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.
Throw Ya L's Up
LL Cool J Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[Chorus]
L! Who bring you the hotness?
L! Yo, you don't want to start with
L! Forever keeping it locked
It's now time to rock with, L! throw your L's up
Be clear, every time he reappears, it's sicker
Listen here, the mind expanded, the vision is slicker
I'm long range like a miss-ile, many styles to getcha
Tear ya out the frame so the hood can get the picture
But I'd rather break bread, kick knowledge and get some money witcha
I'm willing and able, to smooth pounds out like Witch Hazel
The legend is real, I'm not a fable
Captivated the screen, I'm Queens' Clark Gable
If it ain't a joint, bet your label, don't put it on the table
I'm out for the moolah, throw better hooks than David Tua
Who's the nicest? (L, you are!)
[Chorus: x2]
You don't want it with L, b'ship cats'll get banged out
Put your flow throw a filter boy, shake the old slang out
23's in the building, watch my tongue hang out
Makin' MC's scatter like multiple shots rang out
Day one since I came out, they can't put the flame out
My temp seizing, perfect reason to blow the game out
Skating off in the Navi, naw baby you can't have me
But I know cats will pay for that 'n lace ya, yeah, gladly
Warning, young rappers, you don't want a career?
Y'all want to keep going platinum, y'all don't want to disappear?
Stop bopping backstage like you causing me fear
Cause you starting to get on my nerves, and that's a problem
The vet's in here
[Chorus: x2]
Tension on the mic, halftime highlights
L Boogie banging on 'em, jumpin' through the skylight
You stand corrected, I'm hot, so get it riddight
I'm just spitting, when the middick is gripped, I spit it tiddight
Alright? Oh, these various rappers is so hilarious
Who put the mic down but y'all ain't qualified to carry this
Your, tracks are garbage and bars are miscellaneous
So, throwing your joint at my car was spontaneous
Oh! I can't take it, why, must they fake it
Flows is fully dressed, yours is butt naked
Forever I will be, the one they came to see
Blowing mics in half baby, who else could it be but
[Chorus: x4]
I'm so hot (yeah)
We so hot (yeah)
You so hot (I'm so hot)
Feel it hot (yeah)
Are you hot (you make me hot)
I know I'm hot (oh)
Are you hot (yes I'm hot)
I know I'm hot, feel it! (yeah)
In LL Cool J's song, "Throw Your L's Up", the rapper uses his lyrics to assert his dominance and skill in the rap game. He confidently proclaims his own greatness while challenging and calling out other rappers who try to step to him. The lyrics are filled with metaphors and wordplay, showcasing LL Cool J's ability to craft clever and impactful lines. He also touches on themes of growth and success, highlighting his ability to adapt and evolve without losing his roots.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the power and influence of LL Cool J and his "L" brand, encouraging listeners to join in and throw up their own L's in support. He then goes on to deliver verses full of hard-hitting punchlines and braggadocious boasts, showing off his rap skills and solidifying his status as a hip-hop legend.
Overall, "Throw Your L's Up" is a classic LL Cool J track that showcases the rapper's ability to craft clever and impactful lyrics while maintaining his iconic image and sound.
Line by Line Meaning
L! Who bring you the hotness?
Who else but LL Cool J brings the hottest?
L! Yo, you don't want to start with
You better beware and think twice before starting something with LL Cool J
L! Forever keeping it locked
LL Cool J always keeps it locked and tight
It's now time to rock with, L! throw your L's up
It's the right time to rock with LL Cool J and show support by throwing your Ls up
Don't ever underestimate the Jack the Ripper
Do not underestimate LL Cool J
Be clear, every time he reappears, it's sicker
LL Cool J always comes back stronger and better
Listen here, the mind expanded, the vision is slicker
LL Cool J's mind is always expanding and his vision is becoming clearer and sharper
I'm long range like a missile, many styles to getcha
LL Cool J has a long range like a missile and many different styles to get you with
Tear ya out the frame so the hood can get the picture
LL Cool J will tear you apart so the hood can see who the real deal is
But I'd rather break bread, kick knowledge and get some money witcha
LL Cool J would rather share his wealth by breaking bread, kickin knowledge and getting money with you
I'm willing and able, to smooth pounds out like Witch Hazel
LL Cool J is ready and capable of smoothing things out like Witch Hazel
The legend is real, I'm not a fable
LL Cool J is a legend and not a fable
Captivated the screen, I'm Queens' Clark Gable
LL Cool J has captivated the screen and he is the Clark Gable of Queens
If it ain't a joint, bet your label, don't put it on the table
If it's not a hit record, bet your label not to waste his time with it
I'm out for the moolah, throw better hooks than David Tua
LL Cool J is in it for the money and can throw better hooks than David Tua
Who's the nicest? (L, you are!)
Who is the nicest? Straight up, it's LL Cool J.
You don't want it with L, b'ship cats'll get banged out
You don't want to mess with LL Cool J or his affiliates, they will be dealt with accordingly
Put your flow throw a filter boy, shake the old slang out
Clean up your act and update your style before coming face to face with LL Cool J
23's in the building, watch my tongue hang out
LL Cool J has arrived and he is ready for action
Makin' MC's scatter like multiple shots rang out
LL Cool J can make other rappers scatter and run like they are being shot
Day one since I came out, they can't put the flame out
Since day one of his career, LL Cool J has been unstoppable and uncontainable
My temp seizing, perfect reason to blow the game out
LL Cool J has reached a boiling point and he is ready to blow the game out
Skating off in the Navi, naw baby you can't have me
LL Cool J cruises off in his Navigator and reassures that he is not up for grabs
But I know cats will pay for that 'n lace ya, yeah, gladly
On the other hand, LL Cool J knows that some guys will pay for your company and the luxuries that come with it
Warning, young rappers, you don't want a career?
LL Cool J warns young rappers that they don't really want a career
Y'all want to keep going platinum, y'all don't want to disappear?
All they want is the money and the fame, they don't care about having longevity in the game
Stop bopping backstage like you causing me fear
LL Cool J is tired of young rappers acting like they are a threat to him, especially backstage.
Cause you starting to get on my nerves, and that's a problem
LL Cool J is getting fed up with the attitude and lack of respect from young rappers.
The vet's in here
The veteran is in the building and he's not going anywhere
Tension on the mic, halftime highlights
The tension on the mic is palpable, this is the halftime highlights of the show
L Boogie banging on 'em, jumpin' through the skylight
LL Cool J is banging on his opponents, jumping through obstacles like a superhero
You stand corrected, I'm hot, so get it riddight
If anyone questions it, they are corrected - LL Cool J is hot and they better get it right
I'm just spitting, when the middick is gripped, I spit it tiddight
LL Cool J is not only rapping, but he is speaking the truth in such a way that is tight and on point
Alright? Oh, these various rappers is so hilarious
These different rappers are comical in their various attempts to try and be like LL Cool J
Who put the mic down but y'all ain't qualified to carry this
No one but LL Cool J can put the mic down because others aren't qualified enough to carry on his legacy
Your, tracks are garbage and bars are miscellaneous
Your tracks are trash and your rhymes are all over the place
So, throwing your joint at my car was spontaneous
Throwing your CD on my car was an impulsive act without thought or meaning
Oh! I can't take it, why, must they fake it
LL Cool J is frustrated with the amount of fake rappers and their lack of originality
Flows is fully dressed, yours is butt naked
LL Cool J's rhymes are polished and fully dressed, while others are bare and unrefined
Forever I will be, the one they came to see
No matter what, LL Cool J will always be the one the people come to see
Blowing mics in half baby, who else could it be but
LL Cool J is the only one who can blow mics in half - who else could it be but him?
I'm so hot (yeah)
LL Cool J is hot stuff
We so hot (yeah)
The people around him are also hot stuff
You so hot (I'm so hot)
And even you are hot (but not as hot as LL Cool J)
Feel it hot (yeah)
Everyone feels the heat
Are you hot (you make me hot)
LL Cool J is so hot, he makes others hot too
I know I'm hot (oh)
LL Cool J knows he's hot
Are you hot (yes I'm hot)
Others also know they're hot, but still not as hot as LL Cool J
I know I'm hot, feel it! (yeah)
LL Cool J knows he's hot and everyone can feel it too
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RONALD LAWRENCE, JAMES TODD SMITH, K. HOLLAND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind