LL Cool J has explained why he left Jay-Z and DMX off his Mount Rushmore of Def Jam artists list.
During his appearance on The Joe Budden Podcast, the Queens native discussed his reasoning for snubbing Hov and X off his list when he was asked the question by Shannon Sharpe on Club Shay Shay a few weeks ago. LL listed himself, Public Enemy, the Beastie Boys, and Slick Rick before asking Uncle Shay about the criteria for the Mount Rushmore list.
Fans on social media were up in arms over LL not including Jay-Z and DMX, who were two of the most successful artists on the label. In his conversation with the JBP crew, LL explained that he understood why people would be upset, but the question was essentially asking who helped build the label.
"When I walked into Rick Rubin's dormitory, it was a fucking idea, bro, like you trying to talk to me about guys that are popular. I watched the shit when it was a fucking idea on a Post-It. It's two different conversations," said LL. "The world is talking about the most popular. That's all they care about. Who's the most popular, who's the richest, who sold the most records, who was exciting. I get that, and I respect it, I love it. But that's not what built the company, that's what expanded the company at a different point."
In 1997, Def Jam signed DMX and took on Jay-Z's independent label Roc-A-Fella Records through a distribution deal, and both artists went on to do astronomical numbers for the label. However, LL used the Mount Rushmore National Memorial as an example and said people claim former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama should be included in the massive statue but aren't because they're not the "bones of the country." He added that he wasn't asked who the "most commercially successful artists" on the label were.
When it comes to popularity, LL claimed he knew all about it as he has 10 platinum albums, is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, is a two-time Grammy Award winner, and has several TV shows that air in multiple countries. LL reiterated that the conversation isn't about popularity but the "architects" and "bones" of the label. He also said he respects the artists that came after him on Def Jam and referenced his 1997 hit single "4,3,2,1" featuring X, Method Man, Redman, Master P, and Canibus.
"I introduced DMX to the world, you think I don't love DMX," said LL. "I put him on my song to introduce him to the fucking world. I put the guy on. You know what I'm saying."
In another clip, LL gifted Budden a gold plaque for his single "Pump It Up." This should be a good episode when it drops in full.