LL Cool J - Updated Apr 2024

LL Cool J is a popular American rapper, singer, actor, and record producer. LL Cool J is known as a leading exponent of mid-1980s new-school rap and one of the few hip-hop stars of his era to sustain a successful recording career for more than a decade.

Early Life

On the 14th of January 1968, in Bay Shore, Islip, New York, the United States of America, LL Cool J was born. His birth name is James Todd Smith and he holds American nationality. As of 2024, he is 55 years old and believes in the Christian religion.

Similarly, he belongs to the African-American ethnicity and has a birth sign of Capricorn. He is the son of James Smith (father) and Ondrea (mother). He often shared that, he had very disturbed childhood days and at the age of four, he witnessed his mother and grandfather getting shot at by his father which led to his parent’s separation.

Moreover, his mother had a relationship with a physical therapist named ‘Roscoe.’ In his autobiography, he accused Roscoe of abusing him physically and psychologically. But, Roscoe has denied all the allegations.

Caption: LL Cool J with his mother (Source: YouTube)

Education

Coming toward his educational career, he completed his early education at Hillcrest High School (Queens). Later, he enrolled at Northeastern University but dropped out of his education to pursue a music career.

Professional Career

From the age of 10 years, LL Cool J became a rapper. His mother and his grandfather were also very supportive of his musical passion. In 1984, when he was age 16 years old, he met Rick Rubin, a student at New York University.

LL Cool J’s music impressed Rubin and both of them created a single, ‘I Need a Beat.’ The duo sent the single to an artist manager Russell Simmons who also liked it. Rubin and Simmons  established a record company– ‘Def Jam Recordings.’

Their record company launched LL Cool J’s first song, ‘I Need a Beat’, which sold more than 100,000 copies. Due to its success, he released his next album ‘Radio’ in the year 1985 which earned positive feedback for its powerful lyrics and sold more than 1.5 million copies.

In 1987, he released his next album ‘Bigger and Deffer’ and was a massive hit. It includes songs like ‘I’m Bad,’ ‘I Need Love,’ and ‘Bristol Hotel.’ This album also reached the number 1 spot on Billboard’s R&B charts, spending 11 weeks on it and selling more than 3 million copies in the process.

In addition, his third album, ‘Walking with a Panther’ was released in 1989. Although the album was a commercial success, fans did not like the presence of so many ‘soft’ songs in the album.

In response to the fans’ criticism, he released his fourth studio album ‘Mama Said Knock You Out’ in 1990. This album had hard-hitting tracks, was high on energy, and is one of his biggest successes to date, and sold over 2.7 million copies.

Other albums and songs

Caption: LL Cool J performing in a concert (Source: Rolling Stone)

Acting

Awards

Caption: LL Cool J showing his Grammy Award (Source: GRAMMY.com)

LL Cool J – Net Worth 2024

Relationship Status

Talking about his relationship status, LL Cool J married his wife Simone Smith in 1995. The couple met in 1987 and has four kids whose names are Najee Laurent Todd Eugene, Samaria Leah Wisdom, Nina Simone, and Italia Anita Maria Smith.

Caption: LL Cool J with his wife (Source: Hollywood Life)