LL Cool J: Biography of the Rapper and Actor
The Debut of LL Cool J
50 Cent Biography: Life and Career of the Rapper and Actor
Smith then adopted the stage name LL Cool J, which meant “Ladies Love Cool James.” In 1984, LL signed to the newly-founded Def Jam Recordings, and demonstrated his powerful rap style on his first single, “I Need a Beat.” The next year, his debut album Radio became one of hip hop’s first commercial successes on the strength of singles like “I Can’t Live without My Radio,” and “Rock the Bells.” Thanks to LL’s b-boy-style lyrics and Rick Rubin’s production work, the record went platinum and helped launch the new school of hip hop.
Sophomore Effort
1987’s Bigger and Deffer was an even bigger success. That album reached number three on the Billboard 200, went double platinum and spawned the hit rap ballad “I Need Love.”
Commercial Success and Critique
What came next was 1989’s top ten effort Walking with a Panther. Despite its commercial success and numerous successful tracks, the record was heavily criticized for pandering to the mainstream.
Don’t Call it a Comeback
Common Biography: Life and Career of the Rapper and Actor
By this point, many thought LL Cool J’s time had come to an end, but he was only getting started. He won back critic and fan favor with 1990’s Mama Said Knock You Out. The tougher album sold over two million copies, and generated the Grammy-winning title track.
Shift to Hardcore Rap
Spire Wolf - Shift Feat. Danny The Sapien
LL then revealed his acting talent in some small roles, before dropping 14 Shots to the Dome in 1993. That more hardcore rap record was a commercial flop, but still managed gold status.
Critical and Commercial Recognition
When most rappers would have called it quits, LL persevered. He was rewarded when 1995’s Mr. Smith sold over two million copies and won him another Grammy for his song with Boyz II Men, “Hey Lover.” On this CD, LL featured many of the sexy rap ballads he was famous for, including “Loungin’” and “Doin’ It.”
Acting and “Phenomenon”
Singer Shawn Hook Talks Acting, Career Highlights
That same year, LL Cool J added to his acting credits by starring in the sitcom “In the House.” He then released the platinum-selling disc Phenomenon in 1997, which spawned the title cut and the star-studded single “4, 3, 2, 1.” The next few years were spent beefing up his acting repertoire in movies like “Halloween H20: Twenty Years Later,” “Deep Blue Sea,” “In Too Deep,” and “Any Given Sunday.”
First Number One Record
Iron Maiden ‘The Number Of The Beast’ 40th Anniversary | Paul Di'Anno News | KISS Creatures Fest
In 2000, LL Cool J had his first number one album with G.O.A.T., or Greatest of All Time. He kept busy in films like “Charlie’s Angels,” “Kingdom Come” and “Rollerball,” and released the number two disc 10 in 2002. That same year, the rapper lent his vocals to the chart-topping Jennifer Lopez track “All I Have.”
More Music and Acting
Top 10 Bad Songs With Cool Music Videos
In 2004, he released the Timbaland-produced top five record, The DEFinition. Two years later came Todd Smith, and this effort featured several collaborations, including another J-Lo duet called “Control Myself.” During this period, LL made many more movie and television appearances, most notably in “Deliver Us from Eva,” “S.W.A.T.,” “Mindhunters” and “Last Holiday.”
Last Album with Def Jam and Roles on Television
MC Hammer Biography: Life and Career of the Rapper
Then in 2008, LL released his last Def Jam album: Exit 13. That top ten record was preceded by his first mixtape: The Return of the G.O.A.T. LL’s focus then shifted to acting and he became a regular on the television series “NCIS: Los Angeles” in 2009. After several years of hosting the Grammy nominations concert, he hosted the 54th Grammy Awards in 2012 for the first time.
Other Interests
Nas Biography: Life and Career of the Rapper
Aside from rapping and acting, LL Cool J authored numerous books, including an autobiography, fitness guide and children’s book. He was also involved with a few clothing lines, including the iconic FUBU brand, and formed several music-related companies.
G.O.A.T.
Pharrell Biography: Life and Career of the Rapper and Producer
With a career spanning decades, LL Cool J became one of the most notable and accomplished rapper/actors of all time. This multi-dimensional celebrity has sold millions of albums worldwide, received numerous accolades and appeared in dozens of movies - and that is why he remains the “greatest of all time.”
