Search a film or person :
FacebookConnectionRegistration
LL Cool J is a Actor American born on 14 january 1968 at New York City (USA)

LL Cool J

LL Cool J
If you like this person, let us know!
Birth name James Todd Smith III
Nationality USA
Birth 14 january 1968 (56 years) at New York City (USA)

"James T. Smith" redirects here. For the cartoonist, see Jamie Smith (cartoonist).

James Todd Smith (born January 14, 1968), better known as LL Cool J (short for Ladies Love Cool James), is an American rapper, entrepreneur, and actor. He is known for pioneering hip-hop tracks such as "I Can't Live Without My Radio", "I'm Bad", "The Boomin' System", "Rock The Bells", and "Mama Said Knock You Out" as well as romantic ballads such as "Doin' It", "I Need Love", "Around the Way Girl", and "Hey Lover".

He has released thirteen studio albums and two greatest hits compilations, including 2008's Exit 13, the last for his record deal with Def Jam Recordings. His latest album, Authentic, was released on April 30, 2013. He has also appeared in numerous films, including Halloween H20: 20 Years Later. He is also well known as a serious bodybuilder, and currently stars in an action role as NCIS Special Agent Sam Hanna on the CBS crime drama television series NCIS: Los Angeles, and is the host of Lip Sync Battle on Spike.

Biography

Jeunesse
L.L. Cool J est né James Todd Smith le 14 janvier 1968 à Bay Shore, New York, fils de James et Ondrea Smith. En mars 1984, en parallèle à la fondation du label Def Jam par le promoteur et manager Russell Simmons, James Todd Smith, âgé de 16 ans, se lance dans l'enregistrement de démos chez ses grands-parents. Son grand-père, saxophoniste, lui offre un équipement de $ 2000 incluant deux platines, un mixeur et un amplificateur. Smith partagera ensuite plus tard son point de vue sur son enfance et sur le rap : « Avant de recevoir l'équipement audio, j'étais déjà un rappeur. Dans mon quartier, les gamins grandissaient dans le rap. C'est comme parler espagnol quand tu grandis dans une maison où on parle espagnol. Je me suis impliqué à 9 ans, et depuis j'ai toujours voulu enregistrer de la musique et l'entendre passer à la radio. » En utilisant le mixeur que lui avait offert son grand-père, Smith produit et mixe ses propres démos et les envoie à plusieurs labels de New York, comme Def Jam de Simmons et Rubin.

Sous son nom de scène, LL Cool J (abréviation de « Ladies Love Cool James », Smith signe chez Def Jam, et publie sa première chanson I Need a Beat en 1984. Le single est une chanson b-boy. Smith explique ses débuts avant le label : « J'ai envoyé mes chansons à plusieurs labels, mais j'ai trouvé ma place à Def Jam. » Le premier single de LL se vend à 100 000 exemplaires et aide à établir Def Jam en tant que label et Smith en tant que rappeur. Le succès commercial de I Need a Beat, et le single Rock Hard des Beastie Boys (1984), mènent à la signature d'un contrat de distribution entre Def Jam et Columbia Records l'année suivante.


Radio (1985–1987)
Radio est publié et bien accueilli pour sa production innovatrice et la puissante voix de LL. Publié le 18 novembre 1985 au label Def Jam Recordings aux États-Unis, Radio se vend très bien en matière d'album hip-hop. Après publication, l'album se vend à plus de 500 000 exemplaires les cinq premiers mois, pour finir à un million d'exemplaires en 1988, selon la Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Radio atteint la 6e place des Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums et la 46e place du Billboard 200. Il atteint les Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums le 28 décembre 1985, et y reste pendant 47 semaines, ainsi que les Pop Albums le 11 janvier 1986. Radio reste aux classements pendant 38 semaines. En 1989, l'album est certifié disque de platine par la RIAA, après sa certification en disque d'or le 14 avril 1986, avec un total d'un million de ventes. I Can't Live Without My Radio et Rock the Bells aideront l'album à sa certification platine. Il atteint finalement 1 500 000 d'exemplaires vendus aux États-Unis.

Après le succès de ses singles I Need a Beat et Radio, LL Cool J devient l'un des premiers rappeurs à se populariser, en parallèle à Kurtis Blow et Run-D.M.C.. Des événements importants s'offrent à LL comme la tournée Raising Hell entre 1986 et 1987, et des soirées aux côtés de Run-D.M.C. et des Beastie Boys. Un autre événement dans la popularité de LL inclut sa participation en tant que premier rappeur à l'American Bandstand. Le succès de l'album contribue aussi à la crédibilité de Rick Rubin en tant que producteur. Radio, ainsi que Raising Hell (1986) et Licensed to Ill (1986), formeront une trilogie d'albums new-yorkais produits par Rubin qui aideront à la diversification du hip-hop.


Popularisation et succès (1987–1993)

Le deuxième album de LL Cool J, Bigger and Deffer, est publié en 1987 et produit par DJ Pooh. Il s'agit de l'album le plus rentable de sa carrière, avec plus de trois millions d'exemplaires vendus rien qu'aux États-Unis. Il se classe premier des Billboard RnB Albums, et troisième des Pop Albums. Il contient les singles I'm Bad, le révolutionnaire I Need Love - le premier single de LL à atteindre la première place des RnB singles et du Top 40, Bristol Hotel et Go Cut Creator Go. Le troisième album de LL Cool J, Walking with a Panther est publié en 1989, et bien accueilli notamment grâce aux singles Going Back to Cali, I'm That Type of Guy, Jingling Baby, Big Ole Butt et One Shot at Love. L'album est cependant critiqué par la communauté hip-hop comme trop commercial et matérialiste, et pour ses trop nombreuses chansons d'amour.

Tandis que Bigger and Deffer, un grand succès, est produit par l'équipe de production The L.A. Posse (à l'époque composée de Dwayne Simon, Darryl Pierce et Bobby « Bobcat » Ervin), Dwayne Simon reste le seul de l'équipe à travailler sur la production de Walking with a Panther. Bobcat souhaitait un investissement financier plus avantageux pour l'album après avoir réalisé le succès du précédent album, une proposition que Def Jam a refusé ; Cool J quitte alors le label. Selon Bobcat, c'est la raison pour laquelle Walking with a Panther a été accueillie d'une manière mitigée à sa période de sortie.

En août 1990, LL publie Mama Said Knock You Out, son quatrième album. L'album, produit par Marley Marl, et très bien accueilli par la presse spécialisée, et certifié disque de platine avec plus de deux millions d'exemplaires vendus selon la RIAA. LL remporte un Grammy Award dans la catégorie « meilleure performance solo de rap » en 1992, un prix qu'il remporte à nouveau en 1997.


Succès continu (1993–2005)

Après avoir joué dans les films The Hard Way et Toys, LL Cool J publie 14 Shots to the Dome le 1er juin 1995. L'album contient trois singles How I'm Comin', Back Seat et Pink Cookies in a Plastic Bag Getting Crushed by Buildings) et fait participer ses collègues Lords of the Underground sur le titre NFA-No Frontin' Allowed. L'album est certifié disque d'or.

LL Cool J joue dans In the House, une sitcom diffusée sur la chaîne américaine NBC, avant de publier son album Mr. Smith le 21 novembre 1995, vendu à 80 000 exemplaires la première semaine, et à plus de trois millions d'exemplaires au total selon LL Cool J. Il contient les singles Doin' It et Loungin. Il contient également le single Hey Lover avec Boyz II Men qui remportera un Grammy Award. Le 23 septembre 1997, il publie l'album Phenomenon qui contient les singles Phenomenon et Father. Le second single officiel de l'album s'intitule 4, 3, 2, 1 qui fait participer Method Man, Redman et Master P, et présente DMX et Canibus.

Le 12 septembre 2000, LL Cool J publie l'album GOAT, catégorisé « meilleur album de tous les temps ». Il débute à la première place du Billboard 200 et est certifié disque de platine. LL Cool J remercie Canibus dans le livret de son album pour l'avoir inspiré. Le neuvième album de LL Cool J, 10, est publié en 2002, et contient les singles Paradise en featuring avec Amerie), Luv U Better, produit par Pharrell Williams et The Neptunes, et All I Have un duo avec Jennifer Lopez. L'album est certifié disque de platine. Le dixième album de LL Cool J, The DEFinition, est publié le 31 août 2004. L'album, produit notamment par Timbaland, 7 Aurelius, et R. Kelly, atteint la quatrième place du Billboard 200.


Tournées (2006–2012)

Le onzième album de LL Cool J, Todd Smith, est publié le 11 avril 2006. Il fait participer 112, Ginuwine, Juelz Santana, Teairra Mari et Freeway. Le single principal s'intitule Control Myself en featuring avec Jennifer Lopez ; un clip de la chanson est tourné le 2 janvier 2006 aux Sony Studios de New York. La seconde vidéo, réalisée par Hype Williams, est celle de la chanson Freeze en featuring avec Lyfe Jennings. En juillet 2006, LL Cool J annonce les détails de son dernier album au label Def Jam Recordings, seul label dans lequel il a jamais appartenu. L'album s'intitule Exit 13 et est annoncé comme exclusivement produit par 50 Cent. Exit 13 est originellement annoncé pour le printemps 2006, mais, après deux ans de retard, sort le 9 septembre 2008, sans la participation de 50 Cent. LL Cool J s'associe ensuite avec DJ Kay Slay pour publier une mixtape intitulée The Return of the GOAT. Il se lance en tournée avec Janet Jackson à son Rock Witchu Tour, jouant seulement à Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto, et Kansas City.

En septembre 2009, LL Cool J publie une chanson sur la série NCIS, uniquement disponible sur iTunes, qui se base sur son rôle de Sam Hanna. LL Cool J explique : « cette chanson est une interprétation musicale de ce que j'ai pu ressentir après avoir rencontré les NCIS. »

En mars 2011, au South by Southwest, LL Cool J est révélé pour le Red Bull Thre3Style par Z-Trip. Les deux artistes prévoient de travailler ensemble à l'avenir. En janvier 2012, le duo publie la chanson Super Baller en téléchargement libre pour fêter la victoire du New York Giants Super Bowl.


Authentic et GOAT 2 (depuis 2012)
En juin 2012, LL Cool J se lance dans l'enregistrement de son treizième album. Le 6 octobre 2012, LL Cool J publie un nouveau single extrait de l'album Authentic Hip-Hop intitulé Ratchet suivi, le 3 novembre 2012, d'une collaboration avec Joe et les producteurs Trackmasters pour un second single intitulé Take It.

LL Cool J présente la 55e édition des Grammy Awards le 10 février 2013, ainsi que la 57e édition en 2015. Le 8 février 2013, son nouvel album, initialement intitulé Authentic Hip-Hop se renommera Authentic et sera prévu pour le 30 avril 2013. Le 16 octobre 2013, le Rock and Roll Hall of Fame annonce LL Cool J comme nominé pour 2014. En octobre 2014, il annonce un quatorzième album sous le titre GOAT 2 prévu pour 2015.

Best films

S.W.A.T. (2003)
(Actor)
Deep Blue Sea (1999)
(Actor)
Any Given Sunday (1999)
(Actor)
Last Holiday (2006)
(Actor)

Usually with

Oliver Stone
Oliver Stone
(1 films)
Allan Graf
Allan Graf
(2 films)
Renny Harlin
Renny Harlin
(2 films)
Source : Wikidata

Filmography of LL Cool J (28 films)

Display filmography as list

Actor

Grudge Match, 1h53
Directed by Peter Segal
Origin USA
Genres Comedy
Themes Sports films, Martial arts films, Boxing films
Actors Sylvester Stallone, Robert De Niro, Alan Arkin, Kevin Hart, Jon Bernthal, Kim Basinger
Roles Frankie Brite
Rating63% 3.197033.197033.197033.197033.19703
In their prime, Pittsburgh boxers Henry "Razor" Sharp (Sylvester Stallone) and Billy "The Kid" McDonnen (Robert De Niro) become rivals after two fights, one in which Kid beats Razor and one in which Razor beats Kid, the only defeats of their careers. Before they have a rematch, Razor announces his retirement without explanation, infuriating Kid and costing them a big payday.
The Deal
The Deal (2008)
, 1h40
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Comedy, Romance
Themes Films about films, Films about suicide
Actors William H. Macy, Meg Ryan, Jason Ritter, Elliott Gould, LL Cool J, David Hunt
Roles Bobby Mason
Rating56% 2.8002852.8002852.8002852.8002852.800285
Struggling Hollywood film producer Charlie Berns is on the verge of suicide when his aspiring screenwriter nephew Lionel arrives from New Jersey with a script about 19th century British statesman Benjamin Disraeli. Charlie agrees to make the film, but only when he converts the literate PBS-style script (that he didn't read) into an action adventure Middle Eastern espionage film, Ben Disraeli: Freedom Fighter.
Last Holiday, 1h52
Directed by Wayne Wang
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Comedy, Romantic comedy, Fantasy, Adventure, Romance
Actors Queen Latifah, LL Cool J, Timothy Hutton, Gérard Depardieu, Alicia Witt, Giancarlo Esposito
Roles Sean Matthews
Rating66% 3.3056153.3056153.3056153.3056153.305615
Georgia Byrd (Queen Latifah), an employee in the cookware department at Kragen's Department Store in New Orleans, is a shy, unassuming woman who longs to cook professionally, and who records her dreams of a better life in a journal labeled "Possibilities." It is the Christmas holiday season. While flirting with a co-worker Sean Williams (LL Cool J), she bumps her head on a cabinet door and is taken to the store's health center for a CAT scan. There she is told by company physician Dr. Gupta (Ranjit Chowdhry) she has several brain tumors resulting from a rare neurological disorder called Lampington's Disease. Since her HMO plan will not cover the exorbitant cost of an operation, Georgia resigns herself to the fact she has only a few weeks to live, quits her job, liquidates her assets, and sets off on a dream vacation at the deluxe Grandhotel Pupp in the spa city of Karlovy Vary in the Czech Republic.
Edison
Edison (2005)
, 1h37
Directed by David J. Burke
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Thriller, Action, Crime
Themes Films about journalists
Actors Morgan Freeman, LL Cool J, Justin Timberlake, Kevin Spacey, Dylan McDermott, Cary Elwes
Roles Deed
Rating53% 2.6504552.6504552.6504552.6504552.650455
There is a force of corrupt cops called F.R.A.T, and the policemen who work for F.R.A.T are above the law. That is, until Joshua Pollack, an Edison journalist discovers a glitch in the system. Now, with the help of those who he trusts, he might be able to take F.R.A.T down.
Slow Burn
Slow Burn (2005)
, 1h33
Directed by Wayne Beach
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Thriller, Crime
Actors Ray Liotta, Jolene Blalock, LL Cool J, Mekhi Phifer, Taye Diggs, Bruce McGill
Roles Luther Pinks
Rating56% 2.84782.84782.84782.84782.8478
The movie begins with Nora Timmer (Jolene Blalock), a biracial (African and European) woman, being questioned by Ford Cole (Ray Liotta), the District Attorney. Nora, who also happens to be the Assistant District Attorney, claims to have been raped by Issac Duparde (Mekhi Phifer), prior to shooting him in the head in self-defense. Ty Trippin (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a journalist interviews Ford in his car; Ford anticipating both his first and second questions, surprises Ty by stating them to him before he asks Ford himself. Nora narrates her version of the story to Ford, meeting Issac at a music store, where he came on to her, asking to give her a ride on the rainy night they had first met about a week ago. Nora politely rebuffs his advances, but is left with no other option then to accept his ride in his car, when left stranded in the rain with no cab to respond to her calls. Issac locks the door to his car when Nora tries to leave his vehicle upon reaching her home, only to give her a music cassette as a compliment. Nora tells Ford that Issac waited for her in her house one night, and grabbed her from behind, and he raped her.
Mindhunters, 1h46
Directed by Renny Harlin
Origin USA
Genres Thriller, Horror, Crime, Slasher
Themes Serial killer films
Actors LL Cool J, Jonny Lee Miller, Kathryn Morris, Patricia Velásquez, Clifton Collins, Jr., Eion Bailey
Roles Gabe Jensen
Rating63% 3.151713.151713.151713.151713.15171
The titular Mindhunters are a group of young FBI students who are undergoing training as profilers. Their instructor, experienced profiler Jake Harris (Val Kilmer), employs a highly realistic training approach by assigning the group variants of real investigations, including elaborate sets, props, and FBI actors to play out each scenario.
S.W.A.T.
S.W.A.T. (2003)
, 1h57
Directed by Clark Johnson
Origin USA
Genres War, Thriller, Action, Crime
Themes Films about music and musicians, Hip hop films, Gangster films
Actors Samuel L. Jackson, Colin Farrell, Michelle Rodríguez, LL Cool J, Clark Johnson, Brian Van Holt
Roles Deacon 'Deke' Kaye (as James Todd Smith aka LL Cool J)
Rating61% 3.0507753.0507753.0507753.0507753.050775
Jim Street (Colin Farrell), a former U.S. Navy SEAL and hot-shot cop from the Los Angeles Police Department and his SWAT team are sent to stop a gang of robbers who have taken over a bank. His high-tempered partner and close friend Brian Gamble (Jeremy Renner) disobeys an order to not fire on the bank robbers, and accidentally wounds a hostage in the process. Gamble and Street are demoted by Captain Fuller (Larry Poindexter), the commander of the LAPD Metropolitan Division. Gamble quits following the argument with Fuller, and Street is taken off the team and sent to work in the "gun cage", where he looks after the gear and weaponry. Six months after the incident, the chief of police calls on Sergeant Daniel "Hondo" Harrelson (Samuel L. Jackson) to help re-organize the SWAT division. Hondo puts together a diverse team, including himself, Street, Christina Sánchez (Michelle Rodriguez), Deacon Kaye (LL Cool J), TJ McCabe (Josh Charles), and Michael Boxer (Brian Van Holt). The team members train together, eventually forging bonds of friendship. As a result, their first mission to subdue an unstable gunman is a success.
Deliver Us from Eva, 1h45
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Science fiction, Thriller, Comedy, Comedy-drama, Romantic comedy, Romance
Themes Films based on plays, Films based on works by William Shakespeare
Actors LL Cool J, Gabrielle Union, Essence Atkins, Duane Martin, Mel Jackson, Robinne Lee
Roles Ray Adams
Rating60% 3.0023653.0023653.0023653.0023653.002365
Evangeline (Eva for short) Dandridge works for The Los Angeles Health Department as an inspector, a job most suitable for her bossy and perfectionist nature. She and her sisters, Kareenah, Bethany, and Jacqui, have been taking care of each other since their parents died when they were young. As a result of the combination of her personality and her family's circumstances, Eva's level of involvement in her sisters' lives causes a high level of tension between her and her sisters' significant others (Mike, Tim, and Darrell, respectively).
Rollerball
Rollerball (2002)
, 1h39
Directed by John McTiernan
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Science fiction, Thriller, Fantasy, Action, Adventure
Themes Sports films, Films set in the future, Roller derby, Dystopian films
Actors Chris Klein, Jean Reno, LL Cool J, Rebecca Romijn, Naveen Andrews, Pink
Roles Marcus Ridley
Rating31% 1.55771.55771.55771.55771.5577
It is the year 2005 and the new sport of Rollerball is hugely popular in Central Asia, Russia, China, Mongolia, and Turkey.
Kingdom Come, 1h34
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Comedy
Actors LL Cool J, Jada Pinkett Smith, Vivica A. Fox, Anthony Anderson, Loretta Devine, Kellita Smith
Roles Ray Bud Slocumb
Rating55% 2.756242.756242.756242.756242.75624
Kingdom Come is a story of a family called the Slocumbs, living out in the country, who must come together after the death of a family member, whom no one seems to remember with much fondness. It is based on the Off-Broadway play Dearly Departed.
Charlie's Angels, 1h38
Directed by McG
Origin USA
Genres Thriller, Martial arts, Comedy, Action, Adventure, Crime, Martial arts
Themes Feminist films, Sports films, Transport films, Aviation films, Martial arts films, Political films, Dans un avion, Buddy films
Actors Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore, Lucy Liu, Bill Murray, Sam Rockwell, Kelly Lynch
Roles Mr. Jones
Rating56% 2.802052.802052.802052.802052.80205
Dylan Sanders (Drew Barrymore), Natalie Cook (Cameron Diaz), and Alex Munday (Lucy Liu) are the "Angels," three talented, tough, attractive women who work as private investigators for an unseen millionaire named Charlie (voiced by Forsythe). Charlie uses a speaker in his offices to communicate with the Angels, and his assistant Bosley (Bill Murray) works with them directly when needed.
Any Given Sunday, 2h30
Directed by Oliver Stone
Origin USA
Genres Drama
Themes Sports films, American football films
Actors Al Pacino, Dennis Quaid, Cameron Diaz, James Woods, Jamie Foxx, LL Cool J
Roles Julian Washington
Rating68% 3.449313.449313.449313.449313.44931
The Miami Sharks, a once-great American football team, are now in turmoil and struggling to make the 2001 Associated Football Franchises of America (AFFA) playoffs. They are coached by 30-year veteran Tony D'Amato (Al Pacino), who has fallen out of favor with young owner Christina Pagniacci (Cameron Diaz), who inherited the team, and offensive coordinator Nick Crozier (Aaron Eckhart), who is expected to succeed D'Amato as head coach.
In Too Deep, 1h35
Directed by Michael Rymer
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Thriller, Action, Crime
Themes Films about music and musicians, Hip hop films, Gangster films
Actors Omar Epps, LL Cool J, Stanley Tucci, Pam Grier, Philip Akin, Hill Harper
Roles Dwayne Gittens / God
Rating62% 3.1013.1013.1013.1013.101
Undercover cop Jeffrey Cole (Omar Epps) is a recent graduate of the Cincinnati police academy who dreams of working undercover. Cole manages to get an undercover assignment the day of graduation and earns the praise of his superiors. Good at earning the trust of small-time drug dealer, Cole is given the task of taking down state-wide crack dealer Dwayne Gittens (LL Cool J), an underworld boss so powerful that his nickname is "God". Gittens is known as a family man and a man of the people, contributing to his community and helping those in need. However, there is another side to him, a ruthless leader of a criminal empire who will torture or kill anyone without question. Gittens controls eighty percent of the drug traffic in Cincinnati, Ohio, controls many of his opponents through bribery or intimidation, and appears to be untouchable. Building up his skills and credentials as an effective undercover officer, Cole earns the praise and adoration from his superiors, and he is eventually assigned to undercover work in the case against Gittens.