The return of LL COOL J, the rapper

As a teenager LL COOL J was the first artist signed to the Def Jam label, becoming one of the first major hip-hop stars, with hits like "Going Back to Cali" and "Mama Said Knock You Out." He turned to acting, starring for 14 seasons on "NCIS: Los Angeles." Now 56, he's returned to the thing he loves most - rapping - with his first album in more than a decade, "The FORCE." He talks with "Sunday Morning" contributor Kelefa Sanneh about the origins of his career, and the magic of making a hip-hop record.
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[@AHMAD-2324]

LL Cool J is still something like a Phenomenon...The F.O.R.C.E. is🔥

[@vikctorrkreedd6418]

I bought the wax Lp a few days ago

[@DonGivani]

🎶Don't call it a comeback, I've been here for years 🎶

[@anyexpat]

Well had you not posted that, I would have. First thing that went through my mind as i saw the headline.

[@NolaChick82]

"Paint on silence" is such a great line.

[@queenkayenandi9322]

Wow! I’ve been listening to LL Cool J since record players and component sets. He has stood the test of time. Thank you for the music.

[@chuckxu5910]

LL is a East Coast rapper, snoop dog is a West Coast rapper

[@j-emcee4420]

Component set, wow ain't heard that in minute lol

[@deeward5572]

​@chuckxu5910 LL is Hip-hop...

[@chuckxu5910]

@@deeward5572 what’s the difference, you’re comparing orange 🍊and apple 🍏

[@marxman300]

​@@chuckxu5910krs one - rap is something u do, hip hop is something u live

[@pensivepenguin3000]

Whether you like hip-hop or not, LL is a role model for any young person trying to accomplish a dream, especially in the face of some serious adversity. I admire the hell out of this guy. Now look at him - pushing 60 and still doing it

[@Nurseakeem]

Especially if your bisexual lmao

[@pensivepenguin3000]

@@Nurseakeem oh, is he? I wasn’t aware. Good for him either way. That’s none of my business

[@eric2394]

Does he ever take the hat off

[@mrlofi333]

@@pensivepenguin3000great response what’s with people caring that much

[@mrlofi333]

@@eric2394do you ever stop saying silly ish

[@daimonmarioperez9501]

Truly a living legend 👏🏿. Rock The Bells- LL .

[@mililaniman]

I have missed the music of LL Cool J. It is hard to believe he is just 2 years older than me.

[@ZarifaMEl-lf3zr]

Freakin awesome! We love you Cool James!

[@bkmusicman]

Glad CBS did this great interview

[@MrOzzieoz]

Met LL Cool J a couple of times and have pictures with him. He is one of the nicest guys I've ever met.

[@anyexpat]

Stalker

[@MrOzzieoz]

@@anyexpat Sorry Hater! When I met him it was work related!

[@anyexpat]

@@MrOzzieoz Hater? AHAHAH TO BE A hater someone has to know who you are ahah HATER ffs

[@Artcc2019]

Love how real he still is

[@theoriginalspur]

There are she that just ooze hip hop. The brother talk like he ready to battle and walk like he heading to the train. 🐐🔥🔥

[@margo3367]

The Stones are still rockin’ and they’re in their 80’s. Yes, I think it is important for younger generations to see that you can have a sustainable career well into middle age and beyond. You have to stay cool though. 😊❤✌️

[@jrallday]

LL Is The Truth! His New Album is Classic Work.

[@joannejohnson7006]

The beginnings of a new generation of expression and power! Love this man and he is so inspiring

[@barneslx]

Love LL! Legend

[@Jean-us6ow]

Ladies Love Cool James!!! ♥️

[@Octopus_MTEF_MinEco_BU]

LL seems to get love from the ordinary man and woman and child in his hood. Love him.

[@williamriley5118]

LL is the greatest battle rapper in my opinion.

[@bimestman]

Perhaps!

[@amymay1228]

LL Cool J for sure the OG GOAT in my opinion...

[@boomboxbreezy]

Great interview!! LL is a living legend! I tell this story a lot but I'll never forget getting my first LL tape. The year was 87, I was in 5th grade, in the cafeteria at school when a kid played me some of his Jam Pony Express mixtape. I sat listening in amazement like I was stuck in that moment in time. I said what is this?? and how do I get a hold of some!? He said it's rap music and his older brother put him on. As soon as I got home that day I said to my mom, MOM! I want to listen to rap music!! lol. Bless her heart, she drove me to the mall so we could go to the music store. I walked in and literally said to one of the guys working, hey I want to listen to rap music. He was probably laughing in his head but he was super cool and patient. He carefully picked out 3 cassette tapes for what he nor I knew at the time would impact my life forever. He picked out LL Cool J - Bigger & Deffer, Beastie Boys - Licensed To Ill, and Kool Moe Dee - How Ya Like Me Now. They were all I listened to all day every day and it's when I fell in love with Hip-Hop culture. I'm sure most every Hip-Hop head has a story of when they found Hip-Hop and that's mine. Almost 40 years later and we're still rocking. Nothing but love and respect for L ♥

[@timmyjones1921]

Super Superb Man/Rapper LL Cool J.

[@selenasimmons6653]

My childhood!! 😊 I remember begging for his album...my cousin brought it and we played it so much my dubbed tape popped!!! He said he grew up with his fans and he's right. He makes great art

[@tinadaugherty9073]

This is somebody worth it!! Somebody you are not afraid to know. Somebody important. Somebody who has earned his success the right, positive way in life. Congratulations 🎊 👏 💐 🥳 🎊!! Awesome achievements!

[@misslucky5474]

LL Thank you for the new album. I 'feel' you in this album...your heart your soul. 😘

[@prof3ssor178]

Salute LL Cool J 💯😎💐

[@Army_Brat1980]

This is so nostalgic! ❤❤❤

[@claytone6963]

"..but you cant be a part-time musician. Theres no such thing. " So fckng true.

[@kathrynw6373]

"(His) personality, his inner light just shines" is it, with whatever he does, so it surely seems to be true.

[@clarencegoodloe3124]

Great Interview. 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@craigwills5635]

He never left. 🤟🏿😂🤟🏿

[@marcus.6487]

cool j 👑

[@lauriec6937]

Each interview, I love him more! He IS THE COOLEST, DOWN TO EARTH, HUMBLE GUY ARTIST! His new album is 🔥. 🐐🐐🐐

[@thomasggswagga5947]

I grew up listening to to uncle LL SINCE I NEED LOVE ,Mama gonna knock you out and Pink cookies/back seat The 90s

[@chozin1976]

LL was the first rapper I truly idolized. First time I saw I’m Bad video he looked like a superhero in my eyes!!!

[@MrBlockice22]

One Of My GOATS in Hip Hop!! Loved it!!

[@horseygurl143]

Big fan here. Enjoyed segment. Graceland for a bedroom supplied by the coolest grandparents of the face of the globe!!!

[@bigman72222]

2:25-2:45..LL game some wisdom that I live by.

[@leroystover1062]

He still LL COOL J FROM ST ALBANS,QUEENZ, NYC ❤😊😅

[@discjunkiesDGT]

Love this!!!

[@BKLYNCARDIO]

There have been several points in LL’s career where he could have rested on his laurels and quit like many of the peers he came in the game with. Instead, he kept going and now he’s a 40-year hip-hop icon.

[@stephengiese7549]

This man is a jewel! He is incredibly likeable and multitalented. Glad he has returned to his roots. Good luck to him😁

[@RayRomanMedia]

Great interview!

[@tonysmith5878]

I'M IN LOVE WITH THE GROWED UP "KING AD ROCK"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Youdidnthearme]

Much respect to LL 🙏

[@mjbdigital]

Loved this, great feature 🔥🔥🐐

[@jamstarent21]

His new album is certified 🔥

[@flixgirl1]

Waaaay back in the day my best friend, mom, and I went to a concert at Lehigh University. LL was the opening act. The crowd was waiting in line to get in and he came walking by with a bunch of people. He was slapping people's hands and when he got to us he stopped and HUGGED my mom! All the girls were jealous!😊

[@terrystarks2507]

LL COOL J IS THE G.O.A.T

[@pedrogutz3253]

LL Cool J is a pioneer of the culture of Hip-Hop. He is someone I still see to this day who has kept it real while breaking through multiple industries. He set the bar high and he is the reason why so many rappers later had to come with skills and a persona. My interpretation is Long Live Cool James! 😎

[@BlackPantherStudios]

LL Cool J is the greatest

[@SuzetteFulce]

Nice Interview About Your Pass and Future

[@rasheemfoster87]

Good Interview 🔥

[@JokersNtheOddball]

good afternoon. cool j always was part of the original foundation. those first albums are supernatural. respect.

[@nelsonm_]

He slays

[@kobiecamp1134]

LL being the G.O.A.T. is a legitimate debate.

[@RyanFordham-g8v]

The goat of hip hop

[@samnice1980]

The Goat!

[@POTENTDOMAIN]

New album is so goood

[@ThePrinceOfTheTalkbox]

the G.O.A.T

[@Rue100]

LL COOL J NEW ALBUM IS 🔥...LOVEEE HIS NEW SONG WITH EMINEM

[@norarivers2744]

Love him💛✨️

[@kmtaylor88]

The description is incorrect...

[@tonydoemedia]

Scribbled the lyrics to Around the Way Girl in a 2A "exercise" book, Mama Said Knock You Out album playin' outta a Sony Walkman...

[@TheRAYviewYT]

I’m just ‘Loungin’ and checking out this video……

[@puddin12dt]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@Metamophisis]

🎵🎶📻📼🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🎧🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤😎 My Radio🕊🙏🏽 God bless 🙌 LL family!

[@Charles-v9x2b]

He came up with da term,goat,for those who don't know,he started dat

[@bkmusicman]

Hip Hop Rushmore 4real

[@aonforme3349]

I'm notorious. I'll cross you like a jelly bean!!!

[@tonysmith5878]

I HEAR YA "L". LIFE IS ABOUT CHOICES, AND WHAT YOU MAKE OF IT IS YOUR CHOICE ALSO! IT REALLY MAKE NO DIFFERENCE WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU AS A CHILD. YOU HAVE THE "POWER" TO MAKE A BETTER WAY FOR YOURSELF IN THE LONG RUN....NO EXCUSES! IT ALSO COUNTS TO WHOM YOU GET INVOLVED WITH ALSO.

[@pamelamays4186]

56???? No way!

[@jonedwardstv]

Deep Blue Sea was dope 6:00

[@addiebrook2517]

"r.i.p Robert E. Lee"- LL Cool Jay

[@ilovephotography1254]

Inspiring.

[@kobiecamp1134]

Don't call it a comeback, I've been here for years.

[@HENZI-cv7re]

2:37 💪

[@EricaGamet]

Rap and hip-hop is not my genre, but I don't remember a time when I didn't know who LL COOL J was. Today I found out we are the same age, so that makes sense. I know a few of his songs and always thought he actually WAS cool (not just in name). I enjoyed hearing a little of his background and I still think he's cool as hell.

[@coppersmurf1496]

My G!

[@archieizhellboye]

y'all keep NOT mentioning his first show "In Da House" doh *respectfully

[@KME1983]

“DONT CALL IT A COMEBACK!”

[@aundraehotta5677]

Goat

[@Realthing581]

His new album is siiiick

[@donellbadgett5221]

LL Cool J didn't make the first hip-hop love song. It was M.C. Shan's left me lonely.

[@NellieKAdaba]

Thanks

[@stoneale707]

Did he attend the "Freak Off."

[@davidofergals6947]

Oh, I thought they meant LL Cool J the bus driver.

[@radinsyah1574]

Didn’t know that he’s the first Def Jam-signed artist.

[@dontecooper6479]

He was at them Diddy parties, too!!! Down with rap 👎🏻. Greetings from Zanzibar!!! 💃

[@mackenzieallen]

I honestly thought this was a tim and eric skit when the video started.

[@tommynikon2283]

I wonder how Cool is, like party w/ Diddy? He's just the tip of a big, black iceberg. Its gonna melt.

[@stevesiri9700]

👍👍💯🏆

[@o13sweetboy]

How many times do we need to know these stories..?

[@marxman300]

Yet ur still listening.gtfoh

[@BUGZYFANG]

I think you found the most vanilla interviewer in the whole world. 😂

[@Shaolin91z]

Thanks Lord for your salvation Thanks Lord for your peace Thanks Lord for bible study class Thanks Lord for your patience

[@deeward5572]

"All Praises"

[@AlienLeadership]

AVP 👽 Making it count/ you too 😜/ right / putting it down / where it matters

[@1NightInParisOfficial]

i get this guy and ice jj fish confused

[@ariescadoree786]

L. L. Cool J!! Bro. Is Bad!!

[@SonyaHudson]

2:17 "You know life is funny. You can use things as a excuse for failure or a reason to succeed." LL Cool J

[@didntcreateahandle]

We love James because he has remained James for his entire career. Steady.

[@JayBubblez]

Wait his birth name is James?

[@nathanjxaxson]

"My job is to go into a room and paint on silence." Spoken like a true badass artist.