LL COOL J: BECOMING THE GOAT

If you want to talk about OGs, you can’t get much better than LL Cool J; one of the earliest rappers to achieve commercial success, he’s gone on to star in movies, tv and after 11 years, he’s finally released another album and I was lucky enough to chat to him for today’s episode - what an insane honour.

From a young age, LL Cool J knew music was his calling, but his journey to success was far from easy. At just four years old, he witnessed his father shoot his mother - an experience that shaped him, taught him resilience and maintaining a sense of calm in a storm. Despite the heights of his success and fame, LL confesses to being a bit of a bookworm and introvert - surprising considering how infectious his energy is and open his heart - he talks to me about the importance of chosen family and generosity, revealing that he gives 10% of all his earnings to the church.

This was a conversation I won’t forget in a hurry - to speak to an icon, who’s life has been so different from mine, but to find connection, to laugh, to be made to think - it’s what unites us all.

00:00 Intro from Jamie
01:00 Where the name ‘LL Cool J’ originated from
02:40 I knew I was born to do music
04:50 I always keep going even after criticism
06:30 I learnt resilience from my family
07:30 I watched my father shoot my mother and grandfather
10:30 As an artist I provide a service to the soul
12:30 People want lot’s of money to only use a small part of it
15:30 I give 10% of what I earn to the church
17:30 Connections with people really matter in life
19:45 I was a bit of a loner growing up
20:40 As an introvert I have pushed myself to be social for others
24:50 I am comfortable being by myself just reading a book
26:45 I created my own male role models
30:35 Why I created my new album ‘The Force’ after 11 years
33:10 The story behind ‘Mama said knock you out’
34:05 Difference between the music industry then and now
37:00 I coined the term GOAT
37:45 What it was like filming ‘Any Given Sunday’
40:00 Final eight questions

#LLCOOLJ #GREATCOMPANYPODCAST #JAMIELAING
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As I mentioned, LL's released his first music in 11 years - here's a link to the new album, The Force: shopuk.llcoolj.com
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THE CREDITS
Exec Producer: Jemima Rathbone
Assistant Producer: Gurlina Heer
Video: Jake Ji
Social Media: Laura Coughlan
Great Company is an original podcast from JamPot