Dr. Dre Inducts LL Cool J

So what does it really mean to live with big licked lips? Well, I'm here because I personally think it means living legend. Okay, I'll take you back for a minute. Hey, do you remember a story you told me about leaving Devgen? the first artist on def jam, you recorded all this music and delivered all these albums, then fast forward to here, your contract is up and tell me you were really expecting a really

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going away gift, right? Do you remember what you told me? I have a cheap watch, I mean, what is that? Well, now I guess you know what time it is.

I mean, the people at the death camp, Deb Jam, probably could have done their part better and gotten it, but they knew exactly what they were doing when they hired you as their first time, yeah, she was 17 when her Apple debut came out and not only did he put Def Jam on the map but he also launched a superstar yeah that first song I need a beat yeah I remember it was just him and a drum there's no other music now I'm a producer and I'm not sure How many of you know how difficult it is to convey that and how difficult it is to make it happen.

It's amazing now every time I hear the first stop on the radio. It immediately takes me back to when I was just starting out as a DJ behind the turntables. I started practicing, practicing mixing and scratching, rocking the veils in my garage, yeah, and then I took it to the club and watched the club go crazy, really

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. j gave us 13 studio albums over three decades When I reflect on this legacy, the first thing I think of is his incredible range. He went from the sonic brutality of Mom Said Knock You Out to a silky ballad like I Need Love Right and also smooth.

Rb and pop pop flowy songs like the way the girl does it, you know, back to Cali, I don't think so. Damn, that's what you said, back to Kelly, I don't think so, right? You know that old hip-hop term, right? It's not where you're from, that's where you are, where do you live now? California, well I'm here to show you a little bit of California. I love it. El No's bodily abortion is one of the most diverse themes to ever exist in hip-hop. I've watched him become rap's first pop superstar as he continues to film his roots representing Queens in New York.

The second thing I think about is his remarkable longevity. I've been doing this for 35 years and I've seen artists come and go, they had one or two hits and then they're gone, they're gone, but ll's longevity is unparalleled in hip-hop. He is in that unique space that crosses and unites generations. weird artists are loved by you, your mom, and all your kids, all at once, how's that? Many artists in the rap game are relevant after 30 years. What I have admired most about Al is his willingness to push the boundaries of what is possible in hip-hop. He has never been afraid to take risks to evolve his career and in doing so. reminding the rest of us of our own potential he's an author grammy radio host dj businessman philanthropist and kennedy center honoree how about this?

Most of you don't know this, but it will be cool. Turn the phrase, wow, the best of all time. Yes, he is the one. That's why he came up with that phrase about how he has been a devoted husband to his mother's beautiful wife and father to her four children. Okay, now Hill and I had the opportunity to spend some time in the studio and through our collaboration a friendship was born. Now I remember he was out, I'm not bragging like that, but he was on a boat in the Mediterranean two days later, he and his wife Simone showed up on the boat.

You know, it was only supposed to be for three days or something. like that, but it ended up being like a week or so on the water and our families got to hang out and we experienced a lot more than just music, it was beautiful now, um, I know more than most, in fact, we know more than about how inspiring it can be trauma and when it comes to having trauma in your life because you've lost it, I mean, it builds something inside of you, it creates a certain hunger and determination that makes your life meaningful so that your life stands out above the others. rest, if you're lucky you can use that trauma to propel your life forward, if you're sick you can turn that trauma into an art form that makes everyone pay attention, so that part of your gift that you have I got it, it was just a placeholder for tonight.

There was always something bigger in store to celebrate you, friend, so here's a look at the extraordinary life of my friend, Jay, this journey, and the reason we're here tonight.