LL Cool J’s problem with new rappers
Queens emcee LL Cool J is one of hip-hop’s most renowned golden age artists and has cemented his place in musical history. Born and raised in New York, the rapper first arose on the scene as part of the little-known trio the Extravagant Three.
In the early 1980s, the former b-boy began working with the legendary Rick Rubin and ever since he has been a kingpin of the culture. Since the 1980s, the ‘Rock The Bells’ icon has achieved amazing feats, and even though nowadays he’s known as a businessman and actor, LL Cool J’s heart is in hip-hop as an emcee and artist, and since the 1980s, he has contributed so much to rap culture.
His discography spans decades, featuring various sounds and aesthetics, but LL has always been a mainstay of the genre. However, in recent years, he has begun to speak out about many of the issues he sees in contemporary hip-hop and has asserted that, in certain respects, it has changed for the worse.
In the eyes of many golden-age rappers and DJs, including the likes of KRS-One, Pete Rock and Ice-T, hip-hop has morphed into something wholly unrecognisable and LL Cool J shares many of the same sentiments.
Of course, cultures evolve and will naturally change over time, but LL believes that many elements of contemporary hip-hop are examples of regression, most significantly its lyrics.
That said, during an appearance on the Baller Alert podcast, LL Cool J said that if you can only talk about what’s in your bank account, you’re not a real rapper, let alone a lyricist. Exposing the limited capability of many new MCs, LL stated, “[When] a rapper comes out, and he’s talking that money talk, you love it! But 12 years later, he’s still talking that money talk, and now you’re looking at him like, ‘Dude, do you have anything else to talk about?'”
The Radio creator then proceeded to hold up reggae icon Bob Marley as a true artist who knew that, as a musician, you’re remembered for the impact you made with your music not the money you made from it. Explaining this, LL told hosts Ferrari Simmons and BT, “He talked about something. He had something to say. And guess what? You don’t care what Bob Marley had in the bank. Because that’s not the metric for success. It’s not the metric for cultural success.”
He continued, “Bob Marley did not have to be rich. He was rich in what he did and what he created and what he put in the world. That sh*t matters. The wallet can’t un-corny you!” LL Cool J concluded by encouraging up-and-coming hip-hop talent to persevere, finishing, “You can do anything you put your mind to! Be open to receiving what you want and go for it wholeheartedly. And remember, to be a winner, you have to be comfortable with the idea that you might lose.”