After 23 years, LL Cool J says he's still the greatest

Ladies and gentleman, LL Cool J:

Q: Is it in any way funny to you, that you - Mr. Fitness - is having a party at a chicken and waffles place?

A: "You know, first of all, people like Gladys Knight and all of those artists of her era made it possible for us to even do what we do. If history serves me correctly, she couldn't even have come in a restaurant like this when she first started; much less owned it, right?

"So for me to be able to do this, in this kind of place, at this time, is a blessing. I'm grateful. And in the genre I come from, this is even more exceptional - like Gladys Knight is. I mean, this is a genre where everybody you talk to [expletive] near is on their third album and on their way out!"

Q: Understood. And good point. But do you even eat chicken and waffles?

A: "Ummm, you know what - don't eat a lot of chicken and waffles. I'm not going to lie to you. But occasionally, yes, I do. I mean, I was raised on this."

Q: As you became increasingly more exercise-minded, what was hard for you to give up?

A: "After I got over the hump, it's kind of like, you know, after you sacrifice for a while and you get your body in the right shape, and you get in the right frame of mind, then here and there you can eat the little things you want; here and there. But this isn't only about the aesthetics, it's about feeling good and being healthy as well."

Q: So you're saying you don't indulge on anything?

A. "Ice cream! Without a doubt. Neapolitan. " [More lip-licking].

Q: OK let's move from the personal to the professional: What are you most proud of about "Exit 13"?

A: "This record is really amazing. It's very diverse. It really goes in a lot of different direction and it's fun. I made one version that is profanity-free and the content is slightly altered, for families. And it just feels great!"

Q: Atlanta's The Dream appears on the first single. Why did you think he'd be right for "Baby"?

A: "First, I just felt he was talented. And I felt like this 'Baby' story I had written - which was very whimsical and lighthearted and fun - needed a very lighthearted vibe behind it, musically and melodically. And I felt like Dream could deliver that. And he did."

Q: Twenty-three years into this business, how would you rate yourself as a rapper? Still the greatest of all time (the title of his 2002 CD)?

A: "Of course."

Q: As an actor, same thing.

A: "I think I'm still growing. I think I'm still growing in both areas. You're always learning. You're never, like, finished."

Q: So 'Exit 13' doesn't mean you're leaving the rap business?

A: "Oh no. That just means I've finished my contract."

Q: Alright, on to one of your other pursuits - fashion. Where do you think your clothing line's place is in the industry?

A: "I know that I'm at the forefront of fashion. Always have been — from [designer] Troop in the '80s to FUBU in the '90s to Kangols and whatever. I've been doing fashion my whole career. But I'm very proud to do the LL Cool J Collection with Sears [scheduled to start Sept. 7]. It's for men, women, boys and girls and it's affordable and appropriate...No one's trying to make someone's little daughter sexy."

Q: How is it that you haven't gotten into business with Chap Stick yet, as an endorser?

A. [Laughs, and again, licks those lips] "I really, never actively pursued that. But I do have plans to come out with my own lip balm. I know people have been hearing rumors of that for a while but I'll do it on my own time and it'll be my own business. And it will be something that will serve our community."