From the moment the teenaged young legend in leather exclaimed “I Need A Beat!”, LL Cool J has blazed an unprecedented legacy of achievements. He was introduced to the world in 1984 as Def Jam Records’ Flagship artist and is the first rap artist to amass eleven consecutive platinum-plus selling albums. In March of 2006, he released his 12^th album.

Known by his given name, James Todd Smith, for all acting credits, 2006 is also a big year for his film career. In January, he starred in Paramount Pictures Last Holiday, opposite Queen Latifah. The film was loved by the critics and a box office success. Later that year, he was in Edison, which he starred with Morgan Freeman, Kevin Spacey, and Justin Timberlake, and Slow Burn, with Ray Liotta.

Over the years, LL has appeared on screen opposite many great actors including Samuel L. Jackson and Colin Farrell in Sony Pictures summer blockbuster S.W.A.T., Al Pacino and Jamie Foxx in Oliver Stone’s Any Given Sunday and Gabrielle Union in Focus Features Deliver Us from Eva. Other film credits include Rollerball, Charlie’s Angels, Kingdom Come, In Too Deep, Halloween H20 and Toys. He has also received a Blockbuster Award for best comedic performance as the Chef in Renny Harlin's blockbuster action film Deep Blue Sea.

In 2005, Smith transitioned to television with a dramatic and critically acclaimed performance on the season two premiere of Fox’s hit drama House.

Most recently, LL has signed a multi-picture producing deal with Lions Gate Films to produce commercially viable product for the studio. In 2006, he also made his official debut in the fashion arena by launching his signature designer collection called Todd Smith during New York City’s fashion week. Slated to be in stores for the Autumn/Winter 2006 season, Todd Smith is a luxury collection of men’s and women’s wear.

Adding the title of author to his credits, LL’s first children’s book, And the Winner Is, was released in the Fall of 2002. Part of Scholastics exciting new series of books and CDs by today’s hottest rap stars called Hip Kid Hop, And the Winner Is tells the story of a young basketball player who learns the importance on winning and losing gracefully. By exploring themes of good sportsmanship, humility and belief in oneself, the story reveals invaluable lessons that apply both on and off the court. He also penned a 1997 autobiography, I Make My Own Rules. Read Less ^