LL Cool J to host Grammy Awards show

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 18 (UPI) -- Rapper and actor LL Cool J is to serve as host of the 54th annual Grammy Awards show in Los Angeles, organizers said Wednesday.

This will mark the first time in seven years that the music industry event will have an official host. Queen Latifah was the last celebrity to preside over the show.

This year's prize presentation at the Staples Center is to air Feb. 12 on CBS.

"I'm thrilled to be a part of music's biggest night," LL Cool J 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."

LL Cool J has served as host of The Grammy Nominations Concert Live! since its inception in December 2008, but this will be his first time as emcee of the annual Grammy Awards broadcast.