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From Hip-Hop Royalty To Family Moguls: A Deep Dive Into LL Cool J's Four Successful Kids In 2025

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LL Cool J, the legendary rapper and actor, has built a legacy that extends far beyond music and Hollywood, cementing his status as a dedicated family man. As of December 2025, the focus often turns to his four adult children, who have quietly carved out their own impressive paths in diverse fields ranging from real estate and high-end fashion to the competitive world of R&B music. While the patriarch, whose stage name stands for Ladies Love Cool James, continues to dominate entertainment, his kids are proving that success is indeed hereditary, albeit on their own terms and away from their father's enormous shadow.

The family unit, anchored by his decades-long marriage to his wife, Simone Smith, is a testament to stability in a volatile industry. This article provides the most current and updated profile of each of LL Cool J’s children—Najee, Italia, Samaria, and Nina—detailing their ages in 2025, their distinct career ventures, and the latest milestones that have kept the Smith family name in the spotlight for all the right reasons.

LL Cool J: The Family Patriarch's Full Biography and Profile

James Todd Smith, known globally as LL Cool J, is an American icon whose career spans over four decades in music and acting. His journey from a teenage hip-hop prodigy to a multifaceted entertainment mogul is one of the genre's greatest success stories.

  • Full Name: James Todd Smith
  • Stage Name: LL Cool J (Ladies Love Cool James)
  • Date of Birth: January 14, 1968
  • Age (as of Dec 2025): 57
  • Place of Birth: Bay Shore, Long Island, New York, U.S.
  • Spouse: Simone I. Smith (married since 1995; together since 1987)
  • Children: Four (one son, three daughters)
  • Grandchildren: Yes, through his eldest daughter, Italia.
  • Professions: Rapper, Actor, Producer, Author, Entrepreneur.
  • Key Milestones: Two-time Grammy Award winner, Kennedy Center Honoree, star of the hit series NCIS: Los Angeles, and one of the first successful solo rappers.

LL Cool J met his wife, Simone Smith, in 1987, and the couple married in 1995. They have consistently championed a private family life, with the rapper often speaking about the importance of keeping his children grounded. He has publicly shared his unique parenting philosophy, which included strict rules like no televisions in the kids' rooms, to ensure they were not "rich bums" and understood the value of hard work.

The Four Pillars of the Smith Family: Najee, Italia, Samaria, and Nina

The four children of LL Cool J and Simone Smith are a close-knit group, each possessing a strong entrepreneurial spirit inherited from their famous parents. They have successfully navigated the challenges of growing up in the spotlight by focusing on professional endeavors outside of their father’s primary career paths. Their mother, Simone Smith, a successful jewelry designer, has also been a major influence in steering them toward creative and business-oriented careers.

1. Najee Laurent Todd Eugene Smith (The Private Entrepreneur)

Najee is the eldest child and the only son of the Smith family. Born in September 1989, he turns 36 in 2025. Unlike his father, Najee has chosen a path largely away from the public-facing side of entertainment, preferring to work behind the scenes in the world of fashion and business.

  • Age (Dec 2025): 36
  • Current Career: Works in fashion, often associated with the launch and management of various high-end or latest clothing collections.
  • Key Entity: Najee Laurent Todd Eugene Smith.

While he maintains a relatively private life, Najee occasionally appears at family events and has been noted for his keen eye for style and business acumen, supporting his mother's and sister's ventures. His focus on the business side of fashion reflects a strong, independent drive.

2. Italia Anita Maria Smith (The Real Estate Mogul and Mother)

Italia is the eldest daughter, born in January 1991, making her 34 in 2025. She is perhaps the most established professional among the siblings, having built a highly successful career as a licensed real estate agent in Manhattan. Her work has been prominently featured, including giving tours of her projects, demonstrating her expertise in luxury properties.

  • Age (Dec 2025): 34
  • Current Career: Successful Manhattan Real Estate Agent.
  • Family Life: Married to Lamar Cardinez and is a mother. She is the one who made LL Cool J and Simone grandparents, a title LL Cool J insists his grandchildren call him—not "Grandpa."
  • Latest Update: As of recent reports, Italia and her husband, Lamar, were expecting their third child, further expanding the Smith-Cardinez family and LL Cool J's growing number of grandchildren.
  • Key Entity: Italia Anita Maria Smith, Lamar Cardinez, Real Estate.

Italia's choice to pursue a career outside of the entertainment industry highlights the family's value of creating independent success, with her father often supporting her professional endeavors.

3. Samaria Leah Smith (The Fashion Entrepreneur)

Samaria Leah Smith, born in September 1995, will be turning 30 in 2025. She is a prominent figure in the fashion world, not as a model, but as the owner and creative director of her own successful clothing brand, Samaria Leah. The brand is known for its unique, fashion-forward designs and has been embraced by various "it girls" and celebrities.

  • Age (Dec 2025): 30
  • Current Career: Founder and CEO of the Samaria Leah clothing brand.
  • Personal Life: She has been in a high-profile relationship with NFL star Jordan Fuller since 2021, making them a notable power couple in the sports and fashion circles.
  • Key Entity: Samaria Leah Smith, Samaria Leah Brand, Jordan Fuller.

Samaria's entrepreneurial success is a clear demonstration of her creative vision and business savvy, building a brand that stands on its own merit and is not simply a celebrity side project.

4. Nina Symone Smith (The Rising R&B Artist)

Nina, the youngest of the four children, was born in August 2000, making her 24 in 2025. She is the only sibling to follow a path directly into the music industry, but with a distinct twist: she is an aspiring R&B singer and songwriter, differentiating herself from her father’s hip-hop roots.

  • Age (Dec 2025): 24
  • Current Career: R&B Singer and Songwriter.
  • Key Music Releases: She released her debut single "Call Me" a few years ago, showcasing her vocal talent and commitment to building her own musical identity under the name Nina-Symone.
  • Key Entity: Nina Simone Smith, Nina-Symone, R&B Music.

Nina-Symone is actively working to establish her own voice and sound, a challenging feat given her father's iconic status. Her dedication to R&B and her focus on original material show a promising future as a serious artist in the contemporary music scene.

The Legacy of LL Cool J's Parenting and Family Values

The collective success of Najee, Italia, Samaria, and Nina is often attributed to the strong, grounded values instilled by LL Cool J and Simone Smith. The rapper has been vocal about his desire to raise children who are self-sufficient and understand the value of a dollar, despite their privileged upbringing.

He famously enforced a "no TV in the bedroom" rule and emphasized the importance of a "poor mindset" over a "rich mindset," focusing on ambition, hard work, and earning one's way. This philosophy appears to have paid off, as all four children are engaged in demanding, professional careers, proving that the family is focused on substance over celebrity.

The enduring marriage between LL Cool J and Simone Smith, which has lasted for over three decades, serves as a powerful model of stability for their children. Simone, a cancer survivor and successful jewelry designer, is a key entity in the family's narrative, providing a strong, non-entertainment-focused role model. Her support for her daughters' fashion and business ventures is a testament to the family's collaborative spirit.

As of late 2025, the Smith family continues to grow, with Italia expanding her family and the other siblings continuing to make strides in their respective industries. The legacy of LL Cool J is not just in his music or his acting, but in the successful, grounded, and ambitious adults he and Simone have raised, ensuring the Smith name remains synonymous with entrepreneurial excellence across multiple fields.

ll cool j kids
ll cool j kids

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