Full Answer
Where did LL Cool J go to high school?
He went to Hillcrest High School, Queens, New York, United States. Then, he attended Andrew Jackson High School, Cambria Heights, Queens, New York, United States. LL attended Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States. LL Cool J: Professional Life, Career, Achievements
How old is LL Cool J now?
Mini Bio (1) L.L. 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. At the age of four, he saw his mother and grandfather shot by his own father.
Is LL Cool J signed to Def Jam Recordings?
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 album is titled Exit 13. The album was originally scheduled to be executively produced by fellow Queens rapper 50 Cent.
How many books has LL Cool J written?
He has displayed his versatility, as he started a music record label, started his own clothing line, and also co-authored four books. LL Cool J was born as James Todd Smith on January 14, 1968, in Bay Shore, New York, the United States.
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Does LL Cool J have a degree?
Northeaste... UniversityCampus Magnet Building (f...Hillcrest High SchoolLL Cool J/Education
Did LL Cool J go to Harvard?
LL Cool J is many things: hip-hop artist, actor, TV host, and, now, Ivy League grad. The Queens-bred rapper, whose real name is Todd Smith, shared the news via Instagram, posting a pic of himself raising his hand in a class at Harvard Business School.
What does LL stand for in LL Cool J?
Ladies Love Cool JamesTaking the stage name LL Cool J (“Ladies Love Cool James”) at age 16, Smith signed with fledgling rap label Def Jam in 1984.
Is LL Cool J left handed?
He is left-handed. In 2009, he wrote a song for the NCIS: Los Angeles soundtrack titled "No Crew Is Superior".
What is LL Cool J education?
Northeaste... UniversityCampus Magnet Building (f...Hillcrest High SchoolLL Cool J/Education
What is Snoop Dogg's real name?
Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr.Snoop Dogg / Full nameSnoop Dogg, byname of Cordozar Calvin Broadus, Jr., also called Snoop Doggy Dogg and Snoop Lion, (born October 20, 1971, Long Beach, California, U.S.), American rapper and songwriter who became one of the best-known figures in gangsta rap in the 1990s and was for many the epitome of West Coast hip-hop culture.
How much is LL worth?
LL Cool J Net WorthNet Worth:$120 MillionDate of Birth:Jan 14, 1968 (54 years old)Gender:MaleHeight:6 ft 1 in (1.87 m)Profession:Actor, Record producer, Writer, Author, Rapper, Singer-songwriter, Entrepreneur2 more rows
What is Busta Rhymes real name?
Trevor Tahiem Smith, Jr.Busta Rhymes / Full nameTrevor George Smith Jr. (born May 20, 1972), known by his stage name Busta Rhymes, is an American rapper, singer, musician, record producer, record executive, and actor. Chuck D of Public Enemy gave him the moniker Busta Rhymes, after NFL and CFL wide receiver George "Buster" Rhymes.
How tall in feet is LL Cool J?
6′ 2″LL Cool J / Height
Who is LL Cool J's biological father?
James NunyaLL Cool J / Father
Does LL Cool J own Rock the Bells radio?
"Rock the Bells Radio" will allow listeners to look at, and listen to, classic Hip-Hop through the lens of current culture NEW YORK, March 27, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- SiriusXM announced today that entertainment icon LL COOL J will launch his new SiriusXM classic Hip-Hop channel on March 28 entitled LL COOL J's "Rock the ...
Who did LL Cool J collaborate with?
At around the same time, it was announced that LL Cool J had collaborated with Van Halen guitarist Eddie Van Halen on two tracks on the album. On October 16, 2013, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced LL Cool J as a nominee for inclusion in 2014.
What was LL Cool J's first acting role?
While LL Cool J first appeared as a rapper in the movie Krush Groove (performing "I Can't Live Without My Radio"), his first acting part was a small role in a high school football movie called Wildcats. He landed the role of Captain Patrick Zevo in Barry Levinson 's 1992 film Toys. From 1995–99, he starred in his own television sitcom In the House. 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.
What album did LL Cool J release in 1997?
In that same year, he released the album Phenomenon. The singles included " Phenomenon " and "Father".
What year did LL Cool J release Mama Said Knock You Out?
According to Billboard, the album peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 and was LL Cool J's second #1 R&B Album where it spent four weeks. In 1990, LL released Mama Said Knock You Out, his fourth studio album.
What was LL Cool J's second album?
LL Cool J's second album was 1987's Bigger and Deffer, which was produced by DJ Pooh and the L.A. Posse. This stands as one of his biggest-selling career albums, having sold in excess of two million copies in the United States alone. It spent 11 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard ' s R&B albums chart. It also reached No. 3 on the Billboard ' s Pop albums chart. The album featured the singles " I'm Bad ", the revolutionary " I Need Love " - LL's first #1 R&B and Top 40 hit, " Bristol Hotel ", and " Go Cut Creator Go ". While Bigger and Deffer, which was a big success, was produced by the L.A. Posse (at the time consisting of Dwayne Simon, Darryl Pierce and, according to himself the most important for crafting the sound of the LP, Bobby "Bobcat" Ervin), Dwayne Simon was the only one left willing to work on producing LL Cool J's third album Walking with a Panther. Released in 1989, the album was a commercial success, with several charting singles (" Going Back to Cali ," "I'm That Type of Guy," "Jingling Baby," "Big Ole Butt," and "One Shot at Love"). 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. As a result, his audience base began to decline due to the album's bold commercial and pop aspirations. According to Billboard, the album peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 and was LL Cool J's second #1 R&B Album where it spent four weeks.
When did LL Cool J release his second single?
On October 6, 2012, LL Cool J released a new single from Authentic Hip-Hop called "Ratchet". Following that, on November 3, 2012, LL collaborated with Joe and producers Trackmasters with his 2nd single, "Take It".
When did LL Cool J rap Hi Haterz?
A track entitled "Hi Haterz" was leaked onto the internet on June 1 , 2008. The song contains LL Cool J rapping over the instrumental to Maino's " Hi Hater ". He toured with Janet Jackson on her Rock Witchu tour, only playing in Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto, and Kansas City.
What movie did LL Cool J play in?
He starred as the lead in the crime-drama movie ‘ Out-of-Sync ’ in 1995. In the year 1996, he released the album ‘ All World: Greatest Hits ’ Then, he came to the attention of NBC-TV and was cast in their comedy series ‘ In the House’.
When did LL Cool J win his first Grammy?
LL Cool J received his first Grammy award in the category ‘Best Rap Solo Performance’ in 1992 for his song ‘Mama Said Knock You Out’. He was awarded his second Grammy, again in the same category of ‘Best Rap Solo Performance’.
What is LL Cool J's record label called?
Some of his other films, he was a part of the blockbuster science-fiction horror film ‘ Deep Blue Sea ’. LL Cool J started a record label called ‘ Boomdizzle ’ that doubled up as a social networking site as well.
What artists are on LL Cool J's album?
The album also featured a host of other artists, such as ’50 Cent’, ‘Sheek Louch’, ‘Fat Joe’, ‘ Ryan Leslie ’ etc. LL Cool J released his next and most recent album ‘Authentic’, in 2013, featuring appearances from numerous other artists including ‘ Eddie Van Halen ’, ‘Snoop Dogg’, ‘Seal’ and ‘ Brad Paisley ’.
When did Simone and LL Cool J have a baby?
In the year 1989, she gave birth to a son, Najee. Then, in 1990, she gave birth to a daughter, Italia. In 1995, LL Cool J and Simone Smith got married ...
When did LL Cool J and Simone Smith get married?
In 1995, LL Cool J and Simone Smith got married on August 7, 1995, and welcomed their second daughter, Samaria. Their fourth child, a daughter named Nina Simone was born in 2000. They had to face a major obstacle after Simone was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in 2004. However, she managed to overcome her condition after a two ...
What is the story of LL Cool J?
LL Cool J life story is one that we can all learn from. He has had an extraordinary career, but he isn’t perfect, just like the rest of us! It would help if you used his example to recognize how important it is to work hard and be honest with yourself about who you are as a person. The only person you CAN beat in this world? Yourself!!
How did LL Cool J get his body shape?
Here we discuss how LL Cool J achieved his body shapes by looking at some key factors that helped him maintain his figure, including genetics, dieting habits, and exercise routines. It is important to know about your body type because it can impact what clothes you should buy.
Do celebrities go to school?
They are often seen in the media or on social networking sites with their college degrees framed and hanging up on the wall. Some famous people even go to school after making it big, and some drop out of high school because they could not afford to continue their education. It’s interesting that despite their fame, these celebs still feel the need to educate themselves more by going back to finish what is left unfinished from high school or starting at a university all over again.
LL Cool J witnessed his father trying to murder his mother and grandfather
LL Cool J was born in 1968 in Queens, New York, according to Amomama, in a tough neighborhood where drug abuse and crime were rampant. His mother, Ondrea, was a nurse's assistant, while his father, James, drove a truck. When Smith was 4, his mother and father had a falling out, and the family went to move in with Ondrea's parents.
An abusive stepfather
The young boy who would eventually come to be known as LL Cool J had been a witness to his father attempting to murder his mother and grandfather, but things were about to get even worse for him. According to I Love Old School Music, Ondrea's next relationship was with a man named Roscoe Granger, whom LL described as a drug addict.
He found out his grandparents weren't related to him
Many people come to believe that family is whomever you want them to be, whether they're related to you by blood or not. As many of us have learned, sometimes blood relations don't necessarily make for good family members. Meanwhile, the best families some people have ever had have been comprised of people who weren't in any way related to them.
His friend and colleague Jam Master Jay was murdered
On the music front, as a teenager trying to make his way into the hip-hop scene, LL Cool J was able to rub shoulders with some of the greats of the early days of the genre. In particular, according to Music-News, he became fast friends with Jam Master Jay (Jason William Mizell) of Run-DMC, who graciously mentored the aspiring rapper.
His fans turned on him
Within the world of hip hop, musicians and promoters in the industry have continually struggled with walking the line between making the music accessible to a wide audience while still staying true to the genre's gritty, urban roots.
LL Cool J has been rapping since he was a kid
LL Cool J released his first album, "Radio," in 1985.
There were a few attempts at coming up with his stage name
The rapper and actor born James Todd Smith is, of course, best known by the stage name he came up with as a teenager, LL Cool J — which, his label noted, is an acronym for "Ladies Love Cool James." Before settling on that, however, the teenage rapper made a few earlier stabs at devising a cool rap name.
The kung fu legend who inspired LL Cool J to be an actor
While rappers becoming actors has become so prevalent it's now practically expected, back when LL Cool J emerged on the scene, it certainly wasn't.
Inside LL Cool J's complicated family dynamics
To say that LL Cool J's childhood was troubled is a massive understatement. As a profile in the Chicago Tribune details, his father shot his mother and grandfather when the future star was just four, nearly killing them both.
He got into a notorious on-set scuffle with Jamie Foxx
In 1999, LL Cool J landed his most prestigious acting role to date, playing NFL star Julian Washington in "Any Given Sunday," part of a star-studded cast that also included Al Pacino, Cameron Diaz, and Jamie Foxx.
He's the first rapper to be honored by the Kennedy Center
LL Cool J has received many accolades over the years, but when it comes to sheer prestige, being honored by the Kennedy Center is pretty tough to beat. When the news was announced in 2017 that he would be receiving the Kennedy Center Honor that fall, LL Cool J responded with a statement about the history-making moment.
LL Cool J wrote a song inspired by NCIS: Los Angeles
For the most part, LL Cool J has kept his dual careers as rapper and actor separate.
Overview
Musical career
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 remak…
Early life and family
James Todd Smith was born on January 14, 1968 in Bay Shore, New York to Ondrea Griffith (born January 19, 1946) and James Louis Smith Jr, also known as James Nunya. According to the Chicago Tribune, "[As] a kid growing up middle class and Catholic in Queens, life for LL was heart-breaking. His father shot his mother and grandfather, nearly killing them both. When 4-year-old LL found them, blood was everywhere." In 1972, Smith and his mother moved into his grandparents…
Acting career
While LL Cool J first appeared as a rapper in the movie Krush Groove (performing "I Can't Live Without My Radio"), his first acting part was a small role in a high school football movie called Wildcats. He landed the role of Captain Patrick Zevo in Barry Levinson's 1992 film Toys. From 1995 to 1999, he starred in his own television sitcom In the House. He portrayed an ex-Oakland Raiders running back who finds himself in financial difficulties and is forced to rent part of his home out …
Other ventures
LL Cool J worked behind the scenes with the mid-1980s hip-hop sportswear line TROOP. LL Cool J launched a clothing line (called "Todd Smith"). The brand produces popular urban apparel. Designs include influences from LL's lyrics and tattoos, as well as from other icons in the hip-hop community. LL Cool J has written four books, including 1998's I Make My Own Rules, an autobiography cowritten with Karen Hunter. His second book was the children-oriented book call…
Legacy
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. Gigs at larger venues were offered to LL as he would join the 1986-'87 Raising Hell tour, opening for Run-D.M.C. and the Beastie Boys. Another milestone of LL's popularity was his appearance on American Bandstand as the first hip-hop act on the show.
Personal life
Smith dated Kidada Jones, daughter of producer Quincy Jones, from 1992 to 1994. He married Simone Johnson in 1995. The couple met in 1987 and have four children.
Smith reconciled with his father.
In an episode of Finding Your Roots, Smith learned that his mother was adopted by Eugene Griffith and Ellen Hightower. The series' genetic genealogist CeCe Moore identified Smith's biological gra…
Discography
Studio albums
• Radio (1985)
• Bigger and Deffer (1987)
• Walking with a Panther (1989)
• Mama Said Knock You Out (1990)