March 8th, 2012 Author:
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LL Cool J is the stage name of James Todd Smith. He was born on January 14, 1968 in Queens, New York. At age 16, LL Cool J produced and created demos using a mixing table purchased by his grandfather at Sears. He then sent them to various record companies, including Def Jam Recordings. Def Jam released his first record, the 12" single "I Need a Beat". The single sold over 100,000 copies and helped establish LL as a rapper in the music industry. The success of "I Need a Beat" helped lead to a distribution deal with Def Jam and Columbia Records in 1985. Soon after, LL Cool J dropped out of Hillcrest High School to record his debut album, Radio. The album earned considerable Billboard chart success and sold in excess of 500,000 copies within its first five months of release. On April 19, 1989, it was certified platinum in sales by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). LL Cool J has since released thirteen records which include Bigger and Deffer (1987), Mama Said Knock You Out (1990), Phenomenon (1997) and Exit 13 (2008). He now resides in Manhasset, New York with his wife and four children. The couple has also adopted several times.
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