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Who are LL Cool J parents? [54] LL stated that "the concept behind the album was to give upcoming artists an opportunity to shine, and put myself in the position where I have to spit bars with some of the hardest rhymers in the game"; however, the album was put on hold. In 1984, sixteen-year-old Smith was creating demo tapes in his grandparents' home. 26 on the Hot 100. [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. 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 . They made amends and until later when he felt his father was mismanaging his money and he cut ties with him again. LL Cool J and American artist Tito Jackson are not related as father and child. Tracks that the two worked on were leaked to the internet and some of the tracks produced with 50 made it to Exit 13. LL Cool J explained that late one night, he woke up to the sound of horrible moan. He went to check what had happened and found that James had shot Ondrea in the back. Posted by. The pair are highly supportive of their kids and have taught them the value of being confident and determined about their goals. He is one of the earliest rappers to achieve commercial success, alongside fellow new school hip hop acts Beastie Boys and Run-DMC.. LL Cool J is one of the most respected rappers in the game but even he has endured his fair share of obstacles. Decades later, he's in a really good place with a stable career and a great family life. His father shot his mother and grandfather, nearly killing them both. 4 on the Billboard charts. [9], Smith dated Kidada Jones, daughter of producer Quincy Jones, from 1992 to 1994. During his time at Def Jam, LL released an album every two or three years from 1987 to . (Power Of God) and formed the company Rock The Bells to produce music. Hed even pull me out of the shower to get a beating. LL Cool J witnessed his father trying to murder his mother and grandfather. [68], In 1998, LL Cool J played security guard Ronny in Halloween H20, the seventh movie in the Halloween franchise. In January 2012, the pair released the track "Super Baller" as a free download to celebrate the New York Giants Super Bowl victory. The incident happened at the couple's home at New Meadows Road . Awards. It was released on January 13, 1998 for Def Jam Recordings and was produced by the Trackmasters. It's too long for a . [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 thanked Canibus in the liner notes of the album, "for the inspiration". 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). shockingly resulted in his father's ruthless shot toward his mother . When LL Cool J was just 4 years old, his father shot his mother and grandfather. [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.) LL Cool J starred in In the House, an NBC sitcom, before releasing Mr. Smith (1995), which went on to sell over two million copies. The actor and his wife have been married for twenty-five years. published in 2002. When four-year-old Smith found them, LL Cool J covered the scene in . As a result LL fired James and hired a new manager. WHO WE AREThe news you want unfiltered.The Electronic Urban Report/EUR puts the most buzz worthy African American news at your fingertips. Smith's biological great-uncle was Hall of Fame boxer John Henry Lewis. The NCIS star confessed that James came back into his life and made amends for plenty of the things that he did wrong by helping him with his music career early on. L.A. City Council Shutdown Because Council Members Caught on Opinion: Sacramento Mass Shooting Confirms What Experts Already Knew, What the Puck? August 22, 2019. iloveoldschoolmusic.com. [29] By 1989, the album had earned platinum status from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), with sales exceeding one million copies; it had previously earned a gold certification in the United States on April 14, 1986. He was born on January 14, 1968, as James Todd Smith, in New York. ", "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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Simone Smith Cool runs a jewelry line; she is the wife to the popular rapper turned actor and a mother to his four kids Najee, Italia, Samaria, and Nina. According to the Chicago Tribune, "[As] a kid growing up middle class and Catholic in Queens, life for LL was heart-breaking. As a child, James Todd Smith experienced great tragedy. Shortly after its release, the album sold over 500,000 copies in its first five months, eventually selling over 1 million copies by 1988, according to the Recording Industry Association of America. container: 'taboola-right-rail-thumbnails', According to her, they put God first in their marriage, made many compromises, have respect, and show unwavering support to each other. He'd long been open about his adoption, but all he knew, based on some . James Todd Smith, realized expertly by his stage name, LL Cool J, was brought into this world on January 14, 1968. The new track is based on his experiences playing special agent Sam Hanna. 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. [79], Since 2009, LL Cool J has starred on the CBS police procedural NCIS: Los Angeles. It was like the scene in `Glory when Denzel Washington was getting beat down like a slave, except I was like 8 years old. "[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. Roscoe beat me for just about anything. Later, LL's mom was instramental in getting her son to reconcile with his father. I think thats important.. As a result LL fired James and hired a new manager. We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. Yet another single from the album, "I Shot Ya Remix", included debut vocal work by Foxy Brown. 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. *In his 1997 biography I Make My Own Rules,. *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 divorce. His father shot his mother and grandfather, nearly killing them both. [7] In 2017, LL Cool J became the first rapper to receive the Kennedy Center Honors. His early life was horrific - his father shot both LL's mother and grandfather, and the young LL was the victim . The iconic rapper and actor tops the list as one of the few black entertainers with a happy home and no controversies. This marked the beginning of a creative collaboration between the rap and DJ superstars. After they recovered from their injuries,. Before the separation was finalized, however, things ended up getting violent. February 20, 2023. 3 on the Billboard's Pop albums chart. [41] [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. . He has released twelve studio albums over his 27 year career, has starred in numerous feature films and currently Dont Miss A Story. Although his dad made a mistake, the rapper revealed that he also tried his best to make things right. 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. 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. [citation needed] The song also earned him a Grammy Award. We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. Click HERE to SUBSCRIBE to Our Newsletter Now! Kodak Black Caught Having Sex in White Teacher Hits The Jerk as Students Go Wild Are AKAs Too Insecure? A married man himself, LL Cool J has been with his wife Simone since 1995. We Publish News 24/7. that benefits the victims. He portrayed an ex-Oakland Raiders running back who finds himself in financial difficulties and is forced to rent part of his home out to a single mother and her two children, one of whom moves out with her before the third season. Tamron Hall Talks About Her Live-In Nanny and the Joy Raising NBA Comes for Ja Morant After He Flashes Gun in Nightclub Jon Jones Set for UFC Return After Body Transformation | WATCH. A new cover was unveiled at the same time. [28] LL Cool J's mother forgave his father for shooting her in the back. Yet, the scars never fully healed. "It was a relative, but it wasn't any of my father's brothers.". This was the same person who shot his mother in the back and granddad in the stomach. 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). 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). [37] It spent 11 weeks at No. During an appearance on Finding Your Roots With Henry Louis . [25] 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. As a result LL fired James and hired a new manager. [90] 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. After that, Ondrea started dating a new man named Roscoe Granger, who was abusive to the young LL Cool J. Digging into the way that his mothers boyfriend treated him, the actor explained: Roscoe beat me for just about anything. Designs include influences from LL's lyrics and tattoos, as well as from other icons in the hip-hop community. He has been in films such as "Any Given Sunday", "In Too Deep", and "Deep Blue Sea" just to . AmoMama creates engaging, meaningful content for women. It was tough. [66] He landed the role of Captain Patrick Zevo in Barry Levinson's 1992 film Toys. His parents were Ondrea Griffith and James Louis Smith Jr, aka James Nunya. Another of the album's singles, "Hey Lover", featured Boyz II Men, and sampled Michael Jackson's "The Lady in My Life"; it eventually became an early hip-hop music video to air on VH1. LL also recorded a rap solo for Michael Jackson's demo of "Serious Effect" that remains unreleased but leaked online[40]. Season 2 Episode 220. But there is an intriguing story behind the heart-melting and powerful duo. He didnt care how he beat me or with what . window._taboola = window._taboola || []; "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 . [14][12][19] His mother was also supportive of his musical endeavors, using her tax refund to buy him a Korg drum machine. The rapper was surrounded by drugs, gangsterism, crime, all the vices that could have limited his progress. Though he was beginning to act out in the aftermath of the abuse by the age of 16 LL found his calling during the Golden Age of Hip Hop as one of the top emcees of the time. He appeared to endorse the RIAA's position, claiming illegal file sharing was hurting his sales and that his session musicians "can't live" due to the lost income. "LL Cool J gets honorary degree from Northeastern", "LL Cool J Receives a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame", "Fela nominated for 2021 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame", "LL COOL J Honored With Key To The City In Queens, New York During First Rock The Bells Festival", "LL Cool J Honored With Key To Queens, New York", "LL Cool J Received The Key To The City Of Queens During Inaugural Rock The Bells Festival", "february 2000 | blackfilm.com | features | naacp image awards nominees", "Blockbuster Entertainment Award winners", "Filmmakers.com: Film: The 2004 Black Reel Awards Nominations Announced", "Teen Choice Awards 2011 Nominees Announced: Harry Potter vs Twilight", "NAACP Image Awards 2012: Full list of winners", "Teen Choice Awards 2012: Complete Winners List", "The 44th NAACP Image Award complete winners list", "Teen Choice 2013 - August 11 on FOX - Vote Every Day! 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. mode: 'thumbnails-rr1', He did not get the best attention as a young child, and his surroundings subjected him to a life of bullying and arms. [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. [78] LL Cool J appeared in Sesame Street's 39th season, introducing the word of the day--"Unanimous"in episode 4169 (September 22, 2008) and performing "The Addition Expedition" in episode 4172 (September 30, 2008). Later pressings of the album added the 2003 Jennifer Lopez duet, "All I Have". When LL Cool J was just 4 years old, his father shot his mother and grandfather. The album reached platinum status. 1: The Genesis", "About.com Rick Rubin's Style and Approach", "Beavis and Butt-Head Do America - Original Soundtrack", "50 Cent, LL Cool J Teaming Up For LP News Story Music, Celebrity, Artist News | MTV News", "VIDEO: Check out LL Cool J's New NCIS:LA-Inspired Song", "SXSW Interview: LL Cool J and Z-Trip Talk About Their Collaboration, Their High Esteem For The Hip-Hop "Blueprint" and Their Thoughts On Rap's Up-And-Coming Talent", "Hottest Record - Kasabian - Days Are Forgotten (LL Cool J Remix)", "LL Cool J Announces "Authentic" Release Date & Tracklist", "LL Cool J On Eddie Van Halen Collabo: "Now He's Officially Done Hip-Hop", "Eddie Van Halen Teams Up With LL Cool J", "Hear Eddie Van Halen Perform on Two New LL Cool J Songs", "Nirvana, Kiss, Hall and Oates Nominated for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame", "LL Cool J On Def Jam's 30th Anniversary And His New Street Album", "Unretired Rap Legend LL Cool J Shares New Album Details & Offers 'G.O.A.T. [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. His mother did survived, but once she divorced LL's dad, she hooked up with a . He didnt care how he beat me or with what . LL Cool J. container: 'taboola-right-rail-thumbnails', James Todd Smith (born January 14, 1968), known professionally as LL Cool J (short for Ladies Love Cool James),[3] is an American rapper, songwriter, record producer, and actor. LL Cool J started a record label called 'Boomdizzle' that doubled up as a social networking site as well. They teamed up to financially support and inspire people through the "Beat Cancer Like A Boss" campaign for the American Cancer Society. LL Cool J is in mourning today following the death of his father. 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. 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. By Kory Grow. [83] Since April 2015, LL has hosted the show Lip Sync Battle. [50][51][52], On October 16, 2013, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced LL Cool J as a nominee for inclusion in 2014. The rapper-actor recently took to Twitter to tell fans of his dad's passing at the age of 65. It was like the scene in `Glory when Denzel Washington was getting beat down like a slave, except I was like 8 years old. 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. The rapper was age 4 at the time, and both relatives survived their injuries. He started rapping when he was 9 years of age, his biggest influencers were the sugarhill gang and the treacherous tree. We believe that every person's story is important as it provides our community with an opportunity to feel a sense of belonging, share their hopes and dreams. LL Cool J added: My father he made a massive blunder, but he also did a lot of things right, you know. Early life and family. The iconic rapper and actor tops the list as one of the few black entertainers with a happy home and no controversies. Shortly after that, they started dating, and they married in 1995. Beat with belts like a slave with a whip. [92], With the breakthrough success of his hit single "I Need a Beat" and the Radio LP, LL Cool J became an early hip-hop act to achieve mainstream success along with Kurtis Blow and Run-DMC. 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. [82], In 2013, LL co-starred as a gym owner in the sports dramedy Grudge Match. 2 and would be released in 2015. Roscoe would flog him at any given opportunity, and the actor described that time in his life as "hell." LL Cool J came out and said that Jay and LL Cool J stand for Jackson. 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. [39] As a result, his audience base began to decline due to the album's bold commercial and pop aspirations. (4 years old) when his father shot his mother during a dispute between the two. When he was a young boy, LL Cool J's father, James Nyunya, shot his father-in-law and his ex-wife, LL's mother, in the back while they were going through a divorce. He didnt need a good reason. In image as in song, the artists projected a tough, cool, street b-boy attitude. The album was originally scheduled to be executively produced by fellow Queens rapper 50 Cent. What is LL Cool J's real name? Radio served as one of the earliest records, along with Run-D.M.C. 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. iloveoldschoolmusic.com. [72] During the next two years, LL Cool J appeared in Rollerball,[73] Deliver Us from Eva,[74] S.W.A.T.,[75] and Mindhunters. He didnt care how he beat me or with what , By the time Ondrea left Roscoe, LL said that for him personally, the damager was done., You know how glad I was to have Roscoe out of my life, but the damage was done. [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. Relationships. Roscoe beat me for just about anything. There is no more complete source for urban news than the Electronic Urban Report. His twelfth album, Exit 13 (2008), was his last in his long-tenured deal with Def Jam. 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. L.L. He and co-star Jamie Foxx allegedly got into a real fistfight while filming a fight scene. 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. I was doing all kinds of wild things by then and getting in all kinds of trouble.. Unfortunately, that relationship turned sour when James mismanaged LLs funds and he ended up owing $2 million dollars to the IRS. Cool J is a real force to be reckoned with, and this is why he is beloved, honored, and celebrated. His upbringing, though, was quite traumatic. [62], LL hosted the 2022 iHeartRadio Music Awards on March 22, 2022. Instead, he rose above all that, making a success of his life with the help of his father, James Smith. My family is a very interesting family. "I want to be clear," said Taryll, who is Tito's son. LL Cool J is one of the most respected rappers in the game but even he has endured his fair share of obstacles. Speaking about the traumatic experience he had with his mother's boyfriend, he said: "He would beat me for watching television, for lookin at him funny, for looking out the window watching other kids play. Should we be angry? And yes, back in 1990, when his critics were encouraging the 22-year-old rap pioneer to consider an early retirement, Grandma Cool J really-truly did urge young LL to knock those fools unconscious. After his mother moved on, she married an abusive man and drug addict named Roscoe Granger. LL Cool J has lost his father, James Nunya. [77] He also guest-starred on 30 Rock in the 2007 episode "The Source Awards", portraying a hip-hop producer called Ridikulous who Tracy Jordan fears may kill him. [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. and the Beastie Boys. Jul 19, 2021 09:00 P.M. 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. James Todd Smith (born January 14, 1968), known professionally as LL Cool J (short for Ladies Love Cool James), is an American rapper, songwriter, record producer, and actor. [53], In October 2014, LL announced that his 14th studio album would be called G.O.A.T. 2' Update", "LL COOL J Gets a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame", "LL Cool J retires, unretires, then announces new album", "Grammys: LL Cool J Back for Fifth Year as Host", "EXCLUSIVE: Def Jam Records Re-Signs LL Cool J To Iconic Label", "Q-Tip Reacts to Rock Hall Nomination: 'Music's Evolution Can't Happen Without Hip-Hop Artists', "LL Cool J Cancels 'New Year's Rockin' Eve' Performance After Testing Positive for COVID-19", "LL Cool J Set to Host 2022 iHeartRadio Music Awards", "LL Cool J's Journey From 'Krush Groove' To The Grammys", "MOVIE REVIEW: 'WILDCATS' DOESN'T PUT POINTS ON SCOREBOARD", "The Military Industrial Toy Chest: Barry Levinson's Toys at 25", "LL Cool J's Defense: With the Rapper 'In the House,' His Street Rep Is on the Line", "FILM REVIEW; Monster and Victim: Older, Not Wiser", "FILM REVIEW; Superjaws: Lab Sharks Turn Men Into Sushi", "LL Cool J, Jamie Foxx Exchange Blows On Set Of Oliver Stone Football Flick", "FILM REVIEW; Dreaming Up a Riddle for a Know-It-All", "Mindhunters movie review & film summary", "From Bad News Springs a Newfound Joie de Vivre", "Why you should revisit '30 Rock' this St. Patrick's Day", "See What Happens When Rappers Visit Sesame Street", "There's something familiar about 'NCIS: Los Angeles', "Complete list of Teen Choice 2013 Awards winners", "In Grudge Match, Not Quite Rocky Balboa Against Raging Bull", "LL Cool J to Host Spike's 'Lip Sync Battle' for EP Jimmy Fallon", "Jokes from the 'Neighbors 2' trailer aren't in the movie.