About LL Cool J
"When adversity strikes, that's when you have to be the most calm. Take a step back, stay strong, stay grounded and press on."
- Born James Todd Smith on Jan. 14, 1968, in Bay Shore, New York
- LL Cool J's first official release was the 1985 single "I Need A Beat," which helped establish success early on for then-nascent label Def Jam. Later that year, the rapper achieved wider critical success and commercial acclaim with his debut album, Radio, which eventually sold more than 1 million copies.
- LL Cool J won his first career GRAMMY for 1991 for Best Rap Performance for "Mama Said Knock You Out."
- Did you know? The rapper hosted five consecutive GRAMMY telecasts from the 55th GRAMMY Awards in 2012 to the 58th GRAMMY Awards in 2016.
- The rapper is a longtime supporter of Chrysalis, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing resources and support for homeless and low-income individuals.
All Grammy Awards and
Nominations for LL Cool J
| Year | Award | Artists | Work | All Nominees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Best Rap Album | LL Cool J | The Definition | All Nominees |
| 2004 | Best Melodic Rap Performance | LL Cool J, Marc Dorsey | Luv U Better | All Nominees |
| 1998 | Best Rap Solo Performance | LL Cool J | Ain't Nobody (Single) | All Nominees |
| 1997 | Best Rap Solo Performance | LL Cool J | Hey Lover | All Nominees |
| 1997 | Best Rap Album | LL Cool J | Mr. Smith (Album) | All Nominees |
| 1994 | Best Rap Solo Performance | LL Cool J | Stand By Your Man (Single) | All Nominees |
| 1993 | Best Rap Solo Performance | LL Cool J | Strictly Business (Single) | All Nominees |
| 1992 | Best Rap Solo Performance | LL Cool J | Mama Said Knock You Out | All Nominees |
| 1989 | Best Rap Performance | LL Cool J | Going Back To Cali (Single) | All Nominees |
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