Jayda Cheaves Explains Awkward LL Cool J Encounter: "So Sorry, No Disrespect"

BY Erika Marie 21.8K Views
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Jayda Cheaves
She explained that she was nervous to meet the Rap legend and froze up when they took a photo together.

The 2021 BET Hip Hop Awards found several artists and social media influencers colliding in one space, so it made for plenty of interesting moments. The ceremony, which aired last night (October 5) but was filmed last week, has been talked about by fans who saw their favorite old school and new school artists take to the stage. Nelly was bestowed the I Am Hip Hop award and performed a medley of his chart-topping hits, and everything seemed to come together without a hitch.

Attendees have been sharing videos and images from the backstage shenanigans, and an encounter with Jayda Cheaves and LL Cool J became a trending topic.

We previously reported on the awkward clip that went viral, leaving the public to question whether or not Jayda was shading the Rap icon. After learning of the accusations, Jayda posted a video explaining the interaction and denying that she would ever disrespect Cool James.

"I really do not want you guys to think that I was being disrespectful," she said. "'Cause if you know me, everybody know I'm cool as f*ck to everybody I meet. I'm super friendly, super bubbly, but let me tell y'all how this went. So, I was backstage actually practicing for the announcement on BET, so we were in the room with the prompter or whatever and one of my PR friends reached out and was like, 'LL Cool J's out there, go take a picture.'"

Paras Griffin/2021 BET Hip Hop Awards / Contributor / Getty Images

Jayda said although she was in the middle of running through her lines but did not want to pass up the chance to meet the music legend. "I was already just nervous, so when I met him, *laughs* I love him but I instantly froze up! So when someone tapped me after I took the picture with him, I'm thinking it was the PR telling me to do something else, but it was freaking LL Cool J."

"So sorry, no disrespect. I've been a fan of LL Cool J." She also expressed that she wanted to meet him again in the future. Watch her video below.

About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.

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