The '80s and '90s were a key period for musical innovation and artists deciding their sound and what they wanted their songs to talk about.
While appearing on the podcast Le Code by Apple Music, LL Cool J boldly stated that he felt that he was the "most important rapper that ever existed," and someday, people would realize he was right.
During the interview, LL Cool J explained:
"I’m [going to] say this humbly, but I really mean this: I think one day, people are going to wake up and realize that LL Cool J is the most important rapper that ever existed. I truly believe one day, people are going to say that.”
"They’re gonna look and they’ll say, ‘Wow, when it comes to the jewelry, this is the guy who introduced all the diamonds and the ice and the champagne. They’re gonna say when it comes to the love songs, they’re gonna say, ‘This is the guy that introduced the love songs and all the love s**t.'"
"When it comes to the bad-boy vibe, they’re gonna realize, ‘Oh, this is the guy who introduced all the rebellious bad-boy vibes before it was done.’ When it comes to the GOAT terminology, they’re gonna say, ‘Yo, this is the guy who came up with the GOAT stuff.'"
Admittedly, some would even argue that "GOAT" as an antonym began with him.
In 2000, LL Cool released the album G.O.A.T., which was long before it became a part of the public vernacular.
He continued:
"They’re going to say, when it comes to Def Jam, ‘Wow, this is the first artist that was on Def Jam.’ They’re going to say […] when it comes to the solo artist, going to say, ‘Wow, this is the first solo artist to take it all the way around the world.’"
"I mean, I could go on and on and on.”
You can watch just this segment here:
LL Cool J says he believes that one day people will wake up and realize he's the most important rapper to ever exist.
(🎥 Mehdi Maïzi/YouTube) pic.twitter.com/ucypC9XQHn
— The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) November 30, 2024
Listeners were inclined to agree with him.
He is 1000% correct, but unfortunately the newer generation doesn’t care about things they didn’t see in real time with social media.
— Dark Skinned Patrick Mahomes (@Regg79816) November 30, 2024
Aye man, LL was the first rap superstar. A lot of this music business up til today was built off his success and legacy. I ain’t saying he right but he ain’t wrong either
— Lord Law (@lobster_scrimp) November 30, 2024
anyone who disagrees gotta be under 35
— heavenhollywood (@heavenhollywood) November 30, 2024
He is. And the way he’s revitalized his career in multiple decades needs to be studied.
— Eric (@EricsElectrons) November 30, 2024
#LLCoolJ is the modern-day blueprint: real skills with commercial appeal. He paved the way for rappers to be lyrical assassins & paid. He really showed other rappers how to level up!! A #gamechanger in a sea of legends & pioneers!!! https://t.co/RqnW96wSOz
— Ronda Racha Penrice (@rondaracha) November 30, 2024
LL Cool J has a really strong argument when you look at his resume.
— I have so many questions? (@english_shamar) November 30, 2024
LL Cool J was in Deep Blue Sea and Last Holiday. That's enough for me to call him the most important rapper to ever exist. https://t.co/WYr6ANDUyb
— Otto Fernandez (@OttoFernandez) December 1, 2024
Not sure what most would mean, but he's is one of the most influential and important rappers.
— nobodyhere (@nobodyhere23) November 30, 2024
Running this back, in light of his clip that caused so much convo this weekend.
In our interview, @llcoolj said that when he called Q-Tip to work on this album, Q-Tip said "what up big bro?" Imagine Q-Tip referring to someone as his big bro. Gives a lot of perspective https://t.co/nj0DrPPJ8Q
— William E. Ketchum III (@WEKetchum) December 1, 2024
From this moment here the rest was history the moment I fell in love with hip hop pic.twitter.com/kaQWo0LP9K
— S.A.N.D.™ (@ThoughtsOfSAND) November 30, 2024
Looking at his longevity and catalogs he's has an argument.
— Myles, Is this easy mode? (@MowzaProduction) November 30, 2024
I mean frfr LL Cool J has a point…his name has been spoken from 1986 to 2024…thats 38 years of relevance..in a artform that people thought was a fad. Who wouldnt want that career?? Sheeeeeit I know I would lol
— Mad Skillz (@SkillzVa) December 1, 2024
We already know that LL we know what you are to hip hop
— $AMERiCANHUSTLER$ (@305sBabyBoi) November 30, 2024
When it comes to rap music, people might turn their attention to Eminem for powerful lyrics or even Will Smith for working across multiple mediums of entertainment, but LL Cool J does make a point.
Maybe not everyone will wake up one day and agree with him, but many already admit that he was innovative and helped this branch of the music industry grow in a new direction.
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Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images