LL COOL J, the legendary rapper who coined the now-iconic acronym G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Time), has a bold perspective on his place in Hip-Hop history.
While he acknowledges the cultural weight of the term, he doesn’t see himself as rap’s undisputed greatest. Instead, LL believes he holds a title of even greater significance: the most important rapper to ever exist.
In a recent conversation on Apple Music’s Le Code, LL COOL J reflected on his legacy with both humility and conviction. “One day, people are going to realize that LL COOL J is the most important rapper that ever existed,” he stated. “I truly believe that.” His confidence stems from the groundbreaking contributions he’s made across music, fashion, and entertainment.
LL pointed to his pivotal role in shaping Hip-Hop’s image and expanding its reach. From popularizing Kangol hats to endorsing brands like Troop and later introducing FUBU to the world, he set new standards for the genre’s cultural influence.
“When it comes to FUBU, they’ll say, ‘This guy introduced the whole idea of putting clothing lines out there,’” he explained. “Even before that, I made Kangol a thing. And when it comes to TV, they’ll remember I was still dropping incredible records while breaking barriers on screen.”
His contributions extended beyond style and endorsements. LL was Def Jam’s first official artist and the first solo rapper to achieve global superstardom.
Tracks like “I Need Love” revolutionized Hip-Hop by embracing vulnerability, while his “bad boy” persona set a blueprint for countless others. LL also bridged music with mainstream media success, starring in TV and film without diminishing his credibility as an artist.
Despite his accomplishments, LL remains humble about the subjective nature of greatness in Hip-Hop.
“The G.O.A.T. title is personal for everyone,” he said. “For some, a 2Pac album is their most important record. For others, it’s Snoop, Biggie, or Nas who changed their life. And they’re right to feel that way.”
While he calls himself the G.O.A.T. in his music—most famously with his album G.O.A.T. featuring James T. Smith: The Greatest of All Time—LL insists his claims are part of the competitive spirit of Hip-Hop.
“On the mic, I’ll say I’m the best. That’s what MCs do,” he said. “But outside of that, there are so many rappers who’ve done extraordinary things. I’d never claim to be the one above all.”
For LL COOL J, his legacy isn’t about overshadowing others. It’s about being a trailblazer who changed Hip-Hop’s course and opened doors for the generations that followed.
Leave a Reply