James Todd Smith, known professionally as LL Cool J, is an American rapper, songwriter, record producer, and sometimes, actor.
"Control Myself" is a song by American rapper LL Cool J from his 12th album, Todd Smith (2006). The song was written by Jermaine Dupri, James Phillips, Ryan Toby, John Miller, Afrika Bambaataa, Arthur Baker and John Robie. The song was produced by Dupri, with co-production by LRoc, and features guest vocals from American entertainer Jennifer Lopez. "Control Myself" contains a sample of Bambaataa and Soulsonic Force's 1983 song "Looking for the Perfect Beat", while the vocals interpolate Grandmaster Flash and Melle Mel's 1983 song "White Lines " and Bambaataa and Soulsonic Force's 1982 song "Planet Rock".
"I Need Love" is the second single from LL Cool J's second album, Bigger and Deffer. The single reached number 1 on the Hot Black Singles and number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 while becoming one of the first rap songs to enjoy mainstream popularity in the UK, rising to number 8 in the UK Singles Chart. The single won a Soul Train Music Award for Best Rap Single in 1988 Soul Train Music Awards. The song was listed as number 13 on About.com's Top 100 Rap Songs.
"Around the Way Girl" is the third single by LL Cool J from his 1990 album Mama Said Knock You Out. The song later appeared on LL Cool J's 1996 greatest hits album, All World: Greatest Hits. "Around the Way Girl" peaked at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming LL Cool J's first top 10 single. It was also a hit on the R&B and dance music charts, where it peaked at #5 and #7, respectively. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified "Around the Way Girl" Gold on January 15, 1991, for sales of over 500,000 copies.
"Luv U Better" is a song by LL Cool J, released as the lead single from his ninth studio album, 10 (2002). Released on August 13, 2002, by Def Jam Recordings, it was produced by The Neptunes and features additional vocals from Marc Dorsey. "Luv U Better" was a huge success in the United States, reaching the top five of three major Billboard charts: it peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100, number two on the Hot Rap Tracks, and number one the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.
"The Boomin' System" is the first single released from LL Cool J's fourth album, Mama Said Knock You Out. Produced by Marley Marl and co-produced by LL Cool J., it was released on August 2, 1990, by Def Jam Recordings. It was the first of the six singles released from the album and reached No. 48 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the Hot Rap Singles chart. The song samples "The Payback" and "Funky Drummer" by James Brown and "Bring the Noise" by Public Enemy.
"4, 3, 2, 1" is a song by Queens rapper LL Cool J featuring Method Man, Redman, Canibus and DMX from LL Cool J's seventh album Phenomenon as the second single. It was released on December 9, 1997, for Def Jam Recordings and was produced by LL Cool J and Erick Sermon. The single featured an extended version not featured on the album featuring an additional verse from Southern hip hop rapper Master P. Both the original song and the extended cut had accompanying music videos. The song peaked at number 75 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 10 on the Hot Rap Singles and number 24 Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.
"Headsprung" is a song by American hip hop artist LL Cool J. It was released on June 7, 2004 as the lead single from his eleventh album, The DEFinition. The song was a success on the charts, it peaked at number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 4 on the Hot Rap Songs and number 7 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.
"Paradise" is a song by American rapper LL Cool J featuring American singer Amerie. The song was released on December 14, 2002, as the second single from LL Cool J's ninth studio album, 10 (2002). It also appears on the soundtrack to the 2003 film Deliver Us from Eva, in which LL Cool J stars alongside Gabrielle Union. Singer Tweet was originally slated to provide vocals but Amerie was eventually chosen instead. On the August 12, 2022 edition of The Breakfast Club, 50 Cent revealed that he ghostwritten LL’s verses on the song. "Paradise" embodies portions of Keni Burke's 1982 song "Risin' to the Top", penned by Burke, Allan Felder, and Norma Jean Wright.
"Hat 2 da Back" is a song by American girl group TLC from their debut studio album, Ooooooohhh... On the TLC Tip (1992). It was released as the album's fourth and final single. The song contains samples of "Big Ole Butt" by LL Cool J and "What Makes You Happy" by KC and the Sunshine Band. "Hat 2 da Back" reached number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 14 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles.
The Hits Album 7 or Hits 7 is a compilation album that was released in November 1987 by CBS, BMG, and WEA. It reached #2 in the UK Albums Chart. This was the 10th best selling album of 1987 and was the first in the Hits series to be released on double-CD. It contained 32 tracks, 15 of which appeared on the VHS collection, The Hits Video 7.
"Zoom" is a single by American rappers Dr. Dre and LL Cool J, recorded for and taken from the soundtrack to the film Bulworth.
"Father" is the third single from LL Cool J's seventh album, Phenomenon. It was released on January 13, 1998 for Def Jam Recordings and was produced by the Trackmasters.
"Imagine That" is a song by LL Cool J released as the lead single from his eighth album, G.O.A.T. It was released on June 27, 2000 for Def Jam Recordings, produced by Rockwilder and LL Cool J, and featured a guest appearance by female rapper LeShaun.
"You and Me" is a song by LL Cool J, released as a single from his ninth album, G.O.A.T.. It was released on October 17, 2000 for Def Jam Recordings, was produced by DJ Scratch and LL Cool J, and featured R&B singer Kelly Price. It peaked at #44 on the Billboard's Hot Rap Singles and #59 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.
"Candy" is the fifth and final single from LL Cool J's seventh album, Phenomenon. It was released on July 3, 1998 for Def Jam Recordings and featured production from the Trackmasters, who were then known as Poke & Tone. The song spent two weeks on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart, peaking at No. 62. New Edition members, Ralph Tresvant and Ricky Bell contributed vocals to the song.
Violator: The Album is the first installment in the Violator hip hop compilations series. It was released on August 10, 1999 through Violator/Def Jam Recordings. It was the first release through the imprint Violator Records, a spin-off of Mona Scott & Chris Lighty's Violator Management company. A number of then-Violator Management clients and associates appear on the album, among them Q-Tip, Busta Rhymes, and Noreaga.
"Put Your Hands Up" is a single by LL Cool J from the hip-hop compilation album, Violator: The Album, V2.0. It was released in 2001 for Violator Records and was written and produced from LL and Swizz Beatz. Put Your Hands Up spent 1 week on the Hot Rap Singles chart, peaking at #50.
"Rampage" is the second hit single released from EPMD's third album, Business as Usual. EPMD's new-found labelmate, LL Cool J contributed a verse on the song, while Pete Rock would provide the remix to the song. "Rampage" found its greatest success on the Rap charts, peaking at #2.
"Fatty Girl" is a collaborative single by rappers Ludacris, LL Cool J and Keith Murray. The song was produced by the Trackmasters and was released as the lead single from the FUBU compilation The Good Life. The music video was directed by Hype Williams.
