[7] In 2017, LL Cool J became the first rapper to receive the Kennedy Center Honors. Hed even pull me out of the shower to get a beating. (4 years old) when his father shot his mother during a dispute between the two. It was tough. [18] 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. Radio served as one of the earliest records, along with Run-D.M.C. [37] It spent 11 weeks at No. 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). I was so inspired I wrote the song on set."[44]. published in 2002. [91], In March 2015, LL Cool J also appeared in an introduction to WrestleMania 31. Signed to Def Jam Recordings in 1984, LL Cool J's breakthrough came with his single "I . [84] He played Beth's father in Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising and was shown in a trailer for the film but his scenes were cut from the final product.[85]. When LL Cool J was just 4 years old, his father shot his mother and grandfather. I guess it would leave you scarred, at four years old, based on how the people around you dealt with it and encouraged you to deal with it. At the age of four, he saw his mother and grandfather shot by his own father. James Todd Smith, popularly known as LL Cool J, is a well-known artist in the movie and music industry. target_type: 'mix' In 2010, VH1 placed him on their "100 Greatest Artists Of All Time" list. However, his childhood was quite challenging, starting with the fact that he grew up in a tough section of Queens, New York, where drugs were present almost everywhere. [40] LL won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance in 1992 for the title track. . It was like the scene in `Glory when Denzel Washington was getting beat down like a slave, except I was like 8 years old. and the Fat Boys. When he was very young his parents got a divorce and it angered his biological father, James, so much that he shot both LLs mother and grandfather with a shotgun. He didnt care how he beat me or with what . The show is a spin-off of NCIS, which itself is a spin-off of the naval legal drama JAG. and the Beastie Boys. Elsewhere in the book, LL said a low point in his sex life came when he had an intimate encounter with a . We humbly honor the old school soul music era and will keep pushing forward to keep it alive. 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 series' genetic genealogist CeCe Moore identified Smith's biological grandparents as Ethel Mae Jolly and Nathaniel Christy Lewis through analysis of his DNA. [60] His upcoming album will be produced by Q-Tip. Mark Summers for Rolling . When he was very young his parents got a divorce and it angered his biological father, James, so much that he shot both LLs mother and grandfather with a shotgun. Tracks that the two worked on were leaked to the internet and some of the tracks produced with 50 made it to Exit 13. I was doing all kinds of wild things by then and getting in all kinds of trouble.. Eventually, LL's father James came back into his life and helped him out in the early stages of his budding rap career. In 2006, LL Cool J and his personal trainer, Dave "Scooter" Honig, wrote a fitness book titled The Platinum Workout. A track entitled "Hi Haterz" was leaked onto the internet on June 1, 2008. Awards. LL Cool J has written four books, including I Make My Own Rules, (1997), an autobiography cowritten with Karen Hunter. LL Cool J's friend and mentor, Run-DMC's Jam Master Jay, was shot and killed at his studio in Queens in 2002. L.L. AmoMama creates engaging, meaningful content for women. Later, LL's mom was instramental in getting her son to reconcile with his father. 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. His parents were Ondrea Griffith and James Louis Smith Jr, aka James Nunya. Those who don't know the actors story and only look at how he is doing nowadays might desire to have his life. Eventually, LLs father James came back into his life and helped him out in the early stages of his budding rap career. }); Copyright 2015 . He would beat me for watching television, for lookin at him funny, for looking out the window watching other kids play. We humbly honor the old school soul music era and will keep pushing forward to keep it alive. 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. Exception: This awkward piece of wonky cheese. LL Cool J achieved an 'MTV Video Music Award' for his hit track 'Mama Said Knock You Out in . "[107] In his 2020 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. See more ideas about ll cool j, sexy men, fine black men. As if that wasnt bad enough, his mother, Ondrea, eventually settled into another relationship with a man named, Roscoe Granger, and in the book, LL details (via The Daily Press) how Roscoe, allegedly a drug addict, took every opportunity to beat LL whenever he had the chance. target_type: 'mix' In March 2011 at South by Southwest, LL Cool J was revealed to be Z-Trip's special guest at the Red Bull Thre3Style showcase. LL Cool J is one of the most respected rappers in the game but even he has endured his fair share of obstacles. [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. [61], 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. window._taboola = window._taboola || []; 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. [88] LL Cool J ( Full name: James Todd Smith) is a 54-year-old American record producer, songwriter, rapper, and actor. 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. He didnt need a good reason. Aired on 01/27/2013 | CC. His father shot his mother and grandfather, nearly killing them both. Its singles included "Doin' It" and "Loungin". 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. The lyrics are about a recently-born baby girl and deceased beat poet Neal Cassady that's right, they couldn't even spell his name correctly SD 26 BRAD PAISLEY FEAT. "[55], On January 21, 2016, LL received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. [29] 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,[29] remaining on that chart for thirty-eight weeks. Born James Todd Smith on 14th January, 1968 in Bay Shore, Long Island, New York, United States, he is famous for Ladies Love Cool James.. [86] Although LL Cool J, born James Todd Smith, is an accomplished entertainer, appearing on music charts, starring on TV and movies, and even hosting shows, he had a rough start in life. The Marley Marl produced album received critical acclaim and eventually went double Platinum, selling over two million copies according to the RIAA. LL Cool J thanked Canibus in the liner notes of the album, "for the inspiration". [9], Smith dated Kidada Jones, daughter of producer Quincy Jones, from 1992 to 1994. As soon as it was over there were girls screaming and asking for autographs. [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. The unraveling of LL Cool J's hidden family history also uncovered a rough parallel to the violence he witnessed as a child, when his grandfather and mother were wounded in a shooting involving . As a result LL fired James and hired a new manager. 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. LL Cool J started his own businesses in the music industry such as the music label in 1993 called P.O.G. Recently, he allegedly came out and said that Tito Jackson is his father and he also reveals some shocking details about Barry Gordy using him for his talent early on but he had to sign some letters because Tito ain't want him to be his real child. Once there, his friend offered to introduce his cousin, Simone. 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. Even more, he was featured in a television documentary series called Finding Your Roots; LL Cool J learned of the family secret so well-hidden that even his own mother was unaware . COPYRIGHT 2022 EURweb.com/Rabercom Enterprises. They shot the video for "Control Myself" on January 2, 2006, at Sony Studios, New York. [31] Another milestone of LL's popularity was his appearance on American Bandstand as the first hip-hop act on the show. This was the same person who shot his mother in the back and granddad in the stomach. Yet, the scars never fully healed. They also share a close-knit relationship. He did not get the best attention as a young child, and his surroundings subjected him to a life of bullying and arms. The hip-hop Icon LL Cool J opened up about his rough childhood and the abusive nature of his stepdad and his biological father who he claimed shot his mother when he was just a child. Gigs at larger venues were offered to LL as he would join the 1986-'87 Raising Hell tour, opening for Run-D.M.C. [24], Radio was released to critical acclaim, both for production innovation and LL's powerful rap. placement: 'Right Rail Thumbnails', [41] Over the weekend, a video began to circulate of a young artist by the name of LoveBenJi saying that he is the "hidden" son of Hip Hop pioneer LL Cool J, but he . target_type: 'mix' LL Cool J looks back on "Accidental Racist" and explains why he declared himself the G.O.A.T. LL Cool J lives a lavish life with his family nowadays, but it didn't come overnight. 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. He has released twelve studio albums over his 27 year career, has starred in numerous feature films and currently At the age of four, he saw his mother and grandfather shot by his own father. 96 views, 2 likes, 0 loves, 0 comments, 2 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from J.Cano: Law & Order: SVU - Best Episode Although no one died, it was a terrible experience for LL Cool J, who was only a kid when it occurred. Signed to Def Jam Recordings in 1984, LL Cool J's breakthrough came with his single "I Need a Beat" and his landmark debut album, Radio (1985). During an interview that the actor had with Oprah Winfrey, the host asked if such a terrible incident had left a scar in him. 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. 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. My father made a massive blunder, but he also did a lot of things right.. And LL was the one who discovered them! [80][81] In 2013, LL received a Teen Choice Award for Choice TV Actor: Action for his work on the show. My father made a massive blunder, but he also did a lot of things right.. As if that wasnt bad enough, his mother, Ondrea, eventually settled into another relationship with a man named, Roscoe Granger, and in the book, LL details (via The Daily Press) how Roscoe, allegedly a drug addict, took every opportunity to beat LL whenever he had the chance. If that wasn't hard enough, he experienced a tragic and dramatic event when he was only four years old. The third season of PBS' hit show Finding Your Roots continues to chronicle the fascinating family stories of celebrities, politicians, activists and more. Apr 3, 2018 - Explore Kellz M's board "LL Cool J" on Pinterest. Classic albums including Bigger and Deffer and Mama Said Knock You Out are well represented here. In September 2009, LL Cool J released a song about the NCIS TV series. In the same year 2009, he was cast as a regular in the still-running CBS TV series 'NCIS: Los Angeles', in which he plays special agent 'Sam Hanna', a Navy investigator. At the age of four, he saw his mother and grandfather shot by his own father. Both survived. He eliminated the threatening forces and continued advancing in his career while making money selling books, platinum records, and helping children. _taboola.push({ . Now, LL explains how heand his motherlearned to forgive. [8], In 2021, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with an award for Musical Excellence. The second video, directed by Hype Williams, was "Freeze" featuring Lyfe Jennings. Hed even pull me out of the shower to get a beating. The new track is based on his experiences playing special agent Sam Hanna. 2 and would be released in 2015. Dante Boyles MUS 211 LL Cool J Cultural Analysis Paper LL Cool J has done a lot in the hip-hop industry and has also branched out to the entertainment business as well. He didnt care how he beat me or with what . I was doing all kinds of wild things by then and getting in all kinds of trouble.. 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). The two took part in an interview with Carson Daly where they discussed their partnership. [4] He is one of the earliest rappers to achieve commercial success, alongside fellow new school hip hop acts Beastie Boys and Run-DMC. "[108], 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. The toddler's 25-year-old father was hit in the head and his 22-year-old mother in the leg. At this point, the entertainer decided to stick by her unconditionally, putting up a positive front, and even offered to give her a bone marrow. Mr. James was upset that LL Cool J's mother had left him. 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.