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.
Stand Up
Ludacris Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stand up (yeah)
Stand up (ah)
Stand up (uh)
When I move, you move (just like that?)
When I move, you move (just like that?)
When I move, you move (just like that?)
When I move, you move (just like that?)
When I move, you move (just like that?)
When I move, you move (just like that?)
Hell yeah, ayy DJ, bring that back
How you ain't gon' fuck? Bitch, I'm me
I'm the goddamn reason you in V.I.P
CEO, you don't have to see ID
I'm young, wild, and strapped like Chi-Ali (blaow)
We ain't got nothing to worry 'bout
Whoop ass, let security carry 'em out
Watch out for the medallion, my diamonds are reckless
Feels like a midget is hanging from my necklace
I pulled up with a million trucks
Looking, smelling, feeling like a million bucks
Pass the bottles, the heat is on
We in the huddle all smoking that Cheech & Chong
What's wrong? The club and the moon is full
And I'm looking for a thick young lady to pull
One sure shot way to get 'em outta them pants
Take note to the brand new dance, like this
When I move, you move (just like that?)
When I move, you move (just like that?)
When I move, you move (just like that?)
Hell yeah, ayy DJ, bring that back
When I move, you move (just like that?)
When I move, you move (just like that?)
When I move, you move (just like that?)
Hell yeah, ayy DJ, bring that back
Go on with your big ass, lemme see something
Tell ya little friend he can quit mean mugging
I'm lit and I don't care what no one thinks
But where the fuck is the waitress at with my drinks?
My people outside and they can't get in
We gon' rush the back door and break 'em in
The owner already pissed 'cause we sorta late
But our time and our clothes gotta coordinate
Most girls lookin' right, some lookin' a mess
That's why they spilling drinks all over your dress
But Louis Vuitton bras all over your breasts
Got me wanting to put hickies all over your chest
Come on, we gon' party tonight
Y'all use mouth to mouth, bring the party to life
Don't be scared, show another part of your life
The more drinks in your system, the harder the fight
When I move, you move (just like that?)
When I move, you move (just like that?)
When I move, you move (just like that?)
Hell yeah, ayy DJ, bring that back
When I move, you move (just like that?)
When I move, you move (just like that?)
When I move, you move (just like that?)
Hell yeah, ayy DJ, bring that back
Stand up
Stand up
Stand up
Stand up
Damn right the fire marshal wanna shut us down
Get us out so someone can gun us down
We was two songs away from getting some cut up
Now we one song away from tearing the club up
Move over, Luda got something to say
Do it now 'cause tomorrow ain't promised today
Work with me, let's become one with the beat
And don't worry 'bout me stepping all over your feet
When I move, you move (just like that?)
When I move, you move (just like that?)
When I move, you move (just like that?)
Hell yeah, ayy DJ, bring that back
When I move, you move (just like that?)
When I move, you move (just like that?)
When I move, you move (just like that?)
Hell yeah, ayy DJ, bring that back
Stand up (ah)
Stand up (yeah)
Stand up (ah)
Stand up (ah)
Stand up (just like that?)
Stand up (just like that?)
Stand up (ah)
Stand up (ah)
The song “Stand Up” by Ludacris is a party anthem that celebrates his luxurious lifestyle and popularity. The lyrics are straightforward and revolve around having a good time at a club with friends. In the verses, Ludacris talks about his success, flamboyant diamonds necklace, fast cars, and VIP status. He boasts that he doesn’t need an ID to enter clubs since he’s a celebrity. Ludacris also shows his cheeky humor by saying that his medallion’s size makes him feel like a midget is hanging from it.
The chorus of the song, “When I move, you move,” encourages the audience to follow Ludacris’ lead and dance just like him. The song also suggests that everyone should let loose and relax while having fun together. The bridge part of the song emphasizes that everyone should unite on the dance floor as music connects people despite their differences.
Overall, the song is a catchy and upbeat track that emphasizes club culture and partying. It's a perfect dance track that can get anyone pumped up and into the party mode.
Line by Line Meaning
Stand up (ah)
Get up and move to the beat
Stand up (yeah)
Acknowledging that everyone is on their feet
When I move, you move (just like that?)
As I dance, you follow my lead
Hell yeah, ayy DJ, bring that back
Requesting the DJ to replay the music
How you ain't gon' fuck? Bitch, I'm me
I'm confident and attractive, why wouldn't you want to sleep with me?
I'm the goddamn reason you in V.I.P
You're only in the VIP section because I allowed it
CEO, you don't have to see ID
As a CEO, I don't need to show ID to prove my status
We ain't got nothing to worry 'bout
We're partying carefree
Whoop ass, let security carry 'em out
Security will handle anyone causing trouble
Watch out for the medallion, my diamonds are reckless
My flashy jewelry is something to be noticed
Feels like a midget is hanging from my necklace
The weight of my jewelry is noticeable
I pulled up with a million trucks
I arrived with a large entourage
Looking, smelling, feeling like a million bucks
I'm confident and attractive and it shows
Pass the bottles, the heat is on
Let's keep the party going with drinks
We in the huddle all smoking that Cheech & Chong
We're smoking marijuana together
What's wrong? The club and the moon is full
We're partying like there's no tomorrow
And I'm looking for a thick young lady to pull
I'm on the lookout for an attractive woman to approach
One sure shot way to get 'em outta them pants
Dancing is a good way to get someone interested in you
Take note to the brand new dance, like this
Try dancing along with me to this new dance
Go on with your big ass, lemme see something
Flirting with someone and encouraging them to show off their body
Tell ya little friend he can quit mean mugging
Ask your friend to stop staring angrily
I'm lit and I don't care what no one thinks
I'm drunk and enjoying myself regardless of other people's opinions
But where the fuck is the waitress at with my drinks?
Asking where the waitress is with my order
My people outside and they can't get in
My friends are not allowed into the club
We gon' rush the back door and break 'em in
We'll sneak our friends into the club through the back door if necessary
The owner already pissed 'cause we sorta late
The owner is angry because we're arriving late
But our time and our clothes gotta coordinate
We're fashionably late, and it shows
Most girls lookin' right, some lookin' a mess
Some women are attractive, while others aren't
That's why they spilling drinks all over your dress
The women who don't look good are accidentally spilling drinks on themselves
But Louis Vuitton bras all over your breasts
Attractive women are wearing expensive lingerie
Got me wanting to put hickies all over your chest
I'm aroused by the attractive women in the club
Come on, we gon' party tonight
Let's have a great time tonight
Y'all use mouth to mouth, bring the party to life
We'll keep the party going by dancing and having fun
Don't be scared, show another part of your life
Don't be afraid to let your hair down and have a good time
The more drinks in your system, the harder the fight
As more alcohol is consumed, people may become aggressive or argue
Damn right the fire marshal wanna shut us down
The fire marshal is concerned about the safety of the crowded club
Get us out so someone can gun us down
The fire marshal wants to evacuate the club to avoid any potential danger
We was two songs away from getting some cut up
We were close to having a good time when the fire marshal intervened
Now we one song away from tearing the club up
We're getting ready to really start having fun
Move over, Luda got something to say
Give me the mic, I have something to say
Do it now 'cause tomorrow ain't promised today
Seize the moment and make the most of today
Work with me, let's become one with the beat
Let's dance together and enjoy the music
And don't worry 'bout me stepping all over your feet
I won't accidentally step on your feet while we dance
Stand up (ah)
Get up and move to the beat
Stand up (yeah)
Acknowledging that everyone is on their feet
Stand up (just like that?)
Asking people to follow his lead and dance
Stand up (ah)
Get up and move to the beat
Stand up (ah)
Get up and move to the beat
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Christopher Bridges, Kanye West
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TipsyBartender
"Watch out for the medallion, my diamonds are reckless
It feels like a midget is hanging from my necklace" 🔥🔥🔥
@25delly
I can tell these songs go well with a drink in the club 😂
@luuneychild2951
N the lil midget hangin on there 😂😂
@gullybop1695
"I'm young wild and strapped like Chi-Ali Blau!!💥
@milkturd
And we come behind that with a little bit of ludacris
@TheChristnumber1
Richard Cheese
@nikolasdiallo
Who’s here after learning Kanye produced this in 5 minutes? It is the simplest beat ever, but it’s the greatness of Kanye.. AGAIN!
@changangerochohomie4359
Exactly why I was lead here
@d.dokumu2285
I can't lie... I came after I saw that.
@lungagaxa9004
HAD TO COME BACK