Ladies Love Cool James is back. After focusing on his acting career for more than a decade, LL Cool J is back to doing what made him relevant. Rapping.
Suggested Reading
The New York MC’s 14th studio album, “The FORCE” is LL’s first studio album in eleven years. With that in mind, let’s look back at the 40-year career of one of the most tenured and accomplished hip-hop artists of all time.
This is the evolution of LL Cool J.
Born in Long Island, and raised in Queens.
James Todd Smith was born on January 14, 1968 to Ondrea Griffith and James Louis Smith Jr. in Long Island. He later moved to Queens with his mother, which is where he grew up.
Early interest in hip-hop
Smith’s interest in hip-hop began early in his life. One of his early influences was the pioneering hip-hop trio The Treacherous Three, which included DJ Easy Lee, Kool Moe Dee, L.A. Sunshine, Special J, and Spoonie Gee.
J-Ski
Smith’s original stage name was J-Ski. Although hip-hop was still a young genre at the time, his mother and grandmother supported his musical dreams, going out of their way to buy music equipment.
The birth of LL Cool J
In the early 80s, Smith sent multiple demos to record companies throughout New York. The one that responded was Def Jam, who he ended up signing to. The first official record he released was “I Need a Beat” in 1984, and it was under his new stage name LL Cool J (Ladies Love Cool James).
”Radio”
LL’s debut studio album, “Radio” was released a year later in 1985, and was loved by hip-hop fans almost instantly. Several of LL’s most popular tracks came from this album, including “I Can’t Live Without My Radio,” and “Rock the Bells.”
”Bigger and Deffer”
In 1987, Cool J released his sophomore album, “Bigger and Deffer,” and continued the momentum he earned from his debut. Some of the singles for this record included, “I Need Love” and “I’m Bad.”
”Walking with a Panther”
Bringing an end to the 1980s, LL dropped another hit record with “Walking with a Panther.” Although the album sold well, it was a bit of a different style from his previous albums and was seen as much more commercial. Still, the album had several popular records, including “Going Back to Cali.”
”Mama Said Knock You Out”
Arguably his most popular album (mostly in part to the classic cover), LL Cool J brought in the 90s with a bang with the release of “Mama Said Knock You Out” which became one of his most popular records to date.
”14 Shots to the Dome”
After a three-year music hiatus to focus on other endeavors, LL released his fifth studio album, “14 Shots to the Dome,” which featured the singles, “Back Seat (of My Jeep)“ and “How I’m Comin’.”
”Mr. Smith”
Two years later in 1995, LL continued his consistent run of releasing albums with the release of “Mr. Smith,” which featured the singles “Loungin” and “Doin’ it.”
Wife and family
After dating Kidada Jones in the early 90s, LL married the love of his life, Simone Johnson, in 1995. They have four daughters together.
”Phenomenon”
In 1997, LL released another solid album with “Phenomenon,” which included the classic record, “4,3,2,1″ which also spawned an epic beef.
Beef with Canibus
This feud began after LL Cool J thought Canibus took shots at him on his track, “4,3,2,1.” LL responded on that same 1997 track. In 1998, Canibus came back with “Second Round K.O.’’ Cool J responded with two diss tracks (not featuring Canibus), “The Ripper Strikes Back” and “Back Where I Belong.
”G.O.A.T.”
Staking his claim as the best the genre has seen, LL called his eighth studio album, “G.O.A.T.” Although the album is not terrible, it didn’t quite lead people to consider him the greatest of all time.
”10″
A largely forgotten album in his discography, LL Cool J’s “10″ was the MC’s ninth studio album (technically considered his tenth since he released a compilation album that included his greatest hits).
“The DEFinition”
This 2004 Album reminded us why LL has endured in a genre, in which so many others had failed.
”Todd Smith”
For the title of LL Cool J’s 2006 album, he took a direct approach, essentially naming it after his middle and last name. It included features from many popular artists at the time including Juelz Santana, Ginuwine, and Freeway.
”Exit 13″
LL Cool J’s last studio album on Def Jam, “Exit 13,” was released in 2008 after being delayed for nearly two years.
NCIS: Los Angeles
From September 2009 to May 2023, LL Cool J played NCIS special agent Sam Hanna on the television show, “NCIS: Los Angeles.”
Other acting roles
LL Cool J appeared in several different TV shows and movies throughout his career, including “In Too Deep,” “Any Given Sunday,” “S.W.A.T.” and many others.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
After being nominated to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame several times in the 2010s, he was officially inducted in 2021.
”Authentic”
The last studio album LL released was “Authentic,” in 2013 and includes features from Chuck D, Snoop Dog, Fatman Scoop, and Charlie Wilson.
Straight From 
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