LL COOL J Claims to Be the Most Important Rapper in History, but Declines the G.O.A.T. Title

LL COOL J, the legendary rapper and media mogul, has boldly declared himself the “most important” rapper in history, though he stops short of claiming the coveted title of G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Time), despite coining the phrase himself. During an interview on Apple Music’s Le Code, published on November 28, Cool James shared his perspective on his lasting impact on hip-hop culture.

“I’ma say this humbly but I really mean this,” LL COOL J began. “I think one day people are going to wake up and realize that LL COOL J is the most important rapper that ever existed. I truly believe one day people are going to say that.” He continued, explaining how his influence stretches across numerous areas of hip-hop and popular culture.

He pointed to several groundbreaking contributions, including the introduction of lavish jewelry trends, the creation of love songs within rap, and the rebellious “bad boy” persona that would later be adopted by other artists. “When it comes to the G.O.A.T. terminology,” he added, “they’re gonna say, ‘This is the guy who came up with the G.O.A.T. stuff.’”

LL also highlighted his pioneering efforts within the music industry, such as being the first artist on Def Jam and the first solo rapper to achieve global recognition. His impact extended beyond music: He credited himself with paving the way for rapper-owned clothing lines, such as his involvement with Fubu and his endorsement of Kangol hats.

However, when it comes to the title of G.O.A.T., LL COOL J remains humble. He explained, “That’s still subjective… there’s still a kid that thinks 2Pac made the records that changed their life. There’s still a kid that loves Biggie or loves Nas.” Despite his self-assurance in his influence, LL respects the contributions of his peers in shaping the culture.

Beyond music, LL COOL J claimed a significant role in integrating Air Jordans into hip-hop culture. He shared a personal story about being the first rapper to wear Michael Jordan’s iconic sneakers, even before the basketball legend achieved fame. “I put the Jordans on… He ain’t even have no championships,” LL recalled, adding that he wore the shoes on the cover of his 1985 Radio album.

While LL COOL J may not seek the title of the G.O.A.T., he clearly values his place in hip-hop history and his groundbreaking contributions to fashion, business, and entertainment. His influence on the genre and culture continues to resonate, and it’s evident that LL sees himself as an integral part of the hip-hop narrative.