LL Cool J Reflects on His Legacy: “I’ve Done So Much for the Culture”

LL Cool J, the hip-hop icon and cultural trailblazer, is taking a moment to reflect on his monumental contributions to music, fashion, and entertainment. During a recent interview on Apple Music’s Le Code with Mehdi Maïzi, the 56-year-old artist humbly but confidently declared himself as one of the most significant figures in rap history.

“I think one day people are going to wake up and realize that LL Cool J is the most important rapper that ever existed,” the two-time Grammy winner said. “I truly believe one day people are going to say that.”

Pioneering Rap Trends and Terminology
LL Cool J, whose career spans nearly four decades, highlighted his role in introducing many elements now synonymous with hip-hop culture.

Style and Luxury: “When it comes to the jewelry, this is the guy that introduced all the diamonds, and the ice and the jewelry and the champagne,” LL explained, pointing to his influence in shaping the aesthetic of opulence in rap.
Romantic Rap: LL is also credited with pioneering love songs in hip-hop, an innovation that softened rap’s edges and expanded its emotional range.
Rebellious Vibes: Before it became mainstream, LL Cool J embodied the “bad boy” ethos that would define countless artists after him.
The Originator of “G.O.A.T.”
LL Cool J popularized the term “G.O.A.T.” (Greatest of All Time) with his 2000 album of the same name. While he coined the acronym, he credits inspiration to Muhammad Ali and basketball legend Earl Manigault. Today, “G.O.A.T.” is a universal benchmark for excellence, transcending music and infiltrating sports, business, and pop culture.

From Kangol to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
The rapper’s influence extends far beyond music:

Fashion: LL Cool J helped popularize Kangol hats and paved the way for hip-hop-inspired clothing lines, even collaborating with brands like Fubu and Troop.
Television and Film: In addition to starring in iconic shows like NCIS: Los Angeles and films like Last Holiday and Deep Blue Sea, he seamlessly balanced acting with releasing chart-topping music.
Entrepreneurship and Authorship: LL founded his own record label, P.O.G. (Power of God), and has written four books, including his autobiography I Make My Own Rules.
A Legacy Cemented in Hip-Hop and Beyond
Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2021, LL Cool J continues to be a driving force in entertainment. Reflecting on his legacy, he expressed gratitude for his place in history while emphasizing the profound impact of his career. “I’ve done so much for the culture, it’s almost unfathomable,” he told Maïzi.

From launching his career with Def Jam Recordings in 1984 to inspiring generations of artists, LL Cool J’s contributions remain foundational to the evolution of hip-hop and its crossover into mainstream culture. “Every artist that you can name, the biggest billionaire artists, were launched on the label that I launched on,” he said. “I’m saying this with love… it’s almost unfathomable.”


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