Radio ** RapReviews "Back to the Lab" series ** by Steve "Flash" Juon |website=RapReviews.com |access-date=June 19, 2008}} As the album served as an example of an expansion of hip-hop music's artistic possibilities, its commercial success and distinct sound soon led to an increase in multi-racial audiences and listeners, adding to the legacy of the album and hip hop as well.[http://heavy.com/entertainment/2015/02/ll-cool-j-wife-simone-smith-grammy-awards-host/ EntertainmentSimone Smith, LL Cool J's Wife: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160419142827/http://heavy.com/entertainment/2015/02/ll-cool-j-wife-simone-smith-grammy-awards-host/ |date=April 19, 2016 }}, heavy.com April 22, 2015

In 2017, LL Cool J became the first rapper to receive Kennedy Center Honors.{{Cite news | url=https://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2017/08/03/541365592/ll-cool-j-to-become-kennedy-centers-first-hip-hop-honoree | title=LL Cool J to Become Kennedy Center's First Hip-Hop Honoree| newspaper=NPR| date=August 3, 2017| last1=Carmichael| first1=Rodney}}

In 2021, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with an award for Musical Excellence.

Smith dated Kidada Jones, daughter of producer Quincy Jones, from 1992 to 1994.{{Cite book |last=LL Cool J |url=http://archive.org/details/imakemyownrules0000llco |title=I Make My Own Rules |publisher=New York, NY : St. Martin's Press |year=1997 |isbn=978-0-312-17110-0 |pages=152–153}}

He married Simone Johnson in 1995. The couple met in 1987 and have four children.{{cite web|url=https://heavy.com/entertainment/2017/12/ll-cool-j-kids-wife-simone-smith-children/ |title=LL Cool J's Kids With Wife Simone Smith |work=Heavy.com |last=Weigle |first=Lauren |date=December 26, 2017 |access-date=March 31, 2018}}

Simone Johnson-Smith, a born-again Christian, was diagnosed with chondrosarcoma, a third-stage bone cancer, and was later cancer-free as of 2004.{{Cite web |title=LL Cool J on How Wife Simone's Battle With Cancer Inspired Activism |url=https://www.etonline.com/ll-cool-j-on-how-his-wife-simones-battle-with-cancer-inspired-activism-in-himself-exclusive-123514 |access-date=2024-04-18 |website=Entertainment Tonight |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2020-10-23 |title=LL Cool J and His Wife Simone Smith Team Up For The Beat Cancer Like A Boss Campaign |url=https://www.essence.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/ll-cool-j-and-his-wife-simone-smith-team-up-for-the-beat-cancer-like-a-boss-campaign/ |access-date=2024-04-18 |website=Essence |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Marie |first=Erika |date=2019-04-19 |title=LL Cool J & Wife Simone Share Details Of Her Fight With Rare Bone Cancer |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/205107-ll-cool-j-and-wife-simone-share-details-of-her-fight-with-rare-bone-cancer-news |access-date=2024-04-18 |website=HotNewHipHop |language=en}} She became an entrepreneur, launching a jewelry line in 2011.

Smith is credited with introducing his wife to singer and close friend Mary J. Blige in 2005, inspiring their friendship; the women launched a collaborative jewelry line, Sister Love, in late 2020 after announcing it two years prior.{{Cite web |title=Who Is LL Cool J's Wife? All About Simone I. Smith |url=https://people.com/who-is-simone-smith-ll-cool-j-wife-7502371 |access-date=2024-04-18 |website=Peoplemag |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Mary J. Blige Teams Up with LL Cool J's Wife for Jewelry Collaboration |url=https://www.ebony.com/mary-j-blige-ll-cool-j-wife-jewelry-collaboration/ |access-date=2024-04-18 |website=EBONY |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2020-10-23 |title=Mary J. Blige and Simone Smith Launch Jewelry Line 'Sister Love' Exclusively at Essence Festival |url=https://www.essence.com/festival/2018-essence-festival/mary-j-blige-simone-smith-jewelry/ |access-date=2024-04-18 |website=Essence |language=en-US}}

In 2023, the couple co-founded a jewelry line for men, Majesty.{{Cite web |last=Palmieri |first=Jean E. |date=2023-05-15 |title=Simone Smith to Launch Higher-priced Men's Jewelry Line Under Majesty Name |url=https://wwd.com/menswear-news/mens-clothing-furnishings/ll-cool-j-simone-smith-mens-jewelry-majesty-1235650465/ |access-date=2024-04-18 |website=WWD |language=en-US}}

In an episode of Finding Your Roots, Smith learned that his mother was adopted by Eugene Griffith and Ellen Hightower. The series' genetic genealogist CeCe Moore identified Smith's biological grandparents as Ethel Mae Jolly and Nathaniel Christy Lewis through analysis of his DNA. Smith's biological great-uncle was Hall of Fame boxer John Henry Lewis.

In 2002, LL Cool J supported George Pataki's bid for a third term as Governor of New York.{{cite news|last=Katz |first=Celeste |url=http://articles.nydailynews.com/2002-09-27/news/18213058_1_pataki-terror-attacks-karenna-gore-schiff |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120730084630/http://articles.nydailynews.com/2002-09-27/news/18213058_1_pataki-terror-attacks-karenna-gore-schiff |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 30, 2012 |title=Cool J comes out for Pataki|newspaper=New York Daily News |date=September 27, 2002 |access-date=March 30, 2012}} 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. 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. Chuck D provided an opposing viewpoint, saying free file-sharing could be leveraged as a promotional tool and the industry was being overprotective of its copyright.{{cite magazine|first=Katie|last=Dean |url=https://www.wired.com/gadgets/portablemusic/news/2003/10/60650 |title=Rappers in Disharmony on P2P |magazine=Wired |date= October 1, 2003|access-date=March 30, 2012}} LL also voiced his support for New York State Senator Malcolm Smith, a Democrat, during an appearance on the senator's local television show;{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=St5IyfFPOos | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211028/St5IyfFPOos| archive-date=2021-10-28|title=Senator Malcolm Smith Show w. LL Cool J part 3 |publisher=YouTube |date=January 2, 2008 |access-date=March 30, 2012}}{{cbignore}} LL worked with Smith in putting on the annual Jump and Ball Tournament in the rapper's childhood neighborhood of St. Albans, Queens.{{cite web|url=http://www.ny1.com/content/features/one_on_1_archives_hp/91780/one-on-1--hip-hop-artist-ll-cool-j-leaves-footprints-beyond-music |title=One On 1: Hip-Hop Artist LL Cool J Leaves Footprints Beyond Music |website=NY1.com |access-date=March 30, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130524134151/http://www.ny1.com/content/features/one_on_1_archives_hp/91780/one-on-1--hip-hop-artist-ll-cool-j-leaves-footprints-beyond-music |archive-date=May 24, 2013 }} In a February 10, 2012 televised interview with CNN host Piers Morgan, LL Cool J expressed sympathy for President Barack Obama and ascribed negative impressions of his leadership to Republican obstruction designed to "make it look like you have a coordination problem." He was quick to add that no one "should assume that I'm a Democrat either. I'm an independent, you know?"{{cite web|url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1202/10/pmt.01.html |title=CNN – Transcripts |website=Transcripts.cnn.com |access-date=May 2, 2013}} In his 2010 book LL Cool J's Platinum 360 Diet and Lifestyle, he included Obama in a list of people he admired, stating that the then-president had "accomplished what people thought was impossible."LL Cool J with Dave Honig, Chris Palmer & Jim Stoppani; LL Cool J's Platinum 360 Diet and Lifestyle: A Full-Circle Guide to Developing Your Mind, Body, and Soul, page 14, Rodale, 2010

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. He is also involved in many charitable causes for literacy, music, and arts programs for kids and schools.{{Cite web |title=LL Cool J: 2018 We are Family Humanitarian Award honoree |url=https://www.wearefamilyfoundation.org/ll-cool-j |website=www.wearefamily.org |access-date=January 22, 2022 |language=en-US}}

{{Main|LL Cool J 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)

{{cite web|url=https://www.billboardmusicawards.com/winners-database/?winnerKeyword=l.l.&winnerYear= |title=Winners Database |publisher=billboardmusicawards.com |access-date=2023-08-30}}

• 1988 {{ndash}} Enstooled as Kwasi Achi-Bru, a chieftain of the Akan people, in Abidjan, Ivory Coast"Chief LL Cool J", a story on page 55 of the issue of the magazine Jet that is cover dated Dec 26, 1988 - Jan 2, 1989.
• 1991 {{ndash}} Billboard Top Rap Singles Artist{{cite book|last1=Gregory|first1=Andy|title=International Who's Who in Popular Music 2002|date=July 5, 2002|publisher=Europa Publication|isbn=978-1857431612|page=308|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gZIjT8PgJMEC&q=billboard+music+awards+1991+winners+LL+Cool+J&pg=PA308|access-date=November 18, 2016}}
• 1997 {{ndash}} Patrick Lippert Award, Rock The Vote{{cite magazine|title=Calendar|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zA4EAAAAMBAJ&q=Patrick+Lippert+Award+1997&pg=PA62|access-date=November 18, 2016|magazine=Billboard|issue=February 1, 1997|date=February 1, 1997}}
• 2003 {{ndash}} Source Foundation Image Award, for "his community work"
• 2007 {{ndash}} Long Island Music Hall of Fame, Inducted as part of the Inaugural Class of Inductees for his contribution to Long Island's rich musical heritage{{cite web|title=LL Cool J {{!}} Long Island Music Hall of Fame|url=http://www.limusichalloffame.org/project/ll-cool-j/|website=Limusichalloffame.org|access-date=November 18, 2016}}
• 2011 {{ndash}} BET Hip Hop Awards, Honored with the I Am Hip Hop Award for his contributions to hip-hop culture{{cite web|title=BET Hip Hop Awards winners|url=https://www.ew.com/article/2011/10/12/chris-brown-leads-bet-hip-hop-awards-winners|website=Entertainment Weekly's EW.com|access-date=November 18, 2016}}
• 2013 {{ndash}} A New York City double decker tour bus was dedicated to LL Cool J and his life's work[http://www.people.com/people/gallery/0,,20699986,00.html#21324557 LL Cool J extends his reach during Gray Line New York's "Ride Of Fame" induction ceremony, which honored the native New Yorker Monday at Manhattan's Pier 78.], People.com, May 14, 2013.
• 2014 – Honorary Doctor of Arts, Northeastern University, for his contributions to hip-hop culture{{cite web |title=LL Cool J gets honorary degree from Northeastern |url=http://www.northeastern.edu/news/in-the-news/ll-cool-j-gets-honorary-degree-from-northeastern/ |website=Northeastern.edu |date=505 |access-date=May 6, 2014 |archive-date=May 6, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140506164634/http://www.northeastern.edu/news/in-the-news/ll-cool-j-gets-honorary-degree-from-northeastern/ |url-status=dead }}
• 2016 {{ndash}} LL Cool J was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame.{{cite web |last1=Barker |first1=Andrew |date=January 21, 2016 |title=LL Cool J Receives a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame |url=https://variety.com/2016/music/spotlight/ll-cool-j-receives-a-star-on-the-hollywood-walk-of-fame-1201684690/ |access-date=November 18, 2016 |website=Variety}}
• 2017 {{ndash}} first hip hop artist to receive a Kennedy Center Honor
• LL Cool J has been nominated six times for induction into The Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame. He has been nominated in 2010, 2011, 2014, 2018, 2019, and 2021 as a performer.{{Cite web|url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/music/442341-fela-nominated-for-2021-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame.html|title=Fela nominated for 2021 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame|website=Premiumtimesng.com|date=February 12, 2021|access-date=June 23, 2021}} In 2021, He was inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with an award for Musical Excellence.
• 2022 {{ndash}} Honored with the Key of the City of New York in the Queens borough{{Cite web |date=2022-08-08 |title=LL COOL J Honored With Key To The City In Queens, New York During First Rock The Bells Festival |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.72372/title.ll-cool-j-honored-with-key-to-the-city-in-queens-new-york-during-first-rock-the-bells-festival |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=HipHopDX}}{{Cite web |title=LL Cool J Honored With Key To Queens, New York |url=https://www.bet.com/article/ywfl39/ll-cool-j-honored-key-to-queens-new-york |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=BET |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2022-08-09 |title=LL Cool J Received The Key To The City Of Queens During Inaugural Rock The Bells Festival |url=https://www.theroot.com/ll-cool-j-received-the-key-to-the-city-of-queens-during-1849392612 |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=The Root |language=en-us}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite book|author1=LL Cool J|author2=Karen Hunter|title=I Make My Own Rules|year=1997|publisher=St. Martin's Press|isbn=978-0-3121-7110-0}}

{{Wikiquote}}

{{sister project links|d=Q52440|c=Category:LL Cool J|n=no|m=no|mw=no|species=no|q=no|b=no|v=no|wikt=no|s=no}}

• {{Official website}}
• {{IMDb name|5112|LL Cool J}}

{{LL Cool J|state=expanded}}

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