LL Cool J: A Career Timeline

In less than a year, the Queens rapper releases his fourth studio album — his biggest seller to date, with 3 million record sold — Mama Said Knock You Out, in August 1990.  The title track was a hit single in 1991, garnering LL Cool J a Grammy for Best Rap Solo Performance. The song was so successful that the music video was parodied on the hit sketch comedy series In Living Color.

(Photo: Def Jam Records)