Q&A with LL COOL J

The hip-hop Hall of Famer stars in the new romantic comedy Deliver Us from Eva and is performing in the NBA's All-Star Read to Achieve concert this Saturday.

Rapped with Ken Griffey. Jim Cooper/AP

SI: Before the NBA show, are you playing in the celebrity game?

LL: No. I like hoops, but I'd rather leave the playing to the professionals.

SI: Tell us about the children's book you wrote, And the Winner Is ... about a young basketball player and sportsmanship. Why that topic?

LL: It's important to treat the opposing team with respect whether you win or lose, and this is my way of teaching kids to deal with success and with failure.

SI: What did you think of Terrell Owens pulling out the Sharpie?

LL: It's a fine line. I understand the role model aspect of [being an athlete], but people pay money to see professionals play. Regardless of how you looked at it, people still talked about it and it was still entertaining.

SI: You played for the Miami Sharks in Any Given Sunday and were attacked by a shark in Deep Blue Sea. Have you become a fan of the San Jose Sharks?

LL: I always roll with the Sharks on some level, but no. I stay loyal to my New York teams.

SI: Who was a better coach: Al Pacino in Sunday or Goldie Hawn in Wildcats (in which LL plays a rapper)?

LL: (laughs) How about: they both did their thing, and both my teams won.

SI: Your first album [Radio, 1986] was the first released by Def Jam Records. Do you consider yourself the Jackie Robinson of rap?

LL: Oh no, I could never say that. There was a whole wave of hip-hop artists way before me, guys like Run-DMC, the Fat Boys, Whodini.

SI: You have a personal trainer named Scooter. What does he do to get you so cut?

LL: I do a lot of weights, a lot of running, a lot of boxing, eat a low-carb diet. I work out two hours every day.

SI: In the last two years, NBC has broadcast the XFL and is now showing Arena Football. You did a movie called Rollerball. Is it time they gave that sport a chance?

LL: No. That movie sucked.

SI: You played at Bill Clinton's Inaugural Concert in 1993, but last year you supported New York Governor George Pataki. Which party are you backing these days?

LL: I don't back a party. I'm a guy who believes in people. I have no reason to be loyal to a party.

SI: In 1998, you said you were going to stop rapping to focus on movies. So is it fair to call the two albums you've released since then a comeback?

LL: Sure. It doesn't matter to me, man. Call it a comeback. It doesn't matter as long as the CD sells.

SI: Finally, do you think it would help me with the ladies if I started calling myself LL Cool P?

LL: Yeah. But start by brushing your teeth. Then move on to the name change.

--Pete McEntegart

Issue date: February 10, 2003

 

Related information

Stories

Q&A Archive The Magazine: Current Issue and Archives

Multimedia

Visit Video Plus for the latest audio and video