LL Cool J & Simone Smith Attended The 52nd Annual Grammy Awards

LL Cool J and wife Simone Smith on the red carpet of the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards

LL Cool J and wife Simone Smith attended the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday (January 31). The rapper spoke with Nick Cannon of CBS on the red carpet about his confidence to be humble, being blessed, and whether he’d help Nick get inside the event. He also spoke with Carrie Ann Inaba and Chris Harrison of TV Guide. Watch the interviews via YouTube below.




LL Cool J And Chris O’Donnell Filming ‘NCIS: Los Angeles’

LL Cool J and Chris O'Donnell filming 'NCIS: Los Angeles'

LL Cool J and Chris O’Donnell were photographed filming scenes for ‘NCIS: Los Angeles’ on Thursday (January 14) in San Pedro, California.


What Does LL Cool J Use To Moisten His Lips? Don’t Ask

TMZ only wanted to know one thing: What Chapstick does LL Cool J use? That got the rapper and ‘NCIS: LA’ star to get out his Blackberry to do some videotaping of his own, asking what kind of grown man goes around asking celebrities weird questions about what they use on their lips.



LL Cool J Talks About Joe Budden & Method Man Beef

LL Cool J spoke with Global Grind about the Joe Budden and Method Man beef, and how when he was coming up it was like a fraternity and that the art form really mattered. “So the battles took on a different significance because of that, because it really was about reputation and it really was about being real and it really was about defending your psychological territory,” LL explained. “That little piece of the mental mindshare, or marketshare you have around the neighborhood. Nowadays it’s about are you making money and are you a businessman. I think the least important thing in hip hop now is hip hop.” Watch the comments below.


LL Cool J Isn’t Feelin’ Auto-Tune Or Radio Playlists

LL Cool J is no Auto-tune fan

LL Cool J posted three brief blogs on his MySpace earlier this week, sounding off on rappers singing (ie. Auto-Tune) and everything on radio sounding the same. The veteran rapper writes:

Why do the majority of rap records being released sound the same? And why are rappers singing on their records more than they rap?

I’m going to calling the radio station and make a request that they play “something” different. “Anything” And it does “not” have to be my music. I just feel like I’m listening to a broken iPod.

Sometimes I think about warm devils food cake with vanilla ice cream and I could lose my mind!!!!! But I “must” stay strong. Short term sacrifice = long term gain.


LL Cool J Promotes Sears Shopping Spree Contest

LL Cool J joined ‘Good Day’ on Fox 13 in Tampa Bay on Tuesday (November 25). The Grammy-Award winning rapper talked about his new fashion line and how you can win a chance to go shopping with him via Sears.com. Asked about his fashion influences, the veteran rapper said the music industry introduced him to a lot of it, as did his family, all of whom as stylish people. LL says he combined the Hollywood and music worlds of fashion with the real world to make his collection. Watch the interview below.

Update: This is NOT where you enter the Sears contest, it’s just a link to a video where LL was promoting the contest. I have no idea where to enter the Sears contest, or if it’s too late to enter for that matter.


‘The Angie Martinez Show’ Ads Ft. Jay-Z & LL Cool J

Jay-Z appeared on a promotion for 'The Angie Martinez Show', posted on Hot 97's YouTube channel. The veteran rapper said, "Hey guys, watch the show. I'm gonna watch it. Especially the first episode. I'm definitely tuning in." The show airs Monday (November 24) at 11:30 PM ET/PT on BET. Also making a pitch was LL Cool J Watch the spot below.


Jay-Z
[inline] [/inline]

LL Cool J
[inline] [/inline]

On TV: T.I., LL Cool J, The Knux

Rap acts on television this week include:

T.I., who visits 'Chelsea Lately' (Comedy Central) on Monday, 'The Tyra Banks Show' (Syndicated) on Tuesday, and 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' (ABC) on Thursday.

LL Cool J, who visit 'The Martha Stewart Show' (Syndicated) on Tuesday.

The Knux, who visit 'Last Call with Carson Daly' (NBC) on Tuesday.

On TV: LL Cool J, Eve

Rap acts on television this week include:

Eve, who visits 'The View' (ABC) on Tuesday.

LL Cool J, who visits 'The Tyra Banks Show' (Syndicated) on Tuesday.

LL Cool J Talks About Getting Kids Into Reading Books

The 'Today' show talked to LL Cool J about the Jumpstart Read for the Record initiative and getting kids into books. Asked how he makes reading cool in his house, the rapper responded, "Just by reading. You know, reading automatically is cool. It unlocks your dreams. It's the key to success." He added that he "likes to make it a physical experience" when he reads to his kids. "I like to read to them and I jump on the bed. Or I read to them and I pick up a cookie. Or I read to them and make examples or do things to make it fun." Watch the segment, aired Thursday (October 2), below.