LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Ll Cool J: James Todd Smith
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Rapper LL Cool J (born James Todd Smith) successfully transitioned to acting, but never forgot his roots. The Queens, NY native escaped the effects of physical and verbal abuse and his own bullying attitude by falling in love with rap at age nine. At age 11, he was writing lyrics and, at 17, got his break with Def Jam Records. He's since had several platinum-selling albums. His acting credits include the sitcom, In the House, and the films Mindhunters, Last Holiday and Deliver Us from Eva. 'Todd Smith' is his new CD.
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LL Cool J lived in North Babylon, Long Island, New York with his mother in his junior high years. Not many people know that James Todd Smith came out before Rakim and Kool G Rap. LL's first album was released in November 18, 1985 titled Radio. Rakim's first album with Eric Barrier titled Paid in Full was released on July 7, 1987. Kool G Rap's first album dropped in 1989 with DJ Polo titled Road To The Riches.
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LL Cool J (James Todd Smith) was born on January 14, 1968, and raised by his grandparents in Queens, NY. His stage name stands for "Ladies Love Cool James." LL became the first rap artist to have 6 consecutive million-selling LPs. His career image has seen him transcend from streetwise rapper, to sitcom actor, and back to streetwise rapper. What separates LL from other rappers today (besides longevity) is his ability to rap about life's highs and lows without continuous intense and offensive language. By doing this, LL has achieved more admiration, and in turn, credibility, than many of his fellow rap artists.
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Although most know him as LL Cool J, this hot Rap Music artist and actor was actually born James Todd Smith III. His rapping name was coined in highschool, and stands for 'Ladies Love Cool James'. He is often thought of as a Ladies man, and is known for his trademark lip-licking and for always wearing a hat.
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LL Cool J was (and still is) a defining figure in the hip-hop movement. He was born as James Todd Smith in Westchester County, NY, and he worked as a paperboy prior to getting involved in hip-hop music. LL Cool J overcame several traumatic early childhood experiences, including watching his father shoot his mother and his grandfather. With music in his background and in his blood... he was able to escape his difficult background and get signed with Def Jam Records in 1984.
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James Todd Smith III, better known as LL Cool J, is an American hip hop artist and actor. He is one of a few hip-hop stars of his era to sustain a successful recording career for more than two decades. He has released 12 albums and a greatest hits compilation. His next album, "Exit 13", set to be released sometime in May, 2007, will be the last for LL's record deal with Def Jam Recordings, a deal which has lasted more than twenty years, making it the longest single hip hop deal to date. He will be inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame in 2007.
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James Todd Smith