While visiting Apple Music’s ‘Le Code,’ the rap pioneer boldly claimed the ‘G.O.A.T.’ title.
By Jaelani Turner-Williams
LL Cool J thinks he’ll be the first rapper to come to mind when people discuss ‘G.O.A.T.’ status rhymers.
The rapper-actor, who released his fourteenth album, The FORCE, in September, was on the latest episode of Apple Music show “Le Code” (posted on Thursday, November 28), where, around the 46-minute mark, he was asked whether he’d make a biopic about his life. After sharing that he’d have a “hard time getting excited” about the project, LL explained that he’s “still very much” in the rap game.
After admitting that he’s honored when people name his classics like “Rock the Bells” and “Hey Lover,” LL, real name Todd Smith, predicted he’ll be given his flowers as the best in rap when it’s all said and done.”I’m going to say this humbly, but I really mean it: I think that one day people are going to wake up and realize LL Cool J is the most important rapper that ever existed,” the East Coast rap legend said. “I truly believe one day people will say that.”
He continued, “They’re going to look and say, ‘Wow when it comes to the jewelry, this is the guy that introduced all the ice and the jewelry and the champagne,’”. “They’re going to say when it comes to the love songs, they’re going to say, ‘This is the guy that introduced the love songs and all the love shit.’”
LL also proclaimed that he’d be remembered as the rapper who brought all the “bad boy vibes” before mentioning the storied Def Jam Records among the first mainstream rap labels. “When it comes to the G.O.A.T. terminology, ‘This is the guy who came up with all the G.O.A.T stuff.’ They’re going to say, when it comes to Def Jam, ‘Wow this is the first artist that was on Def Jam.’”
The “Deliver Us From Eva” actor went on to name-drop Kangol, FUBU as streetwear lines he helped popularize while making “credible records” and starring in television shows and films.
“I can go on and on and on and on and on, and so it’s like, I feel like that’s why–for in a lot of ways–it’s hard for me to get into the movie thing honestly, sincerely,” LL continued.
Having lived a career-spanning life, LL’s question for Le Code host Mehdi Maïzi was simple: How do you make a movie about that?
But the G.O.A.T. conversation is still subjective, depending on the fan. LL named 2Pac, Snoop Dogg, The Notorious B.I.G. and Nas among those who could nab the title. “There are too many rappers that have done too many important things for me to claim that I’m the one,” he said.
LL established the G.O.A.T. acronym on his eighth album, which he discussed on Big Boy TV earlier this month, around the 41-minute mark of the video below. He also shared his regrets about not trademarking the term, which he pulled from late boxer and activist Muhammad Ali and Harlem street ball player Earl Manigault.