LL COOL J declares himself as the ‘most important’ rapper yet stops short of claiming to be the G.O.A.T.
- He proudly claims to have introduced iconic elements like diamonds, ice, and love songs to hip-hop.
- LL highlights his role in pioneering the rebellious ‘bad boy’ vibe in music.
- While he termed the phrase G.O.A.T., LL believes greatness in rap is subjective.
- He humorously mentions wearing Air Jordans before they became part of hip-hop culture.
LL COOL J, the legendary rapper known for his iconic style and impactful music, recently made a bold statement about his influence on hip-hop. During an episode of Apple Music’s Le Code, he claimed to be the ‘most important’ rapper that ever lived. Despite this claim, he avoided labeling himself as the Greatest of All Time (G.O.A.T.).
LL COOL J believes his influence is vast, ranging from introducing diamonds and ice into the rap scene to popularizing love songs. He sees himself as a trendsetter who brought these elements into the limelight. ‘When it comes to the jewelry – this is the guy who introduced all the diamonds and the ice and the champagne,’ he said confidently.
Furthermore, LL discussed his role in shaping the bad boy image before it became mainstream. He pointed out that these rebellious vibes were part of his music long before others brought them to the forefront. He considers these contributions as a significant part of his legacy.
Alongside these claims, LL COOL J also recognized his place in history as the first solo artist to take rap around the world. He emphasized his pioneering role, mentioning how he was the first artist on Def Jam, a major record label that gave hip-hop a global platform.
Interestingly, LL discussed coining the term G.O.A.T., yet he refrains from identifying himself as such due to the subjective nature of greatness. Although he acknowledges using it in songs, he understands that fans might see other artists like Tupac, Snoop Dogg, or Nas as the greatest, based on personal impact.
Adding a humorous touch, LL COOL J recounted a story about his early fashion choices. He revealed that he was the first rapper to wear Air Jordans on an album cover. This was before the sneakers became a staple in hip-hop fashion. ‘Michael Jordan was a rookie when I did that,’ he noted.
LL COOL J also opened up about wearing these iconic shoes for his ‘Radio’ album cover, highlighting the fact that he did it out of love for the sneakers, not for a paycheck. His choice of footwear on the album is now part of hip-hop history, adding another layer to his influence.
LL COOL J’s self-proclaimed impact on rap highlights his belief in the lasting changes he brought to the genre.
