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Home · News

LL Cool J's Life in Photos

By · Updated October 30, 2020
01
Kangol King

LL Cool J basks inside his hop-hop haven in 1987. Little did he know, it was just the beginning.

LL Cool J’s Life in Photos
Deborah Feingold/Corbis
02
Putting in Work

In the beginning, it was all word-of-mouth and mixtapes that got the buzz swirling about Def Jam’s up-and-coming rap star. The rest is history.

LL Cool J’s Life in Photos
Chris Carroll/Corbis
03
Greatest of All Time

Though he entitled his 2000 album, “G.O.A.T.”, he always carried himself like a champion…no disrespect to Ali, of course!

LL Cool J’s Life in Photos
Pam Springsteen/Corbis
04
Mama Said Knock You Out

LL Cool J escorts his grandmother to the 1996 MTV Video Music Awards. She was the inspiration behind his hit album and single, “Mama Said Knock You Out.”

“The major challenge for me was balancing my home life with my iconic rapper status and knowing when to just be a dad and a husband,” he said. “Overall, I had to make sure that I was there for my family and that I wasn’t so self-absorbed that I alienated them.”

LL Cool J’s Life in Photos
Mitchell Gerber/Corbis
05
“Exit 13”

After 13 albums, LL Cool J delivers his final Def Jam album, aplty entitled “Exit 13.”

LL Cool J’s Life in Photos
Courtesy of Def Jam
06
Mr. & Mrs. Smith

LL Cool J poses with his wife, Simone, and three of their four children.

LL Cool J’s Life in Photos
07
Strictly Business

LL takes a moment to pose for the cameras with his longtime manager, Chris Lighty.

LL Cool J’s Life in Photos
08
Queens’ Finest

Hailing from Queens, both LL and Reverend Run have enjoyed great mainstream success, yet continue to stay true to their hip-hop roots.

LL Cool J’s Life in Photos
09
Repping Queens

LL Cool J is joined by fellow Queens rapper, 50 Cent, at the MTV Video Music Awards.

LL Cool J’s Life in Photos
Gary Hershorn/Corbis
10
From Hollis to Hollywood

LL Cool J continues to be an indelible force in hip-hop and Hollywood.

LL Cool J’s Life in Photos
11
Embracing the Youth

LL is joined on stage by a young fan at DirecTV’s Celebrity Beach Bowl.

LL Cool J’s Life in Photos
12
For a Good Cause

LL Cool J is joined by Quincy Jones in the studio to record “We Are the World 25 Years.”

LL Cool J’s Life in Photos
13
Hip-Hop Icon

An all-grown-up LL grabs the mic, looking dapper.

LL Cool J’s Life in Photos
14
Red Carpet Ready

LL Cool J, the actor (and star of “NCIS: Los Angeles”) walks the red carpet in style.

LL Cool J’s Life in Photos
15
James Todd Smith

Though he blessed himself with the moniker LL Cool J (Ladies Love Cool James), his momma named him James Todd Smith.

LL Cool J’s Life in Photos
16
Brand-Builder

Throughout his career, LL Cool J has built a multi-facetedl brand which encompasses music, television, film, fitness and fashion.

LL Cool J’s Life in Photos
17
So Fresh, So Clean

LL Cool J has come a long way since he portrayed himself, then a burgeoning rap star, in 1985’s “Krush Groove.”

LL Cool J’s Life in Photos
18
Always Dapper

A two-decades-plus veteran of the entertainment industry, LL Cool J continues to grow as an artist and actor.

LL Cool J’s Life in Photos
Stephen Stickler/Corbis

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