LL Cool J reps Queens during Rock Hall induction
/By Rachel Vick
Queens kid LL Cool J had his name cemented in music history over the weekend after being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The St. Albans-raised rapper — born James Smith — had been nominated six times before finally taking a place alongside legends like Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G. Saturday
“I know I’m supposed to get up here and talk tough… but no, humility,” he said in his speech. “I’m not talking about that false, self-deprecating, I-bow-to-you-but-I think-I’m better than you s–t — I’m talking about real humility, where you have the confidence to collaborate, the confidence to work with other people. The confidence to celebrate others.”
Dr. Dre presented him with the Musical Excellence Award for more than thirty years of making music that shaped a generation.
LL Cool J took the opportunity to thank his family, support system and collaborators over the decades and the fans who voted him in. He also, of course, had to rep the borough.
“Queens, of course, Harlem, uptown,” he said. “Queens, I love you.”
Jennifer Lopez and Eminem joined Cool J on the stage for surprise performances during “All I Have” and “Rock the Bells.”
Also in the New York-heavy 2021 inductee class was Brooklynite and fellow rapper Jay-Z, Manhattan-born Carole King, Tina Turner, The Go-Gos, Foo Fighters, Todd Rundgren, Kraftwerk, Charley Patton, Gil Scott-Heron, Billy Preston, Clarence Avant and Randy Rhoads.