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When LL Cool J boldly coined himself the “G.O.A.T.”—a phrase made legendary by Muhammad Ali—he didn’t just say it, he lived it. For nearly four decades, LL has remained an unstoppable force in hip-hop, entertainment, and culture. Whether spitting hard-hitting rhymes, serenading women through timeless ballads, or dominating film and television, LL Cool J cemented his status as one of the most marketable and versatile rappers ever to do it.
In 1985, LL’s debut album “Radio” hit the airwaves, blasting hits like “Rock the Bells” and “I Can’t Live Without My Radio”, firmly placing him in the pantheon of hip-hop pioneers. But LL was never one to stick to one lane. While the Bronx-rooted grit of New York hip-hop defined the sound, LL set himself apart with something groundbreaking: a softer, romantic side that spoke directly to women listeners.
With “I Need Love” (1987), LL introduced a whole new dimension to rap—hip-hop ballads. He doubled down with “Hey Lover” and “Doin’ It” in the 1990s, swelling his fanbase and creating music that brought romance and sex appeal minus the misogyny into the genre without sacrificing his edge. Few rappers of his era could pull off being both street and seductive, but LL mastered it.
And let’s not forget the swagger. LL Cool J didn’t just make music—he made statements. Who else could drop a line like “Forget Oreos, eat Cool J cookies” on a track (“The Ripper Strikes Back”) and make it sound like an indisputable fact? He was hip-hop’s confident trendsetter, long before confidence became currency in the culture.
His impact transcended music. On the back cover of “Radio”, LL rocked black-and-red Air Jordan 1s before Michael Jordan was even a global icon. Kangol hats? That was LL. And when FUBU took off, LL’s early influence helped turn the clothing line into a cultural staple. “When they talk about FUBU, they’ll say, ‘Yo, this guy introduced the idea of putting clothing lines into the culture,’” LL reflected.
LL Cool J’s versatility has been unmatched from fashion to the silver screen. He starred in films like “Any Given Sunday” and “In Too Deep” before becoming a weeknight favorite on NCIS: Los Angeles. Through it all, he still found time to release albums like “The Frequencies of Real Creative Energy” (The FORCE), showing his dedication to his craft.
And yet, LL remains humble in the G.O.A.T. debate: “There are too many rappers who have done too many important things for me to claim that I’m the one,” he said, showing his respect for hip-hop’s greats. But his contributions speak for themselves: He was Def Jam’s first artist. He introduced romantic storytelling to rap. He shaped fashion and became one of the most marketable rappers for over 25 years.
As LL said, “Being the first to do so many things in hip-hop has to put me in the G.O.A.T. conversation.” And while history will ultimately decide, one thing’s for sure: LL Cool J didn’t just open doors—he set the standard for generations to come.
So, what do you think? Has LL Cool J spent the past 40 years proving he’s not only the first to claim G.O.A.T. status but one of the few who deserves it?