LL Cool J Parents (James Nunya and Ondrea Smith):- LL Cool J is one of the most influential and successful rappers of all time. He has won two Grammy Awards, sold over 13 million albums, and starred in numerous movies and TV shows. But who are his parents and what is their story? Here is everything you need to know about LL Cool J’s parents: James Nunya and Ondrea Smith.
James Nunya: LL Cool J’s Father
James Nunya, also known as James Smith, is the biological father of LL Cool J. He was born in 1946 and married Ondrea Griffith in 1967. They had their only son, James Todd Smith, on January 14, 1968, in Bay Shore, New York.
James Nunya was a talented musician who played the saxophone and the guitar. He also had a passion for photography and worked as a freelance photographer for various magazines and newspapers.
However, James Nunya had a dark side. He was abusive and violent towards his wife and son. He also struggled with drug addiction and mental health issues. In 1972, he shot his wife and father-in-law in a domestic dispute, leaving them both seriously injured. He then fled the scene and was later arrested .
LL Cool J was only four years old when he witnessed this horrific incident. He later said that it traumatized him for life and made him distrustful of men. He also said that he never had a relationship with his father after that.
James Nunya spent some time in prison for his crime, but was eventually released. He tried to reconnect with his son several times, but LL Cool J rejected him. He also claimed that he was proud of his son’s achievements and wanted to make amends with him.
James Nunya died in 2017 at the age of 71. He was buried in a private ceremony attended by his family and friends.
Ondrea Smith: LL Cool J’s Mother
Ondrea Smith, formerly Ondrea Griffith, is the mother of LL Cool J. She was born on January 19, 1946 in New York City. She met James Nunya when she was 21 years old and married him a year later. They had their son, James Todd Smith, in 1968.
Ondrea Smith was a loving and supportive mother who raised her son alone after her husband shot her and her father. She survived the gunshot wound to her chest, but lost her left lung as a result. She also suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and depression .
Ondrea Smith moved to St. Albans, Queens with her son and her parents, who helped her take care of him. She worked as a nurse at a hospital to provide for her family .
Ondrea Smith encouraged her son’s interest in music and bought him his first boombox when he was nine years old. She also supported his decision to pursue a career in rap music when he was 16 years old. She helped him record his demo tapes and sent them to various record labels .
Ondrea Smith has always been proud of her son’s success and has accompanied him to many award shows and events. She has also appeared in some of his music videos, such as “I Need Love” and “Hey Lover” .
Ondrea Smith is still alive and well as of 2023. She lives in Los Angeles with her son and his family. She has four grandchildren from her son’s marriage to Simone Smith .
Conclusion
LL Cool J’s parents are James Nunya and Ondrea Smith. They had a tumultuous marriage that ended in violence when James Nunya shot Ondrea Smith and her father in 1972. LL Cool J witnessed this tragedy when he was four years old and never forgave his father for it.
Ondrea Smith raised her son alone with the help of her parents. She supported his passion for music and helped him launch his rap career. She has always been close to her son and his family.
James Nunya died in 2017 after trying to reconcile with his son for years. He never got the chance to apologize or make peace with him.
LL Cool J has overcome many challenges and hardships in his life thanks to his mother’s love and guidance. He has also honored his parents’ legacy through his music and philanthropy.
