He didnt care how he beat me or with what . 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. 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. His father shot his mother and grandfather, almost killing them both. 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. [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. My father made a massive blunder, but he also did a lot of things right.. The album featured the singles "I'm Bad", the revolutionary "I Need Love" - LL's first #1 R&B and Top 40 hit, "Kanday", "Bristol Hotel", and "Go Cut Creator Go". iloveoldschoolmusic.com. In that same year, he released the album Phenomenon. It is a single and is available on iTunes. This page was last edited on 2 March 2023, at 21:38. Who are LL Cool J parents? container: 'taboola-right-rail-thumbnails', In fact, when he was starting out as a musician, his dad actually re-entered his life and tried to guide him through it. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. LL Cool J was born James Todd Smith into a middle-class family. [8], In 2021, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with an award for Musical Excellence. A new cover was unveiled at the same time. Series overview and suggestions on where to start! LL Cool J - Pinterest Unfortunately, the bad things didnt stop after the previously mentioned incident took place. Shortly after that, they started dating, and they married in 1995. [56], In March 2016, LL announced his retirement on social media, but quickly walked back his announcement and indicated that a new album was on the way. (4 years old) when his father shot his mother during a dispute between the two. LL Cool J added: My father he made a massive blunder, but he also did a lot of things right, you know. Hip Hop Artist and Actor LL Cool J's Father Passes - AM 1310: The Light LL Cool J At 54: "Dreams Don't Have Deadlines" - BlackDoctor.org 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. I was doing all kinds of wild things by then and getting in all kinds of trouble.. It was just a power trip.". L.L. news.AmoMama.com speaks out against the above mentioned and news.AmoMama.com advocates for a healthy discussion about the instances of violence, abuse, sexual misconduct, animal cruelty, abuse etc. Shortly after its release, the album sold over 500,000 copies in its first five months, eventually selling over 1 million copies by 1988, according to the Recording Industry Association of America. He did not get the best attention as a young child, and his surroundings subjected him to a life of bullying and arms. 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. LL Cool J started his own businesses in the music industry such as the music label in 1993 called P.O.G. As a rap phenom, LL Cool J needed love. As a rap legend, he's finally "[22] That same year, Smith made his professional debut concert performance at Manhattan Center High School. His father, , it would be years before LL was able to forgive his father. 74. In his follow-up album, 1987's Bigger and Deffer, LL Cool J showed his softer side with the popular ballad, "I Need Love." The song became a hit on both the rap and pop charts. According to the Chicago Tribune, "[as] a kid growing up middle class and Catholic in Queens, life for LL was heart-breaking. 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). But even with all of that negativity LL still found a way to forgive his father for everything hes ever done to him. My father made a massive blunder, but he also did a lot of things right.. See more ideas about ll cool j, sexy men, fine black men. Mr. James was upset that LL Cool J's mother had left him. The album was originally scheduled to be executively produced by fellow Queens rapper 50 Cent. [40] According to Billboard, the album peaked at No. Released November 18, 1985, on Def Jam Recordings in the United States,[26] Radio earned a significant amount of commercial success and sales for a hip hop record at the time. 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. "Father", which was an auto-biographical song that detailed LL's abuse from his mother's boyfriend, would prove to be the most successful single from the album, it made it to #18 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became his eighth . James Todd Smith (born January 14, 1968), known professionally as LL Cool J (short for Ladies Love Cool James), is an American rapper, songwriter, record producer, and actor. placement: 'Right Rail Thumbnails', LL Cool J Painfully Detailed Why His Dad Shot His Mom & Grandfather LL Cool J's Traumatic Childhood Includes Stepfather's Physical Abuse You know how glad I was to have Roscoe out of my life, but the damage was done. 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. In a later interview, LL Cool J recalled the experience, stating "They pushed the lunch room tables together and me and my DJ, Cut Creator, started playing. LL Cool J starred in In the House, an NBC sitcom, before releasing Mr. Smith (1995), which went on to sell over two million copies. Mark Summers for Rolling . The 50 Worst Songs By Otherwise Great Artists - Pingovox 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. [95] In contrast to the lengthy, jam-like form predominant throughout early hip hop ("King Tim III", "Rapper's Delight", "The Breaks"), new-school artists tended to compose shorter songs that would be more accessible and had potential for radio play, and conceived more cohesive LPs than their old-school counterparts; the style typified by LL Cool J's Radio. [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. When 4-year-old Smith found them, blood was everywhere. It debuted at number one on the Billboard album charts,[42] and went platinum. 's debut album, to combine the vocal approach of hip hop and rapping with the musical arrangements and riffing sound of rock music, pioneering the rap rock hybrid sound. LL Cool J's second album was 1987's Bigger and Deffer, which was produced by DJ Pooh and the L.A. The unraveling of LL Cool J's hidden family history also uncovered a rough parallel to the violence he witnessed as a child, when his grandfather and mother were wounded in a shooting involving . As a result LL fired James and hired a new manager. [24], Radio was released to critical acclaim, both for production innovation and LL's powerful rap. To this day, there are limited details on the incident, but witnesses say it was a . They teamed up to financially support and inspire people through the "Beat Cancer Like A Boss" campaign for the American Cancer Society. It eventually reached 1,500,000 copies sold in the US.[30]. He didnt need a good reason. 00:00. 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). I'm an Independent, you know? Eventually, LLs father James came back into his life and helped him out in the early stages of his budding rap career. that benefits the victims. Even more, he was featured in a television documentary series called Finding Your Roots; LL Cool J learned of the family secret so well-hidden that even his own mother was unaware . His mother, Ondrea, was a nurse's assistant, while his father, James, drove a truck. Unfortunately, that relationship turned sour when James mismanaged LLs funds and he ended up owing $2 million dollars to the IRS. LL Cool J is one of the most respected rappers in the game but even he has endured his fair share of obstacles. READ MORE: LL Cool J Revealed in 1997 Memoir That His Dad Shot His Mom, Grandfather. iloveoldschoolmusic.com. He shot him in the stomach before shooting his estranged wife, Ondrea, LL Cool J's mother. 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Eventually Ondrea left Roscoe but after all of the trauma LL suffered it was too little too late. 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 . He has been in films such as "Any Given Sunday", "In Too Deep", and "Deep Blue Sea" just to . 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. Now he is the first hip-hop artist to ever receive a Kennedy Centre Honour this month for his lifetime . LL Cool J - Father Lyrics | Genius Lyrics It was the first mixtape of his 24-year career and includes freestyling by LL Cool J in addition to other rappers giving their renditions of his songs. Description: James Todd Smith (born January 14, 1968) is an American hip hop artist better known by his stage name, LL Cool J ("Ladies Love Cool James"). container: 'taboola-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. We humbly honor the old school soul music era and will keep pushing forward to keep it alive.