Hip-hop legend LL Cool J stopped to talk with Baller Alert’s Ty Cole at the Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) Gala, where he opened up about his illustrious career, his new album The Force, and the lessons he’s learned about staying true to himself and his art. With a career spanning nearly four decades, LL has continually bridged the gap between the old school and new school of hip-hop, and he shows no signs of slowing down.
Reflecting on his latest project, The Force, which was produced by Q-Tip and features collaborations with heavyweights like Nas and Eminem, LL shared his thoughts on his role in passing down hip-hop’s core values to the next generation. “Art—the only responsibility of an artist is to be true to the art,” he explained. For LL, it’s not just about preserving the past but about staying authentic and creating something that resonates with people.
“As a human being, I want to show people that it’s possible to keep going,” LL said. “You don’t have to stop just because someone tried to put a period where there’s a comma, you dig?” His message is clear: keep pushing forward, no matter what.
LL emphasized the importance of artistic freedom, comparing his music to painting. “We gotta be careful, right? Because I gotta be able to paint the paintings I want to paint, you know what I’m saying?” For him, the true success of an artist lies in the ability to create something that moves people, that makes them feel something deep inside. “If my painting stimulates people and moves people, when I paint on silence, if that moves people, then I’m doing my job,” he said.
When asked about the seamless transition from music to acting and entrepreneurship, LL remained humble, focusing on his passion for music first and foremost. “I focus on me being an emcee first, you know, then I’m an actor and I do business,” he said. Despite his success in Hollywood and business ventures, LL made it clear that music is at the core of who he is. “I’m not a guy that’s, like, trying to be known for my business. I’m an artist, B, you know what I’m saying? And I’m cool with that.”
LL Cool J’s dedication to his craft and his refusal to be boxed in by anyone’s expectations are what have made him a true icon in hip-hop and beyond. His advice to aspiring artists is simple but powerful: “For the little kid down there who wants to make it, you can make it. You can do it. You gotta love it, you gotta love your craft, and go get it.”
As he wrapped up the interview, LL couldn’t resist sharing his excitement for his new album one more time. “Get these beats, man. Enjoy that floor,” he said with a smile. With The Force, LL Cool J is proving once again that he’s still a force to be reckoned with in the hip-hop world, reminding us all that his legacy is far from finished.
Check out the full interview:
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