Opinion: 8 Reasons Why LL COOL J is the Most Important Rapper Ever
In today’s culture, words like “legend” and “icon” are tossed around too loosely. If there’s anyone in the history of hip-hop who is befitting of those titles it would be James Todd Smith, more famously known as LL COOL J. Without hyperbole, the Queens native is the through-line that runs through hip-hop history. His lyrical acuity, creativity, and charm has given him a career that has not been matched in any genre. You would be hard-pressed to find another rapper who could claim that they rocked the stage with Kurtis Blow and Lil Uzi Vert. The contributions of LL to hip-hop culture have been immeasurable.
During an appearance on Apple Music‘s Le Code, LL spoke about a possible biopic on his life and shared what he believed is his status in the history of hip-hop.
“I think that one day people are going to wake up and realize LL COOL J is the most important rapper that ever existed,” LL explained. “I truly believe one-day people will say that.” He goes on to break down that he was the first one to ever set the trend on what other rappers were doing.
While some may have questioned LL's statement, many cosigned Uncle L’s sentiments because of what he’s represented for four decades in the culture.
To bring you up to speed on Big Elly’s greatness, here are 8 Reasons LL COOL J Is The Most Important Rapper Ever.
The First Artist Signed To Def Jam
For 40 years, Def Jam has been synonymous with rap music. Founded by Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin, LL COOL J was the fledgling label’s flagship artist. Signed to Def Jam Recordings in 1984, LL COOL J shifted the rap landscape with "I Need a Beat.” The success of the song led to Def Jam landing a distribution deal with Columbia Records. The following year, LL released his landmark debut album, Radio, and the rest is history. It's safe to say without LL, there wouldn't be a Def Jam. As he rapped on “Ill Bomb” ‘Ask Russell Simmons who put 'em up in that skyscraper.”
Rap’s First Solo Superstar
The legendary Kurtis Blow is the first rap solo star but LL took it to another level. From his iconic Kangol to his aggressive, braggadocio lyricism, his mere presence was a game changer. Unlike his predecessors who wore costumes in the vein of 70s funk bands, LL represented the b-boty aesthetic and became hip-hop’s first solo superstar. Without question, LL is the template of the modern-day superstar rapper who is still being duplicated to this day.
Unparalleled Longevity
Since debuting in 1984, LL COOL J has been at the top of the rap game. In 2024, his FORCE album is his best project in years and is a candidate for hip-hop album of the year. LL is the only rapper who was a contemporary of Kurtis Blow, Run-DMC, Whodini, and the Beastie Boys, and was also among an elite class of MCs such as Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, Krs-One, and Kool G. Rap. Spanning decades, LL was successful enough to have hits in the 90s, the 2000s, and beyond. Although his lyrics will always be his calling card, his ability to reinvent himself is his true superpower. At 56 years old, he plays in sold-out arenas. Simply put, he’s better than ever.
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LL Created the Rap Ballad
Of all of his vast achievements, LL's greatest legacy may be that he created the “rap ballad” with “I Need Love.” Released from his second album, Bigger and Deffer, the song reached number 1 on the Hot Black Singles chart and peaked at number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100. But the impact was much greater than what the charts could measure. Wherever you hear rap songs about love or heartbreak from Nas, JAY-Z, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, Drake, J. Cole, and a host of others, they are all branches from the James Tood Smith tree of songwriting.
Helped To Bridge The East Coast and West Coast
One of the trailblazing achievements of LL’s career that often gets overlooked is his embrace of West Coast hip-hop. Before Ice Cube came to New York to work with the Bomb Squad on AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted, LL was churning out hits with producers from Los Angeles. On his second album Bigger and Deffer, LL teamed up with L.A. Posse who was made up of DJ Pooh, DJ Bobcat, Muffla, and Big Dad. They went on to produce “I’m Bad” and “I Need Love” which would become two of LL’s biggest songs. The album went on to sell more than two million copies solidifying his status in the rap game and establishing the first successful bi-coastal collaboration.
The ‘GOAT’
The term 'GOAT' is popular nomenclature today but LL was one of the first to give power to the title. In 1997, LL was featured in The Source Magazine when his seventh studio album, Phenomenon, was released. He is seen clutching five mics which was the magazine’s classic album rating. This is when the title “Greatest Of All Time” first started to float around. While "GOAT" (Greatest of All Time) was first used by Muhammad Ali's wife in the 1990s. LL later began using it on his 2000 album “G.O.A.T. featuring James T. Smith: The Greatest of All Time.” He made sure to credit Ali and streetball legend Earl “The Goat” Manigault for inspiring him.
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LL Star’s Power Transcends Rap Music
Because he’s a trailblazer in so many ways, LL notched many accomplishments as the “first rapper to.” In the mid-1980s, he helped to popularize the sportswear line TROOP, he’s the author of four books, including LL COOL J Presents The Streets Win: 50 Years of Hip-Hop Greatness. In the 90s, he launched FUBU into the mainstream on GAP commercials. For five seasons, he was the star of “In the House” and played NCIS Special Agent Sam Hanna in “NCIS: Los Angeles” and “NCIS: Hawaiʻi”. He also hosted Lip Sync Battle for four seasons. Additionally, he starred in numerous films such as Krush Groove, Toys, Deep Blue Sea, Halloween In Too Deep, Any Given Sunday, Deliver Us From Eva, SWAT, and several more. His Rock The Bells brand is the umbrella for music festivals, cruises, and his own radio station on SiriusXM. LL’s artistry knows no bounds.
LL Boasts an Impeccable Resume Full of Accolades
LL COOL J’s resume is impeccable, and it’s still being written. A two-time Grammy winner, he was the first rapper to receive Kennedy Center Honors. In 2021, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the Musical Excellence category. LL COOL J is a one-of-one.
