Right from the start of his professional career, which was launched in 1985 with an album titled “Radio,” LL Cool J has exuded a special kind of self-confidence.
There are some detractors who would say it bordered on something resembling conceit. But that kind of confidence is essential for anyone stepping into the show business world, where the odds are very much against succeeding.
Diana Ross once said she never even thought of failure as an option. There was no “plan B.”
LL Cool J was just as determined.
His confidence is also exemplified by the fact that the meaning of the letters “LLCJ” is “Ladies Love Cool James.” And not to be overlooked is the way he licks his lips, which is more than just a habit. It’s something done to give the ladies another reason to “love Cool J.”
That introductory album yielded two Top 20 singles, “I Can’t Live Without My Radio” and “Rock the Bells,” both of which played a key role in rap taking still more steps forward in establishing itself as a genre that was here to stay, as was hip-hop culture.
Recalling those days recently, LL said, “I didn’t have a plan. It wasn’t strategic. I was just a kid who wanted to hear his voice on the radio, who wanted his first Mercedes. I wanted to feel what it was like to be empowered.”
THE MAN BORN James Todd Smith on Long Island, New York, and raised in Queens has been feeling empowered for a long time now.
His latest venture is costarring with Chris O’Donnell in “NCIS: Los Angeles.” The show, that airs Tuesday nights at 9 p.m. on CBS, has been hailed as the biggest hit of the new season.
LL Cool J is special agent Sam Hanna. Chris O’Donnell is special agent G. Callen.
As he inches deeper into middle age — he turned 42 in January — LL Cool J is, at the risk of sounding trite, sitting on top of the world, approaching the fame and achievement level of one of his heroes, fellow rapper-turned-actor Will Smith.
Both can still deliver rap effectively but, understandably, the emphasis is on acting.
The growth of LL Cool J, as a person and as a performer, is impressive. I interviewed him on two occasions. The first time was in 1989 when he was in town promoting his latest album, “Walking With a Panther.”
THAT ALBUM was different from the two before it (“Radio” and “Bigger and Deffer”) because it included rougher material that had cuss words and one humorous song (“Big Ole Butt”) that was (rightfully) perceived as sexist.
At least one female staffer from a popular Detroit radio station expressed her displeasure with the content of those songs, and LL, who was very young at the time, got defensive, although he remained respectful.
The second interview was a one-on-one in 1995 when he was doing promotion work for a film he had made titled “Out-of-Sync.” It was not a good movie, but was of significance because for the first time LL Cool J was letting the public see his head. Prior to that he had always worn a hat, his trademark Kangol.
He was so much more mature this time. But then again, one would expect a higher maturity level when one has gone from being barely out of his teens to a man of 26.
LL COOL J can look back over his music career and feel gratified to have contributed some of the biggest and most memorable hits in rap history. That includes “I’m Bad,” “Mama Said Knock You Out,” “I’m That Type of Guy,” “Hey Lover” (featuring backing vocals by Boyz II Men), “Jingling Baby,” “Going Back to Cali” and “Love U Better.”
He also has the distinction of having recorded rap’s first love ballad hit, “I Need Love,” that reached No. 1 in the summer of 1987.
By age 16, LL was producing demos and diligently sending them to any record companies that he thought might be interested in what he had to offer. His rap skills combined with his energy and enthusiasm caught the attention of Def Jam Records. The company released a single titled “I Need a Beat” that became a hit, setting the stage for greater things to come.
Among the other albums LL scored with in addition to the ones cited are “Mr. Smith,” “Mama Said Knock You Out,” “G.O.A.T.” (an acronym for “Greatest Of All Time”), “10,” “Todd Smith” and “Exit 13.”
AS MUCH AS he loved rapping in the recording studio and on stage for his legion of fans, LL Cool J found himself increasingly attracted to acting, both on television and the big screen.
TV viewers enjoyed him for several seasons on the sitcom “In the House.” The show, which ran from 1995 to 1999, also featured Kim Wayans, Debbie Allen and Alfonso Ribeiro.
His film credits, for which he has received much praise, include “Deep Blue Sea,” “Any Given Sunday,” “Deliver Us From Eva” and “S.W.A.T.”
He said, “I know there are people watching me who know nothing about my music…I achieved basically all of the goals that I wanted to in music. My focus now is on acting. That’s where I’m putting the majority of my energy.”
LL has also written four books.
“I Make My Own Rules” was an autobiography. The second was aimed at children, titled “And the Winner Is…” Known for his well-taken-care-of body, LL then ventured into the fitness world with “LL Cool J’s Platinum Workout.” The fourth book was “LL Cool J (Hip-Hop Stars)” for which one of his collaborators was Chuck D from the socially conscious rap group Public Enemy.
In addition, he has a record label and social networking website called Boomdizzle.com.
The key to achieving so much already with so much more to come?
There are actually several keys, but one of them involves facing fear.
“When you move past your fear and go after your dreams wholeheartedly, you become free,” he said.
That freedom includes putting to use every God-given talent, of which LL Cool J has become a master.