LL Cool J Performs With Eminem and Jennifer Lopez, Thanks Rap Legends in Rock Hall Induction Speech

LL Cool J marked his induction into the 2021 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Saturday night by enlisting Eminem and Jennifer Lopez for a pair of performances.

LL Cool J speaking at The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction
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Photo by Kevin Kane/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

LL Cool J speaking at The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction

After being nominated six times since 2010, LL Cool J was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Saturday as part of the Cleveland institution’s Class of 2021.

A recipient of one of the night’s Awards for Musical Excellence, the 53-year-old rapper celebrated his induction with a musical set that featured some of his most memorable hits. After performing solo cuts such as “Go Cut Creator Go” and “Going Back to Cali,” LL Cool J was joined by Eminem to trade verses on “Rock the Bells.” Jennifer Lopez also joined the hip-hop legend on stage to perform their classic collaboration, “All I Have.”

During his induction speech, LL thanked several rap legends for helping him on his journey into the Rock Hall.

“I want to thank Marley Marl and Rick Rubin and all the producers I’ve worked with,” he said. “The Trackmasters. I want to thank the Treacherous Three, especially Kool Moe Dee, for pushing me. I want to thank guys like Can-I-Bus and people like that who pushed me and really lifted the culture up in a big way.”

LL Cool J continued, “I’d also like to thank Russell. Russell Simmons, somebody who’s been going through a lot, I know, but I want to give him love. He was there for me, helped me make my dream come true.”

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony is scheduled to air on Nov. 20 and will be available to watch on HBO and HBO Max.

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