Two-time Grammy Award winner and three-time NAACP Image Award winner LL COOL J is an entertainment icon who has championed every possible field, from music, film, television, publishing, fashion and philanthropy.
First introduced to the world in 1984 as a Def Jam Records flagship artist, LL is the first rap artist to amass 10 consecutive platinum-plus selling albums, while 2004’s The Definition and 2006’s Todd Smith both went gold. He is a multi-platinum artist who is currently tied for third place for most Billboard chart debuts by a rapper. In 2008, he released his critically acclaimed album Exit 13, his appropriately titled 13th and last album for the only label he has called home – Def Jam Recordings.
Continuing his musical expedition three decades after he first released music, LL recently released his critically acclaimed 14th studio album, Authentic. With this new album, the multi-platinum artist returned to the studio and kicked up volume to create a powerful album that came from his true passion for music and would speak to his fans. LL scored his 13th Top-10 Album on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Chart with Authentic.
Expanding into the digital world, LL founded Boomdizzle Networks (www.boomdizzle.com), which integrates patented collaborative technology with innovative digital marketing to change how music is recorded, distributed, and shared all over the world.
His starring film credits include “The Deal” opposite William H. Macy and Meg Ryan, the “Last Holiday,” opposite Queen Latifah, and “Edison,” starring Morgan Freeman, Kevin Spacey and Justin Timberlake. He will be seen next opposite Robert De Niro in “Grudge Match,” to be released Christmas Day 2013.
LL has appeared in more than 30 films and starred opposite acclaimed actors such as Samuel L. Jackson and Colin Farrell in “S.W.A.T.,” Al Pacino, Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz in “Any Given Sunday” and Gabrielle Union in “Deliver Us from Eva.” Other film credits include “Rollerball,” “Charlie’s Angels,” “Kingdom Come,” “In Too Deep,” “Toys” and “Slow Burn” with Ray Liotta. He has also received a Blockbuster Award for best comedic performance as the “Chef” in Renny Harlin’s action film “Deep Blue Sea.”
LL transitioned to television with a dramatic performance on the second season premiere of “House” and a comedic guest-star role on “30 Rock” as hip hop mogul Ridiculous.
Also an author, his fitness book LL COOL J’s Platinum Workout was a New York Times bestseller, and in spring of 2010 he released his second fitness book, LL COOL J’s Platinum 360 Diet and Lifestyle. In 2002, he released a children’s book, And the Winner Is, as part of Scholastic series of books and CDs by today’s hottest rap stars called “Hip Kid Hop.” LL’s book tells the story of a young basketball player who learns the importance of winning and losing gracefully. He also penned a 1997 autobiography, I Make My Own Rules.
In 2012, LL hosted “The GRAMMY® Awards” to rave reviews, and he has produced and hosted “The GRAMMY® Nominations Concert Live Special” for the past five years, on the Network.
LL has always been an avid philanthropist involved in numerous causes, including literacy for kids as well as music and arts programs in schools. Celebrating its eighth anniversary, his charity “Jump & Ball,” aims to give back to his local community by offering a five-week athletic and team building program dedicated to bringing wholesome fun to young people. He is also a member of the Red Cross Celebrity Cabinet, which raises funds and awareness for initiatives tied to the organization.
LL is from Long Island, N.Y. and his birth date is Jan. 14. He resides in New York and Los Angeles with his wife, Simone, and their four children. He can be followed on Twitter at @LLCOOLJ. LL Cool J