Rapper LL Cool J has been honored with a statue highlighting his hip-hop career in his hometown of Queens, New York.
The statue titled the G.O.A.T. monument portrays L.L. in his earlier days rockin’ the classic Kangol bucket hat, braided chain, and a boombox, which seemingly plays audio of playlists cultivated by the rapper’s friends and fans, according to Revolt. To capture the “Around the Way Girl” rapper’s unique style, artist Sherwin Banfield crafted the sculpture located in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park.
“I am proud to present my latest & most ambitious public sculpture: ‘Going Back to The Meadows, A Tribute to LL COOL J and Performance at F.M.C.P.,'” said Banfield, who shared images of his recent project. Photos of the statue were later posted by L.L., who credited the artist out for the honor.
“Anything is possible,” wrote the “I Shot Ya” emcee. “Statue of me in Corona Park, Queens by the talented @sherwintheartist.”
In October, L.L. was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, with rapper and producer Dr. Dre presenting the prestigious honor, Revolt reported.
“I’d like to thank all of the people who voted for L.L. to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame year after year…,” L.L. said during the ceremony. “A lot of people, when I told them I got inducted, they’d say to me, ‘Isn’t it about time?’ You see, what people don’t realize is, I wasn’t thinking about the people who voted against me. I was thinking about the people who voted for me. It was love. Like what I was feeling was, wow, here’s some people over there who won’t take no for an answer. They like, ‘Yo, this guy got to be in here, and we’re going to keep fighting for you ’til we get him in here.’ So I thank you.”
During the ceremony, L.L. also acknowledged the influences rock and roll has had on the hip hop culture, “Rock and roll, hip hop loves you,” said the Queens native. “We borrow your beats. We sample ’em. We turn them into hits. And we know where we came from. We know where things come from. We love and appreciate you.”
The statue will be displayed at David Dinkins Circle within Corona Park until November 2022.
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