Born James Todd Smith on January 14, 1968, in Queens, New York, LL Cool J had a violent childhood. His parents, James and Ondrea Smith, split when he was very young. When he was four, his father returned one night and shot his mother and grandfather in front of him. Both survived the shooting, but the violence didn’t end there. Ondrea began dating her physical therapist, but for years the man would frequently beat young James. When his mother discovered the abuse she ended the relationship.
LL Cool J turned to rap music as a way to express himself at a young age. By age eleven he was writing his own music and recording it with DJ equipment. He made demo tapes and sent them to various labels. At age sixteen, LL Cool J was signed by Def Jam Recordings. He was their first break out star and is still with the label.
He dropped out of school and recorded the album Radio, which was a critical and commercial success. Throughout his recording career, LL Cool J has differentiated himself from other rappers by staying away from the violent and misogynistic music style and lifestyle that many rappers embrace.
He also has stayed away from the crazy dating life that most entertainers have; he and his wife Simone have been together since the late 1980s. They have four children, Najee, born in 1989; Italia, born in 1990; Samaria, born in 1995; and Nina Simone, born in 2000. The couple was married in 1995 and lives both in New York and L.A.
In 1986, LL Cool J began a movie career with a bit part as a rapper in the Goldie Hawn film Wildcats. In 1991 he made his acting debut in the Michael J Fox and James Woods film The Hard Way. Many movies followed including Toys in 1992, with Robin Williams; Halloween H20 in 1998, with Jamie Lee Curtis; In Too Deep in 1999, with Omar Epps; Charlie’s Angels in 2000; Rollerball in 2002; and Last Holiday in 2005, as the love interest of Queen Latifah. He often uses his given name, James Todd Smith, in acting credits.
In addition to music and acting, LL Cool J is a humanitarian. He founded Camp Cool J Foundation in 1992, which gives city kids an opportunity to attend camps for free. The foundation also addresses issues that affect the youth's lives, such as drugs, violence, and AIDS.
LL Cool J continues to record and act. His next album, Todd Smith Pt. 2: Back to Cool, is due to be released in the fall of 2006. His next film, Heartland, has him playing an inner city school teacher who relocates to the Midwest.
YUDDY
