LL Cool J joins Neal Brennan to talk about what he wishes he knew sooner: knowing his value, learning how to lead, and being a better friend.They get into growing up in Queens, the family lessons that shaped him, getting his start in hip-hop in the late 1970s along with a (too) long list of legends, the writing behind songs like "Mama Said Knock You Out" and "Rock the Bells," and the honest vulnerability behind “I Need Love.”  Plus: Rick Rubin, Russell Simmons, Beastie Boys and Def Jam stories, the greatness of Bruce Lee, the business of touring, becoming a sex symbol and then an actor, and the night an intruder broke into his home.--------------------------CHAPTERS00:00 LL Cool J joins Neal01:16 Opening up about his childhood07:50 Lessons from his family08:31 First turntables & the trappings of success13:16 Discovering hip-hop17:27 Def Jam & owning his music18:57 Making demos & writing rhymes23:09 Wanting to be seen25:33 Representation & giving back30:21 Sponsor: BetterHelp32:29 Sponsor: CookUnity35:10 Creative freedom & songwriting36:13 I Need Love & vulnerability40:53 Acting, working out & Bruce Lee45:16 Building a career without a blueprint48:08 Knowing your value & saying no52:06 Comparing careers across generations54:32 Why he avoided headlining tours56:21 What makes a great live show58:38 Sponsor: Mars Men1:01:15 Sponsor: Ethos1:03:18 Learning how to lead1:08:16 Respect, manners & staying grounded1:15:03 Learning how to be a friend1:17:46 Becoming a sex symbol1:20:13 The home invasion1:26:05 Acting projects & wrap-up----------------------------------------------------------Follow Neal Brennan: https://www.instagram.com/nealbrennanhttps://twitter.com/nealbrennanhttps://www.tiktok.com/@mrnealbrennanWatch Neal Brennan: Crazy Good on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81728557Watch Neal Brennan: Blocks on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81036234Theme music by Electric Guest (unreleased).Edited by Will Hagle----------------------------------------------------------Sponsors:Visit https://www.BetterHelp.com/NEAL to get 10% off your first month.Go to https://www.cookunity.com/NEAL or enter code NEAL before checkout for 50% off your first order. For a limited time, our listeners get 50% off FOR LIFE, Free Shipping, AND 3 Free Gifts at Mars Men at Mengotomars.comGo to https://www.Ethos.com/NEAL to get your free life insurance quote.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices