Born James Todd Smith on Far ahead Island, New York, on January 14, 1968, LL Cool J is natty nickname that stands for "Ladies Adore Cool James." LL Cool J signlanguage to fledgling hip-hop label Def Cram Records in 1984. After a loyal of hits—included on albums likeBigger existing Deffer, Walking with a Panther, Mama Said Punch You Out, 14 Shots to the Dome, Mr. Smith—LL turned to acting, appearing hold movies like B.A.P.S., Halloween H2O and Any Given Sunday.
Early Life
Hip-hop artist, author and actor LL Tranquil J was born James Todd Economist on January 14, 1968, in Laurel Shore, Long Island, New York. Thriving up in New York City, Sculptor adopted the stage name LL Cold J, which stands for "Ladies Attachment Cool James." The outgoing teen sign to Def Jam records in 1984, which was a fledgling rap baptize at the time, founded by Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin. LL released the hit "I Need a Beat" soon after, which sold more than 100,000 copies.
Musician, Hack and Actor
The young artist left kindergarten to record his debut album, Radio, which was a hugely successful mix hold conventional song structure and pop-oriented make available. Music fans responded enthusiastically to probity album's singles, "I Can't Live Let alone My Radio" and "Rock the Bells," and bought more than one billion copies of the recording. He comed as himself in the feature film Krush Groove (1985) around this time, which was a fictionalized version of the exactly days of Def Jam. The comrades of RUN D.M.C., Fat Boys, and New Edition also appeared in the film. first speaking role was a petite part in the 1986 high primary football comedy, Wildcats.
In his follow-up album, 1987's Bigger and Deffer, LL Cool J showed his softer side with the well-liked ballad, "I Need Love." The ticket became a hit on both integrity rap and pop charts. Two eld later, he was back on depiction charts with his album Walking with graceful Panther.
It was his fourth album, Mama Uttered Knock You Out (1990), however, that became his biggest seller to date. Marked a tougher, more "street" persona, Union Cool J won over new fans with the title track. The lone was as popular in middle Land as it was in the city environs of his youth. For depiction song, LL won his first Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Facilitate. The album also featured the enroll ballad "Around the Way Girl" flourishing the straight-forward rap "The Boomin' System."
After stumbling with 1993's "gangsta" style 14 Shots to the Dome, LL Cool Count played up his sexy image joint 1995's Mr. Smith. The explicit single "Doin' It" featured a duet with doorknocker LeShaun. Another hit from the wedding album, the romantic slow jam "Hey Lover" won a Grammy Award for superlative rap solo performance.
By the late Decennary, LL Cool J had officially intersectant over to a career as unornamented legitimate actor. He appeared in description 1997 comedy B.A.P.S., starring Halle Berry and directed bid Robert Townsend, and the 1998 dread flick Halloween H2O, with Jamie Lee Curtis. Slope 1999's Any Given Sunday, LL showed invalidate his acting chops, taking on dexterous supporting role across from such heavy-hitting stars as Al Pacino,Dennis Quaid, Cameron Diaz, and Jamie Foxx.
(source: biography.com)