I’m By Jamil Weeks

Rap music fans have very short memories. In a culture predicated on keeping up with the latest trends, we often gloss over the achievements of those who have paved the way for the current music stars. If you were not born before a certain time, you most likely are not aware of the impact of certain rap giants, like Rakim, Kool G. Rap, Schooly D, Melle Mel, Kool Moe Dee, or Run DMC. Recently, another rap pioneer made a bold statement about his legacy. Rap icon, LL Cool J, said "I think that one day people are going to wake up and realize LL Cool J is the most important rapper that ever existed,” during a conversation on Apple’s Le Code. Some may find this statement to be outlandish. However, if you examine LL’s career and his contributions to the genre more closely, you might think to yourself that he has a point. Without LL Cool J, the rap game would not be where it is today.

Def Jam’s First Artist

Def Jam is the premier rap label. Co-founded by Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin, the powerhouse label was home to some of the biggest and most influential stars in hip hop like The Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, Redman, and Jay-Z. The artist who put Def Jam on the map was LL. Signing to the label as a teenager, LL released his debut album, Radio. The album was important for a few reasons. Radio put Def Jam on the map. The critical and commercial success of the album was also the foundation of one of the most decorated careers in hip hop history for LL Cool J. The album was pivotal in elevating the genre by helping to usher in the new school era during the 80’s. Finally, Radio helped establish Rick Rubin as a rap producer. The success of LL with his debut and follow-up albums throughout the decades helped Def Jam grow into a global brand. Def Jam is the definitive rap label that has dipped their hands in video games, comedy shows, movie soundtracks, and creative partnerships with companies like Marvel. LL was also helpful in introducing another Def Jam Star, DMX, to the masses with his controversial hit “4, 3, 2, 1”. Without LL’s early success, the label may not have been able to reach such astronomical heights.

First Rapper With 10 Consecutive Platinum Albums

Sales are not everything. However when you are the first to do it, that warrants recognition. When I was a kid growing up in the 80s, rap music was viewed by many as nothing more than a fad that would fade away once the next biggest music trend surfaced. LL shattered that narrative, becoming the first example of sustained success in rap. He showed other rappers you can build a long lasting career in rap, and leverage that success to venture into other areas, like film or fashion. LL was Drake before Drake. Rap’s heart throb that made hit after hit as a rap ballad pioneer. LL was also well-balanced as an artist, who could make hits for the streets as well as being battle tested. The feuds with Kool Moe Dee, Ice T, and Canibus inspired some of the most venomous diss records in hip hop, like “The Ripper” and “To the Break of Dawn”. The diversity of his artistry and the commercial success made LL the prototype for future rappers. The consistency in putting out music that climbed the charts in four different decades kept his trophy case stacked. LL is a two time Grammy Award winner, the youngest recipient and first rapper of the Kennedy Center Honor Awards, and was recently inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. You can trace all this prestigious recognition back to his consistent platinum plus success, which included influential classics.

Pioneer in Rapper to Actor Transition

LL is one the first rappers to have a successful acting career. With his acting debut in the classic, Krush Groove, LL proved he was a legitimate double threat as a rapper and actor. He later earned a roll in the 1986 film, Wildcats, which was also Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson’s first film. LL would appear in numerous movies working with heavyweight Hollywood directors like Barry Levinson and Oliver Stone. Diversify his acting portfolio, LL would also leave his mark in television. Starring in his own sitcom, In the House, and NCIS, LL would score two Emmy wins and multiple NAACP Awards for his work as a television actor. LL was in that class of rappers turned actors, that included Queen Latifah and Ice T. LL was a pioneer in showing up-and-coming rappers that they could use their celebrity to pursue other passions outside of rap.

The Business Mogul

LL is one of the few artists that owns the masters to his music catalogue. Taking control of his career, LL was one of the first rappers to branch out into the business world. In fact, he began forming his own businesses in the early 90s when rap was burgeoning on consistent mainstream success. LL formed his own record label, P.O.G. (Power of God), back in 1993. LL began sharpening his skills as a businessman in the 80s working with a sportswear line, TROOP. The work with TROOP led to him establishing his own urban clothing line, Todd Smith, as well as having ownership in the late 90s brand, FUBU. Perhaps his most well-known business venture is establishing Rock the Bells, proving you can be a cultivator of the culture while also making good money. Highlighting the essential elements of hip hop, the company publishes news articles, produces podcasts hosted by other rappers and personalities, throws annual festivals and shows, partners with other businesses with licensed merchandise, and hosts a website with an online store all dedicated to preserving hip hop culture. Due to helping build the hip hop Mecca, Def Jam, LL also earned equity in the company. Make no mistake about it, LL is the blueprint for a lot of today’s moves by current rappers.

The F.O.R.C.E.

Sometimes you gotta pop out and show people who you are as a reminder. LL has proven himself to be worthy of being crowned the G.O.A.T. with his The F.O.R.C.E. tour accompanied by the collaboration album with Q-Tip by the same name. The tour and the album proved LL is a true master of ceremonies. On the tour, LL headlined a show that featured performances from some of the nicest emcees such as Black Thought and Rakim. I personally had the chance to attend this show in 2023 in Charlotte, NC. I can confidently say it was probably the best show I have ever seen. LL’s energy sent the crowd into a frenzy, reciting all his words to his classics. I witnessed one of the greatest emcees command a crowd like no other outside of KRS-One, Busta Rhymes, or Supernatural. LL is one of the greatest live performers in hip hop. After completing the tour, he released the long-awaited The F.O.R.C.E. album this past summer. At 56 years old, LL put out an album that not only is one of the best rap releases in 2024, but is arguably the best album in his own discography. The album proved LL is still one of the game’s greatest artists and lyricists. Going toe to toe with artists like Busta Rhymes, Eminem, and Nas, LL showed he can still hold his own against other respected legends. The F.O.R.C.E. album also showed LL’s dedication to his craft, as he admittedly had to learn how to rap again to make his rhymes relevant to today’s music climate. The tour and album were statements on his career longevity over the decades and a testament to his importance to rap music. For a more thorough analysis of The F.O.R.C.E. album, check out my review from earlier this year.

https://www.weeksagenda.com/post/ll-cool-j-and-q-tip-chemistry-does-not-sound-forced-on-new-album

Conclusion

Is LL correct that he should be viewed as the most important person in hip hop? He certainly has a valid claim. You can make the argument that other rappers have been more impactful. Run DMC and Rakim changed everything after them. They are just as important if not more than LL. However, what they lack is a successful career spanning decades in music, film, fashion, and business at the level of LL. The ability to make different types of songs that translate into hit records, the versatility in creating music that caters to different audiences, and the accolades and awards put some distance between him and the rest. LL has penetrated multiple mediums as a rapper, from the music to radio to the internet. He is rap’s first superstar. The rapper who laid the groundwork with limited resources for the rappers tgat followed in his footsteps. Maybe there have been rappers who sold more records, who have a better flow, who are nicer, or have more streams. But at some point, they all borrowed something from LL. Not too many rappers can boast of having a more flourishing or significant career as Todd Smith. The guy that had everyone rocking Kangols in the 80s. Who loved hip hop so much he tattooed a mic on his arm. My personal first favorite rapper, LL’s accomplishments helped turn hip hop into a multi-billion dollar industry, solidifying his status as THE G.O.A.T.