James Todd Smith III (born January 14, 1968) is an American hip hop artist better known by his stage name, LL Cool J ("Ladies Love Cool James"). He is best known for romantic ballads like "I Need Love" as well as hardcore rap like "I Can't Live Without My Radio" & "Mama Said Knock You Out". He has also appeared in several films. He is seen as a sex symbol, and a ladies' man, because of his "flirtatious" lip-licking, and his muscular body. LL Cool J represents an important figure within the hip hop community, and is one of the only hip-hop stars of his era to sustain a successful recording career for more than two decades. He has released 11 albums and a greatest hits album so far, with the much anticipated Todd Smith Pt. 2 to be released in late 2006. The album will be the last on LL's record deal with Def Jam, a deal which has lasted more than twenty years.

Early years

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LL Cool J was born in Bay Shore, Long Island, New York and grew up in the working-class section of St. Albans, Queens, New York, the only child of James and Ondrea Smith. Todd sang in the church choir, played football and was in the Boy Scouts.

Unfortunately, LL's parents had a troublesome, often violent, relationship. As a result, his mother left his father when LL was four and they moved in with her parents in St. Albans, Queens. The relationship turned bloody, when late one night in 1972, his father shot his mother after she returned home from work. According to LL Cool J, who recounted the event in the song "Father" from his Phenomenon album, the elder James was seeking revenge after being abandoned by his family. LL's father shot his mother as she ran into her parents' house for safety. She was hit in the legs and back. LL's grandfather was also shot in the stomach. Both survived the attack.

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