LL Cool J stirred the pot during his appearance on Shannon Sharpe’s Club Shay Shay podcast, revealing his picks for the Mount Rushmore of Def Jam artists—omitting some big names.
While reminiscing about the illustrious history of Def Jam Recordings, LL Cool J proudly included himself in his top four, being the first artist signed to the label. He reminisced about his groundbreaking 1984 track ‘I Need a Beat’ and his classic debut album ‘Radio’.
However, when Shannon Sharpe rattled off a list of other iconic Def Jam artists like JAY-Z, Kanye West, Rihanna, DMX, Ludacris, and Nas, LL decided to focus on the label’s early heavyweights. His Mount Rushmore comprised himself, Public Enemy, the Beastie Boys, and Slick Rick.
“It’s LL, it’s Public Enemy, it’s the Beastie Boys and it would have to be Slick Rick,” he stated confidently. When pressed about leaving out artists like JAY-Z, he quipped, “Yeah, [he was on Def Jam] a thousand years later!”
Notably, this isn’t the first time LL Cool J’s rapport with JAY-Z has been questioned. He shared a past incident where he felt snubbed by not being invited to the exclusive Roc Nation Brunch hosted by JAY-Z. Laughing it off, LL said, “I laughed at you, so now I can’t have no brunch? I can’t have no finger food?”
Although he stirred some controversy with his Def Jam Mount Rushmore, LL Cool J remains busy with his music career. He is prepping to drop his first album in over a decade, titled ‘The FORCE,’ produced entirely by Q-Tip. His latest single, ‘Passion,’ features a vibrant, dance-inspired beat and showcases his timeless lyrical prowess. The album, which includes collaborations with Eminem, Nas, Snoop Dogg, Busta Rhymes, Rick Ross, and Fat Joe, is set to release on September 6.
LL Cool J’s choices for Def Jam’s Mount Rushmore might be controversial, but they certainly reflect his deep connection to the label’s early days. His dedication to the craft continues with his upcoming album, promising fresh sounds and collaborations with some of Hip Hop’s biggest names.
