He didnt need a good reason. Signed to Def Jam Recordings in 1984, LL Cool J's breakthrough came with his single "I Need a Beat" and his landmark debut album, Radio (1985). LL Cool J is one of the most respected rappers in the game but even he has endured his fair share of obstacles. [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. During an appearance on Finding Your Roots With Henry Louis . 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. LL Cool J is a 55 year old American Rapper. We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. The rest is history. The rapper/actor took to Twitter to inform fans that his dad, James Nunya, passed away at the age of 65. Rock the Bells Records was also responsible for the Deep Blue Sea soundtrack for the 1999 movie of the same name. - I Shot Ya 1995. When LL Cool J was just 4 years old, his father shot his mother and grandfather. He would beat me for watching television, for lookin at him funny, for looking out the window watching other kids play. [39] As a result, his audience base began to decline due to the album's bold commercial and pop aspirations. advocates for a healthy discussion about the instances of violence, abuse, sexual misconduct, animal cruelty, abuse etc. LL Cool J, Simone Smith and family at The Fashion Institute of Technology on May 25, 2017 | Source: Getty Images. 26 on the Hot 100. 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. Together, they share four children named Najee, Samaria, Italia, and Nina. [25] LL Cool J's 11th album, Todd Smith, was released on April 11, 2006. Radio, along with Raising Hell (1986) and Licensed to Ill (1986), would form a trilogy of New York City-based, Rubin-helmed albums that helped to diversify hip-hop. iloveoldschoolmusic.com. He didnt care how he beat me or with what . The song contains LL Cool J rapping over the instrumental to Maino's "Hi Hater". LL Cool J witnessed his father trying to murder his mother and grandfather. Beat with belts like a slave with a whip. And LL was the one who discovered them! To make matters worse, it was the Grammy Award winner who found his mom and grandfather on the floor after his dad shot them. 2. [67] From 1995 to 1999, he starred in his own television sitcom In the House. container: 'taboola-right-rail-thumbnails', Relationships. [92], With the breakthrough success of his hit single "I Need a Beat" and the Radio LP, LL Cool J became an early hip-hop act to achieve mainstream success along with Kurtis Blow and Run-DMC. Unfortunately, that relationship turned sour when James mismanaged LL's funds . [18] During this time, Smith reconciled with his father who "made amends for a lot of things" by offering him guidance at the start of his music career. At the beginning of their marriage, Simone ignored her husband for two weeks because he did not honor their honeymoon. The toddler's 25-year-old father was hit in the head and his 22-year-old mother in the leg. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. LL Cool J founded and launched Boomdizzle.com, a record label / social networking site launched in September 2008. Gigs at larger venues were offered to LL as he would join the 1986-'87 Raising Hell tour, opening for Run-D.M.C. LL Cool J is one of the most respected rappers in the game but even he has endured his fair share of obstacles. He'd long been open about his adoption, but all he knew, based on some . "It represents the collective energy in the room. Tamron Hall Talks About Her Live-In Nanny and the Joy Raising NBA Comes for Ja Morant After He Flashes Gun in Nightclub Jon Jones Set for UFC Return After Body Transformation | WATCH. Awards. The third season of PBS' hit show Finding Your Roots continues to chronicle the fascinating family stories of celebrities, politicians, activists and more. Following that, on November 3, 2012, LL collaborated with Joe and producers Trackmasters with his second single, "Take It". He was quick to add that no one "should assume that I'm a Democrat either. His father shot his mother and grandfather with a 12-gauge . Recently, he allegedly came out and said that Tito Jackson is his father and he also reveals some shocking details about Barry Gordy using him for his talent early on but he had to sign some letters because Tito ain't want him to be his real child. His second book was the children-oriented book called And The Winner Is. . target_type: 'mix' 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. [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.) 1: The Genesis", "About.com Rick Rubin's Style and Approach", "Beavis and Butt-Head Do America - Original Soundtrack", "50 Cent, LL Cool J Teaming Up For LP News Story Music, Celebrity, Artist News | MTV News", "VIDEO: Check out LL Cool J's New NCIS:LA-Inspired Song", "SXSW Interview: LL Cool J and Z-Trip Talk About Their Collaboration, Their High Esteem For The Hip-Hop "Blueprint" and Their Thoughts On Rap's Up-And-Coming Talent", "Hottest Record - Kasabian - Days Are Forgotten (LL Cool J Remix)", "LL Cool J Announces "Authentic" Release Date & Tracklist", "LL Cool J On Eddie Van Halen Collabo: "Now He's Officially Done Hip-Hop", "Eddie Van Halen Teams Up With LL Cool J", "Hear Eddie Van Halen Perform on Two New LL Cool J Songs", "Nirvana, Kiss, Hall and Oates Nominated for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame", "LL Cool J On Def Jam's 30th Anniversary And His New Street Album", "Unretired Rap Legend LL Cool J Shares New Album Details & Offers 'G.O.A.T. [83] Since April 2015, LL has hosted the show Lip Sync Battle. (4 years old) when his father shot his mother during a dispute between the two. LL (birth name James Todd Smith) recounted his painful childhood memories in his biography "I Make My Own Rules" and the details are shocking. [53], In October 2014, LL announced that his 14th studio album would be called G.O.A.T. LL Cool J won his first Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance for his song "Mama Said Knock You Out" at the 1992 Grammy Awards. It was tough. We Publish News 24/7. He shot him in the stomach before shooting his estranged wife, Ondrea, LL Cool J's mother. It was like the scene in `Glory when Denzel Washington was getting beat down like a slave, except I was like 8 years old. LL Cool J partnered with DJ Kay Slay to release a mixtape called "The Return of the G.O.A.T.". [91], In March 2015, LL Cool J also appeared in an introduction to WrestleMania 31. [9], Smith dated Kidada Jones, daughter of producer Quincy Jones, from 1992 to 1994. Kicked me down steps outside in the snow. placement: 'Right Rail Thumbnails', [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]. A track entitled "Hi Haterz" was leaked onto the internet on June 1, 2008. 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. It was just a power trip.. A married man himself, LL Cool J has been with his wife Simone since 1995. In January 2012, the pair released the track "Super Baller" as a free download to celebrate the New York Giants Super Bowl victory. Young James had a rather traumatic childhood. As soon as it was over there were girls screaming and asking for autographs. . The 'NCIS: Los Angeles' star and his mother Ondrea sat down with ET to share their fondest (and most embarrassing) memories of LL's upbringing. [103] In 2003, LL Cool J spoke at a U.S. Senate Committee hearing on the RIAA lawsuits against Americans distributing or downloading copyrighted music over peer-to-peer networks. and the Beastie Boys. 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. Eventually Ondrea left Roscoe but after all of the trauma LL suffered it was too little too late. Eventually, LLs father James came back into his life and helped him out in the early stages of his budding rap career. [14][12][19] His mother was also supportive of his musical endeavors, using her tax refund to buy him a Korg drum machine. [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. 2016 LL Cool J was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame. 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). [69] In 1999, co-starred as Preacher, the chef in the Renny Harlin horror/comedy Deep Blue Sea. 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). [54] LL stated that "the concept behind the album was to give upcoming artists an opportunity to shine, and put myself in the position where I have to spit bars with some of the hardest rhymers in the game"; however, the album was put on hold. James Todd Smith, popularly known as LL Cool J, is a well-known artist in the movie and music industry. We humbly honor the old school soul music era and will keep pushing forward to keep it alive. However, rap music gave him solace, and he began writing at age 11. [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. Unfortunately, that relationship turned sour when James mismanaged LLs funds and he ended up owing $2 million dollars to the IRS. By using the mixer he had received from his grandfather, Smith produced and mixed his own demos and sent them to various record companies throughout New York City, including Def Jam. He shot him in the stomach before shooting his estranged wife, Ondrea, LL Cool J's mother. [61], On December 29, 2021, LL Cool J canceled his performance at Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve With Ryan Seacrest 2022 after testing positive for COVID-19. He did not get the best attention as a young child, and his surroundings subjected him to a life of bullying and arms. target_type: 'mix' [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. LL Cool J explained that late one night, he woke up to the sound of horrible moan. He went to check what had happened and found that James had shot Ondrea in the back. 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. Dont Miss A Story. "[22] That same year, Smith made his professional debut concert performance at Manhattan Center High School. [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. . mode: 'thumbnails-rr1', L.L. 2 years ago. In that same year, he released the album Phenomenon. 00:00. [20] Smith has stated that by the time he received musical equipment from his relatives, he "was already a rapper. You know how glad I was to have Roscoe out of my life, but the damage was done. target_type: 'mix' My father made a massive blunder, but he also did a lot of things right.. *In his 1997 biography I Make My Own Rules,. We humbly honor the old school soul music era and will keep pushing forward to keep it alive. You have entered an incorrect email address! Roscoe beat me for just about anything. This page was last edited on 2 March 2023, at 21:38. Gigs at larger venues were offered to LL as he would join the 1986-'87 Raising Hell tour, opening for Run-D.M.C. [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. ", "LL Cool J Todd Smith Clothing Collection Launch and Video", "Here's LL Cool J's Emotional Opening To WrestleMania 31", "Encyclopedia - Britannica Online Encyclopedia Def Jam, LL, & new school hip hop", "LL Cool J:: Radio ** RapReviews "Back to the Lab" series ** by Steve "Flash" Juon", EntertainmentSimone Smith, LL Cool J's Wife: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know, "LL Cool J's Kids With Wife Simone Smith", "Senator Malcolm Smith Show w. 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Simone Smith Cool runs a jewelry line; she is the wife to the popular rapper turned actor and a mother to his four kids Najee, Italia, Samaria, and Nina. LL Cool J combined acting with his rap career; his acting debut was in 1985's "Krush Groove." Thankfully for the family, both of them survived the incident. LL Cool J and American artist Tito Jackson are not related as father and child. 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. After acting in The Hard Way and Toys, LL Cool J released 14 Shots to the Dome. He didnt need a good reason. Posted by. The new boyfriend was not a father figure to him at all and was abusive. Sha Be Allah. [17] Smith later discussed his search for a label, stating "I sent my demo to many different companies, but it was Def Jam where I found my home. The rapper was surrounded by drugs, gangsterism, crime, all the vices that could have limited his progress. This style would serve as one of Rubin's production trademarks and would have a great impact on future hip-hop productions. 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. The lead single was the Timbaland-produced "Headsprung", which peaked at No. [8], In 2021, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with an award for Musical Excellence. 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. In fact, when he was starting out as a musician, his dad actually re-entered his life and tried to guide him through it. Tracks that the two worked on were leaked to the internet and some of the tracks produced with 50 made it to Exit 13. 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. "[14] In 1972, Smith and his mother moved into his grandparents' home in St. Albans, Queens, where he was raised.