LL was a young boy growing up in New York when his parents separated in 1972. Now he is the first hip-hop artist to ever receive a Kennedy Centre Honour this month for his lifetime . [25] 96 views, 2 likes, 0 loves, 0 comments, 2 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from J.Cano: Law & Order: SVU - Best Episode [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. To make matters worse, it was the Grammy Award winner who found his mom and grandfather on the floor after his dad shot them. Together, they share four children named Najee, Samaria, Italia, and Nina. We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. 1 on Billboard's R&B albums chart. American rapper, songwriter, record producer, actor (born 1968), LL Cool J during a 2001 performance in Germany, 19932005: Continued success and career prominence. After this experience, the couple's relationship became stronger. During an appearance on Finding Your Roots With Henry Louis . LL and his mother moved into his grandparents' home in St. Albans, Queens in 1972 where he was raised. LL Cool J during a press conference at Hotel St. Regis on June 5, 2019 in Mexico City, Mexico | Source: Getty Images. 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.. In image as in song, the artists projected a tough, cool, street b-boy attitude. Elsewhere in the book, LL said a low point in his sex life came when he had an intimate encounter with a . While speaking to Oprah, the jewelry maker explained that they have an awesome marriage because of the sacrifices and love they share. [80][81] In 2013, LL received a Teen Choice Award for Choice TV Actor: Action for his work on the show. Kodak Black Caught Having Sex in White Teacher Hits The Jerk as Students Go Wild Are AKAs Too Insecure? 2016 LL Cool J was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame. 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. His upbringing, though, was quite traumatic. Now, LL explains how heand his motherlearned to forgive. 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. 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. Dont Miss A Story. Actor: Deep Blue Sea. "I want to be clear," said Taryll, who is Tito's son. 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. 14 on the Billboard Hip-Hop and R&B chart and No. LL COOL J / ACCIDENTAL RACIST Preface: Intercultural dialogue is a wholly positive and necessary thing. [17] The single was a hard-hitting, streetwise b-boy song with spare beats and ballistic rhymes. We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. 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. "[18] This was at the same time that NYU student Rick Rubin and promoter-manager Russell Simmons founded the then-independent Def Jam label. The album was originally scheduled to be executively produced by fellow Queens rapper 50 Cent. The series' genetic genealogist CeCe Moore identified Smith's biological grandparents as Ethel Mae Jolly and Nathaniel Christy Lewis through analysis of his DNA. August 22, 2019. AmoMama creates engaging, meaningful content for women. [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. [102], In an episode of Finding Your Roots, Smith learned that his mother was adopted by Eugene Griffith and Ellen Hightower. "[22] That same year, Smith made his professional debut concert performance at Manhattan Center High School. 3 on the Billboard's Pop albums chart. A track entitled "Hi Haterz" was leaked onto the internet on June 1, 2008. His mother, Ondrea, was a nurse's assistant while his father, James, was a truck driver. Eventually, LL's father James came back into his life and helped him out in the early stages of his budding rap career. 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. [31] Another milestone of LL's popularity was his appearance on American Bandstand as the first hip hop act on the show,[32] as well as an appearance on Diana Ross' 1987 television special, Red Hot Rhythm & Blues. [40] According to Billboard, the album peaked at No. does not support or promote any kind of violence, self-harm, or abusive behavior. LL Cool J - short for "Ladies Love Cool James" - was born in 1968 in Long Island, New York, and grew up in Queens. My father made a massive blunder, but he also did a lot of things right.. COPYRIGHT 2022 EURweb.com/Rabercom Enterprises. James Todd Smith was born on 14 January 1968 to Ondrea Griffith in Bay Shore, New York, and James Louis Smith, Jr, also known as James Nunya. Early life and family. I was doing all kinds of wild things by then and getting in all kinds of trouble.. The new boyfriend was not a father figure to him at all and was abusive. [7] In 2017, LL Cool J became the first rapper to receive the Kennedy Center Honors. The song contains LL Cool J rapping over the instrumental to Maino's "Hi Hater". 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. 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. [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. The new track is based on his experiences playing special agent Sam Hanna. target_type: 'mix' My family is a very interesting family. and the Beastie Boys. His father, , it would be years before LL was able to forgive his father. LL Cool J also dealt with a friend's betrayal and ruthless accountants that siphoned his money. WHO WE AREThe news you want unfiltered.The Electronic Urban Report/EUR puts the most buzz worthy African American news at your fingertips. It was tough. mode: 'thumbnails-rr1', In the beginning, his mother, Ondrea, also lived in the home after the initial split from LL Cool J's father but left at some point. At the moment, he is married to Simone Smith, and they have four children together. The Marley Marl produced album received critical acclaim and eventually went double Platinum, selling over two million copies according to the RIAA. [96] A leading example of the new school sound is the song "I Can't Live Without My Radio", a loud, defiant declaration of public loyalty to his boom box, which The New York Times described as "quintessential rap in its directness, immediacy and assertion of self". His second book was the children-oriented book called And The Winner Is. He has been nominated in 2010, 2011, 2014, 2018, 2019, and 2021 as a performer. LL Cool J is a 55 year old American Rapper. _taboola.push({ *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. Chuck D provided an opposing viewpoint, saying free file-sharing could be leveraged as a promotional tool and the industry was being overprotective of its copyright. 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. Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories. [18] It was featured in the film Krush Groove (1985), which was based on the rise of Def Jam and new school acts such as Run-D.M.C. Welcome to /r/DragonQuest! In that same year, he released the album Phenomenon. He is also involved in many charitable causes for literacy, music, and arts programs for kids and schools.[109]. "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! And, so I have learned to hand out the mercy that I like to receive. iloveoldschoolmusic.com. 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). [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. However, the victims survived, and thankfully, things were repaired in the household, with the Smith patriarch admitting and turning away from his errors. The album is titled Exit 13. 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. But even with all of that negativity LL still found a way to forgive his father for everything hes ever done to him. We raise awareness about these issues to help potential victims seek professional counseling and prevent anyone from getting hurt. His father shot his mother and grandfather with a 12-gauge . LL Cool J and American artist Tito Jackson are not related as father and child. My father made a massive blunder, but he also did a lot of things right.. 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. [11] The couple met in 1987 and have four children. [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. His parents were Ondrea Griffith and James Louis Smith Jr, aka James Nunya. His father shot his mother and grandfather, nearly killing them both. LL Cool J was born and raised in Queens, New York, the son of Ondrea (ne Griffith) and James Smith. 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. 7 on the Hip-Hop and R&B singles chart, and No. window._taboola = window._taboola || []; [101] He married Simone Johnson in 1995. Rufus "Scola" Waller was also signed to the label, but was released when the label folded. [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. [9], James Todd Smith was born on January 14, 1968, in Bay Shore, New York to Ondrea Griffith (born on January 19, 1946) and James Louis Smith Jr,[10] also known as James Nunya. [68], In 1998, LL Cool J played security guard Ronny in Halloween H20, the seventh movie in the Halloween franchise. Five years later, he became a star, went on to win numerous awards, and earned the title of one of the founding fathers of hip hop. As a child, James Todd Smith experienced great tragedy. LL Cool J partnered with DJ Kay Slay to release a mixtape called "The Return of the G.O.A.T.". With the Rock The Bells label, he had artists such as AMyth,[89] Smokeman, Natice, Chantel Jones and Simone Starks. By Kory Grow. Rechristened LL Cool J (Ladies Love Cool James), he released his debut single, . published in 2002. They teamed up to financially support and inspire people through the "Beat Cancer Like A Boss" campaign for the American Cancer Society. window._taboola = window._taboola || []; The rapper was surrounded by drugs, gangsterism, crime, all the vices that could have limited his progress. Now, LL explains how heand his motherlearned to forgive. "RIP to My Father James Nunya. It was tough. He didnt care how he beat me or with what . Once there, his friend offered to introduce his cousin, Simone. ': What Happened to the Stars of the Iconic Series through the Years, LL Cool J Discovered the Grandparents Who 'Embraced' Him Were Not Biologically Related to Him, Tyler Perry Was Broke Living in His Car - He Recalls in Tears That He Was Only 'Praying & Believing, Michael J Fox Was Isolating Himself From Wife of 34 Years & Kids - She Helped Him to Become Part Of Family Again. LL Cool J has lost his father, James Nunya. target_type: 'mix' At this point, the entertainer decided to stick by her unconditionally, putting up a positive front, and even offered to give her a bone marrow. 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. Cool J is a real force to be reckoned with, and this is why he is beloved, honored, and celebrated. LL Cool J attends Spike TV's Guys Choice 2015 at Sony Pictures Studios on June 6, 2015 in Culver City, California | Photo: Getty Images. 00:00. 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. LL Cool J's interpretation of "Ain't Nobody" was particularly successful in the United Kingdom, where it topped the UK Singles Chart in early-1997. 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. and the Fat Boys. Its singles included "Doin' It" and "Loungin". As if that wasnt bad enough, his mother, Ondrea, eventually settled into another relationship with a man named, Roscoe Granger, and in the book, LL details (via The Daily Press) how Roscoe, allegedly a drug addict, took every opportunity to beat LL whenever he had the chance. In his book, LL details (via The Daily Press) how Roscoe constantly beat his mother. iloveoldschoolmusic.com. The series debuted in autumn of 2009, but the characters were introduced in an April 2009 crossover episode on the parent show. He didnt need a good reason. A few years later, Simone was diagnosed with bone cancer. I'm an Independent, you know? After acting in The Hard Way and Toys, LL Cool J released 14 Shots to the Dome. At the age of four, he saw his mother and grandfather shot by his own father. The album reached platinum status. There is no more complete source for urban news than the Electronic Urban Report. 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. The second video, directed by Hype Williams, was "Freeze" featuring Lyfe Jennings. [15][16] He suffered physical and mental abuse from his mother's ex-boyfriend Roscoe. My father made a massive blunder, but he also did a lot of things right.. LL (birth name James Todd Smith) recounted his painful childhood memories in his biography "I Make My Own Rules" and the details are shocking. 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. Pl. target_type: 'mix' On October 6, 2012, LL Cool J released a new single from Authentic Hip-Hop called "Ratchet". The agreement angered the rapper's father, truck driver James Nunya, who ended up pointing a gun at his father-in-law Eugene. February 20, 2023. As if that wasnt bad enough, his mother, Ondrea, eventually settled into another relationship with a man named, Roscoe Granger, and in the book, LL details (via The Daily Press) how Roscoe, allegedly a drug addict, took every opportunity to beat LL whenever he had the chance. Tracks that the two worked on were leaked to the internet and some of the tracks produced with 50 made it to Exit 13. The lead single was the Timbaland-produced "Headsprung", which peaked at No. James Todd Smith (born January 14, 1968), better known by his stage name LL Cool J (short for Ladies Love Cool James), is an American rapper, record producer. We humbly honor the old school soul music era and will keep pushing forward to keep it alive. The rapper was age 4 at the time, and both relatives survived their injuries. According to the Chicago Tribune, "[as] a kid growing up middle class and Catholic in Queens, life for LL was heart-breaking. container: 'taboola-right-rail-thumbnails', After they recovered from their injuries,. In 1996, Def Jam released this "greatest hits" package, offering a good summary of Cool J's career, from the relentless minimalism of early hits such as "Rock the Bells" to the smooth-talking braggadocio that followed. 2 and would be released in 2015. In 2000, LL Cool J released the album G.O.A.T., which stood for the "Greatest of All Time." He was driving and stopped by a friends house to say hi. [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.)