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Home • Love & Sex

Eye Candy: LL Cool J is the Ladies' Choice

You know him as LL Cool J, and for good reason—the Ladies really do Love Cool James. Let’s relive some of the March cover star and ESSENCE Festival performer's sexiest moments.
By Essence · Updated October 28, 2020
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01
The Real MC

Two-time Grammy winner LL Cool J graces the cover of this month’s issue of ESSENCE looking as good as ever, and making it clear that the hip hop icon only gets better with age.

Ladies' Choice
(Photo by Robert Voets/CBS via Getty Images)
02
Hey Lover

Super fit LL always appears ripped and ready, whether he’s on TV, the stage or the pages of your favorite magazine.

Ladies' Choice
Getty Images
03
Feel the Music

LL Cool J performs in Los Angeles in 2004 with high energy and clear passion for the performance — both qualities that win the ladies over every time he takes to the stage.

Ladies' Choice
04
Thirst Quencher

One thing is for sure, LL knows exactly what his fans want to see. This steaming hot moment at the “VH1 Hip Hop Honors” show in New York in 2005 is one to be remembered.

Ladies' Choice
(AP Photo/Jeff Christensen)
05
Let’s Rock

Cool J rocks out in the white bucket hat he single-handedly made famous at the 2005 VH1 Hip Hop Honors show.

Ladies' Choice
06
Can We Have Your Autograph?

In 2006, LL Cool J puckered up for the cameras while attending the book signing for his “Platinum 360 Diet and Lifestyle” in Los Angeles, California. The rapper has authored four books in total.

Ladies' Choice
07
Make it a Tank

LL films the crowd as the camera man watches during a concert at Atlanta’s Centennial Olympic Park in 2007. Have you ever seen any other man look this good in a tank top?

Ladies' Choice
08
A Team Player

With a body to die for and those trademark luscious lips, LL is always a standout on the big screen. He had us glued to our seats when he played Deacon ‘Deke’ Kaye in the film “S.W.A.T.”

Ladies' Choice
09
The Perfect Pucker

LL perfected lip-licking a long time ago, and to this day, no one does it better.

Ladies' Choice
10
Model Sexy

In 2008 LL partnered with Sears to launch the Todd Smith collection. Unfortunately, the line shut down shortly after, but we can’t forget how good he looked in the clothes.

Ladies' Choice
11
Small Screen King

On “NCIS: Los Angeles,” J plays Special Agent Sam Hanna. Here, he’s all smiles on set in Los Angeles, California in 2010.

Ladies' Choice
(Photo by Jean Baptiste Lacroix/WireImage)
12
For the Fans

LL Cool J on stage at the 2010 NCAA Big Dance Concert Series in Indianapolis, Indiana, smirking his way through another crowd-pleasing performance.

Ladies' Choice
(Photo by Michael Hickey/WireImage)
13
Hats Off to You

LL Cool J looks hot and sexy in his signature Kangol hat at the 2011 Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles in 2011. You’ve gotta love those dimples!

Ladies' Choice
14
A Winning Smile

Ask any woman what they love most about hip hop heartthrob LL Cool J and the first thing they’ll say is this smile.

Ladies' Choice
15
Man of Many Talents

From hip hop heartthrob to debonair TV star and Grammy host, LL Cool J continues to prove his talents are many. Are you still one of his biggest fans? Tell us why you’ll forever stay true below and share your thoughts on his performance as host of the 55th Grammy Awards last night.

Ladies' Choice
Getty Images