# LL Cool J Finishes New Album

- Link: https://exclusiveaccess.net/ll-cool-j-finishes-new-album/
- Published: 2012-08-15T10:19:30-04:00
- Author: EAN

_“I made an album for LL Cool J fans, I didn’t make an album for four-year-olds.”_

*Even if you don’t watch “NCIS: Los Angeles,” or know anyone who does, old school
heads have to be happy for its star **LL Cool J**.

The 44-year-old from St. Albans Queens was a skinny teen in a bright red Kangol 
when he first ignited hip hop in 1985 with his single “I Need a Beat.”

The entertainer, born **James Todd Smith**, is still considered one of the genre’s
most durable MCs – and because of his numerous film roles and current TV gig, his
demographic has expanded from Generation X rap fans to people of all ages and races
who make up NCIS Nation (the viewership that keeps his show and the original “NCIS”
atop the Nielsen ratings list each week).

In the series, LL plays Senior Field Agent Sam Hanna, an ex-Navy SEAL who works 
in the LA-based Office of Special Projects, headed by **Chris O’Donnell’s** character
G. Callen. OSP is an elite division of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service 
that specializes in undercover assignments.

[[

LL Cool J filmed scenes for NCIS: Los Angeles at the beach in Venice, California(
July 10, 2012)

LL, who is currently in production on season 4, told us exclusively that fans are
headed for a roller coaster of emotions following the Sept. 25 premiere.

“Oh it’s crazy,” he said. “One key character is retiring; people are not going to
be happy about that one. The dynamics between two other characters takes a turn 
for the worse in a really strange way, and that’s going to be much more complicated.
But, through it all, there’s still banter and fun and humor. It’s wild. It’s interesting.”

Even though LL has his two feet firmly planted in Hollywood, the rapper continues
to hang his Kangol in hip hop.  Below, he tells us what he’s been up to on the music
side, and if he feels pressure to compete with rap’s youngins who currently dominate
the airwaves.

Below, vintage LL.

[_er web_](http://www.eurweb.com/2012/08/ll-cool-j-exclusive-i-did-a-new-album-this-summer/)