LL Cool J statue with Solar-powered Radio debuts in Queens – Billboard

A new one LL Cool J statue in Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens, New York, home of the rapper/actor, performing the hip-hop icon’s legendary hits with solar power. The piece that debuted last month is crafted from Queens bronze, turpentine, stainless steel, winterstone and wood bred by Sherwin Banfield and it depicts James Todd Smith in his signature Kangol bucket hat and chain fat Cuba link, holding a giant boombox loaded with a glowing tape of his 1985 debut album, Radio.

The back of the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer statue has a solar panel with the MC’s name on it as well as reliefs on either side of a lion wearing a gold chain and of course, a swinging goat give a similar one. The work is also embellished with the saying “If a task has been started, never leave until it is completed. Whether it’s a big or small job, doing it well or not at all. ”

LL visited the “GOAT Monument” recently, posing in front of the statue for a silent, uncovered selfie video. Artist Banfield posted a statement about the origin of the piece a few weeks ago, explaining that it all started when they received a call from someone praising his work Jam Master Jay (RUN-DMC). and wondered if he could do the same with LL?

“A few days later, we met at O’Connell Park in St. Albans, where LL hosts @thejumpandballfoundation Annual community event. Darryl was Todd’s childhood friend and felt LL needed his own monument back home because of all he did for his community,” Banfield wrote. “I don’t need much convincing, I trust him and he believes in me. We talked about the logistics of the public sculpture, then he went to work to get someone he believed could help support and fund the idea. ”

Check out LL posing in front of his beauty and some views of the statue below.