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.
Jack the Ripper
LL Cool J Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My ace in the hole was this brand new track
I'ma slow it up and speed it up and now you're gonna eat it up
Listen to the funky beat, my tongue is gonna beat it up
I did it, but the devil didn't make me
I did it for the suckers who tried to shake and bake me
Proving a point that I'm a serious joint
You can roll me up and puff me, and then I'll anoint
Make it run like water, watch it boil
'Cause I made 'em play it, made 'em say it
Made 'em okay it, made 'em obey it huh!
Prince of the growl is on the prowl
How you like me now punk? You living foul
Here's what my game is, here is what my aim is
A washed up rapper needs a washer, my name is
Jack the Ripper
Jack-Jack-Jack the Ripper
Jack-Jack, Jack-Jack, Jack-Jack, Jack the Ripper
King Hercules!
Back for the payback, I must say that
I heard your new jam, I don't play that
It ain't loud enough punk, it ain't hitting
This year you tried, next year you're quitting
Last year you thought I was dying out
But again, and again, and again without a doubt
It's the gangster boogie, the earthquake sound
Pump it up and play it so they hear it all around
I do it up rough, tough, I don't bluff
And this is an example of funky stuff
When you want to make hits, you make 'em like this
They ain't like this they don't hit, they miss
It's a strong record, a record for the strong
For those who appreciate real rap songs
Listen how I won't allow myself to go off track
Stay back, I got the power, I'm
Jack the Ripper
Jack-Jack-Jack the Ripper
Jack-Jack, Jack-Jack, Jack-Jack, Jack the Ripper
King Hercules!
Jack the Ripper, a man, not a myth
A-K-A James Todd Smith
Hard like penitentiary steel
Breaking necks while I flex my sex appeal
Home girls in the house, come on
Home girls in the house, give it up
You gotta want to get hotter
Moving and grooving, and always improving a lot of
People don't know how nice I am
People sleeping, so now I gotta slice my man
Like ham in a pan, wrap him up in Saran
Kidnap him and slap him up inside of a van
While you're doing your dance I want you to make moves
No one out there thought you could do
You know my name and my game and what I'm here to do
Party people, lemme see if you can dance to--
Jack the Ripper
Jack-Jack-Jack the Ripper
Jack-Jack, Jack-Jack, Jack-Jack, Jack the Ripper
King Hercules!
Break it down!
Break it down!
Break it down!
Yo Bob, show that old school sucker punk what real hip hop is boy
"How Ya Like Me Now?" I'm getting busier
I'm double platinum, I'm watching you get dizzier
Check out the way I say my, display my, play my
Ain't holding back, behind the cool without the A.Y.
I love to ride the groove because the groove is smooth
It makes me move and I'll improve
As it goes on, as it flows on
When you see me, don't ask if the show's on
How that sound? Don't came around, playing me close, brown
Pull on my jock to be down
You need to stay down, way down, because you're low down
Do that dance, the prince of rap is gonna throw down
Aiming to please while I'm killing emcees
I'ma keep on hitting you with rough LPs
Day after day after day
You smashed in the face by the bass of Cool J
I'm
I'm a beast on the microphone, a night stalker
A killing machine, a savage street talker
Jason with an axe, but I put it on wax
To eradicate the suckers who thought I had relaxed
The prince of hip hop, straight from Queens
Kicking it mean, keeping it clean
And you've never seen anybody rock the party
And you funky beat-a-holics this beats Bacardi
I go to the show, and terrorize emcees, don't you know
Moving my hand like I'm playing the piano
Don't touch the dial, don't change the channel
Don't let me hear you say I ain't debonair
I'm better than any emcee out there
As a matter of fact, suckers can't compare
When I rocking the mic people stop and stare
The lyrics "Jack the Ripper, a man not a myth" in LL Cool J's song Jack the Ripper portray LL Cool J's artistic persona as a killer who dominates the rap scene. He asserts his power and flexes his sex appeal over his competition by mocking their perceived weakness with arrogant claims of his own strength. He begins with a statement of his prominence and his position as a serious force to be reckoned with in the industry. LL Cool J then brags about his ability to create hit songs, which is why he commands the respect of his listeners. The chorus repeats his name, Jack the Ripper, as he struts his talent.
Throughout the song, he highlights his potential to slice his competitors up, using ham as a metaphor, for their disrespect of his abilities, power, and sex appeal. LL Cool J, as the prince of the growl, plans to demolish his competition, who he sees as washed-up losers, by making sure that he is always producing hot new tracks that his listeners are eager to hear. Because of his dominance in the industry, the listeners appreciate real rap songs and recognize his real talent, which separates him from the rest of the rappers.
Line by Line Meaning
Milky, and I'm back
I am back with a new, fresh style
My ace in the hole was this brand new track
I have a secret weapon in the form of this new song
I'ma slow it up and speed it up and now you're gonna eat it up
I will play with the tempo to keep you hooked on the song
Listen to the funky beat, my tongue is gonna beat it up
Pay attention to the catchy beat, I'll impress you with my rhymes
I did it, but the devil didn't make me
I achieved success without relying on external forces
I did it for the suckers who tried to shake and bake me
I succeeded to prove my haters wrong
Proving a point that I'm a serious joint
Showing everyone that I am a talented and respected artist
You can roll me up and puff me, and then I'll anoint
You can enjoy my music like a joint and feel elevated by it
Your head with oil--lots of oil
I will bless you and bring you joy through my music
Make it run like water, watch it boil
My music will flow smoothly and captivate you
'Cause I made 'em play it, made 'em say it
I influenced others to play and appreciate my music
Made 'em okay it, made 'em obey it---huh!
I had the power to make others accept and follow my artistry
Prince of the growl is on the prowl
I am the dominant figure with a fierce and commanding presence
How you like me now punk? You living foul
I am asking my critics how they feel about my success, suggesting they are jealous
Here's what my game is, here is what my aim is
I am revealing my strategy and goals in the music industry
A washed-up rapper needs a washer, my name is--
I am saying that other rappers who are past their prime need someone like me to rejuvenate their careers
Jack the Ripper
I am a skilled and ruthless rapper
Jack-Jack-Jack the Ripper
Repeating my name to emphasize my talent and dominance
Jack-Jack, Jack-Jack, Jack-Jack, Jack the Ripper
Further reinforcing my identity as Jack the Ripper
King Hercules!
I am the powerful and unbeatable King Hercules
Back for the payback, I must say that
I am seeking revenge and asserting myself
I heard your new jam, I don't play that
I am dismissing and rejecting your new song
It ain't loud enough punk, it ain't hitting
Your music lacks the energy and impact that I bring
This year you tried, next year you're quitting
You made an attempt this year, but you won't last and will give up
Last year you thought I was dying out
In the previous year, people believed my career was fading
But again, and again, and again without a doubt
I have proven them wrong time and time again
It's the gangster boogie, the earthquake sound
My music has a powerful and exciting impact on the audience
Pump it up and play it so they hear it all around
I encourage others to play my music loudly and spread it everywhere
I do it up rough, tough, I don't bluff
I deliver my music with intensity and authenticity, I don't fake it
And this is an example of funky stuff
This song is a prime illustration of enjoyable and funky music
When you want to make hits, you make 'em like this
This is the formula for creating popular and successful songs
They ain't like this they don't hit, they miss
Other songs that aren't like mine don't resonate with the audience
It's a strong record, a record for the strong
This song is powerful and appeals to those who appreciate strong music
For those who appreciate real rap songs
This song is for the true fans of authentic rap music
Listen how I won't allow myself to go off track
I stay focused and won't deviate from my path to success
Stay back, I got the power, I'm--
Stay away because I possess the strength and influence
Jack the Ripper, a man, not a myth
I am a real and formidable rapper, not a fictional character
A-k-a James Todd Smith
Also known as James Todd Smith, my real name
Hard like penitentiary steel
I am strong and tough like prison bars
Breaking necks while I flex my sex appeal
I am attractive and charismatic, capturing attention and admiration
Home girls in the house, see'mon
I am addressing and inviting the women in the audience to participate
Home girls in the house, give it up
I am asking the female audience members to show their support and enthusiasm
You gotta want to get hotter
You need to desire a more exciting and energetic atmosphere
Moving and grooving, and always improving a lot of
I am encouraging everyone to dance and have a good time while constantly seeking self-improvement
People don't know how nice I am
Many people are unaware of my true talent and abilities
People sleeping, so now I gotta slice my man
People are underestimating me, so I need to prove myself to them
Like ham in a pan, wrap him up in Saran
I will defeat and dominate my competition, wrapping them up like food in plastic wrap
Kidnap him and slap him up inside of a van
I will metaphorically overpower and punish my rivals
While you're doing your dance I want you to make moves
As you enjoy the music and dance, I want you to make progress in your life
Don't run out there ? ? ?
Don't waste your energy on trivial things
You know my name and my game and what I'm here to do
You are familiar with my reputation and purpose in the music industry
Party people, lemme see if you can dance to--
I am challenging the audience to dance to the beat I am about to play
Break it down! x3
I want the music to get more intense and for everyone to get down and dance
Yo Bob, show that old school sucker punk what real hip hop is boy
I am instructing someone named Bob to demonstrate true hip hop to an old-school rapper
"How Ya Like Me Now?" I'm getting busier
I am asking if people admire my progress and asserting that I am becoming even more successful
I'm double platinum, I'm watching you get dizzier
I have achieved great sales and success, and I am witnessing my competitors becoming envious and disoriented
Check out the way I say my, display my, play my
Observe the unique and impressive manner in which I deliver, present, and perform my music
Ain't holding back, behind the cool without the A.Y.
I am not restraining myself and staying confident and cool without arrogance
I love to ride the groove because the groove is smooth
I enjoy flowing smoothly with the music because it enhances my performance
It makes me move and I'll improve
The rhythm of the groove motivates me to improve my skills
As it goes on, as it flows on
The longer the music plays and the more it progresses, the more I excel
When you see me, don't ask if the show's on
When you see me, you already know that the show is on and it's going to be great
How that sound? Don't came around, playing me close, brown
How does that sound? Don't come around, trying to deceive me or take advantage
Pull on my jock to be down
Don't try to cling to my fame and success to boost your own popularity
You need to stay down, way down, because you're low down
You need to remain humble and stay beneath me because you lack integrity
Do that dance, the prince of rap is gonna throw down
Continue dancing because I, the prince of rap, am going to deliver an amazing performance
Aiming to please while I'm killing emcees
My objective is to entertain and satisfy the audience while I overpower and defeat other rappers
I'm gonna keep on hitting you with rough LPs
I will continue releasing hard-hitting and impactful albums
Day after day after day
Consistently and continuously
Tou smashed in the face by the vase of Cool J
You are figuratively struck in the face by the excellence and impact of Cool J
I'm--
I am about to say or do something significant
I'm a beast on the microphone, a night stalker
I am extremely talented and fierce when rapping, like a monstrous night hunter
A killing machine, a savage street talker
I am lethal and unstoppable, displaying aggressive and cunning verbal skills
Jason with an axe, but I put it on wax
Similar to the fictional killer Jason Voorhees from the Friday the 13th movies, I bring destruction but channel it into my music
To eradicate the suckers who thought I had relaxed
I am eliminating those who mistakenly believed I had become complacent
The prince of hip hop, straight from Queens
I am the distinguished and respected representative of hip hop from Queens, New York
Kicking it mean, keeping it clean
I am delivering my rap with boldness and aggression while maintaining my integrity
And you've never seen anybody rock the party
No one has witnessed anyone else entertain and energize a crowd like I do
All you punks ? ? ? this beats Bacardi
All you insignificant individuals cannot compete with the impact and hype of this music
I go to the show, and terrorize emcees, don't you know
When I perform, I dominate and intimidate other rappers, as you should be aware
Moving my hand like I'm playing the piano
I use my hand gestures and movements, similar to playing the piano, to enhance my performance
Don't touch the dial, don't change the channel
Stay tuned and engaged, don't switch to something else
Don't let me hear you say I ain't debonair
Don't dare suggest that I lack charm, sophistication, and style
I'm better than any emcee out there
I am superior to any other rapper in the industry
As a matter of fact, suckers can't compare
In fact, no one can rival or measure up to me
When I rocking the mic people stop and stare, at..
When I am performing on the microphone, people are mesmerized and cannot look away
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Rick Rubin, James Todd Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind