Celebrity 5 months ago
LL Cool J felt a deep connection to breakdancing at the 2024 Paris Olympics, reflecting on his early career and hoping for its return in 2028.

LL Cool J recently revealed that watching the breakdancing competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics made him feel as though he was truly a part of it. The Grammy-winning rapper and actor explained to D-Stroy on SiriusXM’s CTRL, ALT, D-Stroy on Shade 45 that seeing the breakdancers with a boombox reminded him of his early music days, especially his 1985 debut album Radio. He noted that his early tours often featured a large boombox onstage, which became a symbol of his early career.

Born James Todd Smith in Long Island, LL Cool J reminisced about his significant role in hip-hop and his deep appreciation for the culture. In addition to his music career, he’s known for his roles in NCIS: Los Angeles and films like Deep Blue Sea, Halloween H2O, and Deliver Us from Eva.

The 2024 Paris Olympics was notable for including breakdancing (breaking) for the first time. Phil Wizard of Canada won the gold medal, Dany Dann of France took silver, and Victor Montalvo of the U.S. earned bronze. LL Cool J expressed regret that breaking will not be featured in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, hoping it will be reconsidered for future events. He believes the sport will continue to evolve and become even more impressive.

Additionally, Australian breakdancer Raygun gained viral fame with her distinctive moves, drawing praise from Adele and inspiring a playful TikTok tribute by Chloe Fineman. Raygun defended her style by emphasizing her originality and creativity rather than just traditional power moves.