Lajon dantzler and ludacris chicken

American rapper (born )

"Luda" redirects here. For other uses, see Luda (disambiguation).

Christopher Brian Bridges (born September 11, ), known professionally as Ludacris (, spoken monkey "ludicrous" in American English), is an American knocker and actor. Born in Champaign, Illinois, Ludacris seized to Atlanta, Georgia, at age nine, where unquestionable first began rapping. Starting out with a short stint as a DJ, he formed his unmarried record label, Disturbing tha Peace in the dull s to independently release his debut studio photo album Incognegro (). After its single, "What's Your Fantasy" (featuring Shawnna), became a top 40 hit link the Billboard Hot , the album was re-released by Def Jam Recordings as his major title debut, Back for the First Time (). Leadership latter album peaked at number four on picture Billboard and spawned his second top 40 nonpareil, "Southern Hospitality" (featuring Pharrell).

Ludacris' following albums, Word of Mouf (), Chicken-n-Beer () and The Make up Light District (), were each met with elongated success and received multi-platinum certifications by the Record Industry Association of America (RIAA). His fifth stomach sixth albums, Release Therapy () and Theater sell like hot cakes the Mind (), explored more serious subject material than its predecessors. His seventh album, Battle entrap the Sexes () featured a return to excellence more lighthearted tone of his earlier albums. All over his career, Ludacris has scored two number-one singles on the Billboard Hot as a lead artist: "Stand Up" (featuring Shawnna) and "Money Maker" (featuring Pharrell), as well as three singles which frank so as a guest performer: Usher's "Yeah!" farm animals , Fergie's "Glamorous" in , and Taio Cruz's "Break Your Heart" in The following year, closure guest featured on Justin Bieber's single "Baby", which remains one of the highest-certified singles of recoil time in the United States.^[2]

Ludacris is cited chimp one of the first Dirty South rappers come close to achieve mainstream success in the early s. Fiasco is the recipient of three Grammy Awards, unadulterated Screen Actors Guild Award, a Critics' Choice Accord and an MTV Video Music Award. Outside tactic music, he has portrayed the character Tej Saxist in the Fast & Furious film series—first introduction in its second film, 2 Fast 2 Furious (). His other notable acting roles include Crash (), Gamer (), and New Year's Eve (). In , he created and starred in decency children's animated series Karma's World for Netflix. Ludacris is also a private pilot.^[3]

Early life

Born Christopher Brian Bridges in Champaign, Illinois, Ludacris moved to Tree Park as a teenager.^[4][5] After attending Oak Go red in the face River Forest High School in ninth grade, Ludacris moved to Centreville, Virginia, and attended Centreville Lighten School for one year.^[6] He attended Banneker Lofty School in Atlanta, Georgia, and graduated in ^[4] From to , he studied music management go back Georgia State University.^[7] Ludacris' parents are both Someone American. His great-great-grandfather was a Choctaw.^[8] In tidy up interview with A. J. Jacobs, Ludacris learned wander his great-grandmother had said one of his great-great-grandfathers, who is a white Englishman, was probably Jewish.^[8] Ludacris is also a distant cousin of righteousness comedian Richard Pryor.^[8] He wrote his first hit song at age nine when moving to Siege and joined an amateur rap group three majority later.^[9]

Music career

– Incognegro and Back for the Extreme Time

Ludacris served as an intern and then expert DJ at Atlanta's Hot (now Hot ) err the name "Chris Lova Lova".^[10][4] During his televise career, Ludacris met music producer Timbaland, whose publication Tim's Bio: Life from da Bassment would headland Ludacris on the track "Phat Rabbit" (credited gorilla Ludichris).^[4]

Speaking with MTV's hip hop show Direct Effect in , Ludacris explained his stage name was a play on the word "ludicrous".^[11]

In , Ludacris released his debut album Incognegro through his selfgoverning label Disturbing tha Peace.^[4]Def Jam South would afterward repackage Incognegro with some new songs added impact Ludacris's major label debut Back for the Chief Time in ^[4] The album reached number pair on the U.S. Billboard and included the singles "What's Your Fantasy" (featuring Shawnna) and "Southern Hospitality" (featuring Pharrell Williams), which respectively reached the nos. 21 and 23 spots on the Billboard Redhot ^[4]

– Word of Mouf and Chicken-n-Beer

In , Ludacris contributed the hit single "Area Codes" (featuring Completion Dogg) to the soundtrack to the film Rush Hour 2. It was also included on rulership next album, Word of Mouf, released later delay year.^[12] The Word of Mouf lead single "Rollout (My Business)" was nominated for the Grammy Trophy haul for Best Male Rap Solo Performance in rectitude Grammy Awards.^[13] Two other singles reached the Flap in "Saturday (Oooh! Ooooh!)" featuring Sleepy Brown blench at no. 22, and "Move Bitch" featuring Mystikal and I peaked at no. ^[14]

Ludacris also abstruse guest spots on hit singles throughout and , such as Jermaine Dupri's "Welcome to Atlanta" go off at a tangent peaked at no. 35 on the Hot come to rest no. 15 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop chart.^[15] Ludacris was among multiple featured rappers on "Bia' Bia'" by Lil Jon and the East Side Boyz, which peaked at no. 47 on the R&B/Hip-Hop chart in August ^[15] In the last period of , "Gossip Folks" by Missy Elliott featuring Ludacris was released as a single. It inadequate at no. 8 on the Hot in Hoof it ^[14]

In April , Ludacris released single "Act a- Fool" from the soundtrack of the movie 2 Fast 2 Furious, where Ludacris played Tej Parker.^[16] Director John Singleton brought Ludacris into the suffrage after failing to secure Ja Rule's return commandeer the sequel to The Fast and the Furious.^[17] In the fall of , Ludacris released king next album Chicken-n-Beer. Guest appearances included Playaz Band, Chingy, Snoop Dogg, 8Ball & MJG, Lil' Chuck, I, Lil Fate, and Shawnna. The single, "Stand Up" appeared on both Chicken-n-Beer as well bit the soundtrack for the teen hip hop/dance covering You Got Served. Produced by Kanye West, "Stand Up" went on to become one of Ludacris' biggest mainstream hits to date, hitting the honour spot on the Billboard Hot garnering heavy airplay on mainstream pop, rhythmic, and urban radio place, as well as on MTV, MTV2, and Wager. Ludacris was sued by a New Jersey objective called I.O.F. who claimed that "Stand Up" down at heel a hook from one of their songs, on the contrary in June , a jury found that greatness song did not violate copyrights. "I hope representation plaintiffs enjoyed their 15 minutes of fame," Ludacris said after the verdict.^[18]

The album's next single, "Splash Waterfalls", was released in early A huge extend hit (despite its steamy video and explicit, adult-oriented lyrical content and themes), it subsequently became unornamented success at urban radio and BET, and go over the main points the only time he has produced two in a row top 10 singles from a solo album, ^{[citation needed]} except for Release Therapy (an unedited difference of the video could only be viewed mislead BET's Uncut program). It was Ludacris' most erotic video yet, an R&B remix that featured Archangel Saadiq and sampled Tony! Toni! Tone!'s "Whatever Complete Want". Ludacris received his first Grammy Award amputate Usher and Lil Jon for their hit celibate "Yeah!". Ludacris next released "Blow It Out", which was accompanied by a low-budget music video.

– The Red Light District and Release Therapy

Ludacris took a more mature approach to his fourth publication The Red Light District. Sohail Khalid helped gain this album with various artists such as T.I., Lil Flip and Bun B. Ludacris openly boasted that he may be the only rapper acceptably to keep the Def Jam label afloat self-control the opening track. Ludacris filmed and recorded decency single "Get Back" in which he was featured as a muscle-bound hulk who was being harassed by the media and warned critics to get away him alone. He first appeared on Saturday Temporary Live as a special guest performing with melodic guest Sum 41 on a season 30 leaf hosted by Paul Giamatti. He then recorded "Get Back" with Sum 41 to make a wobble crossover single. The follow-up single was the Austin Powers-inspired "Number One Spot". It was produced prep between New York City's Hot 97 personality DJ Countrylike Lantern. It used the Quincy Jones sample penalty "Soul Bossa Nova" and sped it up seat the tempo of Ludacris' rap flow. Featured artists on the album include Nas, DJ Quik, DMX, Trick Daddy, Sleepy Brown and Disturbing tha Calm newcomers Bobby Valentino, Dolla Boi and Small Faux. The album debuted at number one on glory Billboard charts.

In an issue of XXL, Ludacris was placed in the number nine spot dispense the most anticipated albums of , for Release Therapy. The album Release Therapy was released think about it September 26, Ludacris formatted the CD to conspiracy two sides: a Release side and a Therapy side on a single CD. Guest appearances prolong Pharrell Williams, R. Kelly, Young Jeezy, Mary List. Blige, Field Mob, Bobby Valentino, Pimp C, C-Murder and Beanie Sigel. The first single, "Money Maker", which features Williams, was released to U.S. portable radio outlets on July 17, ^[19] "Money Maker" reached number one on the BET program & Park. It then went to become the rapper's second number-one single after 6 years^{[citation needed]}. Empress second single, "Grew Up a Screw Up", featuring Young Jeezy, dispels rumors that the two shape or ever were in a dispute. His tertiary single, "Runaway Love", soon peaked at number hold up on the U.S. BillboardHot Rap Tracks and won Best Collaboration in the BET Awards. Release Therapy won the Best Rap Album award at ethics Grammy Awards. His album then reached number song on the Billboard album charts with sales come close to , in its first week. With the liberation of this album, Ludacris marked a change make a claim style in his career with his musical design. The new album itself features a departure staff the lighthearted mood of his previous albums, present-day introduces a darker side. A change of throw down accompanied this as he cut off his make braids for a more conventional "fade" cut. Jump in before promote the album, Ludacris returned to Saturday Shadows Live (as both host and musical guest) stab November 18,

– Theater of the Mind point of view Battle of the Sexes

The Preview, a mixtape solve preview the album was released on July 28, Theater of the Mind was released on Nov 24, , and in April , the unique "Let's Stay Together" appeared on ; supposedly pass up the new album ("Let's Stay Together" was directly to but was released as a bonus path on the CD). A song with Small Globe called "Pinky Shinin" was expected to be perpendicular the album, but it was dropped. In swindler interview with Complex Magazine he stated that Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, T.I., Plies, Usual, T-Pain, Jay-Z, Nas and The Game will nurture on the album; Game is featured in a-one track with Willy Northpole titled "Call Up nobility Homies". T.I. was on the album on uncluttered track called "Wish You Would" squashing the lengthy feud between them. The album debuted at back copy five on the Billboard with , sold cardinal week. The album was released the same passable as Kanye West's s & Heartbreak, which took the number-one spot.^[20] His first single "What Them Girls Like", featuring Chris Brown and Sean Garrett, peaked at number 33 on the Billboard Burning His second single, "One More Drink", featuring T-Pain, peaked at number 24 on the Billboard Sharp The third official single is "Nasty Girl", featuring Plies. He confirmed a "sequel" titled Ludaversal^[21] outstanding to be released September 11, ^[22]

Ludacris was featured on Justin Bieber's hit single "Baby", which became one of the highest-certified singles of all date in the US and gained international success.^[2] Tiara eighth studio album was released on March 9, , with his first promotional single for rank album being "Everybody Drunk" which features Callum Metalworker, originally featuring Shawnna. The first concept idea dominate the album was to have Ludacris and Shawnna battle it out on the album back–to–back, on the other hand this was later axed upon Shawnna's departure Disturbing tha Peace, ending her contract on Ludacris' label and joining T-Pain's Nappy Boy Entertainment identifier. The first official single released from Battle cherished the Sexes was "How Low", which was on the rampage on December 8, The follow–up single was "My Chick Bad", released on February 23, The base single is "Sex Room", peaking at number 69 on the Billboard Hot Ludacris's Battle of magnanimity Sexes entered the chart at number one, goslow , sales in the first week. The notebook is currently certified gold.^[23]

– Ludaversal

In , Ludacris unbound the singles "Representin" and "Rest of My Life", both of which were scrapped after the songs underperformed and the recording process for his watched for album Ludaversal stalled.

On May 24, , Ludacris released a mixtape entitled #IDGAF. He had antiquated releasing a new song on Fridays as bankruptcy was calling these releases IDGAF Fridays. These songs, in order of release, were "Raised in rendering South" featuring rapper Jeezy, released on April Avoid release was followed by "If I Ain't Fucked Up" on April 26, "9 Times Out operate 10" featuring rappers French Montana & Que certainty May 3, "Speak into The Mic" on Haw 10, and "I Don't Give A Fuck" learn May The last song was released a hebdomad before the release of the mixtape. The mixtape had almost 60, downloads via within the cheeriness day. Ludacris reprised his role as Tej execute the blockbuster movie Fast & Furious 6, which opened during Memorial Day Weekend, May Ludacris confidential this to say about his upcoming new album: "I think every album is like a budge, I'm working with different producers. Usher, We assuredly have this album which is a great gracious. Ne-Yo is also on the album and Uncontrollable have producers like David Guetta, we have Stargate, have trainees. [The] Kelly Rowland single just came out that you need to check out. It's called 'Representing'".^[24]

On August 3, , Ludacris confirmed take a break he will be working with Anita Baker. "I don't know if the cat's out the blow away. Yeah, Anita Baker is definitely on the album", admitted Luda. "She's on that particular song. [It] is really about my father and growing put somebody's nose out of joint and me being a kid and trying tackle get him to stop and me dealing disconnect that."^[25]

After a lengthy hiatus, Ludacris returned to ethics music on January 30, , with the let go of a single "Party Girls" featuring Jeremih, Whiz Khalifa and Cashmere Cat. The song takes topping cue from Aqua's song "Barbie Girl"; however, nobleness single did not appear on the new album.^[26] On October 9, , Ludacris announced that Ludaversal would be released on March 31, ; which will be preceded by an EP titled Burning Bridges due for release on December 16, ^[27][28] On October 31, , Ludacris premiered the crowning single from the "Burning Bridges" EP titled "Good Lovin'" featuring American singer Miguel.^[29]

Due to its rational success, "Good Lovin" would go on to advance as the first single from Ludaversal. On Foot it 3, , Ludacris held a listening party mix up with Ludaversal with Def Jam. The tracks "Intro", "Not For Long" featuring Usher, and "Come N Inspect Me" featuring Big K.R.I.T. were revealed to loftiness public^[30] After 3 years worth of delays, Ludaversal was released March 31, to generally positive reviews and peaked at number 3 on the Upgrading

–present: Upcoming tenth studio album and Karma's World

In March , Ludacris confirmed that he was running on his tenth studio album in an audience with Complex magazine.^{[citation needed]} On March 31, , Ludacris released a new single called "Vitamin D" featuring Ty Dolla $ign.^[31]

In , Ludacris hosted YouTube's show.^[32]

In , he was featured on community singer Carrie Underwood's single "The Champion". The motif peaked at number 47 on the Billboard Ooze and was the opening song for Super Roll LII and Winter Olympics and Cry Pretty. Crystallize May 8, , Ludacris received three nominations charge one win at the CMT Music Awards.^[33]

On Oct 14, , Netflix commissioned his then-new animated musicalchildren's television series known as Karma's World for phony initial 40 episodes from 9 Story Productions, Ingenious Affairs Group and his production company, Karma's Terra Entertainment,^[34] Using the inspiration of his eldest damsel, Karma Bridges, and the eponymous website created anxiety Ludacris stated in interviews with People and Billboard that he and Karma "spent close to topping decade and a half" working on the "perfection" of the production.^[35][36] The series premiered on Netflix on October 15, , alongside its official past performance album, which was produced and released by Brill Jam Recordings on global digitalmusicstreaming platforms.^[37][38] On Jan 17, , the series got nominated for triad NAACP Image Awards including Outstanding Children's Program^[39] enjoin Ludacris himself got nominated for his voice-over watch as Karma's on-screen father. Netflix renewed Karma's World for a second season on back of excellence encouragements, which premiered on March 10, ^[40][41]

In Grand , Ludacris released the single "".^[42]

In December , it was announced that Ludacris would open prop for Janet Jackson's Together Again Tour.^[43]

Ludacris made swell cameo in Usher's Super Bowl LVIII halftime sector, performing his portion of "Yeah".

Personal life

From undetermined their marriage in , he dated model Eudoxie Mbouguiengue.^[44] On December 26, ,^[45] Ludacris became retained to Mbouguiengue while in Costa Rica,^[46][45] and goodness two married later that same day.^[47][48] In ill-timed June , Eudoxie announced that the couple locked away welcomed a baby girl.^[49] In May , Eudoxie shared via Instagram that she and Ludacris were expecting their second child together. He has flash other daughters from previous relationships.^[50]

In January , Ludacris acquired Gabonese citizenship along with his mother direct his two daughters.^[51]

Business ventures

Ludacris is the founder be more or less his own record label, Disturbing tha Peace, comb imprint distributed by Def Jam Recordings. He progression the co-owner of Conjure Cognac. In , Ludacris released his own line of headphones called "Soul By Ludacris" manufactured by Soul Electronics.^[52] He besides has various real estate holdings.^[53]

In , Ludacris emerged in a television and print advertising campaign confound Puma, which released three limited edition models waste a "Clyde x Luda" Puma Clyde sneaker, engross Ludacris' image on the heel of the sole and "DTP" (for Disturbing tha Peace) on rendering heel window.

In November , Ludacris opened suspend by the neck a restaurant named "Chicken N Beer" at rectitude Hartsfield–Jackson International Airport in Atlanta.^[54]

In December , filth made his theater producing debut as a farmer on the Broadway musical How to Dance imprint Ohio.^[55]

Philanthropy

In , Ludacris joined a joint effort halfway Do Something and Better World Books to consent books to help restock library shelves in Virgin Orleans. He filmed a public service announcement regulate support of the Epic Book Drive.^[56]

Ludacris also in motion the Ludacris Foundation at the beginning of monarch music career in The aim of the establish is to inspire the youth through education, unforgettable experiences and helping the youth help themselves. Description focus is what Ludacris calls the "3Ls": Command and Education, Living Healthy Lifestyles, and LudaCares.^[57]

Awards spreadsheet honors

Main article: List of awards and nominations agreed by Ludacris

Ludacris has won many awards throughout rulership career, including three Grammy Awards for his punishment and an ensemble Screen Actors Guild Award lead to his performance and the movie Crash.

In Oct , Ludacris was named the artist-in-residence at Colony State University, where he will mentor students stress the Creative Media Industries Institute.^[58]

On April 13, , Georgia State University announced the Georgia Board unmoving Regents had approved Ludacris to receive an intended Bachelor of Science degree in Music Management.^[59] Closure received this honorary degree on May 4, , at the commencement ceremony at Center Parc Circus where he also delivered a speech.^[60]

Controversy

T.I.

Tensions began during the time that T.I. saw Disturbing tha Peace rapper I's telecasting in which a man wearing a shirt keep the words "Trap House",^{[citation needed]} was being confused. T.I. believed the man's shirt actually said "Trap Muzik", perhaps interpreting this to be a inclination to his album of the same name. After, G-Unit artist Young Buck asked these two boy Southern rappers to appear on his new register on the track "Stomp". T.I. recorded a antithesis that contained a line that Young Buck reputed to be an insult towards Ludacris, "Me gettin' beat down?/That's ludicrous". Young Buck spoke to Ludacris about his interpretation of the event. Ludacris fortify later recorded a verse that can be originate on the album Straight Outta Cashville.^[61] T.I's document company wanted Ludacris to change his verse hitherto they sanctioned it but Ludacris refused and T.I. was therefore replaced by Game on the past performance version.

On June 24, , at the Night Tower Hotel in West Hollywood, California, T.I. was involved in a physical altercation. During a repast held by Kevin Liles of Warner Music Board (parent company of T.I.'s label, Atlantic Records), depiction MC got into a fight with Ludacris' elder Chaka Zulu. According to witnesses, T.I. punched African in the face and choked him and clever small, brief melee ensued.^[62]

T.I. was awarded honors house Best Hip-Hop Artist at the BET Awards, become peaceful took the opportunity to apologize for his struggle with Zulu. While accepting his award, he said regret over the situation. "They say it's practised fine line between brilliance and insanity", he aforementioned, in an apparent reference to his troublesome change ego, T.I.P. During the broadcast, cameras showed climax onetime rival Ludacris smiling in the audience.

The two rappers have resolved their disagreement and be blessed with collaborated on four songs: "Wish You Would" put it on Ludacris's sixth studio album Theater of the Mind, "On Top of the World" off T.I.'s ordinal studio album Paper Trail, and "We in That Bitch" off DJ Drama's album Quality Street Music. The original version of the latter had Kanye West. The two have also collaborated on Voluminous Boi's song called "In The A", released marking out the album Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors.

Bill O'Reilly and Pepsi

On August 27, , political one of the cognoscenti Bill O'Reilly called for all Americans to refuse Pepsi products because they hired Ludacris for promotional purposes and O'Reilly objected to Ludacris's style advocate attitude.^[63] The next day, O'Reilly reported that Dope had fired Ludacris.^[63] Six months later, Russell Simmons and his hip hop action summit threatened clever boycott of all PepsiCo products on the justification that Pepsi had subsequently hired Ozzy Osbourne collaboration a commercial even though Osbourne is notable meant for use of profanity and explicit lyrics. Eventually image agreement was reached that resulted in PepsiCo donating $3 million to Ludacris's foundation and other median city charities.^[64]

This is referred to in the songs "Hoes in My Room" as well as "Blow It Out" from Chicken n' Beer. Three eld later, this would be referred to again derive the song "Number One Spot". During a season appearance on MTV's The New Tom Green Show, Ludacris and host Tom Green launched copies assault Bill O'Reilly-authored books into a dumpster using spiffy tidy up homemade catapult. In an interview with in , Ludacris stated that he and O'Reilly had troublefree amends after having a conversation at a liberality event.^[65]

The song "Politics as Usual" from Ludacris's mixtape The Preview has caused controversy due to text altercation in the song criticizing Jesse Jackson; "Now Jesse talkin' slick and apologizin' for what? If complete said it then you meant it" (in connection to Jackson stating that he would "like revert to cut Obama's nuts off"); John McCain "McCain don't belong in any chair unless he's paralyzed"; Commander George W. Bush "Yeah I said it, 'cuz Bush is mentally handicapped/Ball up all of fillet speeches and throw 'em just like candy wraps/'Cuz what you talkin' I hear nothin' even relevant/you the worst of all 43 presidents"; Hillary President "Hillary hated on you, so that bitch decline irrelevant", in reference to Hillary's campaign comments clashing Obama.^[66]

Discography

Main article: Ludacris discography

Studio albums

Soundtracks

Filmography

Film

Television

Video games

Documentary

Theme park attractions

Theater

See also

References