LL Cool J to host 2012 Grammy Awards – First Host in 7 years!

Actor and two-time Grammy Winner LL Cool J will host the 2012 Grammy Awards, making him the show’s first official host in seven years.  

LL -- who’s real name is Todd Smith -- has hosted CBS’s live Grammy nominations concert show every year since 2008, but this will be his first time hosting the actual awards show.

"I'm thrilled to be part of Music's Biggest Night," LL said in a statement. "I will always have fond memories of my first Grammys Awards and to now be hosting the Grammy show, in the company of so many other incredible artists, is a dream come true."

Rapper/actress Queen Latifah was the last official host of the Grammys, back in 2005.

Kanye West leads this year’s Grammy nominations with seven nods; British songbird Adele, Foo Fighters and Bruno Mars follow—each with six nominations.