James Todd Smith III (born January 14, 1968), better known as LL Cool J, is an American hip hop artist and actor. LL Cool J stands for "Ladies Love Cool James." He is known for romantic ballads such as "I Need Love" and "Hey Lover" as well as pioneering hip-hop like "I Can't Live Without My Radio", "I'm Bad", "Boomin' System", "Mama Said Knock You Out", and "4, 3, 2, 1". He has also appeared in several films. LL Cool J is one of a few hip-hop stars of his era to sustain a successful recording career for more than two decades. He has released 12 albums and a greatest hits compilation so far, with his next album, Exit 13, set to be released early 2008. The album will be the last for LL's record deal with Def Jam Recordings, a deal which has lasted for over twenty two years, making it the longest single hip hop deal to date. He now resides in Manhasset, NY with his wife and four children.

He is also a commercially successful rapper, with record sales of over 15 million in the U.S. alone.

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. He is seen as a sex symbol, and a ladies man, because of his “flirtatious” lip-licking, and his muscular body. LL Cool J represents an important figure within the hip hop community, and is curre