Rapping is like food for kids who grew up in Queens, New York, they just can’t live without it. Most of the kids who grew up in the neighborhood are likely to get into the entertainment industry, especially music and rap, to be precise. LL Cool J caught the virus very early in his life and he has earned a solid reputation as an accomplished rapper, actor, and songwriter, as well as in other endeavors.
The multi-talented star was already rapping by the 9-year-old and by the age of 16 he was creating demo tapes with hip-hop group The Treacherous Three, which earned him a source of inspiration. Currently, the rapper has 13 studio albums and two greatest hits compilations. VH1 named him one of the “100 Greatest Artists of All Time” in 2010.
Plus, rapping isn’t his only forte, as famed rapper LL Cool J has appeared in movies like In Too Deep, Any Sunday, SWAT, Mindhunters to name a few. One of his notable roles is as NCIS Special Agent Sam Hanna on the CBS crime drama television series. NCIS: Los Angeles
Brief biography, age
The rapper was born as James Todd Smith on January 14, 1968, he later adopted his professional nickname – LL Cool J, which stands for Ladies Love Cool James. While his birthplace was in Bay Shore, New York when his parents – Ondrea Griffeth and James Louis Smith, Jr. divorced, he was raised by his grandparents in Queens where the rap genre is at the forefront. ‘agenda.
When he showed his interest in rap at the age of 9, his grandfather encouraged him by buying instruments that he could work with in their basement. In 1984, at the age of 16, Cool J was already creating demo tapes at home. Thanks to his grandfather, Cool J had at his disposal two turntables, an audio mixer and an amplifier. Using the mixer, LL Cool J developed his own demos and sent them to record labels, including Def Jam, in hopes of landing a contract.
As a result, he was signed by Def Jam after which his first official record, the 12-inch single I Need a Beat was released in 1984. The first single was a commercial success at the time, selling at more than 100,000 copies. Def Jam as a label and LL Cool J as a rapper have benefited from its success. His next offering, Radio, released in 1985 was a bigger hit with over 1.5 million copies sold. The album hit the top music charts and stayed there for weeks, putting Cool J on the list of the first hip-hop artists to achieve mainstream success.
The rapper once again made history with his sophomore album Bigger and Deffer in 1987. The album is considered his best-selling career album, selling over three million copies in the United States. United. He continued to produce more albums while dabbling in other endeavors such as acting. His albums to date include: Walk With A Panther (1989) Mom Said Knock You Out (1990) 14 Shots In The Dome (1993) Mr. Smith (1995) Phenomenon (1997) GOAT. (2000) 10 (2002) The Definition (2004) Todd Smith (2006) Exit 13(2008) Authentic (2013). LL Cool J left Def Records after his 2008 album and started a record label called Boomdizzle, which also served as a social networking site where aspiring artists could upload their music so users could rate it.
Some of his movie credits include Toys (1992), Any Sunday (1999), Charlie’s Angels (2000), CRUSH. (2003), Mindhunters, (2004) among others.
He has won several prestigious awards such as the MTV Video Music Award, Blockbuster Entertainment Award, and Teen Choice Award for his musical and acting prowess.
Also Read: Will Smith’s Children, Son, Wife, Daughter, Parents
LL Cool J family: wife, children
Certainly, LL Cool J is not only good at entertaining people, but also holds his ground as a loving husband and a loving father. He has been married to Simone Smith since 1995. They have four children: Nina Simone Smith, Samaria Leah Wisdom Smith, Najee Laurent Todd Eugene Smith and Italia Anita Maria Smith.
LL Cool J was devastated when, in 2004, his wife was diagnosed with bone cancer. Fortunately, she recovered.
What is LL Cool J net worth?
As successful as his career in Hollywood, the rapper, actor, author, and entrepreneur has a huge fortune to show for it. His latest estimated net worth is $100 million. The sum is likely to increase in the future if the rapper is still active in his career.
LL Cool J: Height, measurements
The artist has a strong body with a height of 1.87 m. In 2012, he handed over a burglar caught in his home to police after he broke his nose and jaw in an ensuing fight.
