Atlanta rapper, actor Ludacris receives star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Atlanta rapper, actor, producer, and philanthropist Ludacris just received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Thursday, he announced on his Instagram page.

Ludacris, whose real name is Christopher Brian Bridges, was selected as a recipient of the illustrious honor in 2022.

His acting career began when he made a cameo in the 2001 film titled, “The Wash.” He has acted in a dozen other films, including eight of the Fast franchises. Ludacris is reprising his role as Tej Parker in Fast X which is in theaters. His impressive acting career really took off when he played a larger role in the 2003 film, 2 Fast, 2 Furious, alongside singer Tyrese and the late actor Paul Walker.

Ludacris first rose to prominence as a radio DJ, formerly known as Chris “Luva Luva” at Hot 97.5 in Atlanta in the late 1990s. Before he stepped foot in the radio station around 1995, prominent Atlanta radio personality and community leader Ryan Cameron recalls Ludacris was a very passionate young teenager as an intern. He recalls Chris’ determination while he worked at an Atlanta area Pizza Hut who stood out instantly.

”To know that it all kind of had its start from working with me to this point it just solidifies the fact that he’s a bonafide superstar which I always thought even back in the day,” Cameron said. “He was working at Pizza Hut and he was my intern. I think he was making maybe $100 a week and he said, “man if you just pay me what I’m making at Pizza Hut I’ll come here to work every single day.‘ That just showed his dedication and what he wanted to do. Pizza Hut was not what he wanted to do and he was determined that was not going to be his destination.“

The Champagne, Illinois native has won multiple awards including four Grammys. He has acted in more than a dozen movies and was also recognized by the Screen Actors Guild for his roles in the 2004 film “Crash” and the 2005 film “Hustle and Flow” alongside Terrence Howard.

In October 2000, he released his debut album, “Back For the First Time,” which went on to go triple-platinum. He has released eight albums and has sold more than 24 million records worldwide. He is widely regarded as one of the best rappers of all time and one of, if not the most prominent rapper in Atlanta of the last 23 years.

”Unfortunately, I was not able to make it but he understood,” Cameron said. “If you look at everything he’s done, his impact and sometimes people forget the philanthropy part of it. His foundation and what he does for Karmas World. His impact is worldwide. That’s a monumental achievement. Anytime you’re in a Hall of Fame, someone has to vote for you. Not only does it have to be your body of work but people have to believe in the character of you. He is exactly who he says he is.”

He hosted LudaDay Weekend for Labor Day every year for more than a decade with countless events benefiting his Ludacris Foundation and other charitable organizations.

The fierce MC showed the world that Southern Hospitality was more than just the smash single off of his debut hit album, “Back For The First Time.” It is a way of life for many Hip-Hop artists in the south.

“He was a great intern, so I knew he would be a great professional,” said Cameron. “He went from featuring with Timberland on the song Phat Rabbit, to being in the video game (Madden 2000), going from that to What’s Your Fantasy, Back For the First Time, Chicken and Beer, to a bonafide movie star.”

In 2019, Ludacris partnered with Georgia State University to offer a law class titled, “The Legal Life of Ludacris.” GSU officials said at the time that the course filled up in a matter of minutes.” In May 2022, he received his honorary bachelor’s degree from Georgia State University, even serving as the speaker at the school’s commencement ceremony.

Rico Wade, one-half of the Atlanta-based super producer group Organized Noize, previously spoke to Atlanta News First about Ludacris and his rise from a hungry and underrated young MC, to one of the best, most influential, and most powerful musicians and innovators of all time.

“I got a chance to work with Ludacris early on. He was a radio personality at [Hot 97.5] in Atlanta]. His album was independent at first. Before it got picked up at Def Jam,” Wade previously told Atlanta News First. “We [Organized Noize] produced the song “Game Got Switched” and it was an incredible album. Then we did “Saturday Ooh Ooh” off of his hit sophomore album, “Word of Mouf” and then “Blueberry Yum Yum” off of his fourth multi-platinum album “Red Light District. That became an anthem. You can go online and watch him perform that song overseas so, I’m more and more impressed with him by the day.”

The doors that he’s opened are endless, National Radio Personality Incognito told Atlanta News First in Sept. 2022. “To watch him take it from a radio personality to being a movie star is a really big deal. At the time when the South had something to say, he really flew the flag for us at that time. He welcomed the world to the lyricism and creativity of the South,” Incognito said.

“When it comes to Ludacris, lyrically, he’s in a category of his own,” frequent collaborator and Atlanta producer, DJ, and music executive DJ Drama previously said. “He’s another artist who stepped out into other arenas with acting, with restaurants, and so many things as a hustler and entrepreneur that he wanted to get his hands involved in.”He’s a part of one of the biggest movie franchises in history and also still has records that are played to this day that are classics and can’t be touched or duplicated.”

In April, Ludacris joined Janet Jackson for the Together Again tour stops at State Farm Arena.

”I think Chris has done everything to make the city continue to be proud of all of his accomplishments,” Cameron said. “I’m not surprised by anything that Chris does. He deserves more props for what he did for the city not only to help put it on the map but to keep it on the map. He’s done the city proud. Chris’ character is unshakable.”

In his speech, Ludacris thanked his family, his management team of Chaka Zulu and Jeff Dixon, his friends, his fans, his supporters, his many inspirations and everyone who has paved the way for him. Ludacris has inspired and impacted millions of people around the world with his dedication, tireless work ethic, gracious and humble character and genuine demeanor.

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