When people hear the name LL Cool J, they often think about legendary hip-hop songs, movies, and a long career in entertainment. However, behind the famous name is a family man who has always worked hard to raise his children with strong values. Among his four children, Najee Laurent Todd Eugene Smith is the oldest and his only son.
Unlike many celebrity children who follow their parents into the spotlight, Najee has chosen a quieter life. He has built his own identity through art, fashion, and creative work instead of trying to copy his father’s path in music and acting.
In this article, we will look closely at Najee Laurent Todd Eugene Smith’s family background, childhood, career, lifestyle, and personal choices. We will also explore his connection with LL Cool J, his work with Rock The Bells, and how he has created a name for himself outside his father’s fame.
Who Is Najee Laurent Todd Eugene Smith?
Najee Laurent Todd Eugene Smith is the oldest child and only son of American rapper, actor, and entrepreneur LL Cool J and his wife, Simone I. Smith. He was born in 1989 in the United States and grew up in a family connected to music, entertainment, and business.
While his father became one of the most recognized names in hip-hop, Najee decided to take a different direction. He did not choose a career as a rapper or actor. Instead, he developed an interest in art, clothing, and creative design.
Najee is known as a private person who prefers to stay away from constant media attention. He has appeared with his family at different events over the years, but he does not live the typical celebrity lifestyle. His focus has been on building his own skills and following his personal interests.
On social media, Najee describes himself as a “Creative New Yorker.” His posts often show his style, creative ideas, and connection to fashion. Through his work and personality, he has shown that being the child of a famous person does not mean following the same career path.
Najee Laurent Todd Eugene Smith’s Early Life and Childhood

Growing up as LL Cool J’s son meant that Najee was surrounded by music and entertainment from a young age. His father was already a major figure in hip-hop, and his family often attended public events together. Najee was seen with his parents and sisters at different industry gatherings while he was still young.
Even with his father’s fame, Najee’s parents worked to give their children a normal family life. LL Cool J has often spoken about teaching his children independence and responsibility. He wanted them to understand the value of hard work instead of depending only on his success.
Najee grew up with three younger sisters, and family has always played an important role in his life. The Smith family has remained close, often supporting each other’s goals and personal choices.
As he became older, Najee slowly moved away from the entertainment world and focused more on his own interests. His childhood around creative people likely helped shape his love for design and artistic expression.
Najee’s Parents: LL Cool J and Simone Smith
Najee’s father, LL Cool J, whose real name is James Todd Smith, is one of the most respected names in hip-hop history. He became famous through hit albums, including Radio, Bigger and Deffer, and Mama Said Knock You Out. He also built a successful acting career with roles in movies and television shows.
LL Cool J is also known for his business work. He created brands, supported charity projects, and founded Rock The Bells, a company connected to hip-hop culture and fashion. His long career has made him one of the most successful artists from his generation.
Najee’s mother, Simone I. Smith, has also created her own success story. She is an entrepreneur, jewelry designer, and cancer survivor. After being diagnosed with stage III chondrosarcoma, a rare type of bone cancer, she fought through treatment and was declared cancer-free in 2004.
Simone later built her own jewelry businesses and became known for her strength and creativity. She has always shown strong support for her children. On Najee’s birthday, she has shared loving messages, calling him “royalty” and encouraging him to believe in himself.
Najee Laurent Todd Eugene Smith’s Siblings
Najee grew up with three younger sisters: Italia Anita Marie Smith, Samaria Leah Smith, and Nina Simone Smith. Each sibling has followed a different path, showing the family’s strong support for individual dreams and interests.
His sister Italia Anita Marie Smith was born in January 1991. She has mostly stayed away from the spotlight and built a career in real estate. She studied business administration and also earned a commercial real estate certificate from Cornell.
Italia is married to Lamar Cardinez, and the couple has children together. Like Najee, she has chosen a more private lifestyle while building her own family and career.
Samaria Leah Smith, born in September 1995, developed a love for fashion at an early age. She studied design and merchandising at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. Later, she created her own fashion brand, showing her passion for clothing and style.
The youngest sibling, Nina Simone Smith, followed a path closer to her father’s music career. Born in August 2000, she released her first single, “Call Me,” in 2019. She later graduated from Berklee College of Music with a degree in songwriting.
The Smith children have taken different directions, but they share a strong family connection. Their parents have encouraged them to follow their own interests instead of feeling pressured to copy their father’s famous career.
Najee’s Passion for Art
One of the most interesting parts of Najee’s story is his love for art. Instead of becoming a performer like his father, he found a creative space through fashion and design. He has explained that he considers himself an artist and enjoys creating things in his own way.
Najee’s approach to clothing design is different from traditional methods. He has talked about experimenting with bleaching shirts, using fabric dyes, and changing regular clothing into unique pieces. His creative process comes from wanting to make something personal and different.
He has worked on clothing projects connected to Rock The Bells, where his ideas have been shared with fans of hip-hop culture and fashion. His work shows his interest in combining art, clothing, and personal expression.
For Najee, creativity is not only about making fashionable items. It is also about showing personality and creating something that feels original. This mindset has helped him build a place for himself outside his father’s shadow.
Najee Laurent Todd Eugene Smith and Rock The Bells
After building his interest in art and fashion, Najee Laurent Todd Eugene Smith found another way to stay connected to hip-hop culture through Rock The Bells. The brand was created by his father, LL Cool J, as a platform that celebrates hip-hop music, history, and style.
Najee has been involved with the clothing side of Rock The Bells, helping share new designs and ideas with fans. His work shows his interest in fashion and creativity while also keeping a connection with his father’s business projects.
One of his known projects was the Drip Hoodie, which showed his personal style and creative thinking. Instead of making simple clothing, Najee focused on creating pieces that felt different and artistic. He explained that he enjoyed changing regular shirts through bleaching and fabric dye techniques.
His role with Rock The Bells also shows how he has created his own place within his family’s world. He respects his father’s achievements but has chosen to contribute through design instead of music or acting.
Najee’s Life Away From the Spotlight
Unlike many children of famous celebrities, Najee has always kept a quiet public profile. He does not often appear in interviews, and he rarely shares private details about his personal life. His focus has mainly been on his creative work and family.
Although he grew up around fame, Najee did not chase attention. He has allowed his work and personal interests to speak for him. This choice has helped him create an identity that is separate from being known only as LL Cool J’s son.
On social media, Najee shares parts of his lifestyle, fashion choices, and creative projects. His Instagram presence gives followers a small look into his world while still keeping many parts of his life private.
For Najee Laurent Todd Eugene Smith, staying away from constant media attention seems to be a personal choice. He has shown that it is possible to come from a famous family while still building a calm and independent life.
Najee Laurent Todd Eugene Smith’s Personal Life
There is limited public information about Najee’s personal relationships. Unlike his father, who has a very public career, Najee prefers to keep his private matters away from the media.
There are no confirmed public reports about Najee being married or having a wife. He has not shared much about his dating life, which matches his overall approach of protecting his privacy.
His quiet lifestyle has made many fans curious about him, but Najee has continued to focus on his creative interests rather than becoming a regular name in entertainment news.
His relationship with his family remains one of the most visible parts of his life. He continues to share a close bond with LL Cool J, Simone Smith, and his three sisters.
Najee’s 2015 Legal Incident and Life After It
In 2015, Najee received public attention after an incident outside a nightclub in New York. Reports stated that he was involved in an argument with a group of men after celebrating his 26th birthday.
Following the incident, Najee was arrested and charged with criminal trespassing. The situation became news because of his connection to LL Cool J, but it did not become a pattern in his life.
Reports from the time mentioned that Najee was still under the effects of alcohol when he was taken to the station. However, officers said he remained respectful during the process.
Since that event, Najee has stayed away from further legal trouble. He continued focusing on his creative work, fashion interests, and family life. The incident remains only one small part of his larger story.
Final Thoughts
Najee Laurent Todd Eugene Smith has shown that being born into a famous family does not mean following the same path as your parents. As the oldest son of LL Cool J, he grew up around music, entertainment, and public attention, but he chose to create his own identity through art, fashion, and creative work.
Instead of becoming a rapper or actor, Najee followed his personal interests and built a quieter life. His work with Rock The Bells and his passion for clothing design show his love for creativity and self-expression.
His story is also a reflection of the values taught by his parents. LL Cool J and Simone Smith encouraged their children to work hard, stay independent, and follow their own dreams. Najee has taken those lessons and used them to build a path that feels true to him.
While he keeps many parts of his personal life private, Najee continues to attract interest because of his unique background and creative mindset. His journey proves that success does not always look the same for everyone, and creating your own path can be just as meaningful as following a famous one
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Najee Laurent Todd Eugene Smith?
Najee was born in 1989. His exact birth date is reported differently by some sources, but he is in his mid-30s as of 2026.
What does Najee Laurent Todd Eugene Smith do?
Najee works in creative fields, especially art, fashion, and clothing design. He has also been involved with his father’s Rock The Bells brand.
Is Najee Laurent Todd Eugene Smith a rapper like LL Cool J?
No. Although he grew up around hip-hop, Najee has not followed his father’s path as a rapper. He has focused more on art and fashion.
Who are Najee Laurent Todd Eugene Smith’s siblings?
Najee has three younger sisters: Italia Anita Marie Smith, Samaria Leah Smith, and Nina Simone Smith.
Is Najee Laurent Todd Eugene Smith married?
There are no confirmed public details about Najee being married or being in a publicly known relationship.

