LL Cool J Clarifies Exclusion of Jay-Z and DMX from Def Jam Mount Rushmore
LL Cool J recently sparked some controversy after unveiling his Def Jam Mount Rushmore, leaving out two rap icons—Jay-Z and DMX.
This decision didn’t sit well with many fans, who questioned why these legendary figures were excluded. Instead, LL chose himself, Public Enemy, Slick Rick, and the Beastie Boys as the four artists he believes defined the Def Jam label.
Following the backlash, LL Cool J took to The Joe Budden Podcast to explain his reasoning and offer insight into his choices.
LL Cool J began by emphasizing the foundational role his picks played in building Def Jam from the ground up. He said acknowledging the immense talents of Jay-Z and DMX:
"We're facing stuff that kept the lights on at certain periods of time, I know DMX is supremely talented, used to kill the stage, sold a ton of records. I know Jay did a ton of stuff up there. So many others, I can name a zillion artists up there who did unbelievable s**t. I'm very clear about that. But I also know that, when I walked into Rick Rubin's dormitory, it was a f***ing idea, bro. Like, you're trying to talk to me about guys that are popular. I watched this s**t when it was a f***ing idea on a Post-It. You know what I mean? It's two different conversations."
LL Cool J Breaks Down His Def Jam Mount Rushmore Choices, Leaving Out Jay-Z and DMX:
LL Cool J On the joe budden podcast explaining why he didn’t put Dmx and Jay-Z on his Mount Rushmore list for def jam pic.twitter.com/YgAG4zBrAQ
— joebuddenclips (@Chatnigga101) August 19, 2024
He made it clear that his Mount Rushmore was not about who sold the most records or who was the most commercially successful, but rather about the pioneers who laid the foundation for Def Jam’s success.
"That's not what built the company. That's what expanded the company at a different point. Look at our Mount Rushmore! Of the f***ing country. They talk about Mount Rushmore, but then they want me to put Bush on there. Who's on there? The bones of the country, not who came later. And so people ask this question and then when you answer the question accurately, they want to say, 'Oh, no, no. Well, Obama was considerably more impressive than this one.' And of course I love Obama, you know what I'm saying? But the country, the Def Jam, the label was built by a key group of people. Like, this is the Mount Rushmore."
LL Cool J also addressed the comparisons made between his selections and more modern rap battles, such as those between Kendrick Lamar and Drake.
"Listen, no one can respect popularity more than me, bro. I had ten platinum albums in a row, I'm in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I got Grammys, 11 nominations. Like, I understand popularity in and out. I got TV shows in 200 countries in the world. It's a 5 billion dollar franchise! It's not that. The question was, 'What is the Mount Rushmore of Def Jam?' That is about the architects and the boons of the label."
He wrapped up by expressing his deep respect for Jay-Z and DMX, noting that he played a role in introducing DMX to the world.
"By the way, I actually respect these artists that came after on Def Jam. I'm not that guy. Listen, I introduced DMX to the world. You think I don't love DMX? I put him on my song to introduce him to the f***ing world. I put the guy on!"
This explanation highlights LL Cool J’s perspective on the legacy of Def Jam, focusing on those who were instrumental in its inception rather than those who later expanded its influence.
His comments offer a deeper understanding of what he values in hip-hop history, and why he made the choices he did.