LL Cool J

LL Cool J on What Drew Him to Hip-Hop: ‘I Had Never Heard Young, Black Men Sound Powerful Before’

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LL Cool J at Lollapalooza 2018

One of Hip-Hop’s biggest stars of all time, LL Cool J, pulled up on Kevin Hart’s Gold Minds podcast to reflect on his career and the 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop. During his conversation, LL reveals what drew him to music.

“I started writing rhymes at 11, 12 years old. I started writing my own rhymes. Why was I attracted to it? Because I had never heard young, black men sound powerful before. Every time I saw black men on TV, they were like being handcuffed and being put in a police car. Or it was a bad story. Or they were somebody that I couldn’t relate to that was way far away somewhere. But these guys were right there where I was from. And they were dreaming big… back then, it was a dream and that bragging and that macho stick your chest out pride was really about ‘I want to be somebody, I want to be heard, I don’t want to be invisible.’ To a certain extent, it was overcompensation for what wasn’t happening for us in the community… it made me feel like it was possible to make it. I was inspired. And that’s why I love it so much and why I still do it.”

– LL Cool J

You can hear the full episode below.

The post LL Cool J on What Drew Him to Hip-Hop: ‘I Had Never Heard Young, Black Men Sound Powerful Before’ first appeared on The Source.

The post LL Cool J on What Drew Him to Hip-Hop: ‘I Had Never Heard Young, Black Men Sound Powerful Before’ appeared first on The Source.

Mary J. Blige and LL Cool J’s Wife Team Up for 90s Hip-Hop Jewelry Collection

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Mary J. Blige, Simone I. Smith

Mary J. Blige, along with her business partner and LL Cool J’s wife, Simone I. Smith, have come together to introduce a jewelry collection that pays tribute to the essence of 90s hip-hop. Mary J. Blige & Simone Show ‘Sister Love’ The brand, Sister Love, is a celebration of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary and its impact […]

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LL Cool J, Pop Smoke, Rakim, And Cam’Ron Will Appear On Special ‘Hip-Hop 50’ MTA Cards

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mta cards 2023
Metropolitan Transportation Authority

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority of New York is honoring East Coast rappers in a very special way. In conjunction of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary, the MTA is issuing special edition cards featuring rappers who hail from New York City — the birthplace of hip-hop.

On different versions of the Metro Cards are rappers LL Cool J, Pop Smoke, Rakim, and Cam’Ron. The cards arrive as part of a partnership with Universal Music Group.

The LL Cool J and Pop Smoke cards are available beginning today, at stations in their respective neighborhoods. LL Cool J’s will be available to purchase at Forest Hills-71 Av and Pop’s Canarsie-Rockaway Pkwy (L) & New Lots Av (3)

Cam and Rakim’s will be available for purchase later this month, throughout the entire MTA system.

“From standing on top of the Empire State Building to grabbing a slice at the corner pizza shop, NYC creates iconic moments that are recognized around the world,” said Rakim in a statement. “But it doesn’t get closer to real city life than swiping a metro card and standing clear of the closing doors. It’s an honor to be celebrating the 50th Anniversary on the streets…and now below them…of the city where hip-hop was born.”

In similar New York-related news, the Brooklyn Public Library also recently announced that it would be offering a selection of Jay-Z inspired library cards, as part of its ongoing The Book Of Hov exhibition, honoring the rapper’s inspiring career.

You can see some of the Metro Cards above.

[WATCH] LL Cool J Drops Freestyle On “Sway In The Morning”

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LL COOL J stopped by the SiriusXM studios and appeared on SiriusXM’s Sway In The Morning to talk about the Rock The Bells Festival this upcoming Saturday in Queens, New York, as well as his upcoming tour THE F.O.R.C.E. (FREQUENCIES OF REAL CREATIVE ENERGY).

While talking with SiriusXM’s Sway Calloway, LL also discussed his comments on the rumors that Biggie dissed him on “Who Shot Ya?,” his upcoming album, and freestyled live on the air.

The post [WATCH] LL Cool J Drops Freestyle On “Sway In The Morning” first appeared on The Source.

The post [WATCH] LL Cool J Drops Freestyle On “Sway In The Morning” appeared first on The Source.

[WATCH] LL Cool J Freestyles During a Visit to ‘Sway in the Morning’

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LL Cool J Freestyles During a Visit to 'Sway in the Morning'

LL Cool J still got it and will never lose it. LL COOL J made a special appearance at the SiriusXM studios, joining Sway Calloway on SiriusXM’s Sway In The Morning. During the interview, LL discussed Saturday’s Rock The Bells Festival in Queens, New York. He also shared exciting details about his upcoming tour, THE F.O.R.C.E. (FREQUENCIES OF REAL CREATIVE ENERGY).

Addressing the rumors, LL Cool J discussed his take on whether Biggie dissed him on the track “Who Shot Ya?” Furthermore, he gave fans a sneak peek into his forthcoming album.

As a treat for listeners, LL Cool J showcased his iconic skills by freestyling live on the air, reminding everyone why he is considered one of the greatest in the game. You can hear the entire freestyle and interview with LL below.

LL COOL J Addresses Biggie Rumors | 18:45

LL COOL J on Ageism in Hip-Hop | 24:00

LL COOL J Freestyles on Sway in the Morning | 33:00

The post [WATCH] LL Cool J Freestyles During a Visit to ‘Sway in the Morning’ first appeared on The Source.

The post [WATCH] LL Cool J Freestyles During a Visit to ‘Sway in the Morning’ appeared first on The Source.

LL Cool J Shares His Take On Miranda Lambert Calling Out Her Selfie-Taking Concertgoers: ‘Get Over It, Baby’

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LL Cool J 2021
Getty Image

Miranda Lambert has been in the headlines quite a bit lately after calling out fans at her concert for taking selfies while she was in the middle of performing. Though many gave her slack for embarrassing her own fans, it was reported that these “fans” were a group of six women turned away from Lambert and blocking the view of other fans while using flash.

However, LL Cool J gave his take on the controversy while appearing on the radio show Mercedes in the Morning. He was asked if he would call out a fan for taking a selfie at his concert, and he laughed and answered, “No,” and added, “Miranda, get over it, baby. They’re fans. It’s fans.”

He continued, “I can’t speak for her. I’m not gonna judge her. I have nothing unkind to say about her. I wish her the best. She has the right to her feelings. But to me, I let the fans be the fans and do what they want to do.”

Lambert would probably disagree. When calling out the fans, she said, “I’m gonna stop right here for a second, I’m sorry. These girls are worried about their selfie and not listening to the song, it’s pissing me off a little bit. Sorry, I don’t like it at all. We’re here to hear some country music tonight. I’m singing some country damn music.”

LL Cool J Announces The F.O.R.C.E Live Tour With Hip-Hop Legends

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LL Cool J is returning triumphantly to the stage with The F.O.R.C.E. Live Tour, featuring an all-star lineup of music’s greatest legends. This marks the hip-hop icon’s first headlining venture in 30 years and coincides with the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. With a rotating cast, Queen Latifah, Rakim, Common, and many more, fans can expect […]

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LL Cool J and Ice-T Team Up For New Show ‘Hip Hop Treasures’

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LL Cool J and Ice T’s new show on A&E will take a trip down memory lane and discuss some of hip hop’s coolest and most iconic memorabilia.

Deadline confirmed that the rappers-turned-actors would join forces on the new show Hip Hop Treasures, a docu-series focusing on hunting down memorable pieces important to hip hop culture.

From Flava Flav’s iconic clock chain to DMX’s Aaliyah car, fans can expect the nostalgia to be on full display, while hip-hop aficionados can rejoice at true artists of the craft bringing these items back to their memory.

The new dynamic duo will collaborate with a team of field collectors, such as Cipha Sounds and Yo-Yo, and curators of the Universal Hip-Hop Museum, Paradise Gray and Pete Nice. The museum will debut the biggest collection of hip-hop memorabilia next year.

CeeLo Green, Master P, and Soulja Boy, to name a few, will be present to help the co-hosts on their many quests.

LL Cool J and Ice-T  have made names for themselves in Hollywood starring in hit shows such as Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and NCIS: Los Angeles. Hip Hop Treasures is sure to be a hit with hip hop fans of all ages.

The show debuts on Aug. 12 at 10 p.m. on A&E.

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LL Cool J & Ice T Unveil New Hip-Hop Series “Hip Hop Treasures”

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LL Cool J & Ice T

LL Cool J and Ice T are teaming up for an exciting new venture as they unveil the upcoming series Hip Hop Treasures. Set to premiere on Saturday, August 12th, 2023, at 10 PM ET on A&E Network; the show takes viewers on a captivating journey searching for lost hip-hop memorabilia. To showcase hip-hop’s cultural […]

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LL Cool J And Ice-T Uncover Iconic Hip Hop Memorabilia In New A&E Series ‘Hip Hop Treasures’

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It has been confirmed that Hip Hop vets, LL Cool J and Ice-T, have teamed up for a new television reality series to find rare Hip Hop memorabilia to debut on the A&E network.

Hip Hop Treasures, which is slated to premiere on A&E on August 12, will follow the two legends of the game ad they hunt for some of the most sought after Hip Hop gems.

“Led by LL COOL J and Ice T alongside field collectors and museum curators, the team tells the story of some of Hip Hop’s greatest artists and the items they made famous such as The Notorious B.I.G.’s iconic jersey from the “Juicy” video, Flavor Flav’s clocks, DMX’s Aaliyah car, and more,” reads the show’s brief synopsis.. “This exclusive partnership between A&E, Pulse Films, LL COOL J’s Rock The Bells and The Universal Hip Hop Museum honors these music legends and brings their items back to the birthplace of the culture, The Bronx.”

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