LL Cool J is giving himself a well-deserved nod of approval. On Friday, November 29th, the iconic "Going Back to Cali" rapper, now 56, graced Apple Music's Le Code with host Mehdi Maïzi, delving into his myriad contributions to the realms of rap and hip-hop culture.
"I'll say this with all humility, but I mean it from the bottom of my heart," he began. "One day, people will awaken to the realization that LL Cool J stands as the most significant rapper to have ever existed. I genuinely believe that this will be their eventual consensus."
"They'll look back and marvel, 'Wow, this is the man who ushered in the era of blinged-out jewelry, the ice, the dazzling accessories, and the bubbly champagne.' And when it comes to love songs," he continued, "they'll recognize, 'This is the pioneer who introduced the genre's romantic tunes and all that sweet, sweet love.'"
"Regarding the bad boy aura, they'll see that I was the one who introduced that rebellious, tough-guy vibe before it became a trend. And speaking of the G.O.A.T. terminology," the Grammy Award winner noted, "they'll acknowledge, 'This is the mind behind all that G.O.A.T. jargon.' I could elaborate endlessly."
LL Cool J is credited as one of the originators of the popular acronym G.O.A.T., which stands for "greatest of all time," with the release of his 2000 album of the same title. Though he coined the term, he conceded that it serves as a tribute to boxing legend Muhammad Ali, famously known as "the greatest," as well as Harlem basketball player Earl Manigault.
"They'll say, when discussing Fubu, 'Yo, this guy conceptualized the whole clothing line idea. And before that, he had Troop.' When it comes to endorsements, they'll recall, 'Oh, this is the man who popularized Kangol hats before anyone else did,'" he recounted.
"When discussing television, they'll remark, 'Oh, this is the individual who achieved incredible feats on TV while simultaneously crafting extraordinary music,'" the FORCE artist elaborated. "It wasn't just about using TV as a stepping stone for rap. When it comes to business... I could truly go on forever."
Beyond crafting music, LL Cool J, who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2021, has starred in numerous TV shows and films, including NCIS: Los Angeles, Last Holiday, and Deep Blue Sea. He's also authored four books, including his autobiography I Make My Own Rules, and founded his own music label, P.O.G., which stands for the Power of God.
"I've done so much for this culture; it's almost beyond comprehension," the emcee, who signed with Def Jam Recordings in 1984, told Maïzi. "Every major artist you can think of, even the billionaire ones, were launched on the label that I founded. I'm saying this with genuine affection, not in jest or arrogance. When I reflect on the true epicenter of my accomplishments, it's almost overwhelming."
