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LL Cool J looks back on "Accidental Racist" and explains why he declared himself the G.O.A.T. LL Cool J started a record label called 'Boomdizzle' that doubled up as a social networking site as well. His father shot his mother and grandfather, nearly killing them both. 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. 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). [87] The brand produces popular urban apparel. The rest is history. In 2006, LL Cool J and his personal trainer, Dave "Scooter" Honig, wrote a fitness book titled The Platinum Workout. The album debuted at No. He shot him in the stomach before shooting his estranged wife, Ondrea, LL Cool J's mother. LL Cool Js wife met him when both of them were teenagers. Production came from Timbaland, 7 Aurelius, R. Kelly, and others. His mother, Ondrea, was a nurses assistant while his father, James, was a truck driver. I watched Behind the Music of LL Cool J the other day :) Hed even pull me out of the shower to get a beating. The pair are fairing well in their careers, marriage, and parenthood. As a young boy growing up in New York City LL witnessed a few traumatic events that he carried with him into his adulthood. But even with all of that negativity LL still found a way to forgive his father for everything hes ever done to him. My family is a very interesting family. 2. LL Cool J was born James Todd Smith into a middle-class family. [106] In a February 10, 2012 televised interview with CNN host Piers Morgan, LL Cool J expressed sympathy for President Barack Obama and ascribed negative impressions of his leadership to Republican obstruction designed to "make it look like you have a coordination problem." In image as in song, the artists projected a tough, cool, street b-boy attitude. mode: 'thumbnails-rr1', The iconic rapper and actor tops the list as one of the few black entertainers with a happy home and no controversies. Although his dad made a mistake, the rapper revealed that he also tried his best to make things right. However, the victims survived, and thankfully, things were repaired in the household, with the Smith patriarch admitting and turning away from his errors. Should we be angry? I think thats important.. LL Cool J added: My father he made a massive blunder, but he also did a lot of things right, you know. LL (birth name James Todd Smith) recounted his painful childhood memories in his biography I Make My Own Rules and the details are shocking. My family is a very interesting family. 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. My father made a massive blunder, but he also did a lot of things right.. The album was originally scheduled to be executively produced by fellow Queens rapper 50 Cent. Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories. The singles included "Phenomenon" and "Father". When LL Cool J was just 4 years old, his father shot his mother and grandfather. 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? You passed away yesterday. 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. LL Cool J came out and said that Jay and LL Cool J stand for Jackson. Although his childhood was a difficult time in his life, LL Cool J chose to forgive his father for what had happened before. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Relationships. When LL Cool J was just 4 years old, his father shot his mother and grandfather. published in 2002. Later pressings of the album added the 2003 Jennifer Lopez duet, "All I Have". 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. He is one of the earliest rappers to achieve commercial success, alongside fellow new school hip hop acts Beastie Boys and Run-DMC.. Mini Bio (1) L.L. LL Cool J founded and launched Boomdizzle.com, a record label / social networking site launched in September 2008. Taryll revealing this sexual abuse, Iyanla said, was a huge step in his . The album had four singles ("How I'm Comin'", "Back Seat (of My Jeep)", "Pink Cookies in a Plastic Bag Getting Crushed by Buildings", "Stand By Your Man") and guest-featured labelmates Lords of the Underground on "NFA-No Frontin' Allowed". Here is the truth behind the rapper's life. Who are LL Cool J parents? After his mother moved on, she married an abusive man and drug addict named Roscoe Granger. Although LL Cool J may have a perfect life with his wife of 25 years, he has experienced a few bumps on the ride to a successful life. COPYRIGHT 2022 EURweb.com/Rabercom Enterprises. L.L. LL Cool J. Although both survived James saw them covered in blood. Apart from that, he shot his grandfather in the stomach. 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. In this week's heart wrenching episode, Dr. Henry Louis Gates uncovers the emotional history of both Sean "Puffy" Combs and LL Cool J 's families. And LL was the one who discovered . L.L. [98] The decline of the old-school form of hip hop also led to the closing of Sugar Hill Records, one of the labels that helped contribute to early hip hop and that, coincidentally, rejected LL's demo tape. [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]. Thankfully for the family, both of them survived the incident. After labeling his family as very interesting, he revealed one of the most shocking aspects of the entire situation: LL Cool Js mother forgave his father for shooting her in the back. 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[36] This stands as one of his biggest-selling career albums, having sold in excess of two million copies in the United States alone. [11] The couple met in 1987 and have four children. And LL was the one who discovered them! LL Cool J also dealt with a friend's betrayal and ruthless accountants that siphoned his money. LL Cool J has an enviable relationship with his wife, Simone Smith, and they share four kids. He started rapping aged nine, and music provided a way to escape the suffering he endured. target_type: 'mix' READ MORE:LL Cool J Announces Rock the Bells Festival with Ice Cube, Lil Kim, Digable Planets, Hed make me take off all my clothes and put my arms up on my bunk bed with the `Star Wars sheets while he beat me. According to Hollywood.com, it would be years before LL was able to forgive his father. Thankfully, the actor and rapper is in a much better place now and learned from his parents mistakes. [33][34] Rubin's production credit on the back cover reads "REDUCED BY RICK RUBIN", referring to his minimalist production style, which gave the album its stripped-down and gritty sound. After they recovered from their injuries,. [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. 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. The official second single from Phenomenon was "4, 3, 2, 1", which featured Method Man, Redman & Master P and introduced DMX and Canibus. Roscoe beat me for just about anything. 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. [32], Radio's release coincided with the growing new school scene and subculture, which also marked the beginning of hip-hop's "golden age" and the replacement of old school hip hop. [53], In October 2014, LL announced that his 14th studio album would be called G.O.A.T. The two have been touring together since 2011, with future dates planned through 2012 and beyond. 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. placement: 'Right Rail Thumbnails', LL (birth name James Todd Smith) recounted his painful childhood memories in his biography "I Make My Own Rules" and the details are shocking. Advertisement. 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. 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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. He didnt need a good reason. Unfortunately, that relationship turned sour when James mismanaged LLs funds and he ended up owing $2 million dollars to the IRS. "Father" is the third single from LL Cool J's seventh album, Phenomenon. L.A. City Council Shutdown Because Council Members Caught on Opinion: Sacramento Mass Shooting Confirms What Experts Already Knew, What the Puck? 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. 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. [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. He didnt need a good reason. [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. The "NCIS" actor recounted grueling details about his childhood in his book "I Make My Own Rules," beginning with his parents' divorce when he was younger. His fourth book, LL Cool J (Hip-Hop Stars) was cowritten in 2007 with hip-hop historian Dustin Shekell and Public Enemy's Chuck D. [37] It spent 11 weeks at No. 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). LL Cool J's tenth album The DEFinition was released on August 31, 2004. [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. Kicked me down steps outside in the snow. After his mother moved on, she married an abusive man and drug addict named, LL Cool J Announces Rock the Bells Festival with Ice Cube, Lil Kim, Digable Planets, Will Smiths Post Slap Film Comeback is Sci-fi Thriller Brilliance Hes Producing/Starring, In GMA Interview Ye Apologizes to Kim K for Stressing Her | WATCH. The song contains LL Cool J rapping over the instrumental to Maino's "Hi Hater". LL Cool J has written four books, including 1998's I Make My Own Rules, an autobiography cowritten with Karen Hunt. He toured with Janet Jackson on her Rock Witchu tour, only playing in Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto, and Kansas City. NEW BEDFORD After Tito Jackson lost the Boston mayor's race in 2017, he began to take stock of his life and heritage. 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. 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. Both survived. Roscoe beat me for just about anything. [66] He landed the role of Captain Patrick Zevo in Barry Levinson's 1992 film Toys. Eventually, LLs father James came back into his life and helped him out in the early stages of his budding rap career. "[23] LL's debut single sold over 100,000 copies and helped establish both Def Jam as a label and Smith as a rapper. Shortly after that, they started dating, and they married in 1995. In 2006, LL Cool J and his personal trainer, Dave "Scooter" Honig, wrote a fitness book titled The Platinum Workout. He eliminated the threatening forces and continued advancing in his career while making money selling books, platinum records, and helping children. 7 on the Hip-Hop and R&B singles chart, and No. 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. LL Cool J would later consider toning his lifestyle down out of respect for his lady, and that was the beginning of a lifetime of commitment. Decades later, he's in a really good place with a stable career and a great family life. In 1990, LL released Mama Said Knock You Out, his fourth studio album. u/Gabriel9078. He appeared as Queen Latifah's love interest in the 2006 movie Last Holiday. After this experience, the couple's relationship became stronger. In that same year, he released the album Phenomenon. The album went gold. speaks out against the above mentioned and. 2 years ago. Although LL Cool J, born James Todd Smith, is an accomplished entertainer, appearing on music charts, starring on TV and movies, and even hosting shows, he had a rough start in life. Beat with belts like a slave with a whip. 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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. [17] The single was a hard-hitting, streetwise b-boy song with spare beats and ballistic rhymes. [15][16] He suffered physical and mental abuse from his mother's ex-boyfriend Roscoe. The lyrics are about a recently-born baby girl and deceased beat poet Neal Cassady that's right, they couldn't even spell his name correctly SD 26 BRAD PAISLEY FEAT. news.AmoMama.com does not support or promote any kind of violence, self-harm, or abusive behavior. The rapper-actor recently took to Twitter to tell fans of . Father LL Cool J. Over the weekend, a video began to circulate of a young artist by the name of LoveBenJi saying that he is the "hidden" son of Hip Hop pioneer LL Cool J, but he . The rapper-actor recently took to Twitter to tell fans of his dad's passing at the age of 65. His father shot his mother and grandfather, nearly killing them both. Gigs at larger venues were offered to LL as he would join the 1986-'87 Raising Hell tour, opening for Run-D.M.C. The website accepts music uploads from aspiring artists, primarily from the hip-hop genre, and the site's users rate songs through contests, voting, and other community events. 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. There is no more complete source for urban news than the Electronic Urban Report. The rapper was age 4 at the time, and both relatives survived their injuries. [8], In 2021, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with an award for Musical Excellence. 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. He achieved further commercial and critical success with the albums Bigger and Deffer (1987), Walking with a Panther (1989), Mama Said Knock You Out (1990), Mr. Smith (1995), and Phenomenon (1997). 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. [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. It was just a power trip , Hed make me take off all my clothes and put my arms up on my bunk bed with the `Star Wars sheets while he beat me. _taboola.push({ [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. 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.. Welcome to /r/DragonQuest! 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. And LL was the one who discovered them! We raise awareness about these issues to help potential victims seek professional counseling and prevent anyone from getting hurt. L.L. The agreement angered the rapper's father, truck driver James Nunya, who ended up pointing a gun at his father-in-law Eugene. We humbly honor the old school soul music era and will keep pushing forward to keep it alive. - I Shot Ya 1995. 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. In January 2012, the pair released the track "Super Baller" as a free download to celebrate the New York Giants Super Bowl victory. 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. He would beat me for watching television, for lookin at him funny, for looking out the window watching other kids play. }); Copyright 2015 . 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. 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. In his book, LL details (via The Daily Press) how Roscoe constantly beat his mother. Before then, they were lovers with an unsettling relationship plagued by the rapper's familiarity with women and his flirtatious attitude. 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). [40] According to Billboard, the album peaked at No. It was tough. Tracks that the two worked on were leaked to the internet and some of the tracks produced with 50 made it to Exit 13. Rufus "Scola" Waller was also signed to the label, but was released when the label folded. Designs include influences from LL's lyrics and tattoos, as well as from other icons in the hip-hop community. LL Cool J and American artist Tito Jackson are not related as father and child. LL Cool J lives a lavish life with his family nowadays, but it didn't come overnight. He came to the top with his single "I Want a Beat" and his presentation studio collection, Radio, in 1985. . . He currently plays NCIS Special Agent Sam Hanna in the CBS crime drama television series NCIS: Los Angeles. If that wasn't hard enough, he experienced a tragic and dramatic event when he was only four years old. target_type: 'mix' He is also involved in many charitable causes for literacy, music, and arts programs for kids and schools.[109]. February 20, 2023. [20] Smith has stated that by the time he received musical equipment from his relatives, he "was already a rapper. As a result LL fired James and hired a new manager. See more ideas about ll cool j, sexy men, fine black men. 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. [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. His father shot his mother and grandfather, nearly killing them both. [39] As a result, his audience base began to decline due to the album's bold commercial and pop aspirations. [10], In 2002, LL Cool J supported George Pataki's bid for a third term as Governor of New York. that benefits the victims. Truck driver James Nunya shot his father-in-law . LL Cool J - short for "Ladies Love Cool James" - was born in 1968 in Long Island, New York, and grew up in Queens. But there is an intriguing story behind the heart-melting and powerful duo. His father shot his mother and grandfather with a 12-gauge . 1 on Billboard's R&B albums chart. Classic albums including Bigger and Deffer and Mama Said Knock You Out are well represented here. By Kory Grow. [58], In October 2018, LL Cool J was nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It's like speaking Spanish if you grow up in an all-Spanish house. [86] container: 'taboola-right-rail-thumbnails', (Power Of God) and formed the company Rock The Bells to produce music. They also share a close-knit relationship. Unfortunately, that relationship turned sour when James mismanaged LLs funds and he ended up owing $2 million dollars to the IRS. mode: 'thumbnails-rr1', [24], Radio was released to critical acclaim, both for production innovation and LL's powerful rap. The album is titled Exit 13. Elsewhere in the book, LL said a low point in his sex life came when he had an intimate encounter with a . "RIP to My Father James Nunya. When 4-year-old LL found them, blood was everywhere." LL Cool J was also the host of Lip Sync Battle on Paramount Network. Eventually, LL's father James came back into his life and helped him out in the early stages of his budding rap career. In 1972, when he was just 4 years old his father shot his wife (James Mother) as well as James grandfather. Instead, he rose above all that, making a success of his life with the help of his father, James Smith. "[22] That same year, Smith made his professional debut concert performance at Manhattan Center High School. Actor and rapper LL Cool J, best known as Special Agent Sam Hanna in NCIS: Los Angeles, has had a very successful life. [88] I'm an Independent, you know? [14], Smith began rapping at the age of 10, influenced by the hip-hop group The Treacherous Three. According to a Chicago Tribune report, his father shot his mother and grandfather, nearly killing them. 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 portrays NCIS Special Agent Sam Hanna, an exNavy SEAL who is fluent in Arabic and is an expert on West Asian culture. Page 1 of LL Cool J biography and life story including childhood story, love relationship, career, walk of fame and more. His second book was the children-oriented book called And The Winner Is. Jul 19, 2021 09:00 P.M. Pl. 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. 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 rapper was surrounded by drugs, gangsterism, crime, all the vices that could have limited his progress. 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. 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.