Ludacris began rapping at an early age, he joined a Chicago, Illinois-based crew at the age of 12, before moving to Atlanta and rapping his way through high school. He landed a production job with the city’s Hot 97.5 station, where as Chris Luva Luva he made his mark rapping over promos on the night show. "I started rapping on the station promos. We did them over all of the top hits, so people got to hear me rap over tight beats." Saving enough money to finance the recording of an album, Bridges adopted the Ludacris moniker and released “Incognegro” independently.
Buoyed by the success of the local radio hit "What’s Your Fantasy" which got as many as 500 spins a week on radio in some southern markets, the album sold over 30,000 copies and attracted the attention of several major labels. Ludacris caught the eye of Scarface, and was the first artist to sign with Def Jam Records’ new South imprint, recording several new tracks with leading producers Organized Noise, Jermaine Dupri and Timbaland for a remixed version of Incognegro : "Back For the First Time".
Followers of artists like Timbaland have heard him rip the mic on guest spots. He appeared on "Phat Rabbit" from Tim’s "Life from the Bassment". He has also worked with Dallas Austin and Jermaine Dupri.
After finding massive love for hits like "Southern Hospitality," Luda soon became a full-fledged superstar. With another record, Word Of Mouf, more banging singles, and guest appearances galore, he’s now one of the most popular emcees in the game.
While Chicken-N-Beer overflows with funky music and creative lyrics, it’s the booming “Hip Hop Quotables” that sticks in the membrane. Produced with gritty allure by beatmaster Erick Sermon (EPMD, Redman), “Hip Hop Quotables” is bound to capture folks from coast to coast. With the release of his third album Chicken-N-Beer, 26-year old Ludacris has crafted one of the most expressive rap records in years. From the hot buttered opening of “Southern Fried Intro,” with its gutbucket rock guitars and fiery fem background vocals, Ludacris is on a mission to dispel any preconceived notions of what it means to be a southern rapper. “I wanted Chicken-N-Beer to be about me taking chances with the music,” Ludacris says. Filled with funked-up grooves, provocative storytelling and b-boy swagger, Chicken-N-Beer is the soulful sound of rap music surviving.
Propelled by the smoking single "Stand Up", a song Luda co-produced with Kanye West, the crafty rapper has created a track that is as soulful as it is infectious. "For all of my songs I have worked closely with the producers," Ludacris informs. "But this is the first time I’ve gotten credit on the record."
Ludacris is one of the new wave of southern hip-hop artists to emerge at the turn of the new millennium, delivering one of the most arresting sounds in rap music...