Fans irate of DMX and JAY-Z apparent snub by LL Cool J.

LL Cool J recently appeared on The Joe Budden Podcast to clarify that he holds deep respect and admiration for both Jay-Z and DMX, despite the controversy surrounding his Def Jam Mount Rushmore list.

A couple of weeks ago, LL Cool J stirred debate by naming his Def Jam Mount Rushmore, excluding Jay-Z and DMX, which sparked disagreement among fans. The legendary New York rapper instead selected himself, Public Enemy, Slick Rick, and the Beastie Boys as the defining artists of the label. After receiving some backlash, LL Cool J explained his reasoning on the podcast, emphasizing that his choices were based on the foundational impact of those artists on the label, rather than their commercial success.

DEF JAM’S CRUCIAL MOMENTS

“We’re talking about the people who kept the lights on at crucial moments,” LL Cool J said. “I know DMX was incredibly talented, killed it on stage, and sold millions of records. Jay-Z did incredible things at Def Jam too. There are so many artists I could name who achieved amazing success. I’m fully aware of that. But when I first walked into Rick Rubin’s dorm room, Def Jam was just an idea. You’re talking to me about guys who became popular, but I was there when this was just a concept on a Post-It note. It’s a different conversation. People are focused on popularity, but that’s not what built the company.”

Mount Rushmore = Four 4️⃣ FOUNDING FATHERS

Not 4 of your random favorites. pic.twitter.com/faFVDigucY

— Andrew (AJ™) (@TheAndrewgram) August 19, 2024

He continued by drawing an analogy to the U.S. Mount Rushmore, explaining that it represents the founders of the country, not those who came later. “The Def Jam Mount Rushmore is about the key figures who built the label, not just those who were commercially successful afterward. People ask about the Mount Rushmore, but then expect me to put more recent figures on it. The point is to recognize the foundation of the label, not just the artists who sold the most records.”

KENDRICK LAMAR VS. DRAKE

When Joe Budden compared the situation to the Kendrick Lamar and Drake rivalry, LL Cool J emphasized that he fully understands the importance of popularity, having achieved it himself. “I respect popularity—I’ve had ten platinum albums in a row, I’m in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, I’ve got Grammys, 11 nominations, and a TV show that’s a $5 billion franchise. I get it. But the question was about Def Jam’s Mount Rushmore, which is about the architects of the label.”

LL Cool J also made it clear that he holds deep respect for the artists who followed. “I introduced DMX to the world. You think I don’t love DMX? I put him on my song to give him that platform. I have nothing but respect for those who came after.”