From Hip-Hop Royalty To Real Estate And Fashion: A Deep Dive Into LL Cool J's Four Grown Kids

The legendary rapper and actor LL Cool J, born James Todd Smith, has spent decades defining hip-hop culture and dominating the screen. Yet, as of late 2025, his biggest role is arguably that of a proud father and grandfather. The "NCIS: Los Angeles" star, alongside his wife, Simone I. Smith, has successfully raised four children who have all grown into successful adults, each forging a unique path that balances entrepreneurial spirit with a desire to build a life outside of the Hollywood spotlight. The family dynamic has recently shifted, with the youngest child graduating college, officially ushering in the "empty nest" era for the iconic couple.

This deep dive explores the current lives, professional ventures, and unexpected career choices of the four Smith children, revealing how the principles of hard work and humility instilled by their father have shaped their individual journeys in real estate, fashion, music, and brand management.

The Smith Family: A Complete Biography and Profile

LL Cool J, known for hits like "Mama Said Knock You Out" and his enduring role as Sam Hanna, has always prioritized his family life with a strong foundation built on his decades-long marriage to Simone I. Smith.

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• Father: James Todd "LL Cool J" Smith
• Mother: Simone I. Smith (Jewelry Designer, Philanthropist)
• Marriage Date: August 1995 (Celebrated 30th Anniversary in 2025)
• Children: Four (Najee, Italia, Samaria, Nina)
• Grandchildren: Three
• Current Status: Empty Nesters (as of late 2025, following youngest daughter's college graduation)
• Parenting Philosophy: Focused on instilling a strong work ethic and refusing to raise "spoiled kids," emphasizing that "This Is the Real World."

1. Najee Laurent Todd Eugene Smith: The Entrepreneur and Creative Director

As the eldest child and only son, Najee Laurent Todd Eugene Smith, born September 18, 1989, has taken on a role that keeps him closely connected to his father’s legacy while maintaining his own creative identity.

• Current Age: 36 (as of late 2025)
• Profession: Artist, Creative Professional, and Entrepreneur.
• Key Role: Reportedly manages his father's contemporary clothing brand, Rock The Bells.
• Creative Focus: Najee is known for his interest in fashion, fabric dyes, and various artistic projects, preferring to work behind the scenes rather than in the spotlight.

Najee’s career path is a fascinating blend of entrepreneurial spirit and artistic endeavor. Unlike the path of a traditional celebrity child, he has chosen to leverage his family's business acumen and his own creative talents in a managerial and artistic capacity. His work with the Rock The Bells brand helps to extend the hip-hop legacy into the fashion world, showcasing his strong interest in the industry.

2. Italia Anita Maria Smith: The Real Estate Mogul

Italia Anita Maria Smith, born January 3, 1991, is the eldest daughter and has carved out a highly successful career in a field far removed from the entertainment industry: real estate.

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• Current Age: 34 (as of late 2025)
• Profession: Licensed Real Estate Agent.
• Background: She initially worked behind the scenes in marketing and social media at CBS, but made a deliberate pivot into the world of property.
• Personal Choice: Italia actively chose a career that keeps her away from the constant attention of the entertainment spotlight, a choice supported by her famous parents.

Italia’s journey highlights the strong emphasis on independence and a solid work ethic that LL Cool J instilled in his children. Her success as a licensed real estate agent demonstrates a focus on building a sustainable, professional career based on her own merits and dedication.

3. Samaria Leah Smith: The High-End Fashion Designer

Samaria Leah Smith, born in 1995, is perhaps the most publicly recognized entrepreneur among the siblings, having established a thriving, eponymous fashion brand.

• Current Age: 30 (as of late 2025)
• Profession: Fashion Designer, Founder, and Owner of Samaria Leah.
• Brand Focus: Her brand, Samaria Leah, is known for its high-end, custom denim and fashion-forward designs.
• Personal Life Update: Samaria is currently in a high-profile relationship with NFL star Jordan Fuller.

Samaria’s career is a direct reflection of her parents’ entrepreneurial spirit. Her father has often mentioned that his daughters and the women in his life inspired his own business ventures, and Samaria has taken that inspiration and turned it into a successful luxury fashion label. Her design work has garnered attention in the industry, establishing her as a genuine fashion icon and brand owner.

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4. Nina Symone Smith: The Aspiring R&B Artist

The youngest of the four, Nina Symone Smith, born in 2003, is the only one who has chosen to follow directly in her father’s footsteps by pursuing a career in music.

• Current Age: 22 (as of late 2025)
• Profession: R&B Singer/Artist.
• Music Career: She officially stepped into the industry by releasing her debut single, "Call Me," a smooth R&B jam, around her 19th birthday.
• Recent Milestone: Nina recently graduated from college, marking the family's transition into the "empty nest" phase.

Nina’s decision to become a singer and artist has been met with excitement, as she possesses a distinct R&B sound that differentiates her from her father’s hip-hop roots. Her debut single, "Call Me," showcased her vocal talent and her ambition to create her own identity in the music world, proving that the apple doesn't fall far from the talented Smith tree.

The Empty Nest: LL Cool J’s New Chapter as a Grandfather

The year 2025 marks a significant personal milestone for LL Cool J and Simone I. Smith: becoming official "empty nesters." With Nina’s college graduation, the dynamic of the Smith household has fundamentally changed. The rapper has openly discussed the emotional adjustment to having all four children—Najee, Italia, Samaria, and Nina—out of the house and successfully launched into their own adult lives.

However, the house is not entirely quiet. The family has been blessed with three grandchildren, which adds a new, joyful dimension to the hip-hop legend’s life. The transition from active parenting to enjoying the role of a grandparent has been a central theme in recent interviews, where he often speaks about the pride he has in his children's independence. His consistent message about the importance of a strong work ethic has clearly paid off, with his children choosing diverse, legitimate, and successful professional paths, from real estate and fashion design to music and brand management.

The Smith family narrative is a powerful example of celebrity children building their own legacy through hard work and conscious choices away from the easy path of the spotlight. They represent a new generation of successful entrepreneurs and professionals who have leveraged their privileged background not for fame, but for genuine, self-made success.