How much does LL Cool J worth?
Net Worth | $125 Million (as of July 1st, 2022) |
Salary per episode | $150,000 per episode |
Birth name | James Todd Smith |
Celebrity | LL Cool J |
Nickname | Ladies Love Cool James, James Todd Smith, Uncle LL, Jack the Ripper, The G.O.A.T., L.L. Cool J, LL, Luv, Mr. Smith, The Future of the Funk |
Date of Birth | January 14, 1968 |
Birth Place | Bay Shore, New York, U.S. |
Age | 53 years old |
Height | 6 ft 1inches (1.87 m) |
Weight: | 96 kg |
Nationality | American |
James Todd Smith is professionally known by his stage name like LL Cool J (short for Ladies Love Cool James). He is one of the most popular American rappers, actors, record producers, and entrepreneurs from Queens, New York.
As of 2022, LL Cool J Net worth has reached around to be $125 million US Dollars. He is best known for his super hits hip hop albums such as “I’m Bad”, “Rock the Bells”, “Boomin’ System” and “Mama Said Knock You Out”.

Also, known for his romantic ballads includes “I Need Love”, “Around the Way Girl”, “Hey Lover” and “Doin’ It”.
If you want to check her current net worth, also you want to read her other hit topic in which includes, early life & Biography, Personal life, Education, Professional Career life, Awards and Achievements, and further upcoming topic.
Then, you are right place here. Alongside, we will discuss “what makes him so successful personality in real life?”, What is the secret to LL Cool J wealth?
Early Life & Biography & Personal life
On 14th, Jan 1968, LL Cool J was born James Todd Smith in the Bay Shore City of New York. His mother was named Ondrea Griffith, also his father’s real name is James Louis Smith Jr, also known as James Nunya.
James father’s shot his grandfather and mother, almost killing both of them. When he becomes 4 years old, LL Cool found our parents, But there was blood everywhere.
In an episode Finding Your Roots, he reads that his mother was become adopted by Eugene Griffith and Ellen Hightower.
When he becomes 10 years old, Mr. Smith started singing, also impressed by the Treacherous Three’s hip-hop group. At 16th years old, he tried to formed demo tapes in his grandparents’ home in march 1984.
His grandfather known as a jazz saxophonist bought him $2,000 worth of equipment such as an audio mixer, two turntables, and an amplifier.
On the other side, his mother also supported his musician wisdom. By using her tax refund to buy him a Korg drum machine.
In the interview, Smith said that he was already a rapper when he has gained musical equipment from his relatives. His neighbourhood kids, also enjoy his rap talent and learn it.
Moreover, he learned to speak Spanish, if you were raised in an all-Spanish home.
Family info:
Siblings: | Brother- N/A Sister- Nina Simone, Samaria Leah, and Italia Anita |
Parents | Father – James Nunya Mother – Ondrea Smith |
Eye color | Black |
Hair color | Black |
Zodiac Sign | Capricorn |
Marital Status | Married |
Religious | Christian |
Profession: | Rapper, Record Producer, Actor |
Children: | Son: Najee Laurent Todd Eugene Smith.
Daughter: Samaria Leah Wisdom Smith, Nina Simone Smith, Italia Anita Maria Smith. |
Wife/Girlfriend | Simone Johnson (m. 1995) |
Last Updated: | July 2022 |
Gender: | Male |
Education
If we are talking about his education, he went to Hillcrest High School for completing his graduation. After completing high school education, he attended three colleges or universities in which included Andrew Jackson High School, Hillcrest High School, Northeastern University.
High School: | Hillcrest High School |
College/University: | Northeastern University Andrew Jackson High School Q505 Hillcrest High School |
How did LL Cool J become so popular and how to make Net worth it?
Estimated LL Cool J Net worth has reached around to be $125 million US Dollars as of 2022. LL Cool J’S has received his salary as per episode of NCIS around to be $150,000.
In 2013, he has grossed up to $30,000 from his music “Authentic”, also sold over 26,000 copies of his album. Moreover, his salary has reached over $150,000 from NCIS (2009-2010) in Los Angeles.
Then, he earns $370,000 approximately from his song named “Todd Smith”, also sold up to 367 copies of his album in 2006.
Furthermore, he has earned a massive income of around $1,000,000 US Dollars through his album “Rollerball” in 2002.
What is the secret to LL Cool J worth?
Now, LL Cool J has not received any album that reached the top position of the Billboard 2000, which was 2000’s G.O.A.T (Greatest of all time).
But most of his songs have gone platinum and two-time platinum nevertheless. His best-selling song includes Mr. Smith which sold up to 2.1 million copies in 1995.
Moreover, he has released his highest-charting songs “Lounging” and “Hey Lover”, and performed a lead artist role.
Finally, he has gained huge popularity when he has appeared on Jennifer Lopez’s “All I Have”, which was reached at the number 1 position on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.
What makes him so successful?
His album named “Radio” has received massive success in the music studio, also sold him 1500,000 copies.
In addition to financial success, it was the success of the Cool J, a traditional song structure, which has resulted in a city that is more comfortable for the average user.
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He would follow up in 1987, with a “Bigger and Deffer”. The song “I need love” was one of the first pop-rap songs.
It was received with both critical and commercial acclaim, with the album going platinum. He returned in 1989, and his second album, Walking with a Panther, became platinum.
It was at this time that the hip-hop scene, in the West, began to emerge. The Themes in the hip-hop community, which began to include more gangsta themes.
In 1990, he wrote “Mama Said Knock You Out”. The album had a much more aggressive edge, which will be the new image of hip-hop… It was a great success.
In the same way, Lil Boosie and dave east earn a lot of money from Rapping and singing career.
Awards and Achievements
Here, the list of some awards and accumulation from LL Cool J’s Career.
Grammy Awards
Year | Nominated work | Award | Result |
1989 | “Going Back To Cali” | Table | Nominated |
1992
1993 1994 1997 |
“Mama Said Knock You Out”
“Strictly Business” “Stand By Your Man” “Hey Lover” |
Best Rap Solo Performance | Won
Nominated Won |
1997 | Mr. Smith | Best Rap Album | Nominated |
1998 | “Ain’t Nobody” | Best Rap Solo Performance | Nominated |
2004 | “Luv U Better” | Best Rap/Sung Collaboration | Nominated |
2005 | The DEFinition | Best Rap Album | Nominated |