Photo: LL Cool J/Facebook
James Todd Smith (a.k.a. LL Cool J) is a rap legend and icon, and now the Queens-born rapper will add another chapter to his lore by becoming the first hip-hop artist to be a Kennedy Center Honors recipient, an annual honor given to performing artists whose lifetime work has made a significant contribution to American culture.
“I am blown away,” said Smith in an interview with the Washington Post. “This is the biggest musical award you can receive. To be recognized by your country, and to be able to represent hip-hop as an art form is amazing. I’m surprised, grateful, humbled and honored.”
As a two-time Grammy Award winner and four-time recipient of the NAACP Image Award, LL Cool J has solidified himself as one of the most important artists in hip-hop. He’s been outspoken and ubiquitous in hip-hop’s rise from niche genre to global empire.
The award ceremony will be held at the White House, and will be the first under President Trump who earlier in his presidency introduced a budget that called for the end of the National Endowment for the Arts. Writer Norman Lear who also received an invite will boycott the award ceremony citing Trump as the reason. Smith on the other hand will attend.
“I don’t have any stunts planned,” said Smith in an interview with BBC. “I’m not saying I need to be there backslapping and all of that, but this time, this one ain’t about him.”
At 49 LL Cool J ties Stevie Wonder as the youngest artist to receive the prestigious honor. Smith will be honored alongside other artists including Lionel Richie, Gloria Estefan, and Carmen de Lavallade.
