General Purpose: To inform
Specific Purpose: So that my listeners have a better understanding of the artist James Todd Smith
Thesis: From the song “I Can’t Live Without my Radio” to the world of NCIS: Los Angeles, the rapper LL Cool J is one of the best and most inspirational rappers in the games history.
I. Introduction
A. Attention Getter:
James Todd Smith’s rapper names stands for Ladies Love Cool James. He was a paper boy before becoming a rapper, he sang in the church choir, Bruce Lee is his inspiration and influence for becoming an actor, and he wear’s a Kangol hat when rapping (Fennessey). LL Cool J is a jacked actor and artist.
B. Reason to Listen:
You should listen because LL Cool J is just a man with some mean swath swag.
C. Thesis Statement:
In a plethora of different ways LL Cool J is one of my favorite rappers. This is because of his history, because he just isn’t a music artist but an actor, and the rappers that he has had beef with and how he has won.
D. Credibility Statement:
1. I’ve been listening to LL Cool J since I began listening to rap which was around 13 years old.
2. The websites I used to research LL Cool J were Rolling Stones, Spin, and Island Def Jam. E. Preview of Main Points: 1. First, I will discuss LL Cool J’s life story. 2. Secondly, I will talk about how LL Cool J is also an actor.
3. Lastly, on the rappers he has battled with.
II. From a paper boy to a ripped stud that wears a Kangol, LL Cool J has a very unique journey into the rapping game.
A. James Todd Smith as a child and a teenager wasn’t that great it was beyond tragic.
1. His parents divorced when he was four because his father shot his grandparents and put them in critical condition. He was also abused from his mom’s next boyfriend physically and verbally (Fennessey).
2. He started to rap at the age of nine and started to create beats at the age of 11 because his grandpa bought him a DJ