LL Cool J Questions "Forefather Of Pop Rap" Title

BY Erika Marie 4.7K Views
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LL Cool J, Forefather of Rap, Rap Icon, Rap Legend
The Rap legend called the title "confusing" & asked his followers why he's being placed in that lane.

It's undeniable that Rap has evolved since its inception, but LL Cool J isn't feeling the latest title bestowed upon him. The 53-year-old Rap legend has been in the game since the mid-1980s and helped blur the lines between hard bars coming from the streets and the new R&B movement at the time that was gaining traction. We've received some classic Rap-R&B hits from LL Cool J including "I Need Love," "Hey Lover," "Loungin'," and "Doin It," and it's clear that he's a pioneer in the entertainment industry.

As we attempt to categorize artists, some of our legends are being tossed in lanes that they don't necessarily believe they adhere to. It's unclear where this latest label came from, but Cool James posed a question to his followers for a little help in understanding why he's been named the "forefather of pop rap."

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“Me being called the forefather of pop rap is very confusing. What the f*ck are you talking about?? LOL," LL tweeted. He has yet to offer up a follow-up message to share where he received his information, but his fans were quick to point out that if anyone would take that crown, it should be the Fresh Prince & DJ Jazzy Jeff. 

LL has had a few Pop-Rap mash-ups in the past, but some think naming him a "forefather" of the genre is a stretch. Who do you think the title actually belongs to?

About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.