Born in Bay Shore, New York, and raised between St. Albans, New York and Hollis, New York in the borough of Queens. The only child of Ondrea (née Griffith) and James Smith, Jr. Smith is of both African American and Native American descent. He spent his youth singing in the church choir, participating in the Boy Scouts and delivering newspapers.
Def Jam released his first record, the 12" single "I Need a Beat" in 1983. The single sold over 100,000 copies. The success of "I Need a Beat" helped lead to a distribution deal with Def Jam and Columbia Records in 1985. Soon after, he dropped out of Andrew Jackson High School to record his debut album.
He is known for romantic ballads such as I Need Love and Hey Lover as well as pioneering hip-hop such as I Can't Live Without My Radio, I'm Bad, The Boomin' System, Mama Said Knock You Out, and 4, 3, 2, 1. L has also appeared in several films. LL Cool J is one of a few hip-hop stars of his era to sustain a successful recording career for more than two decades. He has released 12 albums and a greatest hits compilation so far, with his next album, Exit 13, set to be released in September, 2008. The album will be the last for LL's record deal with Def Jam Recordings, a deal which has lasted for over twenty two years, making it the longest single hip hop deal to date. He now resides in Manhasset, NY with his wife and four children.
I'm Bad
LL Cool J Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Be on the lookout for a tall light-skinned brother with dimples
Wearing a black Kangol, sweatsuit, gold chain, and sneakers
Last seen on Farmers Boulevard heading east
Alias LL Cool J, he's bad)
Ah
No rapper can rap quite like I can
Not the last Mafioso, I'm a MC cop
Make you say, "Go LL" and do the Wop
If you think you can out rhyme me, yeah, boy, I bet
'Cause I ain't met a motherfucker who can do that yet
Trendsetter, I'm better, my rhymes are good
I got a gourmet plate that says "I wish you would"
And when battles begin then I gotta join in and
Before my rhyme is over, you know I'ma win
Cool J has arrived, so you better make way
Ask anybody in the crowd, they say the kid don't play
Slaughter competition, that's my hobby and job
I don't wear a disguise because I don't owe the mob
Got a pinpoint rap that makes you feel trapped
So many girls on my jock, I think my phone is tapped
I'm bad
Cool J
Cool J (yeah)
Cool J
Cool J
Cool J
Cool J-J-J-J
I'm like Tyson, icin', I'm a soldier at war
I'm makin' sure you don't try to battle me no more
Got concrete rhymes, been rappin' for ten years and
Even when I'm braggin', I'm bein' sincere
MC's can't win, I make 'em rust like tin
They call me Jaws, my hat is like a shark's fin
Because I'm bad as can be, got my voice on wax
Some brothers think he's making records, now he must have relaxed
I couldn't, I shouldn't, and it'll stay that way
The best rapper you've heard is LL Cool J
Kamikaze, take a look at what I've done
Used to rock in my basement, now I'm number one
And can happen on time, never standin' on line
You wanna try me? First you better learn how to rhyme
I'm the pinnacle, that means I reign supreme
And I'm notorious, I'll crush you like a jellybean
I'm bad
(Suspect was last spotted with three other members of his group
Bobcat, E Love and the Cut Creator
They are extremely bad, so keep your eyes open
Use extreme caution)
I eliminate punks, cut 'em up in chunks
You were souped, you heard me, and your ego shrunk
I'm devastating, I'm so good it's a shame
'Cause I eat rappers like a cannibal, they call me insane
I'm as strong as a bull, of course you know I have pull
I enjoy what I'm doin', plus I'm paid in full
Not Buckaroo Bonsai but bust it out as I
Say the kind of rhymes that make MC's wish that I died
Never retire or put my mic on the shelf
The baddest rapper in the history of rap itself
Not bitter or mad, just provin' I'm bad
You want a hit? Give me a hour, plus a pen and a pad
MC's retreat, 'cause they know I can beat 'em
And eat 'em in a battle and the ref won't cheat 'em
I'm the baddest, takin' out all rookies
So forget Oreos, eat Cool J cookies
I'm bad
Cool J
Cool J (ha)
Cool J (come and get it)
Cool J-J-J
Cool J-J-J
Never ever, no, never (Cool J)
Never wearin' no Levis, battle me, why try?
I'll treat you like a stepchild, so tell mommy "bye-bye"
Slaughterin' MC's and I'ma never get whipped
When I retire, I'll get worshipped like a old battleship
LL, I'm bad, all the rappers know
When I enter the center they say, "Yo, yo there he go"
My paycheck's large, Mr. Bogart in charge
Not a puncher or a hunter from a raccoon lodge
The original Todd, teachin' how to be hard
Take the skin off a snake, and split a pea from a pod
You're a novice, I'm noble, and I decipher my tongue
Not Atilla the Hun, nor Abdullah his son
My vocals exact like rack and pinion in a Jag
You try to brag, you get your rhymes from a grab-bag
No good scavenger, catfish vulture
My tongue's a chisel and this composition's sculpture
I'm bad
(Think I'm gonna need backup
I think I'm gonna need backup)
(Gimme that walkie-talkie
Yo, this is L.L. Cool J
And you'll never catch me, so don't even try it
'Cause I'm too bad for ya, understand?
I'm bad
In LL Cool J's classic song "I'm Bad," LL Cool J brags about his skills as a rapper and his ability to dominate the competition. He deftly uses wordplay and metaphors to describe his prowess, comparing himself to a shark and a soldier at war. He asserts that he is the best rapper around and challenges anyone to try and outdo him, claiming that he has not yet met anyone who can match his skills.
Throughout the song, LL Cool J makes various pop culture references to indicate his confidence and knowledge of the world around him. When he says, "Trendsetter, I'm better, my rhymes are good. I got a gourmet plate that says 'I wish you would'," he is referencing the popular TV show "A Different World." He also compares himself to boxer Mike Tyson, further emphasizing the idea that he is a tough, unbeatable force to be reckoned with.
The song's overall message is that LL Cool J is the baddest rapper around, and no one can stop him. He is confident, skillful, and relentless, and he will stop at nothing to demonstrate his dominance.
Line by Line Meaning
Calling all cars, calling all cars
Attention everyone, attention everyone
Be on the lookout for a tall light-skinned brother with dimples
Keep an eye out for a tall, light-skinned man with dimples
Wearing a black Kangol, sweatsuit, gold chain, and sneakers
He is dressed in a black Kangol hat, sweatsuit, gold chain, and sneakers
Last seen on Farmers Boulevard heading east
Last spotted on Farmers Boulevard going in the east direction
Alias LL Cool J, he's bad
His stage name is LL Cool J, and he is very talented
Ah
Expressing excitement or satisfaction
No rapper can rap quite like I can
No other rapper can match my rapping abilities
I'll take a musclebound man and put his face in the sand
I can easily defeat someone much stronger than me
Not the last Mafioso, I'm a MC cop
I'm not a gangster, but a skilled rapper
Make you say, 'Go LL' and do the Wop
My performance will make you cheer for me and dance the Wop
If you think you can out rhyme me, yeah, boy, I bet
If you believe you can outperform me in rhyming, I'll wager that you can't
'Cause I ain't met a motherfucker who can do that yet
I haven't encountered anyone who can surpass my skills
Trendsetter, I'm better, my rhymes are good
I am an influencer, and my rhymes are excellent
I got a gourmet plate that says 'I wish you would'
I have a superior reputation that challenges others to compete
And when battles begin then I gotta join in and
When rap battles start, I have to participate
Before my rhyme is over, you know I'ma win
Even before I finish my verse, it's clear that I will be victorious
Cool J has arrived, so you better make way
I, LL Cool J, have arrived, so step aside
Ask anybody in the crowd, they say the kid don't play
Anyone in the audience will confirm that I am serious and not to be taken lightly
Slaughter competition, that's my hobby and job
I enjoy and excel at defeating other rappers
I don't wear a disguise because I don't owe the mob
I don't need to hide my true identity like a mobster
Got a pinpoint rap that makes you feel trapped
My precise and powerful rap style leaves you captivated
So many girls on my jock, I think my phone is tapped
I receive so much attention from girls that it feels like my phone calls are being monitored
I'm bad
I am exceptionally skilled and talented
I'm like Tyson, icin', I'm a soldier at war
I am similar to Mike Tyson, tough and fierce like a warrior
I'm makin' sure you don't try to battle me no more
I am guaranteeing that no one will attempt to challenge me again
Got concrete rhymes, been rappin' for ten years and
My rhymes are solid and I have been rapping for a decade
Even when I'm braggin', I'm bein' sincere
Even when I boast, I am genuinely confident in my abilities
MC's can't win, I make 'em rust like tin
Other MCs cannot defeat me, they crumble like rusty tin
They call me Jaws, my hat is like a shark's fin
I am given the nickname 'Jaws' because my hat resembles a shark's fin
Because I'm bad as can be, got my voice on wax
I am extremely skilled, and my recordings demonstrate my talent
Some brothers think he's making records, now he must have relaxed
Others assume that I have become complacent since I am successful in making records
I couldn't, I shouldn't, and it'll stay that way
I cannot and should not be underestimated, and that will remain unchanged
The best rapper you've heard is LL Cool J
I am the greatest rapper you have ever listened to
Kamikaze, take a look at what I've done
I take big risks, but just look at the accomplishments I've achieved
Used to rock in my basement, now I'm number one
I started out performing in my basement, but now I am at the top of the charts
And can happen on time, never standin' on line
I always arrive promptly and never have to wait in line
You wanna try me? First you better learn how to rhyme
If you want to challenge me, you better improve your rhyming skills first
I'm the pinnacle, that means I reign supreme
I am at the pinnacle of my craft, which means I am the best
And I'm notorious, I'll crush you like a jellybean
I have a notorious reputation, and defeating you will be as easy as crushing a jellybean
I'm bad
I am exceptionally skilled and talented
I eliminate punks, cut 'em up in chunks
I destroy weak and talentless rappers, completely breaking them down
You were souped, you heard me, and your ego shrunk
You were overly confident, but after hearing me, your ego deflated
I'm devastating, I'm so good it's a shame
I am incredibly impressive, to the point that it's almost unbelievable
'Cause I eat rappers like a cannibal, they call me insane
I metaphorically consume and defeat rappers, which leads them to label me as crazy
I'm as strong as a bull, of course you know I have pull
I am as powerful as a bull, and my influence is evident
I enjoy what I'm doin', plus I'm paid in full
I love what I do, and I am financially successful
Not Buckaroo Bonsai but bust it out as I
I am not a fictional character, but I perform exceptionally well
Say the kind of rhymes that make MC's wish that I died
My rhymes are so impressive that other MCs wish I was no longer around to compete with them
Never retire or put my mic on the shelf
I will never stop rapping or abandon my microphone
The baddest rapper in the history of rap itself
I am the most skilled and talented rapper in the entire history of the genre
Not bitter or mad, just provin' I'm bad
I am not angry or resentful, just demonstrating how incredibly talented I am
You want a hit? Give me a hour, plus a pen and a pad
If you want a top-notch rap song, just give me an hour, a pen, and paper
MC's retreat, 'cause they know I can beat 'em
Other MCs run away because they know I can defeat them
And eat 'em in a battle and the ref won't cheat 'em
I will figuratively consume and defeat them in a fair competition
I'm the baddest, takin' out all rookies
I am the most skilled rapper, defeating all newcomers
So forget Oreos, eat Cool J cookies
Rather than focusing on other inferior rappers, pay attention to my superior music
I'm bad
I am exceptionally skilled and talented
Never ever, no, never (Cool J)
Absolutely not, never (Cool J)
Never wearin' no Levis, battle me, why try?
I never wear Levis jeans, so why bother attempting to challenge me?
I'll treat you like a stepchild, so tell mommy 'bye-bye'
I will dismiss you like an unwanted stepchild, so say goodbye to your support
Slaughterin' MC's and I'ma never get whipped
I consistently defeat other MCs and will never be defeated
When I retire, I'll get worshipped like a old battleship
When I eventually retire, I will be celebrated and adored like a vintage warship
LL, I'm bad, all the rappers know
The name is LL, and all the other rappers are aware of my talent
When I enter the center they say, 'Yo, yo there he go'
When I step onto the stage, people exclaim, 'Look, there he is!'
My paycheck's large, Mr. Bogart in charge
I receive a substantial income, and I am the one in control, like Mr. Bogart
Not a puncher or a hunter from a raccoon lodge
I am not someone who throws punches or hunts in a secluded place like a raccoon lodge
The original Todd, teachin' how to be hard
I am the original Todd, showcasing how to be tough and resilient
Take the skin off a snake, and split a pea from a pod
I am skilled enough to remove a snake's skin and separate a pea from its pod
You're a novice, I'm noble, and I decipher my tongue
You are an inexperienced beginner, while I am distinguished and can skillfully articulate my thoughts
Not Atilla the Hun, nor Abdullah his son
I am neither Atilla the Hun nor his son Abdullah, but I am just as powerful and influential
My vocals exact like rack and pinion in a Jag
My vocals are precise, just like the rack and pinion steering system in a Jaguar
You try to brag, you get your rhymes from a grab-bag
If you attempt to boast, your rhymes will be weak and randomly chosen like from a grab-bag
No good scavenger, catfish vulture
You are like a worthless scavenger or opportunistic catfish
My tongue's a chisel and this composition's sculpture
My words are like a sharp chisel, carefully crafting this artistic composition
I'm bad
I am exceptionally skilled and talented
I'm bad
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bobby F. Ervin, Dwayne Emil Simon, James Todd Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@gherallldorivverieeraa2074
Not hating on new rap, but it’s so weird and cool how old school rappers pronounce every word so clearly.
@kjthekunoichi
Nowadays, its more to mumble rap.. both are good for chilling... lyrical rap like eminem's & NF's are for emo days imo😅😅
@ms.gracefullybroken8724
you ain’t lying..I sooooo agree with you
@kjthekunoichi
@SWAG Dude 😊😊hmmm okay for me, em's rap can be for emo days (eg the way i am, im not afraid, stan) & when im in the mood for some sarcastic rap (eg. Slim shady)😅
@kjthekunoichi
@SWAG Dude mumble rap beats are okay, not rly the lyrics, mv doh👍
@causetheplumstasteyum7848
@@kjthekunoichi Mumble rap is " Good " ? For chilling ? I'd rather stick my ear on a toilet cubicle door and listen to hours worth of people shitting than Ever consider that music or talent. Clearly if you think eminem has anything emo related to it you must be a mentalist.
@FernandoRobbins2581
For all you youngsters out THIS IS REAL HIP HOP!
@HighIQBasketballpod
I'm old enough to remember when "I'm Bad" and "Bad" used to play back to back on the radio. What a time to be alive.
@cmcgsr3243
We grew up in a great time my friend. I'm here jamming LL while watching breakin 2 electric boogaloo lol.
@zanewernli9972
legendary