LL Cool J

LL Cool J (born January 14, 1968, Bay Shore, Long Island, New York, U.S.) is an American rapper and actor who was a leading exponent of mid-1980s new-school rap. After achieving success as a teenager with such hits as “I Need a Beat” (1984), he became one of the few hip-hop stars of his era to sustain a successful recording career for more than a decade.

Early life and career

James Todd Smith grew up in Queens, New York, and had a traumatic childhood. When he was four, his parents separated. Soon afterward, his father shot his mother and Smith’s maternal grandfather, both of whom survived. Later Smith was physically abused by his mother’s boyfriend. Smith began rapping at age nine, after his grandfather bought him a mixing console.

Taking the stage name LL Cool J (“Ladies Love Cool James”) at age 16, Smith signed with fledgling rap label Def Jam in 1984. Distinguished by hard, fast, sinuous rhymes and artfully arrogant phrasing, his first single, “I Need a Beat,” sold more than 100,000 copies. His first album, Radio, was released in 1985, the year he appeared in Krush Groove, the movie celebrating Def Jam’s origins. Thereafter he outlasted most of his competition by constantly creating daring, fresh modes of expression—gaining airplay with rap’s first romantic ballad, “I Need Love” (1987), and prefiguring West Coast rap with “Goin’ Back to Cali” (1988), recorded in California.

Discover the fascinating events that shaped the world, straight from our editors.

SIGN UP

By clicking “Sign Up”, you consent to the Britannica Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Britannica Quiz

Pop Culture Quiz

“Mama Said Knock You Out” and shift to acting

Criticized by some for his crossover success, LL responded by teaming with producer Marley Marl for the musically and thematically innovative album Mama Said Knock You Out (1990), which included several hits, including the title track and “Around the Way Girl.”

Following the huge popularity of that album, the increasingly versatile LL moved into acting. In addition to appearing in a number of films, he landed regular television roles on the situation comedy In the House (1995–99) and the drama NCIS: Los Angeles (2009–23), playing Special Agent Sam Hanna. Between 2011 and 2014 LL won four NAACP Image Awards for outstanding actor in a drama series. He reprised the role in the spin-off show NCIS: New York (2026– ).

Later recordings

LL also continued to record, with Mr. Smith (1995) becoming perhaps his most commercially successful release to that date. Though subsequent albums such as 10 (2002), Todd Smith (2006), and Authentic (2013) generated the occasional hit single, in the 21st century LL found himself increasingly overshadowed by younger rappers. Nevertheless, he remained a respected figure in the hip-hop world, which lent credibility to nonmusical pursuits such as his own clothing line. In 2024 he released The Force, a studio album that featured collaborations with Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Busta Rhymes, and Nas, among other artists.

Honors and awards

The winner of multiple Grammy Awards in the category of best rap solo performance, LL hosted the awards ceremony in 2012–16. In 2017 he received a Kennedy Center Honor. Four years later he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a recipient of the Award for Musical Excellence.

Explore Britannica Premium!

The trusted destination for professionals, college students, and lifelong learners.

SUBSCRIBE