LL Cool J Essential Songs

James Todd Smith, better known as LL Cool J, is one of the most influential figures in hip-hop history. His distinctive voice and clever phrasing caught attention with his first record, “I Need a Beat,” in 1984. A year later, he dropped Radio, which remains an essential release within hip-hop. He’s been active for nearly 40 years now and has created timeless songs and albums that have helped shape rap into what it is today. Whether you listen to his early work or prefer later hits like “Mama Said Knock You Out,” LL Cool J’s catalog is full of classic material that’s influenced generations of rappers. He’s been able to move with the times without losing himself, truly earning him a place among hip-hop’s all-time greats. Here are five tracks from his career that represent LL Cool J at his best and showcase why he matters so much to this art form we love. 1. “I Can’t Live Without My Radio” (1985) In 1985, on his first album Radio, “I Can’t Live Without My Radio” was the song that made LL Cool J famous. It represents the early hip-hop culture’s abundant vitality and rebelliousness with its strong beats and tough...