Kodiak Starr wow... Can I make a few questions? Was he a star already when this took place? How much was he and his crew paid for this performance? Finally...what was your father's role at the time?
From the minute LL started rapping I was like, is this T La Rock? The influence at this stage of LL's career is incredibly obvious. All respect to both.
I was at this show, and it was epic. It was truly the first real hip hop show to come to Maine. We traveled for hours to be there. It was a huge deal for us.
Very "cool". Haha. I first saw him in a community college b-ball gym in 88 in Ventura, California, either the day before or after he made his "I'm Bad" and "Go Cut Creator Go" performance on the Arsenio Hall show. He's great in concert.
Imagine... The people in attendance can look back and say they saw a true HipHop legend. Even with this performance he sounds 1000x better than dudes on the radio now.
Big time. He has clear enunciation, raps using clever, creative metaphors. Uses cutting, scratching, sampling. The basis of TRUE Hip Hop. Not the TRASH that's out nowadays. He's not popping Xanax, using autotune, or mumbling like an idiot.
This is very interesting,LL showed a lot of class and intelligence ,he understood these people didn't know what rap was,so he was explaining his craft as he was performing,not getting attitude because they didn't know who he was or what rap was,way to go cool j.
@@NQuiz52 Did you read my comment? I said he understood people didn't know what rap was, and was explaining his craft, that makes your comment redundant...
As crazy as it now sounds that, in the relatively late age of true hip hop circa 1986, LL deserves much propers for explaining the art form and also slowing it down for them, that seems a touch self deprecating. Without this, and similar others, stuff may not have popped like it did. I would not have had the patience and whatnot...
@@NQuiz52 it might been but I'm from California and we heard early LL before record come dg were playing songs main 90,,,percent white so they weren't hip but trust place with blacks heard lots dat underground stuff
Big Boy Interview with LL COOL J (may 1st, 2023) Brought me hear. This video is part of HIP HOP HISTORY. LL is explaining to the crowd what his DJ is doing.
I think that he was 17 in this video. This video reminds of my teenage years back in Brooklyn. Although o didn’t have that gift, I used to love to hear my peers freestyle in high school during lunch breaks.
Who knew LL Cool Jay single-handedly brought rap to Maine.? And his message was so powerful kids instantly started break dancing and carrying boom boxes. One for the craziest videos on UA-cam.
By 1989, I had seen LL Cool J live eight (8) times. I wish i could take you all back with me to see LL Cool J, Whodini, Run D.M.C., Beastie Boys and Public Enemy live. Each put on the most unbelievable live performance. Imagine being at THIS show as a kid. LL just NUKED that place.
Classic James Todd Smith .... I have followed his career since 1985 and even before his debut platinum album "Radio" you can see in this video the phenom we all know as L.L. Cool J. what an awesome nostalgic treat. THANK YOU & THANK YOU G.O.A.T!!!!!
this is true proper rap nostalgia here not sure it was his very first appearance of any kind but what a start and you can just see from his presence that he was gonna be a huge star 👌👌
He was only 17 years old and proved that talent doesn’t have an age limit. I’m 17 and I listen to his music. Notice how he was teaching the audience what Hip Hop is
This is great, he notices the disinterest from the crowd and the kids and starts with showing them things they never heard and shows them how its done. Once he draws them in he kills it... Super smart.
Wow! This video is gold. This is so dope to see a young LL rocking in a half empty gym early in his career. I almost thought this was a joke or something in the beginning but I’m throughly enjoying seeing this. This is when hip hop was young and raw. It’s good to see Cool J has always been a positive ambassador of hip hop.
I was at that show. I was around 11 years-old, and I remember that it was in Wadsworth gymnasium during the daytime. Me and a couple of kids walked up to see it. I think it was, like, 3-4 bucks at the door. There were probably 50-60 people there (if that many?). I had absolutely no idea what was going on, and I barely remember it, but I can honestly say that I was there.
This is extraordinary! I agree , it's so great how LL introduces himself, politely engages the crowd and explains things to them. Incredible piece of history.
I'm checking in from Strong Island Ny 💪 tht home of Rakim Public Enemy EPMD Dela Soul Freedie Foxx Biz Markie and I remember seeing LL Cool J live at the Fresh Fest Tour when it came to Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale Long Island Ny. The illest part of his show was LL s man E Love came out on the stage and he stood in a B Boy stand for Abt 15 Mins mean mugging the crowd while cut creator was cutting and scratching LL is a icon who got his style from T La Rock.
DJ Cut Creator, Grandmaster Flash, DJ Grand Wizard Theodore and Jam Master Jay are the Ultimate Icons of Turntable scratching and juggles of the 80s!!!
WOW! Very inspiring the way he "brought it" no matter how the audience was responding... that's exactly why he's a star. LOVE him! :) Thanks for sharing the video.
when I see oldschool hiphop footage, I'm always surprised by the showmanship of the emcees. Before hiphop was accepted by the mainstream, emcees had to show and prove for the entire culture
the supersperm part in front of those kids was hilarious!!! then L explains and damn near spells the word out in front of those puritanical people lol...but yo! how @18:36 L dropped the mic like that hahaha.. The G.O.A.T!!
lol. this vid is cool! it takes me back to my high school days! LL really toned down his energy level for Maine but in places like New York and Detroit his performances were straight up hype.
This is crazy! Thank you for posting this. I’m 53 and this brings back some great energy. I had this tape and wore it out. This is when you had to “work your way up”, doing low turn out shows and still put in your work for just a few. I wonder how many of those small kids and their parents remember this performance from someone who would become a Legend. Crazy.
LL was signed to Def Jam. My dad tried to get RUN DMC, but could not afford them, so Def Jam told him he should bring up LL Cool J. He threw several rap shows, but other than some break dances, we don't have any footage.
33 years later I get to see the humble beginnings of a rap music and hip hop legend......this video truly gave me chills. Thank you for sharing this video!
This is a great archive video of LL Cool J. This man has such a great story but not a lot of people know about it. Going to keep looking for Rock the bells first version. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Loved the vid. Great post. I was two. They were respectful about not knowing much about Maine and its people, unlike many other acts that came to Maine like Dave chappelle or Erica Badu whom were insulting regarding our lack of black Americans. Loved this show. Love ll cool j. He is a true role model
Excellent show man....he didn't let the small scattered crowd bother him. Giving white kids lessons on Hip Hop...i'm sure some of those kids grew up to be some well paid folks in the Hip Hop game.
Why would it bother him? This was common then. This isn't the first time he had a small crowd at that time. His 1st album hadn't even been released yet. He was just an up-and-coming neighborhood dude with "I Need a Beat"
This is impressive. Never been a big fan of LL, but now.... Really good delivery, good old school hip-hop. I don't think Maine had any idea what they were being exposed to and where it would lead.
So awesome! This may come as bit of a shock, but Central Maine in 1985 was the least hip-hop place in the US! I wonder if he got one of those hot moms back to the Travelodge
I don't think the crowd was being lame, I just think the kids were literally in awe and were just too busy wondering how to respond and digest what they were seeing.
exactly... they were just soaking up the knowledge live... after only being able to see this culture on TV or magazines. can only imagine the hip hop heads that were birthed that day
We had the same show in Philly earlier that month but its nice to see because of the kids in this crowd LL kept the language clean. He definitely is the best rapper ever
So RAW! This should be in a museum. Ground floor material right here and although he was crazy confident, no way would he expect that this show would be one of thousands that would lead to a 35+ yr career and induction into the Rock & Roll HOF!
todd is so mature for his age at the time,years beyond his age.Skills to the highest level,GOD has given you favor.Leave hiphop alone and get your soul claimed for you and your family sake.Acts 2:38,Acts 2:42,Mark 16:17,.Love you man,FARMERS BLVD 115AVE.
Incredible! You guys sure were blessed to have your pops DJ Time Bomb bringing you culture like this, waay ahead of his time. I was 16 or 17 in 85 and would have killd to have been at this show! Two years later in 87 I "finally" scored 2 12s and a big-ass pyramid mixer and started scratching...25 years later & I haven't stopped yet. And Cornell Clark! At the end there! Bringing it! Wasn't there a running gag on Ren&Stimpy where outta nowhere Ren would start singing "Memories..." just like this?!
The reason LL is so successful is because he is a gentleman first
My dad organized the show and i just digitized the VHS.
Kodiak Starr wow...
Can I make a few questions?
Was he a star already when this took place?
How much was he and his crew paid for this performance?
Finally...what was your father's role at the time?
Thank you‼️💪🏽
Thank you!!
Thats dope i was there.very cool bro.
Thank you.
That 1985 vibe, i was born in 89, but i was always fascinated with the 80's as a kid
From the minute LL started rapping I was like, is this T La Rock? The influence at this stage of LL's career is incredibly obvious. All respect to both.
Big humble beginnings. Look at a brother now. Never stop the dream.
I was at this show, and it was epic. It was truly the first real hip hop show to come to Maine. We traveled for hours to be there. It was a huge deal for us.
Very "cool". Haha. I first saw him in a community college b-ball gym in 88 in Ventura, California, either the day before or after he made his "I'm Bad" and "Go Cut Creator Go" performance on the Arsenio Hall show. He's great in concert.
i realize I'm kinda off topic but do anybody know of a good website to watch new tv shows online ?
@Rafael Rene Flixportal :)
@Alexzander Colson thanks, signed up and it seems to work =) I appreciate it !
@Rafael Rene glad I could help :)
Imagine... The people in attendance can look back and say they saw a true HipHop legend. Even with this performance he sounds 1000x better than dudes on the radio now.
Big time. He has clear enunciation, raps using clever, creative metaphors. Uses cutting, scratching, sampling. The basis of TRUE Hip Hop. Not the TRASH that's out nowadays. He's not popping Xanax, using autotune, or mumbling like an idiot.
This is very interesting,LL showed a lot of class and intelligence ,he understood these people didn't know what rap was,so he was explaining his craft as he was performing,not getting attitude because they didn't know who he was or what rap was,way to go cool j.
How could they know? His album wasn't even out yet and rap was not international then. It was completely regional.
@@NQuiz52 Did you read my comment? I said he understood people didn't know what rap was, and was explaining his craft, that makes your comment redundant...
Artistic and Cultural Education is what he did. 🙂
As crazy as it now sounds that, in the relatively late age of true hip hop circa 1986, LL deserves much propers for explaining the art form and also slowing it down for them, that seems a touch self deprecating. Without this, and similar others, stuff may not have popped like it did. I would not have had the patience and whatnot...
@@NQuiz52 it might been but I'm from California and we heard early LL before record come dg were playing songs main 90,,,percent white so they weren't hip but trust place with blacks heard lots dat underground stuff
Just love how L.L is explaining to the people what he is doing. Very unique historic footage!
Wow. His stage presence and vocals was there from the start.
Even with crowds like this.. He never gave up.... LL Cool J.... GOAT..
Big Boy Interview with LL COOL J (may 1st, 2023) Brought me hear. This video is part of HIP HOP HISTORY. LL is explaining to the crowd what his DJ is doing.
Little did those people know that they're witnessing a true HISTORY lesson right before their eyes!
I think that he was 17 in this video. This video reminds of my teenage years back in Brooklyn. Although o didn’t have that gift, I used to love to hear my peers freestyle in high school during lunch breaks.
This is called "paying his dues!"
Yeah and new Hampshire maine was his pushnisment
@@geraldjohnson3216 😂😂😂😂
Who knew LL Cool Jay single-handedly brought rap to Maine.? And his message was so powerful kids instantly started break dancing and carrying boom boxes.
One for the craziest videos on UA-cam.
This is a clear example of how LL was a pioneer for today's artist. An early ambassador for the hip-hop culture.
By 1989, I had seen LL Cool J live eight (8) times. I wish i could take you all back with me to see LL Cool J, Whodini, Run D.M.C., Beastie Boys and Public Enemy live. Each put on the most unbelievable live performance. Imagine being at THIS show as a kid. LL just NUKED that place.
Damn! Would've been nice to see all the greats back in the beginning! Did you save all the tees?
This show was ahead of the time for these kids! To they have no idea what hit them!
FRESH FEST 89
R.I.P. John Ecstasy Fletcher Whohdini!
Me gusta tu foto de "the Screamer"
Classic James Todd Smith .... I have followed his career since 1985 and even before his debut platinum album "Radio" you can see in this video the phenom we all know as L.L. Cool J. what an awesome nostalgic treat. THANK YOU & THANK YOU G.O.A.T!!!!!
this is true proper rap nostalgia here not sure it was his very first appearance of any kind but what a start and you can just see from his presence that he was gonna be a huge star 👌👌
Kodiak, you really have some amazing historical footage here. This is important stuff.
Classic. Also loved how he ended with "Don't do drugs , stay away from thugs and stay in school."
And to think, Jimmy was only 17!!!
And drops the Mic!...white ppl like wtf!...and he walks off.lmao!
@@billyhill45 all mature n shite introducing him self etc at the start and to throw the mic on ground at end LMAO what a finale
He was only 17 years old and proved that talent doesn’t have an age limit. I’m 17 and I listen to his music. Notice how he was teaching the audience what Hip Hop is
This is great, he notices the disinterest from the crowd and the kids and starts with showing them things they never heard and shows them how its done. Once he draws them in he kills it... Super smart.
One of those obscure shows an artist finds themselves in. This was after all Maine, New England in the mid 80's.
LL Cool J teaches class
Having grown up in this era with this music, this is just mesmerizing to watch. Hurts to realise this is over 30 years ago though.
Wow! This video is gold. This is so dope to see a young LL rocking in a half empty gym early in his career. I almost thought this was a joke or something in the beginning but I’m throughly enjoying seeing this. This is when hip hop was young and raw. It’s good to see Cool J has always been a positive ambassador of hip hop.
I was at that show. I was around 11 years-old, and I remember that it was in Wadsworth gymnasium during the daytime. Me and a couple of kids walked up to see it. I think it was, like, 3-4 bucks at the door. There were probably 50-60 people there (if that many?). I had absolutely no idea what was going on, and I barely remember it, but I can honestly say that I was there.
This is extraordinary! I agree , it's so great how LL introduces himself, politely engages the crowd and explains things to them. Incredible piece of history.
This is like the natives seeing gunpowder for the first time. Paradigm changing moment.
Peace! Lol 😂 that analogy
I'm checking in from Strong Island Ny 💪 tht home of Rakim Public Enemy EPMD Dela Soul Freedie Foxx Biz Markie and I remember seeing LL Cool J live at the Fresh Fest Tour when it came to Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale Long Island Ny. The illest part of his show was LL s man E Love came out on the stage and he stood in a B Boy stand for Abt 15 Mins mean mugging the crowd while cut creator was cutting and scratching LL is a icon who got his style from T La Rock.
That’s dope! Also, did you know that the Public Enemy logo is actually E-Love?
DJ Cut Creator, Grandmaster Flash, DJ Grand Wizard Theodore and Jam Master Jay are the Ultimate Icons of Turntable scratching and juggles of the 80s!!!
My favorite were DJ Jazzy Jeff n cash money, DJ Magic Mike, and Mr Mixx.
WOW! Very inspiring the way he "brought it" no matter how the audience was responding... that's exactly why he's a star. LOVE him! :) Thanks for sharing the video.
Wow!! those kids don't know they saw LL cool j at his rarest essence in the very beginning of his career. I wonder if they remember it.
Uh some knew exactly what was up..note the b boys stylin n profilin.
@@billyhill45 only a small few from the footage most were sitting there clueless
when I see oldschool hiphop footage, I'm always surprised by the showmanship of the emcees. Before hiphop was accepted by the mainstream, emcees had to show and prove for the entire culture
LL COOL J is da G.O.A.T.!!!
the supersperm part in front of those kids was hilarious!!! then L explains and damn near spells the word out in front of those puritanical people lol...but yo! how @18:36 L dropped the mic like that hahaha.. The G.O.A.T!!
This was epic. These people were lucky to have seen a hip hop legend live. :) 'LL for life
NO FEE
better than everyone out now
lol. this vid is cool! it takes me back to my high school days! LL really toned down his energy level for Maine but in places like New York and Detroit his performances were straight up hype.
This is crazy! Thank you for posting this. I’m 53 and this brings back some great energy. I had this tape and wore it out.
This is when you had to “work your way up”, doing low turn out shows and still put in your work for just a few. I wonder how many of those small kids and their parents remember this performance from someone who would become a Legend. Crazy.
This is classic rare footage right here I'm loving it
LL was signed to Def Jam. My dad tried to get RUN DMC, but could not afford them, so Def Jam told him he should bring up LL Cool J. He threw several rap shows, but other than some break dances, we don't have any footage.
Peace! Did Rick Rubin speak to your father? Or Adrock? How much did LL procure for this performance?
33 years later I get to see the humble beginnings of a rap music and hip hop legend......this video truly gave me chills. Thank you for sharing this video!
Cool J is very underrated
can totally see how he host the Grammys, could've Hosted in 85 he is a natural born performer!
Who would have thought the last song would have such a meaningful connection to hip hop history.
This is so awesome. Back when dj's were proper dj's.
LL was a crazy great ambassador… he wasn’t offended by the small crowd as he was working to make it bigger
LL Cool J is awesome!!!
Never would have thought LL would have played in Waterville Maine in 1985.
This is a great archive video of LL Cool J. This man has such a great story but not a lot of people know about it. Going to keep looking for Rock the bells first version.
Thanks for sharing it with us.
I knew he did the show I just never knew there was a video! Awesome blast down memory lane...
Incredible performance. Wrong audience. Saw him on the Radio tour in 85, so good, and he's still bringing it. Nice work James Todd Smith.
LL was introducing the Mainers to rap. That was his task.
Well good ... and the guy singing Memories at the end ... one hell of an added bonus
Wooow, cool with lesson for the new scratching and rappin :-) I start with scratching in 1984 / 1985 Nice to find so old school videos :-) great
Loved the vid. Great post. I was two. They were respectful about not knowing much about Maine and its people, unlike many other acts that came to Maine like Dave chappelle or Erica Badu whom were insulting regarding our lack of black Americans. Loved this show. Love ll cool j. He is a true role model
These is supa dupa underground, you will never find this anywhere else damn 85 😢
He does remember it, he was talking about it on Stephen Colbert the other night 4/27/2017 The Late Show
THEY THEM NOT HIM ;]
This is a legendary hip-hop moment
THIS. IS. AMAZING.
This is incredible
This is UNBELIEVABLE! It like finding the Dead Sea Scrolls or something. Well, maybe not quite but still amazing.
LL Cool J was the first to drop the mic.
biggups to you and your old man Kodiak Starr!
Excellent show man....he didn't let the small scattered crowd bother him. Giving white kids lessons on Hip Hop...i'm sure some of those kids grew up to be some well paid folks in the Hip Hop game.
Why would it bother him? This was common then. This isn't the first time he had a small crowd at that time. His 1st album hadn't even been released yet. He was just an up-and-coming neighborhood dude with "I Need a Beat"
@@NQuiz52 ok
@@friendswitdadealer ok
This is impressive. Never been a big fan of LL, but now.... Really good delivery, good old school hip-hop. I don't think Maine had any idea what they were being exposed to and where it would lead.
Sweet wordplay. Old school will never die. Have always thought LL was under-appreciated.
"ahh lets get ill" from bigger and deffer..
then L drops the mic at the end.. like a star
this is American Music History. thank you for posting.
i never knew LL could beatbox.
Word! He did the Buffy of the Fat Boys beat with skill.
I grew up around the corner from L when he live in Farmers Blvd and he was a good beat boxer as a young teen
Hell yah he beat boxed when he was on grammys back in the day it was dope.look it up.he had skills wish he would of done some on his records
This is bloody amazing on so many different levels! Thank you, Kodiak Starr!
So awesome! This may come as bit of a shock, but Central Maine in 1985 was the least hip-hop place in the US! I wonder if he got one of those hot moms back to the Travelodge
I don't think the crowd was being lame, I just think the kids were literally in awe and were just too busy wondering how to respond and digest what they were seeing.
exactly... they were just soaking up the knowledge live... after only being able to see this culture on TV or magazines. can only imagine the hip hop heads that were birthed that day
This is pure gold, thanks for uploading !
This is cool man. I am a hip hop fan and I live in Maine. thanks for putting this little piece of history up.
amazing footage. thanks for uploading this.
This is amazing! Appreciate you putting it up!!! Golden age of hip hop at its finest.
Humble beginnings!! Always do your best regardless of the size of the crowd!!
Memories, like the corner of my mind. Dope ending! Seriously dope ending! That is classic! I am ending all my shows loke that from now on.
This is awesome!!!
i live half hour from here. cool to think of him back in the day rapping here in raps infancy.
We had the same show in Philly earlier that month but its nice to see because of the kids in this crowd LL kept the language clean. He definitely is the best rapper ever
Good on you for putting this video out. Enjoyed it.
So RAW! This should be in a museum. Ground floor material right here and although he was crazy confident, no way would he expect that this show would be one of thousands that would lead to a 35+ yr career and induction into the Rock & Roll HOF!
WOW... Thank you for uploading this. THIS is the very essence of Hip Hop
My favorite rapper Mr 'll cool j for real
Incredible! I was a fan back then and never knew he came to Maine.
the memories song at the end was a nice treat and oh wow those youngns were breakdancing at the end
amazing
This is brilliant! Great video footage!
todd is so mature for his age at the time,years beyond his age.Skills to the highest level,GOD has given you favor.Leave hiphop alone and get your soul claimed for you and your family sake.Acts 2:38,Acts 2:42,Mark 16:17,.Love you man,FARMERS BLVD 115AVE.
Mr LL cool J and cut creator…and about 40 years later LL still entertaining..
I think LL is so like Run from Run Dmc
Amazing!
Incredible! You guys sure were blessed to have your pops DJ Time Bomb bringing you culture like this, waay ahead of his time. I was 16 or 17 in 85 and would have killd to have been at this show! Two years later in 87 I "finally" scored 2 12s and a big-ass pyramid mixer and started scratching...25 years later & I haven't stopped yet.
And Cornell Clark! At the end there! Bringing it! Wasn't there a running gag on Ren&Stimpy where outta nowhere Ren would start singing "Memories..." just like this?!
The Way We Were!
I wouldn't have believed this actually happened without video evidence.
This is an amazing watch end-to-end. Thank you and your dad!
can’t believe you have this footage
This is gold. Thank you!