Grammy-winning rapper and actor James Todd Smith – born in Long Island, New York
on January 14, 1968 – is better known by his stage name, LL Cool J (Ladies Love
Cool James). He began rapping at the age of 10 and by the time he was 16, he
began recording demos with the financial support of his mother and his
grandparents, who helped him purchase the equipment he needed to record. He
adapted the stage name LL Cool J and was signed by Def Jam Records. His first
single, “I Need a Beat” (1984), was a success and paved the way for his
successful 1986 debut album, Radio, which reached n...