Happy Birthday LL Cool J! You're still fine at 50!
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Rapper LL Cool J was born James Todd Smith in Queens, NY, on Jan. 14, 1968. Grammy-nominated nine times and twice a winner, the artist is known for hits like 'Mama Said Knock You Out,' 'Doin' It,'
'I Need Love,' 'Around The Way Girl' and 'Hey Lover.' His last album was entitled 'Authentic.'
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LL Cool J performs on stage during the Foo Fighters 20th anniversary concert at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. in 2015.
Aaron Nah, for USA TODAY
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LL Cool J performs at the 10th anniversary Essence Music Festival at the Superdome in New Orleans.
Chris Graythen, Getty Images
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Actor and rapper LL Cool J attends The Paley Center For Media's 34th annual PaleyFest Los Angeles - 'NCIS: Los Angeles' screening and panel, on March 21, 2017.
Amanda Edwards, WireImage
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LL Cool J as Special Agent Sam Hanna, is on the run in 'NCIS: Los Angeles.'
Cliff Lipson, CBS
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Sam (LL COOL J, left) rushes to Callen's (Chris O'Donnell, right) side after he is shot by an unknown gunman. in 'NCIS: Los Angeles.'
Danny Feld, Production
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Honorary doctorate recipient LL Cool J walks in the procession of faculty, trustees, and distinguished guests during The Fashion Institute of Technology's 2017 Commencement Ceremony at Arthur Ashe Stadium on May 25, 2017 in NY.
Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images for The Fashion Institute of Technology
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Proud papa LL Cool J takes a selfie with daughter Samaria Leah Smith as she graduates during The Fashion Institute of Technology's 2017 Commencement Ceremony, on May 25, 2017 in New York..
Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images for The Fashion Institute of Technology
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Flashing his bling and a big smile, 2017 Kennedy Center Honoree LL Cool J attends the 40th annual Kennedy Center Honors, in Washington.
Greg Allen, Invision/AP
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His family comes in support for his Kennedy Center Honor.
Brendan Smialowski, AFP/Getty Images
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He stays busy! Dancer Julianne Hough, right, and host LL Cool J participate in Spike TV's 'Lip Sync Battle Live,' in Central Park.
Evan Agostini, Invision/AP
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LL Cool J attends a ceremony honoring him with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Jan. 21, 2016, in Los Angeles.
Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP
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LL Cool J hosted the Grammy Awards five years consecutively. Guess they liked him!
Robert Voets, CBS
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LL Cool J breaks a sweat performing on the 'Today' show in Rockefeller Center.
Matthew Peyton, Getty Images
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Back in 2003, LL Cool J gives 'The Tonight Show with Jay Leno' a peek at his abs situation.
Kevin Winter, Getty Images
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About that moniker LL Cool J... It stands for Ladies Love Cool James! He performs for them during The Grammy Celebration Concert Tour on May 28, 2009.
Chris Polk, AP
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Entertainers Queen Latifah and LL Cool J pose during a photo session promoting their movie, 'The Last Holiday,' in 2006. Both native New Yorkers got their start in rap but took their artistry to acting and more.
Shiho Fukada/AP
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LL Cool J, Gerard Depardieu and Queen Latifah in a scene from the motion picture 'The Last Holiday.'
Stephen Vaughan/Paramount
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The recording artist gestures as he testifies during a U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations hearing on Capitol Hill as Jack Valenti (L), president and CEO of the Motion Picture Industry, listens, in Washington, DC. The Subcommittee is hearing testimony on illegal file sharing on peer-to-peer networks and the impact of technology on the entertainment industry.
Mark Wilson, Getty Images
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Rap artist LL Cool J, left, addresses thousands of New York City public school students at a protest rally near City Hall on June 4, 2002. Russell Simmons organized hip-hop stars to join with the United Federation of Teachers and protest proposed budget cuts to city schools and call for a new teacher's contract.
Tina Fineberg, AP
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An author too! 'And the Winner Is by LL Cool J.'
USA TODAY
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LL Cool J signs his book 'And the Winner I' for children during the NBA All-Star Jam Session event "Read to Achieve" celebration in 2003 in Atlanta.
Vince Bucci, Getty Images
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Gabrielle Union and LL Cool J star in Gary Hardwicks motion picture 'Deliver Us From Eva,' a Focus Features release.
Jim Sheldon/Focus Features
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He makes a cameo in 'Charlie's Angel's.'
Tracy Bennett/20th Century Fox
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Omar Epps, left and Veronica Webb star in Michael Rymer's 'In Too Deep.'
Bruce Macaulay/Dimension Films
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LL Cool J lands a lead role in a television sitcom 'In The House,' that premiered on April 10, 1995, airing on NBC then moving to UPN. He plays a former pro football player who takes in a single mom Debbie Allen, to make ends meet.
Chris Haston, NBC
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He tries to free himself from handcuffs and Kim Wayans, his former physical therapist who once stalked him in the "My Crazy Valentine" Episode of 'In The House.'
Joe DEL Valle, NBC
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LL Cool J stars as a football player in Warner Bros.' 'Any Given Sunday,' an Oliver Stone film.
Robert Zuckerman, Warner Bros.
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Oliver Stone, right, the director of the motion picture 'Any Given Sunday' pinches the ear of Al Pacino, center, who portrays an NFL coach in the film as his costar LL Cool J looks on, upon arriving for the 1999 Los Angeles premiere of the movie.
Jim Ruymen, AFP/Getty Images
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A 20-year-old LL Cool J poses with Bobcat, E. Love and Cut Creator at the Soul Train Music Awards in Santa Monica, Ca. on March 30, 1988
Bob Galbraith/AP
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Rapper LL Cool J was born James Todd Smith in Queens, NY, on Jan. 14, 1968. Grammy-nominated nine times and twice a winner, the artist is known for hits like 'Mama Said Knock You Out,' 'Doin' It,'
'I Need Love,' 'Around The Way Girl' and 'Hey Lover.' His last album was entitled 'Authentic.'
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