James Todd Smith born January 14, 1968, known professionally as LL Cool J (short for Ladies Love Cool James), is an American rapper, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur from Queens, New York. With the breakthrough success of his single "I Need a Beat" and the Radio LP, LL Cool J became an early hip-hop act to achieve mainstream success along with Kurtis Blow and Run-DMC. LL Cool J has released 13 studio albums and two greatest hits compilations. His twelfth album Exit 13 (2008), was his last for his long-tenured deal with Def Jam Recordings.