LL Cool J's 11th album, Todd Smith, was released on April 11, 2006. He is also involved in many charitable causes for literacy, music, and arts programs for kids and schools.[109]. The album debuted at No. u/Gabriel9078. His father shot his mother and grandfather with a 12-gauge . LL Cool J is one of the most respected rappers in the game but even he has endured his fair share of obstacles. And, so I have learned to hand out the mercy that I like to receive. [68], In 1998, LL Cool J played security guard Ronny in Halloween H20, the seventh movie in the Halloween franchise. [86] 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. It was tough. His mother, Ondrea, was a nurse's assistant, while his father, James, drove a truck. At the age of four, he saw his mother and grandfather shot by his own father. Eventually, LLs father James came back into his life and helped him out in the early stages of his budding rap career. [102], In an episode of Finding Your Roots, Smith learned that his mother was adopted by Eugene Griffith and Ellen Hightower. Much to people's surprise, LL Cool J said: LL Cool J at Barclays Center on July 14, 2019 | Source: Getty Images, 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.. 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. DiscoverNet | Tragic Details About LL Cool J You have entered an incorrect email address! [11][12][13] According to the Chicago Tribune, "[As] a kid growing up middle class and Catholic in Queens, life for Smith was heart-breaking. LL Cool J Net Worth In 2023 and How He Makes Money My father made a massive blunder, but he also did a lot of things right, he said. The album went gold. Jul 19, 2021 09:00 P.M. According to a Chicago Tribune report, his father shot his mother and grandfather, nearly killing them. Series overview and suggestions on where to start! Although both survived James saw them covered in blood. [71] Later that year, he starred as Julian Washingtona talented but selfish running back on fictional professional football team the Miami Sharksin Oliver Stone's drama Any Given Sunday. We humbly honor the old school soul music era and will keep pushing forward to keep it alive. [5][6], A two-time Grammy Award winner, LL Cool J is known for hip hop songs such as "Going Back to Cali", "I'm Bad", "The Boomin' System", "Rock the Bells", and "Mama Said Knock You Out", as well as R&B hits such as "Doin' It", "I Need Love", "Around the Way Girl" and "Hey Lover". and the Fat Boys. [94], 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. Yet, the scars never fully healed. The rapper was age 4 at the time, and both relatives survived their injuries. The last LL COOL J album, Authentic, was released in 2013, five years after his last Def Jam album, Exit 13. Description: James Todd Smith (born January 14, 1968) is an American hip hop artist better known by his stage name, LL Cool J ("Ladies Love Cool James"). At the age of four, he saw his mother and grandfather shot by his own father. 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. iloveoldschoolmusic.com. Released November 18, 1985, on Def Jam Recordings in the United States,[26] Radio earned a significant amount of commercial success and sales for a hip hop record at the time. Truck driver James Nunya shot his father-in-law . "I want to be clear," said Taryll, who is Tito's son. LL Cool J Biography and Life Story - AceShowbiz "I Can't Live Without My Radio" and "Rock the Bells" were singles that helped the album go platinum. It was like the scene in `Glory when Denzel Washington was getting beat down like a slave, except I was like 8 years old. Best Episode | Law & Order: SVU - Best Episode - Facebook [27][28] Radio peaked at number 6 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and at number 46 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. LL Cool J has appeared in numerous films, including Halloween H20, In Too Deep, Any Given Sunday, Deep Blue Sea, S.W.A.T., Mindhunters, Last Holiday, and Edison. He has also appeared in several films. that benefits the victims. [48], 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. James Todd Smith (born January 14, 1968 in Bay Shore, New York), better known as LL Cool J (Ladies Love Cool James), is a Grammy Award winning American rapper and actor signed to Def Jam. Advertisement LL Cool J is a legendary rapper who has recorded over nine albums in the last 15 years and won many awards, including three Grammys. [40] According to Billboard, the album peaked at No. [28] [53], In October 2014, LL announced that his 14th studio album would be called G.O.A.T. Exception: This awkward piece of wonky cheese. If that wasn't hard enough, he experienced a tragic and dramatic event when he was only four years old. L.L. "Father", which was an auto-biographical song that detailed LL's abuse from his mother's boyfriend, would prove to be the most successful single from the album, it made it to #18 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became his eighth . LL Cool J's Traumatic Childhood Includes Stepfather's Physical Abuse [63][64], While LL Cool J first appeared as a rapper in the movie Krush Groove (performing "I Can't Live Without My Radio"),[65] his first acting part was a small role in a high school football movie called Wildcats. 7 on the Hip-Hop and R&B singles chart, and No. LL Cool J thanked Canibus in the liner notes of the album, "for the inspiration". [39] As a result, his audience base began to decline due to the album's bold commercial and pop aspirations. I love you", "LL Cool J forgives dad for shooting mother", "Rapper Ll Cool J Puts Wild Days, Demons Behind Him", "LL Cool J Revealed in 1997 Memoir That His Dad Shot His Mom, Grandfather", "LL Cool J Says His Mother's Tax Refund Funded His Demo", "Acronyms and abbreviations by the Free Online Dictionary", "Def Jam Recordings - LL Cool J Biography", "LL Cool J bio: Edison Force ActorTribute.ca", "Address Island / Def Jam Records Def Jam history", "LL Cool J career discography at HeadSprung.net", "Billboard Music Charts - Search Results - LL Cool J Radio", "LL Cool J Can't Knock Out Billboard Champs", "Biography and other information at Askmen.com", "Kurtis Blow Presents: The History Of Rap, Vol. His father shot his mother and grandfather, almost killing them both. Eventually Ondrea left Roscoe but after all of the trauma LL suffered it was too little too late. He has released twelve studio albums over his 27 year career, has starred in numerous feature films and currently The abuse he suffered from Roscoe was damaging, but living with the pain of his father shooting his mother and grandfather must have been worse. Randy Chrisley Is Todd Chrisley's Brother Who Was Diagnosed with Cancer in 2014, Johnny Depp's Weight Gain & Changes in Appearance over the Years, 'Whos the Boss? We also encourage everyone to report any crime incident they witness as soon as possible. "[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. AmoMama creates engaging, meaningful content for women. placement: 'Right Rail Thumbnails', [95] 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. LL Cool J is in mourning today following the death of his father. [14][12][19] His mother was also supportive of his musical endeavors, using her tax refund to buy him a Korg drum machine. does not support or promote any kind of violence, self-harm, or abusive behavior. The Marley Marl produced album received critical acclaim and eventually went double Platinum, selling over two million copies according to the RIAA. [31] Another milestone of LL's popularity was his appearance on American Bandstand as the first hip-hop act on the show. In September 2009, LL Cool J released a song about the NCIS TV series. LL Cool J ( Full name: James Todd Smith) is a 54-year-old American record producer, songwriter, rapper, and actor. Both relatives survived their injuries, and the NCIS: Los Angeles star insists he has since made peace with his dad even though he was initially reluctant to allow him back into his life. LL Cool J launched a clothing line (called "Todd Smith"). But there is an intriguing story behind the heart-melting and powerful duo. The abuse he suffered from Roscoe was damaging, but living with the pain of his father shooting his mother and grandfather must have been worse. 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. [18], 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.) He was quick to add that no one "should assume that I'm a Democrat either. The new track is based on his experiences playing special agent Sam Hanna. LL Cool J Cultural Analysis Paper.docx - Dante Boyles MUS [99] 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. 'Finding Your Roots' Uncovers LL Cool J Emotional Genetic History The 'NCIS: Los Angeles' star and his mother Ondrea sat down with ET to share their fondest (and most embarrassing) memories of LL's upbringing. L.A. City Council Shutdown Because Council Members Caught on Opinion: Sacramento Mass Shooting Confirms What Experts Already Knew, What the Puck? 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. "[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. He started rapping when he was 9 years of age, his biggest influencers were the sugarhill gang and the treacherous tree. LL Cool J won his first Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance for his song "Mama Said Knock You Out" at the 1992 Grammy Awards. [97], 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., Schooly 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. 2 years ago. Now, LL explains how heand his motherlearned to forgive. news.AmoMama.com speaks out against the above mentioned and news.AmoMama.com advocates for a healthy discussion about the instances of violence, abuse, sexual misconduct, animal cruelty, abuse etc. 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. window._taboola = window._taboola || []; placement: 'Right Rail Thumbnails', In a shocking incident, a two-year-old shot his parents and wounded himself with a gun that he picked up from his parents' nightstand on Wednesday morning, the police said. Gigs at larger venues were offered to LL as he would join the 1986-'87 Raising Hell tour, opening for Run-D.M.C. "[18] This was at the same time that NYU student Rick Rubin and promoter-manager Russell Simmons founded the then-independent Def Jam label. It was just a power trip.. LL Cool J Revealed in 1997 Memoir That His Dad Shot His Mom, Grandfather He would beat me for watching television, for looking at him funny, for looking out the window watching other kids play. Before then, they were lovers with an unsettling relationship plagued by the rapper's familiarity with women and his flirtatious attitude. 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 . container: 'taboola-right-rail-thumbnails', Taryll revealing this sexual abuse, Iyanla said, was a huge step in his . His twelfth album, Exit 13 (2008), was his last in his long-tenured deal with Def Jam. LL Cool J has been nominated six times for induction into The Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame. It's like speaking Spanish if you grow up in an all-Spanish house. The lead single was the Timbaland-produced "Headsprung", which peaked at No. What is LL Cool J's real name? At the beginning of their marriage, Simone ignored her husband for two weeks because he did not honor their honeymoon. We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. window._taboola = window._taboola || []; Yet another single from the album, "I Shot Ya Remix", included debut vocal work by Foxy Brown. They also share a close-knit relationship. LL Cool J | House Wiki | Fandom Cool J was born James Todd Smith on January 14, 1968, in Bay Shore, Long Island, New York, the son of Ondrea Griffith and James Louis Smith, Jr. Todd, as he was called, did not have a very happy childhood. As a result LL fired James and hired a new manager. Production came from Timbaland, 7 Aurelius, R. Kelly, and others. LL Cool J Painfully Detailed Why His Dad Shot His Mom & Grandfather LL Cool J and American artist Tito Jackson are not related as father and child. shockingly resulted in his father's ruthless shot toward his mother . Under his new stage name LL Cool J (an abbreviation for Ladies Love Cool James), coined by his friend and fellow rapper Mikey D,[21][15] 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). news.AmoMama.com does not support or promote any kind of violence, self-harm, or abusive behavior. 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. "It was a relative, but it wasn't any of my father's brothers.". His parents were Ondrea Griffith and James Louis Smith Jr, aka James Nunya. While speaking to Oprah, the jewelry maker explained that they have an awesome marriage because of the sacrifices and love they share. In 2006, LL Cool J and his personal trainer, Dave "Scooter" Honig, wrote a fitness book titled The Platinum Workout. Kwame Ture on Reactionaries & Revolutionaries (And Why Bill Clinton Hated Empowerment Coach Tera Carissa Hodges Graces Speakers Magazine Cover for Womens Tonight Chris Rock is Set to Make Netflix History | WATCH. Man Who Claims To Be "Hidden" Son of LL Cool J Speaks Out 2016 LL Cool J was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame. LL COOL J's Alleged 'Hidden' Biological Son Speaks Out LL Cool J, whose real name is James Todd Smith, was born in January 1968 in Queens, New York, in a middle-class and catholic family. [10], In 2002, LL Cool J supported George Pataki's bid for a third term as Governor of New York. LL Cool J partnered with DJ Kay Slay to release a mixtape called "The Return of the G.O.A.T.". The third season of PBS' hit show Finding Your Roots continues to chronicle the fascinating family stories of celebrities, politicians, activists and more. Following that, on November 3, 2012, LL collaborated with Joe and producers Trackmasters with his second single, "Take It". 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". 2. After this experience, the couple's relationship became stronger. NBA Comes for Ja Morant After He Flashes Gun in Nightclub Queen Latifah & Monie Love Reunite Lizzo Stops Show to Give Chris Rock Jokes Enjoying Watching Will Smith Get Whipped in Emancipation + Nivea, Tamar Braxton, Evelyn Lozada & More | PicsVideos, The Moment Tamar & Toni Learn Chaka Khan Sings Reading Rainbow Theme Yung Miami is About Self-love in 2023 & More | PicsVideos, Tatyana Ali Says New Bel-Air Role is Full Circle Moment Adrienne Bailon Covers Harpers Bazaar & More | PicsVideos, CeCe Winans Says Whitney Houstons Im Every Woman is Demonic + Joe Bully Budden Talks BS About Michael B. Jordan & More | PicsVideos, City of Houston, Residents Honored for National Water Challenge. LL (birth name James Todd Smith) recounted his painful childhood memories in his biography "I Make My Own Rules" and the details are shocking. September 22, 2022. And LL was the one who discovered them! Unfortunately, that relationship turned sour when James mismanaged LLs funds and he ended up owing $2 million dollars to the IRS. And LL was the one who discovered them! The second video, directed by Hype Williams, was "Freeze" featuring Lyfe Jennings. 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. The two have been touring together since 2011, with future dates planned through 2012 and beyond. Actor and rapper LL Cool J, best known as Special Agent Sam Hanna in NCIS: Los Angeles, has had a very successful life. [18] 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. 96 views, 2 likes, 0 loves, 0 comments, 2 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from J.Cano: Law & Order: SVU - Best Episode They shot the video for "Control Myself" on January 2, 2006, at Sony Studios, New York. Ll Cool J Forgives Dad For Shooting Mother - Contactmusic.com LL Cool J - Biography - IMDb ", "LL Cool J Todd Smith Clothing Collection Launch and Video", "Here's LL Cool J's Emotional Opening To WrestleMania 31", "Encyclopedia - Britannica Online Encyclopedia Def Jam, LL, & new school hip hop", "LL Cool J:: Radio ** RapReviews "Back to the Lab" series ** by Steve "Flash" Juon", EntertainmentSimone Smith, LL Cool J's Wife: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know, "LL Cool J's Kids With Wife Simone Smith", "Senator Malcolm Smith Show w. 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[43] Exit 13 was originally slated for a fall 2006 release, however, after a 2-year delay, it was released September 9, 2008 without 50 Cent as the executive producer. Cool J is a real force to be reckoned with, and this is why he is beloved, honored, and celebrated. container: 'taboola-right-rail-thumbnails', LL Cool J (Getty) *In his 1997 biography "I Make My Own Rules," LL Cool J recounts the time his father shot his mother and grandfather because he was bitter about getting a . The Tragic Real-Life Story Of LL Cool J - NickiSwift.com The incident happened at the couple's home at New Meadows Road . Roscoe would flog him at any given opportunity, and the actor described that time in his life as "hell." Unfortunately, that relationship turned sour when James mismanaged LLs funds and he ended up owing $2 million dollars to the IRS. Punched me in the chest stomped me out on the flo'. "Father" is the third single from LL Cool J's seventh album, Phenomenon. My father made a massive blunder, but he also did a lot of things right.. LL Cool J was born James Todd Smith into a middle-class family. [24], Radio was released to critical acclaim, both for production innovation and LL's powerful rap. Unfortunately, that relationship turned sour when James mismanaged LL's funds . Apart from that, he shot his grandfather in the stomach. LL (birth name James Todd Smith) recounted his painful childhood memories in his biography "I Make My Own Rules" and the details are shocking. [35] 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.[35]. Unlike what many people might believe, LL Cool Js children are not spoiled as he has made sure to instill values in them, as well as the notion of working hard for what they want to achieve in life. By Kory Grow. That's just the tip of the iceberg look. [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]. LL Cool J Bio (Wiki) - Married Biography His father shot his mother and grandfather, nearly killing them both. 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. Heartbreaking! LL Cool J Tearfully Shares Traumatic Childhood After His His father, James Nunya, was so incensed over the divorce in that he shot his father-in-law in the stomach and estranged wife Ondrea in the back, I Love Old School Music reports. [88] Beat with belts like a slave with a whip. To this day, there are limited details on the incident, but witnesses say it was a . When 4-year-old LL found them, blood was everywhere." LL and his mother moved into his grandparents' home in St. Albans, Queens in 1972 where he was raised. [7] In 2017, LL Cool J became the first rapper to receive the Kennedy Center Honors. 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. [45] Both artists have promised future collaborations down the road, with LL Cool J calling the duo "organic"[46] 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"[47] and received a favorable reception in both Belgium and the United Kingdom. Thank you. [8], In 2021, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with an award for Musical Excellence. and the Beastie Boys. He didnt care how he beat me or with what . 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.