LL Cool J

James Todd Smith (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 har

James Todd Smith (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". He has also appeared in several films.

LL Cool J was born in Westchester County and grew up in the working-class section of Hollis, Queens, New York, the only child of Ondrea Smith and her husband, James. Todd sang in the church choir, played football and was even in the Boy Scouts.