TV INTERVIEW: LL COOL J

Rap Star Turned Actor Discusses his Role on NCIS Los Angeles

By: Parimal M. Rohit

February 13, 2010

He slammed rival hip-hoppers during his days as a rapper, all while capturing the hearts of his adoring female fans when he transitioned to mainstream pop music. More than a quarter-century later, James Todd Smith is still confronting his enemies while making ladies melt, but this time LL Cool J is doing his deeds as the co-star of NCIS: Los Angeles. Record deals, movie roles and television shows have come and gone throughout LL Cool J’s career, but the crossover musician and actor has always found himself in a familiar position -- on top of the game.

Such is the case in his latest role, Agent Sam Hanna, where LL Cool J is enjoying the show’s status as the most-viewed new television series. As he continues to strike gold with every project he touches, LL Cool J just focuses on the more simple things of his profession, like enjoying himself.

“We’re having a lot of fun. There is a lot of good energy on the set. It’s really exciting,” LL Cool J told Buzzine in an exclusive interview on the night he hosted the grand reopening of the Sunset Strip’s famed Key Club. “We all get along very well. There is a lot of positivism. We feel very grateful and blessed to be doing what we are doing, and we hope America continues to respond the way it has.”

In promoting NCIS: Los Angeles, in which he stars opposite Chris O’Donnell on CBS, the two-time Grammy winner said he just hopes to make his mark on the television franchise.

“A lot of good things are happening with the show. It feels good. I am really happy it’s happening this way. I just hope we can continue to get better,” he candidly said just outside the Key Club. “I hope, ultimately, we can reach the same level of chemistry the original show has.”

Of course, a television series cannot become No. 1 on name recognition alone, and LL Cool J understands both he and O’Donnell must do more than rely upon their past reputations for NCIS: Los Angeles to separate itself from the pack. To that end, the hip-hop and pop music star said each role on the show has a lot of depth, and it is just a matter of audiences finding a common bond with each character.

“Over time, it would be great for people to learn more about our characters -- really get into our characters and really get more and more connected to the show,” LL Cool J said. “We’re taking it one step at a time. We know we are not fooling ourselves; we know we have to grow, and we want to continue to do so.”

While the musician-turned-actor is enjoying his return to a television series -- he last starred in the NBC/UPN sitcom In The House -- LL Cool J said all hope is not lost with respect to his music career.

“I definitely want to do more music. I would never say music is out of the question. I’ll always love music and always want to create some music, and there is never any question that I will always love music,” he humbly said. “The industry was going through a lot of changes, and a lot of things were happening. I took a beat for a minute.”

Still, for the time being, LL Cool J is content playing an ex-Navy SEAL who is fluent in Arabic and West Asian cultures.

“Right now, my attention is NCIS,” he said. “I really wanted to focus on getting into this show, committing 110 percent of me to the show.”

Whether he is focusing his energies on music or acting, one thing is for certain -- Mr. Smith is always giving 110 percent, and he has been cashing in on his efforts for more than 25 years.

NCIS Los Angeles airs Wednesday nights on CBS