LL Cool J became the first rapper to receive a Kennedy Center Honor at a ceremony in Washington, DC tonight. Singer Gloria Estefan, musician Lionel Richie, television producer Norman Lear, and dancer Carmen de Lavallade were also among this year's honorees. "I am blown away. This is the biggest musical award you can receive," LL Cool J told The Washington Post. "To be recognized by your country, and to be able to represent hip-hop as an art form is amazing. I’m surprised, grateful, humbled and honored." At 49, he ties with Stevie Wonder as the youngest artist to receive the award. Notably, tonight's gala is also the first time that neither the current president nor the first lady has attended the Kennedy Center Honors; in August, Donald Trump announced that he would not be attending after multiple honorees threatened to boycott the event if he were present.
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LL Cool J Becomes The First Rapper To Receive Kennedy Center Honor
By Peter Helman
WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 02: LL Cool J arrives for the formal Artist’s Dinner honoring the recipients of the 40th Annual Kennedy Center Honors hosted by United States Secretary of State Rex Tillerson at the US Department of State on December 2, 2017 in Washington, DC. The 2017 honorees are: American dancer and choreographer Carmen de Lavallade; Cuban American singer-songwriter and actress Gloria Estefan; American hip hop artist and entertainment icon LL Cool J; American television writer and producer Norman Lear; and American musician and record producer Lionel Richie. (Photo by Ron Sachs-Pool/Getty Images)
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