LL Cool J doing an air band to LL Cool J (circa '89)

I swear we dig new music here at N.O.M. too, it's just that these vintage clips are gold and you can find the newest of the new daily at about 1 dillion other sites. So, with that said, here is LL Cool J doing an air band to "Big Ol Butt" by LL Cool J! The gem is the very end when LL reads a list of words that don't rhyme. 
Classic material!

Classic Material: LL Cool J Performing "I'm Bad" Circa 1987

LL circa 1887 performing "I'm Bad". This was record of UK TV and the clip ends with LL getting an ear full from his Grandma. Priceless.

Classic Material: LL Cool J Concert circa 1985

The year is 1985. The rapper is a 17 year old LL Cool J. The location is a school gymnasium somewhere in Maine. The crowd? Maybe the worst crowd in Hip-Hop history. Doesn't matter though, because this is video of a concert that a 17 year old LL Cool J gave in a hight school gym back in 1985! This footage falls under the "Where the fuck you find this?" category. Classic goods.

Michael Jackson x Biggie, Jay-Z, Heavy-D & LL Cool J

Still blows me away that Michael has been gone for 3 years.

Over his career MJ kept his work with rappers to a minimum. Only a select few shared a record with him, and with apologies to Eve ("Butterflies") and L.T.B. (the dude who raps on "Black Or White"), it is MJ's records with Biggie, Jay-Z, Heavy-D and LL Cool J that get the nominations for Best Rapper Appearance On A Michael Jackson Song award.*

Michael Jackson feat. BIGGIE

"This Time Around"

Michael Jackson feat. Jay-Z

"You Rock My World" Remix

Michael Jackson feat. Heavy D

"Jam"

Michael Jackson feat. LL Cool J

"Serious Effect" (Unreleased)

* may not be an actual award

Classic Material: LL Cool J - 1987 Def Jam Tour

Not much to say here, other than this is DOPE AS FUCK!

Def Jam tour, 1987.

Classic Material: LL Cool J - Live at the Summit (1988)

I remember seeing this live on Much Music when it originally aired and I lost my shit. I was pissed that I didn't have a VHS tape to pop in the VCR and hit record that day, but this has stuck in my memory ever since. LL coming out of the giant boom box onstage was unforgettable. Same with his white track suit and fat gold chain. This is basically a LL Cool J special that ran on Much Music. It has an interview with Cool J but is mostly footage from his concert at The Summit in Houston, Texas. At the time, LL only had his Radio and Bigger & Deffer albums out so this is LL in his prime. Up top is the concert's intro and LL performing "Get Down" and "I Can't Live Without My Radio". Below LL tears through "Rock The Bells". This is the definition of Classic Material. Enjoy!

Classic Material: Mini-Documentary On Sampling from 1989.

"What do you mean you stole my car outta my backyard and put a kit on it and was driving it around because I wasn't driving it. What do you mean by that? That's MY car! I want money for it. Regardless on how old it is." - LL Cool J

Featuring: LL Cool J, Ice T, Prince Paul, Steve Winwood, De La Soul, Tom Petty, Steve Stevens, Cold Cut, Kool Moe Dee, Ofra Haza, DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, Debbie Gibson, Russel Simmons, Beastie Boys, Lou Reed, bunch of lawyers and a douche host.

Commercial Rap: LL Cool J's 900 Number

1-900-909-COOL

This was how you would hear an album before bootleggers and the internet. Just had to call this number to hear a new song every day leading up to the release day for LL's Walking With A Panther. LL Cool J stay paid.

Records: Def Jam Original 12"s (DJ001-DJ007)

There are a few legendary record labels that are synonymous with Hip-Hop music. Sugar Hill, Enjoy, Cold Chillin', Tommy Boy, Loud, Death Row, and Bad Boy Records all come to mind, but for a Hip-Hop junkie like myself none are more legendary than Def Jam Recordings. Founded by Rick Rubin in his NYU dorm room in 1982 when he released a punk record by his band Hose (the real first record on Def Jam), Def Jam became the the label we know today when Russell Simmons got involved in 1984. I'm not going to run down the history of Def Jam here because it's pretty well documented, plus you can just go HERE and get the full story. This post is all about the first 7 releases on the label. For those that don't collect vinyl, or never got their hands on the original seven, the thing that sets these 12 inches apart are basically the labels. Def Jam's classic black label has become pretty recognizable, but the first seven releases were on a burgundy label. Not sure why they changed the direction of the artwork, and it was probably for the better, but it makes the first seven releases on Def Jam pretty rare and special for record nerds like myself. Some of the original artists like LL Cool J and the Beastie Boys went on to hall of fame careers, others such as Hollis Crew and Jimmy Spicer didn't quite make it to prime time. Either way these records are the shit to me and represent the birth of a dynasty. And just for some bonus Def Jam treats, I threw in the T-La Rock & Jazzy Jay "It's Yours" 12" which was the first Hip-Hop record to have the Def Jam logo on it, and a few tracks by Rick Ruban's band Hose so you can get a taste of what a pre Hip-Hop Rick Ruban was into before he had a hand in blowing Hip-Hop music up worldwide. It isn't Hip-Hop, or even def for the matter, just some music nerdology for you crumbs!

LL Cool J (DJ001)

"I Need A Beat" 12" (1984)

A1 "I Need A Beat" (Vocal)

B1 "I Need A Beat" (Zootie Mix)

B2 "I Need A Beat" (Instrumental)

Produced by Rick Ruben

Beastie Boys (DJ002)

"Rock Hard" 12" (1985)

A1 "Rock Hard"

A2 "Party's Getting Rough"

B1 "Beastie Groove"

B2 "Beastie Groove" (Instrumental)

Produced by Rick Ruben & Beasties

Jazzy Jay (DJ003)

"Def Jam" 12" (1985)

A1 "Def Jam"

B1 "Cold Chillin' In The Spot" Featuring Russell Rush

B2 "Cold Chillin' In The Spot" (Instrumental)

Produced by Rick Ruben

MCA & Burzootie (DJ004)

"Drum Machine" 12" (1985)

A1 "Drum Machine"

A2 "Drum Machine" (Mini Jerk Edit)

B1 "Drum Machine" ((That) Psycho Dust Version)

Produced by Burzootie

LL Cool J (DJ005)

"I Want You" 12" (1985)

A1 "I Want You"

A2 "I Want You" (Instrumental)

B1 "Dangerous"

B2 "Dangerous" (Instrumental)

B3 "Dangerous" (Burnt Mix)

Produced by Rick Ruben

Jimmy Spicer (DJ006)

"This Is It" 12" (1985)

A1 "This Is It"

A2 "This Is It" (Chant, Instrumental)

B1 "Beat The Clock"

B2 "Beat The Clock" (Instrumental)

Produced by Rick Ruben

Hollis Crew (DJ007)

"It's The Beat" 12" (1985)

A1 "It's The Beat"

B1 "It's The Beat" (Instrumental)

B2 "The Beat"

Produced by Jam Master Jay, DJ Run and Rick Ruben

T-La Rock & Jazzy Jay

"It's Yours" 12" (1984)

A1 "It's Yours" (Radio Mix)

A2 "It's Yours" (Instrumental)

B1 "It's Yours" (Scratch Party Death Mix)

B2 "It's Yours" (Instrumental Party)

Produced by Rick Ruban

Hose

(I don't have the full 7" release or the EP, but these are a few tracks of Rick Ruban's band that appeared on the first two Def Jam Recordings releases circa 1982)

1. Girls

2. Dope Fiend

3. Only The Astronaut Knows The Truth

Rap Treats #88: LL Cool J "Year Of The Hip-Hop" (1994)

LL Cool J is hard as hell! Well not so much these days, but this record here is much closer to the "Rock The Bells" LL than it is to the "Hey Lover" LL that we all know and don't love. This was actually recorded back in '94 with K-Def but was lost behind a radiator until now (for real). For the full story on this unreleased LL Cool J joint let's take it straight from the soundcloud page...

"Back in 1994 K-Def was working on some beats out of the B Room in Marly Marl's House Of Hits when LL Cool J walked in on his session and said "let's make some tracks together". Uncle L had always wanted to rhyme on a track using the famous ESG breakbeat 'UFO', so he had Def lay it down with some scratches and then went to town with the mic. Both thought they had a sure fire hit on their hands but unfortunately it was never used.

The DAT tape of the studio session was feared lost for several years before it eventually turned up stuck behind a radiator! Now, 17 years later, K-Def and Slice-of-Spice are proud to present 'Year Of The Hip Hop' in all it's vinyl glory.

As with all Slice-of-Spice pressings, no expense is being spared for this vinyl labor of love. Outside of a full color cover, with a 3mm spine, the special limited edition version comes on solid orange vinyl, with individual gold stamp numbering. Once again we're coming at you with strong cover art from the legendary Joe Buck, and personally we think this is his best one yet!"

LL Cool J

"Year Of The Hip-Hop"

Rap Treats #71: Michael Jackson feat. LL Cool J "Serious Effect" (Unreleased Circa 1991)

This is some unreleased Michael featuring LL Cool J from the Dangerous sessions. I'd never heard it or even knew this existed before today. I love the internet! I also love LL & MJ. Too bad this never saw the light of day.

Michael Jackson feat. LL Cool J

"Serious Effect"

Rap Treats #63: LL Cool J Live @ Brixton Academy ('87/'88)

Here is a live recording of LL Cool J rocking The Brixton Academy in South London back in '87 or '88 - I'm not sure the exact date. This was the same show he performed on the '87 Def Jam tour with Public Enemy and Eric B & Rakim that you can get HERE, but since The Brixton Academy is one of the more legendary venues in the world and this was LL Cool J at the absolute top of his game I just felt that I had to throw this up. Ladies Love Cool James was so fucking raw at this moment in time. This is the LL that I want to remember, not the "Hey Lover" LL Cool J of the 1990's.

LL COOL J

Live @ The Brixton Academy

Classic Material: LL Cool J AMA Performance

LL Cool J performing "I'm Bad" at the American Music Awards. I'm guessing it was '88/89. This was when LL's swagger was at it's peek. Actually, looking back on things, LL's movement in this video is pretty much how people act when they try to make fun of rap music. Anyways, the fat gold chain and red Troop sweatsuit makes this shit super dope!

Commercial Rap: Swatch, KFC, McDonalds, Karl Kani, Reebok, Eastern Motors

Fat Boys Swatch Ad (circa 1985)

I'd never seen this one. As corny as rap commercials come, but dope still for some reason.

MC Hammer KFC Ad (1992)

This one is just embarrassing.

The Rappin' McNuggets

Equally embarrassing, this brings back memories. Rap music getting exploited at it's worst.

Redman Karl Kani Ad (1995)

This is a good one, everything Redman did (except that sitcom) is dope in my books.

50 Cent & Jay-Z Reebok Ad (2004)

Curtis and Hov rapping in a studio about their sneakers.

Fat Joe Eastern Motors Ad (2006)

Hahaha. Fat Joe slanging cars. Check how Joe came up with the chorus for "Make It Rain".

LL Cool J "Marley Marl Freestyle"

LL Cool J & Marley Marl make a good team. Here is some new shit from them in the form of a Marley Marl produced LL Cool J freestyle!

LL Cool J

Marley Marl Freestyle

Rap Treats #31: Original, Rare and Unreleased

BIGGIE feat. Sadat X

"Come On" (Original Version)

This eventually found the light of day on B.I.G.'s Born Again album, but that version doesn't come close to this one. This is that Ready To Die BIGGIE.

LL Cool J

"Unknown Demo"

Obviously not the real title, but this song is unknown. It also sound pretty shitty. My guess is that it was a record he was working on and then scrapped.

De La Soul

"Roadrunner" (De La Version)

This one is basically a De La version of Chi Ali's "Roadrunner".

The Roots

"Workinonit" (Original Version)

Produced by J Dilla.

Mobb Deep

"Shook Ones" (The Beatnuts Remix)

This one came courtesy of Stretch Armstrong. The Beatnuts remix to the original "Shook Ones" that never saw an official release.

T La Rock - Unkut Interview + LL Cool J "It's Yours" Freestyle (1985)

T La Rock is one of the more slept on Old School Rap Legends there is, but fortunately the folks over at Unkut are not one of those sleeping. The recently caught up with T La Rock and they basically talked about his whole career. If you aren't up on T La Rock he made his name off the Rick Rubin produced record "It's Yours", which was also the first record with the Def Jam logo on it (rap nerd fact: the Beastie Boys did the back up chants and hand claps on "It's Yours"). LL Cool J's "It's Yours" 12 inch ended up being the first official Def Jam release. T La Rock is actually the rapper Def Jam wanted LL Cool J to be. When T La Rock and Def Jam parted ways they scooped up LL Cool J and even considered putting him out under the name T La Rock. This interview covers T La Rock's hooking up with with Rick Rubin, his fall out with Def Jam, LL Cool J, Jazzy Jay, being credited with starting Bass music, putting MC Search on, and a lot more.

Unkut T La Rock Interview Part 1

Unkut T La Rock Interview Part 2

BONUS:

LL Cool J

"It's Yours" freestyle (1985)

Classic Material: LL Cool J + Krush Groove

Just because it's SUPER dope, here is LL's scene from Krush Groove where he raps for Rick Ruben and Run DMC. All time favourite.

Rap Treats #6: Original, Rare and Unreleased

Beastie Boys (1986)

"I'm Down"

This was supposed to be on Licenced To Ill but it got dropped from the album at the last minute. The are getting their Beatles on here a little bit.

Big Daddy Kane (1987)

"For Your Own Concern"

Produced by Marley Marl and features lyrics that eventually ended up on Kane's debut Long Live The Kane.

EPMD feat. LL Cool J (1989)

"Rampage" (original)

Different beat and for some reason there is no Erick Sermon. The raps are the same except there is an extra verse by LL on it. Maybe this was a LL Cool J song originally?

Eric B & Rakim (1992)

"Don't Sweat The Technique" (original)

This is original version with a somewhat different beat. The baseline is absent and replaced by a few different funk samples including James Brown's "Blue's & Pants".

LL Cool J (1988)

"Blame It On Me"

This is the original version of "Jack The Ripper". Same beat but totally different lyrics. Not sure if he's dissing Kool Moe Dee on this too, but he's dissing somebody.

Pete Rock & CL Smooth (1991)

"They Reminisce Over You" (original)

Completely different beat (drums might be the same) and features some chick singing on the chorus. Nothing beats the album version though.

Rap Treats #5: Def Jam UK Tour (1987)

This was recorded live in Amsterdam on the 1987 Def Jam UK Tour featuring Public Enemy, LL Cool J and Eric B & Rakim (they weren't on Def Jam but they were managed by RUSH). It's straight bootleg but super ill. One of the greatest tour line ups EVER.

Def Jam 1987 UK Tour

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