By
Vic Everett
LOS
ANGELES, California -- The story of James
Todd Smith contains the same personal struggles
you’d find in the first chapter of most
any modern self-help book.
“I
had to evolve,” he said, when asked
to explain the transformation from teenage
phenomenon to international music star. “When
I was 15, I’d write my rhymes in my
book and walk around lookin’ for a battle
because I wanted [respect.]”
|
Music
and film star LL Cool J gives details and
shares some time with the readers of 30 Below
magazine. |
Wandering
through the streets of his native Queens,
NY for hours on end isn’t necessary
anymore, however, now that he’s found
the recognition he was seeking. Smith, 38,
now known the world over as L.L. Cool J, has
managed to go from neighborhood phenomenon
to one of pop music’s most recognizable
figures. First recorded in 1985 by fledgling
entrepreneurs Rick Rubin and Russell Simmons
on the then-independent Def Jam label, Cool
J immediately made a national name for himself
with a gritty song called “I Need A
Beat.”
Eight
full-length albums followed, although the
public’s reaction to each has been mixed,
going something like this: Radio (1986) --
Definitely bangin’; Bad (1987) -- Filled
with hits; Walking With A Panther (1989) --
Just so-so; Mama Said Knock You Out! (1990)
-- Whoa; 14 Shots to the Dome (1992) -- Yawn;
mr. smith (1995) -- A sophisticated wonder;
phenomenon (1997) -- out of respect for Mr.
Smith, this one will be quickly passed-over.
Nevertheless, that was then. Now is the time
of the The DEFinition.
| Packed
with enough tracks to jumpstart the career
of any rap hopeful, The DEFinition CD
might just be the vehicle that brings
Cool James back to the masses. Songs like
"Hush" and “Headsprung”
were added to radio station play lists
faster then you could say “hit record,”
and by the time you’re reading this,
The DEFinition will have been certified
gold by the RIAA, and well on its way
to platinum status. |
LL
Cool J, second from right, signs an
autograph for an excited fan.
|
| “I
mean that’s the external obvious,”
Cool J explained, when asked if labeling
his newest CD The DEFinition was a ploy
intended to stir controversy and sell
units.
|
CONTINUE
|
