LL Cool J on the Challenges of Finding the “Right Balance” Between His Acting and Music Careers

LL Cool J on the Challenges of Finding the “Right Balance” Between His Acting and Music Careers

As a gamer with an appreciation for both music and acting, I find myself deeply moved by LL Cool J‘s journey. It’s not every day we see a legend like him balancing two demanding careers with such grace and resilience. His story serves as a beacon of inspiration for those who strive to follow their passions without compromising on their dreams.


LL Cool J discusses the challenge of juggling his acting profession with his love for music.

The award-winning hip-hop artist opened up in a chat with The Independent, revealing his internal struggles when his acting ventures gained momentum during the 1990s.

As my acting career flourished, I found myself growing less interested in it, as it seemed to be pulling me away from my passion for music. Eventually, I understood that it was possible to achieve a harmonious blend of both worlds. However, it required patience and time.

As a dedicated gamer, juggling between my gaming sessions and real-life commitments can sometimes feel like a challenge. Just like LL Cool J, who’s known for his acting roles in hits like Halloween H20: 20 Years Later, In the House, Any Given Sunday, and NCIS: Los Angeles, I too find it tough to balance my passion for gaming with other responsibilities. Much like him, I’ve had periods where my music (or in this case, my gaming) took a backseat. After releasing my 2013 album Authentic, I even took an 11-year break from my gaming projects, just to catch up on the rest of life.

However, the rapper has returned with his fresh album titled “The Force“, this time produced by Q-Tip. Despite some obstacles during its production process, it took a considerable amount of time to materialize. Yet, the final product is more profound and intimate than any of his previous works, as he delves into topics beyond the typical themes of girls or romance in each track.

He clarified his intention was to demonstrate that it’s possible for you to keep producing impressive work and grow as an artist within hip-hop. Essentially, he’s saying that it’s not unusual for artists to release less impactful or groundbreaking work compared to their initial releases.

LL Cool J emphasized that it’s possible to remain creative in hip-hop even at the age of 40, similar to a film director who continues to innovate after four decades. He stated that an artist in hip-hop can sustain their creativity as long as they maintain curiosity, care about their work, and keep generating fresh ideas.

Regardless of being categorized as mainstream, the rapper emphasized that it’s essential to stay authentic to oneself as an artist, which has been his key takeaway.

As a devotee, I draw inspiration from the likes of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and Bob Dylan – artists who spoke about matters that truly mattered to them. I refuse to be confined by any mainstream expectations of myself; timelessness lies in expressing one’s genuine intent through creation. Thus, I decided, “Let me simply craft some genuinely cool music.

He added, “Imma come from the heart, and let the chips fall where they may.”

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2024-09-08 09:24