Def Jam artists Ja Rule and LL Cool J are the two headliners for Fall Fest, the annual free concert for UB students organized by the Student Association. Breaking the tradition of having a hip-hop themed Spring Fest and rock imbibed Fall Fest, SA tentatively plans to showcase the rappers at Baird Point on Sept. 20. If plans remain as scheduled, it will mark the first time since the Sugar Ray/Orgy concert in 1999 that a Fest has been performed outdoors.
LL Cool J, one of the founding rappers on Russell Simmons's Def Jam record label, rose to fame in the eighties with hit songs like "Goin' Back to Cali" and "I Need a Beat." But his status as a hip-hop icon was cemented with 1993's "Mama Said Knock You Out." The song of the same name forever emblazoned the image of LL "Don't call it a comeback!" Cool J as one angry, hooded contender in the ring. Since then, he has launched an acting career, popularized the FUBU fashion line, and emceed more songs for the ages, such as 1995's "Doin It."
Current hip-hop phenomenon Ja Rule quickly rose in popularity after signing on to Def Jam in 1998. "Holla, Holla," was the first hit single by the Queens-based rapper off his premiere Def Jam album, "Venni, Vetti, Vecci." The release of his second album, "Rule 3:36," which contained catchy tunes like "Between Me and You" and "Put It On Me," made the rapper a staple on Top 40 radio. Ja Rule has lent his unique singing voice to Jennifer Lopez's songs and also helped to promote fellow Murder Inc. artist Ashanti by featuring her in his song "Always on Time," a song off his latest album, "Pain is Love."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
