(Photo: Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Getty Images)

LL Cool J wants embattled Democratic state senator Malcolm Smith to know the rapper has his back in Smith’s fight against the rogue Democrats still foiling him from becoming State Senate majority leader. LL befriended Smith several years ago while starting a teen sports tournament in St. Albans, Queens. Smith “really helped me navigate the system,” he says. “He’s always kept his word with me. Anything that I can do as a friend to help him, I’ll do it.” But does he think Smith should change his opinion on gay marriage, among other things, to assure election as majority leader? “Malcolm should really search within himself and decide what he feels is in the best interest of the state,” LL advises. “Sometimes altering your position is the right thing. Sometimes it’s not.”

Have good intel? Send tips to intel@nymag.com.

Related:

• Archive: “Intelligencer”
• Articles by Jacob Gershman
• Table of Contents: Jan 5, 2009 issue of New York | Subscribe!