Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

---

In this dialogue, LL COOL J reflects on his 40-year career with James Manyika, Google’s Senior Vice President of Research, Labs, Technology & Society. An artist and innovator who has been at the forefront of the evolution of tech in hip hop—from the first drum machines to generative AI tools—he discusses the potential of AI to help democratize access to the industry, the importance of maintaining the “divine spark” in creativity, and the future of quantum computing.

1:32 — From Boomboxes to Pro Tools
4:45 — The "Divine Spark" in the Age of AI
9:04 — The Ship of Theseus: Art as Technology
11:24 — The Ship of Theseus & Democratizing Creation
19:28 — Advice to the Next Generation

Watch more: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL590L5WQmH8f8ID51T0_9JkWpeL9Dcb-S

Subscribe to our Channel: youtube.com/google
Find us on X: twitter.com/google
Watch us on TikTok: tiktok.com/@google
Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/google
Join us on Facebook: facebook.com/Google