LL Cool J to Host 2012 Grammy Awards

Rapper and NCIS: Los Angeles star will be the first person to do so in seven years

By Peter Gicas Jan 18, 2012 3:18 PMTags
LL Cool JLarry Busacca/Getty Images For The Recording Academy

The 54th Annual Grammy Awards just got a whole lot, well, cooler.

That's because LL Cool J has been tapped to host music's biggest night during its live Feb 12 broadcast on CBS

What's more, having the two-time Grammy winner take center stage next month marks the first time in seven years that the event has actually had a ringleader.

"I'm thrilled to be a part of music's biggest night," he said in a statement. "I will always have fond memories of my first Grammy Awards and to now be hosting the Grammy show, in the company of so many other incredible artists, is a dream come true. Great performances and great music—it's going to be a great night."

However, this is not completely unchartered territory for the rapper and star of CBS' NCIS: Los Angeles. He has served as host of the Grammy nominations concert every year since its inception in 2008.

The last person to host the Grammys was Queen Latifah back in 2005.