Introduction

From 2000-2006, Ludacris pulled off one of the most impressive five album streaks in hip-hop history. During this period he released; Back For the First Time ( 2000), Word of Mouf ( 2001), Chicken-n-Beer ( 2003), The Red Light District  (2004), and Release Therapy (2006). Each album sold well over a million copies, and has earned him many achievements; platinum, double-platinum, triple platinum plaques; as well as chart topping rankings, and even a grammy for best hip-hop album (Release Therapy). In fact,  before Atlanta had the stronghold on the rap game as we know today, Ludacris along with Outkast were the few ATLiens to have major commercial success in the early 2000s. Before T.I. rose to mainstream fame (2004),  Luda was considered by many, ( and still by some today, depending on who you ask) as the  “King of The South”.

No doubt that Ludacris has made a great career for himself in hip-hop, but his rise to stardom didn’t come overnight. Unbeknown to some, before Christopher  Brian Bridges was dominating the music charts as the lyrical wordsmith we know as Ludacris; he was a young guy trying to get his “foot” in the door, working in radio. After studying music management at Georgia State, Chris began to  intern at HOT 97.5 ( now known as Hot 107.9)  in Atlanta. He quickly moved up to become a DJ/radio host, under the name Chris Lova Lova, where he earned  a show slot with with co-host  Poon Daddy. Keeping his ultimate goal in mind to become a rapper, Chris used his time as a radio DJ effectively, utilizing the resources, and music industry insights that comes with working in radio. Chris hustled at the station during the day, and spent nights and weekends recording his rap demos.  After becoming one of the station’s leading voices, he recorded many DJ drops and promos. These promos eventually caught the attention of producer Timbaland, which lead to a working relationship between the two. They collaborated on a track titled “Phat Rabbit” which , helped propelled Ludacris into the rap game. He would soon then release his debut album Incognegro in (2000), immediately followed by the aforementioned Back For the First Time in the same year, and the rest is history.

Luda has since shifted gears again with his career, moving away from music and more towards the big screen. Although he made his acting debut back in 2001 with a minor role in the film “The Wash’, he’s most known for his recurring role in the recent Fast and Furious film series. He’s also appeared in other notable films like Hustle & Flow, Crash, and Max Payne; and tv series like; Law & Order, Empire, and Fear Factor. With such success acting, there has been speculation that Luda may be done with rap, in the same way he has moved on from radio.  When asked recently, if his music career is indeed over, Luda said “definitely not’.

I sure hope not.

Credit: -DJ Chalant