Question 1

Does LL Cool J write his own songs?

Accepted Answer

He is credited on 190 of the 192 tracks across fourteen albums, but almost never by himself. Only two tracks carry his name with no other writer on it, and the two he is not on at all are skits.

Question 2

Who wrote "Mama Said Knock You Out"?

Accepted Answer

LL Cool J with Marley Marl, who produced the album and shares 22 tracks with him across the catalogue.

Question 3

Who wrote "I Need Love"?

Accepted Answer

LL Cool J with the L.A. Posse, the production team on Bigger and Deffer. It reached number 14 on the Hot 100.

Question 4

Who has he written with most?

Accepted Answer

Marley Marl on 22 tracks, Dwayne Simon on 14, Rick Rubin on 13 and Q-Tip on 13, spread from 1985 to 2024.

Question 5

How many albums has he released?

Accepted Answer

Fourteen studio albums between 1985 and 2024. The compilations and live releases sit outside this catalogue.

Question 6

Which singles did best in America?

Accepted Answer

"Hey Lover" and "Loungin" both reached number 3 on the Hot 100, and "Luv U Better" and "Control Myself" both number 4.

Question 7

Is he in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?

Accepted Answer

Yes, inducted in 2021 in the Musical Excellence category.

Question 8

What was the first record?

Accepted Answer

"I Need a Beat", Def Jam's first single, which sold over 100,000 copies and helped establish the label.

Question 9

How well did the early albums sell?

Accepted Answer

Radio passed a million copies by 1988 and Mama Said Knock You Out went double platinum, selling over two million in America.

Question 10

Who produced the 2024 album?

Accepted Answer

Q-Tip produced almost all of The FORCE and shares thirteen writing credits on it.