Ludacris

Getting Started in the Music Business

Christopher Brian Bridges was born on September 11, 1977 in Champaign, Illinois. As a teenager, he moved to Atlanta, Georgia, and got his first taste of the music business when he worked as a radio DJ at Hot 107.9 FM. It wasn’t long before he plunged into the Atlanta hip-hop scene, recording the album Incognegro on his own independent label. His popularity as an Atlanta DJ provided the exposure he needed to be a local success, and his album did well in Atlanta.

Not long after, he was signed by Def Jam South to record his first album on their label. Not only was his first major label album being produced by big names like Timbaland and Organized Noize, but he was also in demand to appear as a guest on other rappers’ albums. The 2000 album, Back for the First Time, included songs from his independent album, as well as new songs. The album landed at number four on the charts and eventually earned triple platinum status.

Rap Career

His 2001 follow up album, Word of Mouf, was a huge success, staying at the top of the charts and achieving triple platinum status. The video for “Rollout (My Business)” received a Video Music Award (VMA) nomination in 2002 and Ludacris performed the song at the pre-show for the VMAs. In 2002, he toured with Papa Roach.

His third album, Chicken-N-Beer, was released in 2004, but didn’t do particularly well until the release of the single “Stand Up,” which also appeared on the soundtrack for the film Honey. The song went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100, earning Ludacris his biggest hit.

“Splash Waterfalls” was the next release from the Chicken-N-Beer album in 2004. The song was not as big of a hit as previous releases, but still garnered a lot of attention from BET and urban radio stations.

Ludacris’ fourth album, The Red Light District, debuted at number one on the Billboard charts and was a double platinum album. The album was a collaboration with many famous rappers, including DMX, Doug E. Fresh, DJ Quik, Nas, Lil’ Jon, and more. Singles included “Get Back,” Number One Spot,” and “Pimpin’ All Over the World.”

His most recent album, Release Therapy, hit the shelves in September 2006. With a unique double sided CD, Ludacris was able to dedicate one side to “Release” and a second side to “Therapy” themed songs. “Money Maker” was the first single off the album, and reached number one on the Billboard 200 chart, earning sales of more than 300,000 during its first week.

Acting Chops

Ludacris expanded his rap career by appearing in films as well, with his first role in The Wash in 2001. He also appeared in 2 Fast 2 Furious, before making his mark in the 2005 films Crash and Hustle & Flow. Both films earned him recognition as a serious actor, supported by numerous awards for each film. He received a Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Cast in a Motion picture as part of Crash’s ensemble cast.

In 2006, he appeared as Detective Odafin Tutuola’s nephew on the TV series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Odafin is played by fellow rapper Ice T.

He will next be seen in the 2007 film Fred Claus, also starring Vince Vaughn and Paul Giammati.

Charitable Artist

The Ludacris Foundation is made possible by this very giving hip-hop artist. With a mission to “helping youth help themselves, Ludacris has touched many communities across the country. He was even there to lend help after Hurricane Katrina, with the foundation taking in 20 families for four months in rent-free housing, as well as providing food and clothing to those in need.

Ludacris Facts

• He attended Georgia State University, majoring in Music Management.
• He has a daughter named Karma.
• His cousin is singer Monica.
• He was the first hip-hop artist to ring the opening bell on Wall Street.
• Ludacris has been nominated for fifteen Grammy Awards, but only won once for his collaboration with Usher on “Yeah” in 2005.