LL Cool J
Wikimp3 information about the music of LL Cool J. On our website we have 49 albums and 70 collections of artist LL Cool J. You can find useful information and download songs of this artist. We also know that LL Cool J represents Rap genres.
Biography
[Edit]Hip-hop is notorious for short-lived careers, but LL Cool J is the inevitable exception that proves the rule. Releasing his first hit, "I Can't Live Without My Radio," in 1985 when he was just 17 years old, LL initially was a hard-hitting, streetwise b-boy with spare beats and ballistic rhymes. He quickly developed an alternate style, a romantic — and occasionally sappy — lover's rap epitomized by his mainstream breakthrough single, "I Need Love." LL's first two albums, Radio and Bigger and Deffer, made him a star, but he strived for pop stardom a little too much on 1989's Walking with a Panther. By 1990, his audience had declined somewhat, since his ballads and party raps were the opposite of the chaotic, edgy political hip-hop of Public Enemy or the gangsta rap of N.W.A, but he shot back to the top of the charts with Mama Said Knock You Out, which established him as one of hip-hop's genuine superstars. By the mid-'90s, he had starred in his own television sitcom, In the House, appeared in several films, and had racked up two of his biggest singles with "Hey Lover" and "Doin' It." In short, he had proven that rappers could have long-term careers.
Of course, that didn't seem likely when he came storming out of Queens, New York, when he was 16 years old. LL Cool J (born James Todd Smith; his stage name is an acronym for "Ladies Love Cool James") had already been rapping since the age of nine. Two years later, his grandfather — he had been living with his grandparents since his parents divorced when he was four — gave him a DJ system and he began making tapes at home. Eventually, he sent these demo tapes to record companies, attracting the interest of Def Jam, a fledgling label run by New York University students Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin. Def Jam signed LL and released his debut, "I Need a Beat," as their first single in 1984. The record sold over 100,000 copies, establishing both the label and the rapper. LL dropped out of high school and recorded his debut album, Radio. Released in 1985, Radio was a major hit and it earned considerable praise for how it shaped raps into recognizable pop-song structures. On the strength of "I Can't Live Without My Radio" and "Rock the Bells," the album went platinum in 1986. The following year, his second album, Bigger and Deffer, shot to number three due to the ballad "I Need Love," which became one of the first pop-rap crossover hits.
LL's knack for making hip-hop as accessible as pop was one of his greatest talents, yet it was also a weakness, since it opened him up to accusations of being a sellout. Taken from the Less Than Zero soundtrack, 1988's "Goin' Back to Cali" walked the line with ease, but 1989's Walking with a Panther was not greeted warmly by most hip-hop fans. Although it was a Top Ten hit and spawned the gold single "I'm That Type of Guy," the album was perceived as a pop sell-out effort, and on a supporting concert at the Apollo, he was booed. LL didn't take the criticism lying down — he struck back with 1990's Mama Said Knock You Out, the hardest record he ever made. LL supported the album with a legendary, live acoustic performance on MTV Unplugged, and on the strength of the Top Ten R&B singles "The Boomin' System" and "Around the Way Girl" (number nine, pop) as well as the hit title track, Mama Said Knock You Out became his biggest-selling album, establishing him as a pop star in addition to a rap superstar. He soon landed roles in the films The Hard Way (1991) and Toys (1992), and he also performed at Bill Clinton's presidential inauguration in 1993. Mama Said Knock You Out kept him so busy that he didn't deliver the follow-up, 14 Shots to the Dome, until the spring of 1993. Boasting a harder gangsta rap edge, 14 Shots initially sold well, debuting in the Top Ten, but it was an unfocused effort that generated no significant hit singles. Consequently, it stalled at gold status and hurt his reputation considerably.
Following the failure of 14 Shots to the Dome, LL began starring in the NBC sitcom In the House. He returned to recording in 1995, releasing Mr. Smith toward the end of the year. Unexpectedly, Mr. Smith became a huge hit, going double platinum and launching two of his biggest hits, with the Boyz II Men duet "Hey Lover" and "Doin' It." At the end of 1996, he released the greatest-hits album All World, while Phenomenon appeared one year later. G.O.A.T. (Greatest Of All Time), released in 2000, reached the top of the album charts, and 2002's 10 featured one of his biggest hits in years, "Luv U Better." With the help of producer Timbaland, he unleashed the tough DEFinition album in 2004 as his James Todd Smith clothing line was hitting the malls. "Control Myself," a hit single featuring Jennifer Lopez, prefaced 2006's Todd Smith album. His 2008 effort Exit 13 would be his last album for Def Jam as the rapper found work as a primetime television star, landing a starring role on CBS' NCIS: Los Angeles. In 2013 he returned to recording, first making news with the track "Accidental Racist," his much-maligned duet with country star Brad Paisley. Another Paisley duet landed on LL's 2013 album Authentic, a star-studded effort with Eddie Van Halen, Snoop Dogg, and Charlie Wilson also appearing as guests.
Title: G. O. A. T. Featuring James T. Smith: the Greatest of All Time
Artist: LL Cool J
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rap, Soul
Title: G.O.A.T. Featuring James T. Smith - The Greatest of All Time
Artist: LL Cool J
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rap, Soul
Title: We Came To Party (feat. Snoop Dogg & Fatman Scoop) - Single
Artist: LL Cool J
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rap, Soul
Title: Live For You (feat. Brad Paisley) - Single
Artist: LL Cool J
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rap, Country
Title: Whaddup (feat. Chuck D, Travis Barker, Tom Morello & DJ Z-Trip) - Single
Artist: LL Cool J
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rap, Pop
Title: Whaddup (Single)
Artist: Tom Morello, Chuck D, Travis Barker, LL Cool J
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rap
Collections
Title: Def Jam Recordings - Let The People Speak
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rap
Title: Man's Best Friend
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rap
Title: RNB Story Vol. 3
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul
Title: R&B: From Doo-Wop to Hip-Hop (feat. O.D.B.)
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul
Title: Reggae Gold 2003
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rap, Reggae
Title: Def Jam 25, Vol. 13 - Cupid
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rap
Title: Old School Rap
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rap, Punk Rock
Title: The Good Old Days
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rap
Title: Back To the 90'S, Vol. 2
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rap
Title: Simply Mad About the Mouse
Title: Back To the 90'S
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rap
Title: Hip Hop Workout
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rap
Title: Back In the Days
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rap
Title: Real Hip Hop
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rap
Title: Back To the 90'S
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rap
Title: Def Jam 25, Vol. 8: Girls Just Wanna...
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rap
Title: Rapmania - The Roots of Rap
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rap
Title: Old School Rap (Live)
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rap
Title: First round KO
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rap
Title: #1 Spot
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rap
Title: Def Jam's Greatest Hits
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rap
Title: Def Jam 25, Vol. 25: Classics
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rap
Title: Timbo Rap
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rap
Title: Blunt Brothers
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rap
Title: RNB Story 2
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul
Title: Back In the Days
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul
Title: Def Verses
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rap
Title: Def Jam 25, Vol. 3: It Takes Two, Pt. 1
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rap
Title: Def Jam 1985-2001 - The History of Hip Hop, Vol. 1
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul
Title: Def Jam 25: DJ Bring That Back
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rap
Title: Def Jam 25, Vol 16 - Lifer's Picks: 298 to 160 to 825
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rap
Title: Def Jam Music Group Tenth Year Anniversary
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rap
Title: Def Jam 25, Vol. 2: DJ Bring That Back (1996-1984)
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rap
Title: Def Jam 25, Vol. 12 - This Is the Remix
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rap
Title: Def Jam Recordings Classics, Vol. 1
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rap
Title: Def Jam 25, Vol. 18: Shawty's a Rider
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rap
Title: Def Jam Recordings 25, Vol. 17 - Music to Ride To
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rap
Title: Violator - The Album
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rap
Title: FB Entertainment Presents: The Good Life Album
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rap
Title: #1 Spot
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rap, Soul
Title: Cool James classic
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rap
Title: Def Jam's Greatest Hits: Hardcore
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rap, Alternative
Title: Def Jam 25, Vol. 23 - Show and Prove
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rap
Title: Bulworth the Soundtrack
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rap
Title: Def Verses
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rap
Title: Def Jam 25, Vol. 15: We Run NY
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rap
Title: Bravo Black Hits Vol. 3 CD 1
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B
Title: Bravo Black Hits Vol. 4 CD 1
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B
Title: Bravo Black Hits Vol. 6 CD 2
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B
Title: Bravo Black Hits Vol. 8 CD 2
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B
Title: Bravo Black Hits Vol. 12 CD 1
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B
Title: Compact Disc Club - R`n`B Platinum CD 4
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B
Title: Compact Disc Club - Whispers CD 4
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Pop
Title: The Very Best Of 80s CD 13
Genre: Pop
Title: Back To Mine: Roots Manuva
Genre: Ambient, Downtempo, Trip Hop, Electronica, House
Title: Maximum Bass Platinum CD2
Genre: Electronica, Dancefloor, Dance Pop
Featuring albums
Title: Legacy: The Greatest Hits Collection (Deluxe Edition)
Artist: Boyz II Men
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rap, Soul, Pop
Title: Legacy: The Greatest Hits Collection
Artist: Boyz II Men
Title: Funkmaster Flex Presents: The Mix Tape, Vol. 1
Artist: Funkmaster Flex
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rap
Title: Beavis And Butt-Head Do America (Soundtrack)
Artist: Various Artists
Genre: Theatre/Soundtrack
Title: Drum and Bass Warfare - The Remixes
Artist: Adam F.
Genre: Electronica, Hip Hop/R&B, Rap, Drum & Bass, Dancefloor, Dance Pop
Title: The Nutty Professor II: The Klumps (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Artist: Soundtrack
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul
Title: The Streetsweeper, Vol. 2 - The Pain from the Game
Artist: DJ Kay Slay
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rap, Soul
Title: Krush Groove - Music from the Original Motion Picture
Artist: Various Artists
Genre: Theatre/Soundtrack
Title: Ncis: Los Angeles The Original TV Soundtrack
Artist: Various Artists
Genre: Theatre/Soundtrack
Title: The Streetsweeper Vol. 2 - The Pain From The Game
Artist: DJ Kay Slay
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rap
Title: Def Jam Music Group Tenth Year Anniversary Box Set
Artist: Various Artists
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rap
Title: Deep Blue Sea (Music From The Motion Picture)
Artist: Deep Blue Sea Soundtrack
Genre: Theatre/Soundtrack
Title: 20 #1’s: Classic Hip Hop / 20 #1's: Classic Hip Hop
Artist: Various Artists
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rap
Title: Def Jam 25: Vol. 6 - The #1's (Can't Live Without My Radio), Pt. 1
Artist: Various Artists
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rap
Title: Rush Hour 2 (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Artist: Various Artists
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul, Theatre/Soundtrack
Title: House Party (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Artist: Various Artists
Genre: Theatre/Soundtrack
Title: Krush Groove (Music from the Original Motion Picture)
Artist: Various Artists
Genre: Theatre/Soundtrack
Title: Recrimination
Artist: Justin Timberlake
Genre: Downtempo, Electronica, Eurodance, House, Euro House, Techno, Hip Hop/R&B, Rap, Jazz, Rock, Alternative Rock, Punk, Reggae, Dancehall, Club/Dance, Pop, Pop Rock, Pop Rap, Synth Pop, Theatre/Soundtrack, Classical
Title: Other
Artist: Timbaland, Justin Timberlake
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Blues, Alternative Rock, Rap Rock, Pop, Pop Rap
Title: This Is Me... Then (Limited Edition) Europe
Artist: Jennifer Lopez
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul, Rock, Pop, Pop Rock
Title: I'M Glad (CD Maxi - Single) Europe
Artist: Jennifer Lopez
Genre: Electronica, Hip Hop/R&B, Rock, Alternative Rock, Dancefloor, Pop, Pop Rock
Title: The Reel Me (CD EP) Europe
Artist: Jennifer Lopez
Genre: Electronica, Hip Hop/R&B, Rock, Dancefloor, Latin, Pop, Pop Rock, Theatre/Soundtrack