GUARADIO’s Artist of
the Month
LL Cool J
MsJai’s pick of the month is no other than Mr. Rock the Bells himself, LL Cool J! Boy, you couldn’t tell me nothing when a Cool J song came on. Whether you are jamming his old or new school, he is sure to please! His music is felt by all no matter what race, sex, or genre. He is the man! He can make the fellas jump or bob their heads to Radio or Bad. While he made the ladies croon with Doin It and Hey Lover. Oh and ladies, what am I thinking not to mention the signature licking of the lips.
LL Cool J is just an all-around great artist! Mama Said Knock You Out, and he did just that. Check out his profile below. One love ya’ll.
Name: James Todd Smith aka Ladies Love Cool James
Year Career Began: March 1984, he was founded by Russell Simmons (Def Jam label) when he was 16, as he had been creating demo tapes in his grandparent’s home. He mentions in an article with the New York Times, that he had been rapping since the age of 9, utilizing the equipment purchased by his grandfather to produce and mix those demos. He then sent those demos out to various record companies.
Early years: Smith was signed by Def Jam, which led to the release of his first official record, the 12-inch single "I Need a Beat" (1984). LL's debut single sold over 100,000 copies and helped establish both Def Jam as a label and Smith as a rapper. The commercial success of "I Need a Beat", along with the Beastie Boys' single "Rock Hard" (1984), helped lead Def Jam to a distribution deal with Columbia Records the following year.
LL’s released “Radio” the next year, earning a significant amount of commercial success and sales for a hip hop record at that time. Shortly after its release, the album sold over 500,000 copies in its first five months, eventually selling over 1 million copies by 1988, according to the Recording Industry Association of America. “Radio” peaked at number 6 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and at number 46 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. It entered the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart on December 28, 1985, and remained there for forty-seven weeks, while also entering the Pop Albums chart on January 11, 1986. By 1989, the album had earned platinum status from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), after earning a gold certification in the United States on April 14, 1986, with sales exceeding one million copies.
"I Can't Live Without My Radio" and "Rock the Bells" were singles that helped the album go platinum. It eventually reached 1,500,000 in US sales.
With the breakthrough success of his hit single "I Need a Beat" and the Radio LP, LL Cool J became one of the first hip-hop acts to achieve mainstream success along with Kurtis Blow and Run-D.M.C.. Gigs at larger venues were offered to LL as he would join the 1986-'87 Raising Hell tour, opening for Run-D.M.C. and the Beastie Boys. Another milestone of LL's popularity was his appearance on American Bandstand as the first hip hop act on the show.
Run-D.M.C.. Gigs at larger venues were offered to LL as he would join the 1986-'87 Raising Hell
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