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Is LL Cool J the most important rapper ever ???

Keepthapeace said:
7 Reasons LL Cool J is the most important rapper in history for his contributions to hip-hop culture, music, and its mainstream acceptance:

1. Pioneer of Hip-Hop Longevity
LL Cool J (Ladies Love Cool James) was one of the first rappers to sustain a career spanning decades, proving that hip-hop artists could evolve and remain relevant over time. He debuted in the mid-1980s and maintained a presence in the industry well into the 2000s, paving the way for artists to view rap as a long-term career.

2. First Major Solo Rap Superstar
Signed to Def Jam Records at just 16, LL Cool J became the label's first commercially successful solo artist. His debut album, Radio (1985), helped establish Def Jam as a powerhouse and demonstrated that rap could sell on a large scale.

3. Blending Hardcore and Commercial Appeal
LL Cool J mastered the balance between gritty street rhymes and smooth, commercially appealing tracks. Songs like “Rock the Bells” showcased his raw energy, while tracks like “I Need Love” were among the first mainstream hip-hop ballads, broadening rap’s audience, especially among women. Made hit records without being overly vulgar or hardcore.

4. Expanding Rap Beyond Music
LL Cool J became a trailblazer by transitioning into acting, opening doors for other rappers to explore Hollywood. His roles in TV (In the House) and movies (Deep Blue Sea, Any Given Sunday) showed that rappers could be multi-dimensional entertainers.

5. Iconic Battles and Resilience
LL Cool J was fearless in defending his spot in the rap game. His high-profile lyrical battles with artists like Kool Moe Dee, Canibus, and Ice-T solidified his reputation as a fierce competitor. His ability to emerge victorious and remain respected set a precedent for handling rivalries in hip-hop.

6. Cultural and Generational Influence
His style, charisma, and confidence made him a role model and a pop culture icon. LL Cool J’s signature Kangol hats, gold chains, wearing one pants leg up, coined the G.O.A.T., deals with GAP and FUBU became symbols of early hip-hop fashion, influencing countless artists and fans.

7. Advancing Hip-Hop as an Art Form
As one of the first hip-hop artists inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2021), Kennedy Center Honored, and Two time Grammy winner. LL Cool J's legacy is recognized as foundational. His ability to adapt to changing sounds over decades while staying true to his roots demonstrated hip-hop’s versatility as a genre.

In short, LL Cool J laid the groundwork for how a rapper could excel across music, business, and entertainment, while elevating the art form to a global platform. His success is a blueprint for many artists who followed. Many favorite rapper's favorite rapper.
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I always said how come we didnt have a early movie about hip hop that told his story.

When I was coming into Hip Hop it was Run DMC, Ice-T, LL Cool J, NWA and Public Enemy that bought me in.
I didn't know about the beef with Kool Moe Dee until I was older but their music was all I would hear and ran to the tv to watch them whenever it was on.
 
Keepthapeace said:
7 Reasons LL Cool J is the most important rapper in history for his contributions to hip-hop culture, music, and its mainstream acceptance:

1. Pioneer of Hip-Hop Longevity
LL Cool J (Ladies Love Cool James) was one of the first rappers to sustain a career spanning decades, proving that hip-hop artists could evolve and remain relevant over time. He debuted in the mid-1980s and maintained a presence in the industry well into the 2000s, paving the way for artists to view rap as a long-term career.

2. First Major Solo Rap Superstar
Signed to Def Jam Records at just 16, LL Cool J became the label's first commercially successful solo artist. His debut album, Radio (1985), helped establish Def Jam as a powerhouse and demonstrated that rap could sell on a large scale.

3. Blending Hardcore and Commercial Appeal
LL Cool J mastered the balance between gritty street rhymes and smooth, commercially appealing tracks. Songs like “Rock the Bells” showcased his raw energy, while tracks like “I Need Love” were among the first mainstream hip-hop ballads, broadening rap’s audience, especially among women. Made hit records without being overly vulgar or hardcore.

4. Expanding Rap Beyond Music
LL Cool J became a trailblazer by transitioning into acting, opening doors for other rappers to explore Hollywood. His roles in TV (In the House) and movies (Deep Blue Sea, Any Given Sunday) showed that rappers could be multi-dimensional entertainers.

5. Iconic Battles and Resilience
LL Cool J was fearless in defending his spot in the rap game. His high-profile lyrical battles with artists like Kool Moe Dee, Canibus, and Ice-T solidified his reputation as a fierce competitor. His ability to emerge victorious and remain respected set a precedent for handling rivalries in hip-hop.

6. Cultural and Generational Influence
His style, charisma, and confidence made him a role model and a pop culture icon. LL Cool J’s signature Kangol hats, gold chains, wearing one pants leg up, coined the G.O.A.T., deals with GAP and FUBU became symbols of early hip-hop fashion, influencing countless artists and fans.

7. Advancing Hip-Hop as an Art Form
As one of the first hip-hop artists inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2021), Kennedy Center Honored, and Two time Grammy winner. LL Cool J's legacy is recognized as foundational. His ability to adapt to changing sounds over decades while staying true to his roots demonstrated hip-hop’s versatility as a genre.

In short, LL Cool J laid the groundwork for how a rapper could excel across music, business, and entertainment, while elevating the art form to a global platform. His success is a blueprint for many artists who followed. Many favorite rapper's favorite rapper.
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These are excellent points. If I could add, LL was one of the first, if not the first, to offer introspection in his rhymes. “When I’m alone in my room, sometimes I stare at the wall”. Ninjas all over the world felt that.
 
i fuks with LL but he on that bullshit. No way will he be or is he the most important rapper ever. Naw he did a lot for the culture but too say the most important ranks of pure ignorance. naaawww... being the first to do this or that does not make you the most important.. sorry LL but he gassed up on his own supply.
 
Walter Panov said:
He's about as important to hip hop as Will Smith.
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It's a solid argument, but I’d give the "most important" win to Cool James, primarily due to his unmatched longevity in delivering high-quality hip-hop tracks from 84 to 24 (especially the 2024 album actually being pretty good), his broader catalog of iconic music, and his undeniable influence on hip-hop fashion and style, which helped shape the culture.
 
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most important is a hella title to be given. 1st thing to determine that is what is the list of requirements to get that title? sales? mainstream crossover?airplay?movies/tv verstaility?longevity?performance?rap skill? the list could be hella long and diverse. I personally think Snoop Dogg has a say in that title as does 2Pac,Dr Dre?Ice Cube?Run DMC?Salt N Pepper?hell Eminim can make a case. I would say Snoop Dogg is the most important mainly cause he maybe the only act to bring legit street cred,have crazy skills,unique sound and in the last 20 years has crossed over to mainstream in a way that has opened the door for all the current rap artists to be mainstream and no one even bats an eye
 
Keepthapeace said:
7 Reasons LL Cool J is the most important rapper in history for his contributions to hip-hop culture, music, and its mainstream acceptance:

1. Pioneer of Hip-Hop Longevity
LL Cool J (Ladies Love Cool James) was one of the first rappers to sustain a career spanning decades, proving that hip-hop artists could evolve and remain relevant over time. He debuted in the mid-1980s and maintained a presence in the industry well into the 2000s, paving the way for artists to view rap as a long-term career.

2. First Major Solo Rap Superstar
Signed to Def Jam Records at just 16, LL Cool J became the label's first commercially successful solo artist. His debut album, Radio (1985), helped establish Def Jam as a powerhouse and demonstrated that rap could sell on a large scale.

3. Blending Hardcore and Commercial Appeal
LL Cool J mastered the balance between gritty street rhymes and smooth, commercially appealing tracks. Songs like “Rock the Bells” showcased his raw energy, while tracks like “I Need Love” were among the first mainstream hip-hop ballads, broadening rap’s audience, especially among women. Made hit records without being overly vulgar or hardcore.

4. Expanding Rap Beyond Music
LL Cool J became a trailblazer by transitioning into acting, opening doors for other rappers to explore Hollywood. His roles in TV (In the House) and movies (Deep Blue Sea, Any Given Sunday) showed that rappers could be multi-dimensional entertainers.

5. Iconic Battles and Resilience
LL Cool J was fearless in defending his spot in the rap game. His high-profile lyrical battles with artists like Kool Moe Dee, Canibus, and Ice-T solidified his reputation as a fierce competitor. His ability to emerge victorious and remain respected set a precedent for handling rivalries in hip-hop.

6. Cultural and Generational Influence
His style, charisma, and confidence made him a role model and a pop culture icon. LL Cool J’s signature Kangol hats, gold chains, wearing one pants leg up, coined the G.O.A.T., deals with GAP and FUBU became symbols of early hip-hop fashion, influencing countless artists and fans.

7. Advancing Hip-Hop as an Art Form
As one of the first hip-hop artists inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2021), Kennedy Center Honored, and Two time Grammy winner. LL Cool J's legacy is recognized as foundational. His ability to adapt to changing sounds over decades while staying true to his roots demonstrated hip-hop’s versatility as a genre.

In short, LL Cool J laid the groundwork for how a rapper could excel across music, business, and entertainment, while elevating the art form to a global platform. His success is a blueprint for many artists who followed. Many favorite rapper's favorite rapper.
Click to expand...

7 reasons he is not:

  1. C
  2. A
  3. N
  4. I
  5. B
  6. U
  7. S
 
kuervogold said:
Rushmore for sure, but I'm picking Rakim.
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Thank you!

I'm not arguing LL's greatness, but Rakim literally took rap flow out of the dark ages and most of what we hear now (from actual talented rappers) is derived from his style. Even Hip Hop's biggest hater, Melle Mel, acknowledges this fact.

I'm picking Rakim too.
 
julian said:
most important is a hella title to be given. 1st thing to determine that is what is the list of requirements to get that title? sales? mainstream crossover?airplay?movies/tv verstaility?longevity?performance?rap skill? the list could be hella long and diverse. I personally think Snoop Dogg has a say in that title as does 2Pac,Dr Dre?Ice Cube?Run DMC?Salt N Pepper?hell Eminim can make a case. I would say Snoop Dogg is the most important mainly cause he maybe the only act to bring legit street cred,have crazy skills,unique sound and in the last 20 years has crossed over to mainstream in a way that has opened the door for all the current rap artists to be mainstream and no one even bats an eye
Click to expand...
Props to Snoop...but who did it first?

LL!

Y'all keep finding ways to shine light on other cats but it almost always comes back to what LL did first.

And did consistently.

LL's not the only person that can make that claim. Rakim, G Rap, Kool Herc, Africa Bambattaa (even though it's not really a good look right now), Rev. Run, Caz, etc.

But only one rises above the rest when you throw those names out. Only one is still consistently active from his start to this very day. Only one.

The most important one: Ladies Love Cool James.
 
WattDogs said:
Props to Snoop...but who did it first?

LL!

Y'all keep finding ways to shine light on other cats but it almost always comes back to what LL did first.

And did consistently.

LL's not the only person that can make that claim. Rakim, G Rap, Kool Herc, Africa Bambattaa (even though it's not really a good look right now), Rev. Run, Caz, etc.

But only one rises above the rest when you throw those names out. Only one is still consistently active from his start to this very day. Only one.

The most important one: Ladies Love Cool James.
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1st doesnt mean most important nor best nor most consistent
 
Isn't he how Def Jef was founded and was raps first raps solo superstar :dunno:

Not the biggest LL fan and had no problems with his statement
 
Coldchi said:
I like LL.....probably one of the first rappers that I started listening to as a kid.
When "I'm Bad" came out.....I was like....I need to get me a Kangol and rope chain right now.
He was the best to me back then,....but so many more better rappers have come along since then.
I would disagree that he's the most important rapper ever tho. That's saying a lot. Even outside of the GOAT debate.....most important would be a critical category to put yourself at the pinnacle of.
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slam said:
let somebody else say it ...for one

for two some of this shit he mentioned i disagree ..

i fuck with L tho .... def up there ... top 10 ....

also he mentioned movies he was never big in that cuz Hollywood never saw him as a leading man like Will ...

even DMX was better n carried movies ... L cannot carry a movie i`m sorry just like DMX cant carry a sitcom ..

weird right ...lol
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agreed...
 
dasailr03 said:
i fuks with LL but he on that bullshit. No way will he be or is he the most important rapper ever. Naw he did a lot for the culture but too say the most important ranks of pure ignorance. naaawww... being the first to do this or that does not make you the most important.. sorry LL but he gassed up on his own supply.
Click to expand...
:cool: :yes:
 
julian said:
1st doesnt mean most important nor best nor most consistent
Click to expand...
But he is.

Rock The Bells radio shows the continuance of his importance, giving hip hop culture a home, as well as employing past icons of hip-hop.

Best is relative, so I'll leave that one alone. But it was a time that it wasn't a debate that LL was the best. Even today, quite a few consider him the G.O.A.T. of hip-hop.

As for consistency, the man just dropped an album earlier this year to rave reviews. Even though I would give Nas the credit for this golden age rapper renaissance, the fact that LL dropped has made a number of old school & golden age artists do the same. That's called relevancy.

Hits in every decade. Iconic albums & songs.

Style...seriously? The Kangol, the shirt being ripped off...it's fat niggas right now that can't rap with autotune doing shit Todd Smith did in 1985. Man titties swinging, trying to be BAD! RIGHT NOW!!!

Did the fashion thing three times, blew with FUBU...got a little burn with Troop...and not so much with Todd Smith.

Had his own record label for a while, Power of God. Guess it wasn't for him.

Movies & TV, did that. Only Ice-T was before him, movie-wise.

Awards out the ass, including Grammys, platinum plaques & more.

Not to mention he's the premiere artist of Def Jam.

Now who got better credentials that that?
 

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