LL Cool J
LL Cool J is a boom-bap artist from Queens, New York.
Queens rapper and Def Jam's first star, from "I Need Love" to "Mama Said Knock You Out".
Who is LL Cool J?
LL Cool J (James Todd Smith) is a rapper and actor from Queens, New York. The name stands for "Ladies Love Cool James".
Known for
He was the first big star on Def Jam, with the album Radio (1985). "I Need Love" (1987) was one of the first rap ballads to become a hit, and "Mama Said Knock You Out" (1990) remains a classic. Later he became a TV star in NCIS: Los Angeles, and in 2017 he was the first rapper to receive the Kennedy Center Honors.
Style
A powerful, confident delivery that can go from hard battle rap to smooth love songs. Charismatic and very physical on stage.
Impact
LL Cool J proved that a rapper could be a sex symbol, a battle MC and a pop star at the same time, and kept that up for decades.
LL Cool J: quick answers
What genre is LL Cool J?
LL Cool J’s music falls under Boom-Bap. LL Cool J is part of East Coast hip-hop, with the most important work in the 1980s.
Where is LL Cool J from?
LL Cool J is from Queens, New York.
What is LL Cool J’s real name?
LL Cool J’s real name is James Todd Smith.
When did LL Cool J start?
LL Cool J has been active since 1984.
Who did LL Cool J influence?
LL Cool J influenced Eminem.
Which artists are similar to LL Cool J?
If you like LL Cool J, listen to Big Daddy Kane, Flava Flav, Rakim, Rev Run, Run-DMC and Beastie Boys.
