LL Cool J Slams Artists Who Only Rap About Money: ‘The Wallet Can’t Un-Corny You’

LL Cool J

LL Cool J Slams Artists Who Only Rap About Money: ‘The Wallet Can’t Un-Corny You’

Rap pioneer LL Cool J wants artists to sway away from only rapping about money.

During a recent interview with Baller Alert, the two-time Grammy winner shared his thoughts on fellow MCs and called out artists who only talk about how much money they make in their music.

LL Cool J

The 56-year-old expressed,

“[When] a rapper comes out, and he’s talking that money talk, you love it. But 12 years later, he’s still talking that money talk, and now you’re looking at him like, ‘Dude, do you have anything else to talk about?'”

LL Cool J, whose real name is James Smith, furthered his notion by comparing such rappers to musical legend Bob Marley. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer explained that the Jamaican singer’s music has impacted different generations because of what he spoke about in his songs.

The hip-hop vet continued,

“He talked about something. He had something to say. And guess what? You don’t care what Bob Marley had in the bank. Because that’s not the metric for success. It’s not the metric for cultural success. Bob Marley did not have to be rich. He was rich in what he did and what he created and what he put in the world. That sh*t matters.”

Bob Marley

He added,

“The wallet can’t un-corny you.”

LL Cool J on artists who only talk about how rich they are in their songs:

“Do you have anything else to talk about?…You know why [we all] know Bob Marley? Because he talked about something. Because he had something to say…The wallet can’t un-corny you.” pic.twitter.com/LhHbLtR3Lo

— Joey (@gothamhiphop) July 27, 2024

LL Cool J is one of the earliest rappers to achieve commercial success. In 2021, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with an award for Musical Excellence.

LL Cool J

His biggest hits such as “I’m Bad” and “Mama Said Knock You Out” are classic hip-hop tracks that feature the musician showcasing his confidence and silencing his critics. LL Cool J’s top tracks also include his R&B love songs “Doin’ It” and “I Need Love.”

What are your thoughts on LL Cool J’s remarks on hip-hop? Comment below! 

[Sources: 1, 2]