Early years
Bridges began his music career as a radio personality and DJ as Chris Lova Lova on Hot 97, an urban radio station in Atlanta, Georgia. He made his recorded debut on "Phat Rabbit," a track from Timbaland's 1998 album Tim's Bio: Life from the Basement. Although both Timbaland and Jermaine Dupri showed interest in signing Ludacris, he decided to release the album "Incognegro" independently in 1999. The album sold over 50,000 copies through the Atlanta based independent music distributor, Southern Music Distribution. The same year, he recorded the theme to the video game Madden NFL 2000. Scarface, an original member of the Geto Boys, signed Ludacris in 2000 to Def Jam Recordings, and created a new imprint, Def Jam South, around him.
Back for the First Time
Ludacris released his major label debut, Back for the First Time, in October 2000. The album reached as high as #4 on the charts, and was a major success. Ludacris made his mark on the industry with singles such as "Southern Hospitality" and "What's Your Fantasy", along with his first ever single "Phat Rabbit", from 2 years prior. Back for the First Time was the beginning of Ludacris's explosion to the top of the rap world.
Word of Mouf
Ludacris promptly completed his next album, Word Of Mouf and released it at the end of 2001. Its lead single, "Rollout (My Business)" was boycotted in many American video stations. Despite the controversy, the video was nominated for a 2003 VMA, and Luda performed it live at the awards' pre-show. Ludacris also toured with Papa Roach in 2002 after the release of their sophomore album lovehatetragedy. Ludacris reached a new level of notoriety when TV's Bill O'Reilly expressed outrage that Pepsi had hired Ludacris as a spokesman. O'Reilly repeatedly attacked Ludacris's foul language and called for a nation-wide boycott of Pepsi, who then fired Ludacris and hired Ozzy Osbourne's family instead.
Chicken-N-Beer
During the spring of 2003, Ludacris returned to the music scene after a brief hiatus with a new single, "Act A Fool" from the 2 Fast 2 Furious soundtrack. At around the same time, he released the lead single from his upcoming album, Chicken & Beer, called "P-Poppin" (short for "Pussy Poppin'"). Neither of his new singles were as well-received by either the urban or pop audiences as his previous songs had been, and both music videos received only limited airplay. Chicken & Beer opened strongly, but without a popular single, the album fell quickly.
However, in the fall of 2003, Ludacris rebounded with his next single, "Stand Up", which appeared on both Chicken & Beer as well as the soundtrack for the teen hip-hop/dance movie, Honey. Produced by Kanye West, "Stand Up" went on to become Ludacris' biggest mainstream hit to date, hitting the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 and garnering heavy airplay on mainstream pop, rhythmic, and urban radio stations, as well as on MTV, MTV2, and BET.
The album's next single, "Splash Waterfalls", was released in early 2004. Though not a pop hit, it became a success at urban radio and BET. It was Ludacris' most sexual video yet and an R&B remix that featured Raphael Saadiq and sampled Tony! Toni! Tone!'s "Whatever You Want". Luda next released "Blow It Out", a gritty song that had a heavily low-budget, gritty, and urban-looking music video, which was a huge departure from the colorful, sensual, R&B leanings depicted in "Splash Waterfalls". "Blow It Out" acted both as a scathing response to the aforementioned criticism levied by Bill O'Reilly and an expression of disgust at Pepsi's cowardice in the affair:
Shout out to Bill O'Reilly, I'm'a throw you a curve
You mad cause I'm a thief and got away with words
I'm'a start my own beverage, it'll calm your nerves
Pepsi's the New Generation?—Blow it out cha ass!
* On 1 June 2006, a federal jury found that "Stand Up" did not infringe on the copyright of a song called "Straight Like That" by a New Jersey group known as I.O.F. "I hope the plaintiffs enjoyed their 15 minutes of fame," Ludacris said after the verdict. "This whole experience is proof to me of why I will always fight for what I believe in."
The Red Light District
The fourth studio album from Ludacris. Although entirely different from the usual antics of the previous albums, Ludacris had taken a more mature approach to his album. Ludacris openly boasted that he may be the only rapper able to keep the Def Jam label afloat. Ludacris had recently filmed and recorded the single "Get Back" in which he was featured a muscle-bounded hulk who was being annoyed by the media and warned his critics to leave him alone. He also was featured on Saturday Night Live playing his song Get Back with Sum 41. The follow-up single was the Austin Powers-inspired "The Number One Spot". It was produced by New York City's Hot 97 personality DJ Green Lantern. It used the Quincy Jones sample of "Soul Bossa Nova" and sped it up to the tempo of Ludacris' rap flow. Ludacris also filmed the video in which he pokes fun at O'Reilly's problems with Andrea Mackris (Hi Mr. O'Reilly / Hope all is well kiss the plaintiff and the wifey). Production credits come also from veteran producers Timbaland, Lil' Jon, The Medicine Men and legendary rapper Doug E. Fresh. Featured artists on the album include Nas, DJ Quik, DMX, Trick Daddy, and Disturbing Tha Peace newcomers Bobby Valentino (of Mista fame) and Dolla Boi and Small World. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard charts. And most recently the rapper had used his opportunity to start his own foundation. The Ludacris Foundation started by Ludacris and Chaka Zulu is an organization that helps young middle and high school students motivate themselves in creative arts. Ludacris also has a daughter by the name of Karma. Ludacris had also participated at the Super Bowl and is the spokesman for the Boost Mobile Phone ad-campaign. Ludacris also received his first Grammy Award with Usher and Lil Jon for their hit single "Yeah"
Release Therapy
In a recent issue of XXL, a hip-hop based magazine, Ludacris was placed in the number nine spot for the most anticipated albums of 2006, for Release Therapy. The album Release Therapy was released on September 26, 2006. Ludacris is going to format the cd to have two sides, a Release side and a Therapy side. With the Release side having songs that allow him to get everything off his chest and the Therapy side being just feel-good music. A song titled "War With God" is one of the confirmed tracks from the upcoming album. The first single, "Money Maker", which features Pharrell, was released to U.S. radio outlets on July 17. Others songs will be : "Tell It Like It Is" (Produced by Elaborate Musik Workshop), "Runaway Love" (Feat. Mary J. Blige) and Woozy (Feat. R. Kelly)[1] "Money Maker" reached number one on the BET 106 & Park Countdown for the first time on September 15, 2006. The album recently reached number 1 on the Billboard 200 album charts with sales of more than 300,000 in its first week.
To promote the album, Ludacris will be hosting and performing on Saturday Night Live 18 November. Ludacris is the second and only rapper to host and perform on the same episode (MC Hammer hosted and performed in 1991, on different episodes ).
Theater of the Mind
Ludacris's 6th album, Theater of the Mind was released on November 24, 2008 it includes the singles "What them Girls Like" Co-Starring Chris Brown and Sean Garrett , "One More Drink" Co-Starring T-Pain, and "Nasty Girl" Co-Starring Piles. The New album peaked at 1 on U.S. Billboard Top Rap Albums and peaked at 5 on U.S. Billboard 200.
Acting career
Ludacris has been acting in film since The Wash in 2001, but his big break came in 2005, where he received critical praise for his roles in the Oscar-winning films Hustle & Flow and Crash. Crash includes an ironic sequence where Ludacris's character is dismissive of hip-hop music. Interestingly, in both films, he is physically beaten by characters played by Terrence Howard. He is occasionally credited as "Chris 'Ludacris' Bridges".
On January 29, 2006 he was awarded with a Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Cast in a Motion Picture for his work in the film Crash. Ludacris also starred in 2 Fast 2 Furious.Ludacris narrated the 2006 Ward Serrill basketball documentary "Heart of the Game." Ludacris recently cut his trademark braids off to project a new image for his upcoming album, Release Therapy.
He recently appeared in the 28 March 2006 episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Ludacris portrayed Darius Randall, the nephew of Detective Fin Tutuola, portrayed by Ice T.
Disputes
Furthering the controversy, in response to the signing of the Osbourne family, popular music hip-hop mogul, Russell Simmons, organized a boycott against the company. Simmons demanded an apology from Pepsi to Ludacris and a 5 million dollar donation to one of Ludacris' charities. Eventually Simmons and Pepsi settled on an agreement to stop the boycott, right before it was to officially begin-- while Pepsi did not formally apologize to Ludacris, they did agree to donate millions of dollars over years to Russel Simmon Hip-Hop Summit Action Network.
Ludacris' song "Blow It Out" (from the Chicken & Beer album), acted as a scathing response to his critics, namely O'Reilly.
In another song, "Hoes in My Room", he tells a story about anonymous prostitutes being left in his room, and at the end of the last verse he says:
Then it got to my head and Somethin' remind me
I know who let 'em in, it was Bill O'Reilly.
Then, in 2004, in "Number 1 Spot"
Respected highly, Hi Mr. O'Reilly.
Hope all is well, kiss the plaintiff and the wifey.
In a 2006 interview with GQ magazine, Ludacris criticized Oprah Winfrey about his appearance on her show with the cast of the film Crash. During the interview, the conversation veered from the movie and Winfrey chose to speak on Ludacris' lyrical content, which he felt was unfair as he was visiting her show in the capacity of an actor and not a rapper. Also, Ludacris was upset that some of his responses were later edited from the show's airing. He was later joined by other rappers such as 50 Cent, Ice Cube and Killer Mike who argued that Winfrey had an anti-hip hop bias.
Winfrey responded by saying that she's opposed to rap lyrics that "marginalize women," but enjoys some artists, including Kanye West, who appeared on her show. She said she spoke with Ludacris backstage after his appearance to explain her position and said she understood that his music was for entertainment purposes, but that some of his listeners might take it literally. Ludacris later said the media had blown his comments out of proportion and said he respects Winfrey and considers her "a great individual."
In 2004, before the release of his debut album Straight Outta Ca$hville, Nashville, Tennessee native and G-Unit member Young Buck would enlist the services of fellow Atlanta emcee T.I., also known as T.I.P. in his native Bankhead neighborhood of westside Atlanta. They would create a track entitled "Stomp" amid growing tension between Buck's good friend Ludacris and T.I. On the track, T.I. takes subliminal shots at Ludacris including the line "me gettin' beat down, that's ludicrous." Buck, immediately sensing the tension, decided before releasing the track to notify Ludacris that T.I. had mentioned him since he didn't want to position himself as encouraging T.I.'s actions. Ludacris hears the track and asks Buck if he can add his own verse to which Buck agrees. The results end up being costly for T.I. as he is berated throughout Ludacris' verse and called out by name in his last line. Representatives from T.I. notify Buck that T.I.'s vocals will not be cleared for the album unless T.I. is allowed to change his verse, and also have Ludacris change his. Buck refuses this offer and T.I. prohibits his vocals from being used. Buck has hypeman and fellow rapper D-Tay replace T.I. on the song and D-Tay himself is eventually replaced by The Game on the official release.
Although T.I. was removed, the street cut featuring him and Ludacris had already been leaked to DJs in Atlanta and New York. T.I. was unable to stop the track's distribution throughout the streets of the nation at this point. It is widely accepted that T.I. "lost" this battle with Ludacris easily being the victor. The beef between Ludacris and T.I. was then put to an end behind closed doors as T.I. said that the problems between them have ceased.
In 2006 however, T.I. would release his highly anticipated fourth solo album entitled KING. In his Just Blaze produced track titled "I'm Talkin To You," T.I. lyrically attacks one or more unknown targets who have widely been speculated to be either Ludacris, New Orleans emcee Lil Wayne, or Houston rapper Lil' Flip (whom T.I. also had beef with but has since ended their animosity behind closed doors) or a combination of all three. It is still unknown whether or not T.I. was in fact battling Ludacris again or anyone else for that matter at all. A closer listen to the song, however proves that T.I. isnt dissing Ludacris. In one of T.I.s lines he quotes "had it out with 'Cris, but he still my nigga...sat down civilized talked about it like niggas", alluding to the sit down that he and Ludacris had to end their beef. As a matter of fact during the taping of MTV's My Block 'Atlanta', T.I. and Ludacris are shown greeting each other respectfully.
In July of 2006, a track entitled "War with God" would see Ludacris return after some time off in movies. In the track, Ludacris goes on the offensive against an unknown rapper who has sold drugs, and makes repeated references to shooting guns in his songs, isn't as rich as he (Ludacris) and likes to give himself titles - all very well known characteristics and facts directly relating to T.I and Young Jeezy (or countless other less popular rappers) or the newcoming rappers Yung Joc and Young Dro. In this instance it also unknown whether or not Ludacris is indeed aiming his disses at Young Jeezy, T.I. or if the track is even a song recorded recently. Ludacris recently stated that the song was deeper than just a diss, and the song is more about him than anyone else, it's showing that he isn't just the 'cartoon entertainer' type rapper that he has always been portrayed as, when asked about who specific rhymes were aimed at he said "The guilty will speak". The track has been confirmed to be a selection from Ludacris' upcoming album Release Therapy this September. The song is not aimed at Young Jeezy as he features on the latest album. "War with God" uses a beat written by Don Cheegro and Dirty Harry. Hardship took over ludacris and he was under alot of stress by the end of that album.
Georgia
Ludacris Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[Chorus: x2]
We on the grind in, Georgia
All the time,it ain't
Nothing on my mind but - Georgia
We ain't playing with you
Fiend at the liquor store,
Lac' cruisin' , crap shooting,
50 on the 10 to 4,
Overcast the forecast,
Shows clouds from plenty dro,
And we ready for war in the state of Georgia
Dirty words , dirty birds
Its mean in this dirty south
Ever disrespect it and we'll clean out your dirty mouth,
Bulldogs clocking,these lookout boys is hawking,
You gotta be brave in the state of - Georgia
I got 5 Georgia homes where I rest my Georgia bones,
Come anywhere on my land and I'll aim at your Georgia dome
If you get in an altercation just hop on your mobile phone,
And tell somebody you need help in the middle of - Georgia,
We some ATL thrashers,
Scope your pumpkin and smash ya,
We'll come through your hood worst than a tsunami disaster,
Don't know who they gonna get or who them robbers gonna hit
That's why I keep my Georgia tech in the state of - Georgia
[Chorus: x2]
I'm from the home of neckbones , blackeyed peas,
Turnip and collard greens we
The children on the corn dirtier than Bob Marley's pee pee,
G.A the peach state where we stay,
My small city's called Albany - Georgia
Pecan country like catfish with grits,
Candy yams and chitlings,
Grams homemade baked biscuits,
The land of classical caprices and impala super sports,
Ingredients in this peach cobbler called Georgia,
I love the women out in L.A.
And the shopping stores in New York
The beaches in M.I.A
But it ain't nothing like that G.A red clay,
Look on your map we right above Florida,
Next to Bama,
Under the Carolinas and Tennessse you'll see - Georgia,
Where Gladys knights and the midnight train - Georgia,
THE BIRTHPLACE OF MARTIN LUTHER KING
Where ass so plump and hips are thick,
Where Lac' trucks sit on 26's,
Know where you going or you'll get lost,
Found on these plum trees in the south,
These choppas will tomahawk your top down here in - Georgia
[Chorus: x2]
Now I was born in the belly of the bottom of the map,
Where the wet paint drip jelly on pirelliz an the chrome on The chevy when I'm choppin in the trap,
Country as hell, they some warriors, told sum to spray SumthAn the same shape as Florida,
Lookin' for me boy, ya find me, down in Dougherty County in a Small city called Albany - Georgia
Where they use to call us some mammothz,
An now they jocking the grammar
Watch your mouth unless you out for some mannar,
Bunch of hustlas run on every corner like the waffle house in Atlanta,
Or I be camour flag out in sa'avannah - Georgia
Now you might come for Vacation,
Leave on Probation,
Home of the strip club,
Known for the thick gulz
Where the chicks put tips in the tip cup,
Of thick chick in a thong with a big butt
When it gettin' on, won't be cheap when it on like peach tree,
Make a chick take it off like freaknik, down here in- Georgia
When you see them confederate flags you know what it is,
Your folks pick cotton here that's why we call it the field,
I got a Chevrolet on 26's,
I'm from G.A , G.A - Georgia
[Chorus: x2]
Georgia , Georgia , Georgia , Georgia - Georgia
The song “Georgia” by Ludacris and Field Mob is a representation of the state of Georgia and its culture. The chorus of the song emphasizes the pride in the state, as the artists rap about the constant hustle and grind that is synonymous with living in Georgia. They’re always “on the grind” and only have Georgia on their minds. The first verse describes the common activities and sights of Georgia. From country slang to liquor stores, the lyrics paint a picture of life in Georgia. The artists mention the weather and how they’re ready for anything that comes their way. They also reference the University of Georgia’s mascot, the Bulldogs, and their “lookout boys” who keep watch on the streets. Ludacris also mentions his five homes in the state and the fact that he’s always ready to defend his land. The second verse speaks more to the historical and cultural significance of Georgia. They mention Albany, Georgia, the birthplace of Ray Charles, and the land where Gladys Knight and the Pips sang about the “midnight train to Georgia.” They make reference to Martin Luther King and the importance of his legacy in Georgia. The song ends with a repetition of the chorus, further emphasizing the pride and love for the state of Georgia.
Line by Line Meaning
Georgia, Georgia, Georgia, Georgia
Repetition of Georgia represents the pride and emphasis on the state of Georgia in the song.
We on the grind in, Georgia
Working hard and hustling in the state of Georgia.
All the time,it ain't
Persistent focus on Georgia.
Nothing on my mind but - Georgia
Intense focus and importance given to Georgia.
We ain't playing with you
Seriousness and intensity of pride for Georgia.
Country name , Country slang,
Georgia has its own unique culture, terminology, and identity within the United States.
Fiend at the liquor store,
A regular customer at the liquor store who is looking for alcohol or drugs.
Lac' cruisin' , crap shooting,
Driving in a Cadillac and gambling.
50 on the 10 to 4,
Betting $50 on the roll of a pair of dice that sum to 10 or 4.
Overcast the forecast,
Cloudy weather is predicted.
Shows clouds from plenty dro,
Clouds that are full of rain and looks likely to rain heavily.
And we ready for war in the state of Georgia
The people of Georgia are always prepared to fight for their state.
Dirty words , dirty birds
Negative language and negative people.
Its mean in this dirty south
The south is a tough and challenging place to live.
Ever disrespect it and we'll clean out your dirty mouth,
The people of Georgia will not tolerate any disrespect towards their state.
Bulldogs clocking,these lookout boys is hawking,
The Georgia Bulldogs football team is always watching, and the watchful eyes of the community are always around for protection.
You gotta be brave in the state of - Georgia
Georgia is not for the faint of heart and requires courage and toughness.
I got 5 Georgia homes where I rest my Georgia bones,
The singer has five houses in Georgia where he is most comfortable.
Come anywhere on my land and I'll aim at your Georgia dome
The singer will defend his property with force against any intruders.
If you get in an altercation just hop on your mobile phone,
In case of an argument or fight, it is advised to call for help using a mobile phone.
And tell somebody you need help in the middle of - Georgia,
Requesting assistance during a conflict in Georgia.
We some ATL thrashers,
People from Atlanta who have a reputation for being aggressive and tough.
Scope your pumpkin and smash ya,
Checking someone's head and then hitting them hard.
We'll come through your hood worst than a tsunami disaster,
The people of Georgia will cause more destruction than a natural disaster if they come to your neighbourhood for conflict.
Don't know who they gonna get or who them robbers gonna hit
Robbers cannot predict their targets in Georgia.
That's why I keep my Georgia tech in the state of - Georgia
The singer carries his weapon with him to protect himself from any robbers or attacks in Georgia.
I'm from the home of neckbones , blackeyed peas,
Referring to the traditional food of Georgia.
Turnip and collard greens we
Another reference to the traditional food of Georgia.
The children on the corn dirtier than Bob Marley's pee pee,
The children in Georgia are tough and unrefined.
G.A the peach state where we stay,
Georgia's nickname is the Peach State.
My small city's called Albany - Georgia
The singer's hometown in Georgia is Albany.
Pecan country like catfish with grits,
Georgia's land is known for producing pecans similarly to how catfish are often served with grits.
Candy yams and chitlings,
Another reference to the traditional food of Georgia.
Grams homemade baked biscuits,
Referencing traditional baking in Georgia.
The land of classical caprices and impala super sports,
Georgia has a culture of classic cars as well as sports cars such as the Chevy Impala.
Ingredients in this peach cobbler called Georgia,
All of these elements make Georgia what it is.
I love the women out in L.A.
The singer likes the women in Los Angeles.
And the shopping stores in New York
The singer enjoys the shopping in New York.
The beaches in M.I.A
The singer enjoys visiting the beaches in Miami.
But it ain't nothing like that G.A red clay,
Despite liking other places, there is nothing like the red clay in Georgia.
Look on your map we right above Florida,
Georgia is located directly above Florida on the map.
Next to Bama,
Georgia is located next to Alabama.
Under the Carolinas and Tennessse you'll see - Georgia,
Georgia is located under the Carolinas and Tennessee.
Where Gladys knights and the midnight train - Georgia,
Referring to the famous song 'Midnight Train to Georgia' by Gladys Knight.
THE BIRTHPLACE OF MARTIN LUTHER KING
Georgia is known as the birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr.
Where ass so plump and hips are thick,
Georgia has attractive women.
Where Lac' trucks sit on 26's,
Georgia has many people driving expensive cars with large wheels.
Know where you going or you'll get lost,
It is important to know your way around Georgia to avoid getting lost.
Found on these plum trees in the south,
Referring to the local fruit grown in Georgia.
These choppas will tomahawk your top down here in - Georgia
Violent language used to reinforce the idea of fighting to the death in Georgia.
Lyrics © DistroKid, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HOAGY CARMICHAEL, STUART GORRELL, JOSU GARCIA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Chazcott
Idgaf what anybody says… times change, styles change, what’s popular changes, but there are not many performing on tracks like these three did on this. This song was FIRE. Each verse distinct with their own cadence and flow. Undeniable talent
@silversoulken
The fact that I can still distinctly remember this as a 24yo, when this song first dropped when I was like 6 💀 it instantly stays with you fr
@PastePlace-dh8zl
TRILLspill oneTHOUSAND Lul Sus
@PastePlace-dh8zl
@@silversoulkenTRILLspill oneTHOUSAND Lul Bra
@soulspirationgoddess
1000% 🔥🔥🔥
@jacksonseboka3299
Yeah I feel you
@hennylo68
Those Field Mob dudes can rap their asses off.
@thetruthhurtsu
I Rarely listen yo southern rap but their underground scene is amazing!
Have you heard #Cinos Henny Lopez
@hennylo68
The TruthHurts I rarely listen to southern rap also. Unless its rappers that actually have skills. And I have to admit, these cats could spit.
@anthoneyhaas1643
agreed