Christopher Brian Bridges was born on September 11, 1977 in Champaign, Illinois where he began rapping at the age of 9 and formed his first musical group a few years later. While in his teens, his family moved to Atlanta where he attended Banneker High School before majoring in music management at Georgia State University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He later worked at a local radio station as DJ Chris Lova Lova until adopting the alias Ludacris to perform on Timbaland\u2019s track \u201cPhat Rabbit.\u201d He subsequently launched his own career in 2000 with the release of the album \u201cBack for the First time,\u201d following that up a year later with \u201cWord of Mouf,\u201d and the rest is history. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The six-time Grammy-winner is not only a hip-hop icon, but also an entrepreneur, philanthropist, restaurateur, pitchman, columnist, and of course a gifted actor. He parlayed appearances on the NBC drama \u201cLaw and Order SVU\u201d into major motion pictures roles in such hits as the Academy Award Best Picture-winning Crash and the critically-acclaimed Hustle & Flow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As partners with Chef Chris Yeo in Straits Restaurant, Ludacris offers Thai\/Singaporean cuisine in the heart of downtown Atlanta. Plus, he has a couple of online ventures: WeMix.com<\/a>, a social networking site aimed at showcasing and developing artists, and Myghetto.com<\/a>, which serves as a MySpace for the hood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Keenly aware of the less fortunate, Luda established the Ludacris Foundation which is already in its seventh year of operation. Thus far, the non-profit organization has donated over a million dollars to organizations that assist underprivileged children. The Foundation\u2019s aim is to help kids help themselves by using music and the arts to inspire them to develop goals and then work to achieve them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here, Ludacris discusses all of the above, as well as his new film Gamer, a sci-fi adventure co-starring Gerard Butler, Kyra Sedgwick, Terry Crews and Amber Valletta.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ludacris<\/strong>: What up, Kam?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kam Williams<\/strong>: Hey, Luda, thanks so much for the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n L<\/strong>: No doubt, man.<\/p>\n\n\n\n KW<\/strong>: So, what interested you in Gamer<\/em>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n L<\/strong>: Man, in picking movies, I always look at all the elements before making a choice, from reading the script to seeing who else is in it to who produced it to who\u2019s directing. The opportunity to work with Gerard Butler was definitely a plus. I\u2019ve been a fan of his especially because of the movie 300. And I also wanted to work with the guys who wrote and were directing it, Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n KW<\/strong>: Yeah, they made Crank<\/em> which was quite impressive, a non-stop, adrenaline-fueled, roller coaster ride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n L<\/strong>: Exactly. I made my decision based on that. In addition, I loved the role they had for me, because I never want to be typecast. I love playing all sorts of different roles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n KW<\/strong>: How would you describe your character, Humanz Brother?<\/p>\n\n\n\n L<\/strong>: I play the leader of a resistance group that\u2019s totally against putting computer chips in human beings\u2019 brains because I think that\u2019ll lead to the taking over of mankind, period. So, I\u2019m all about trying to get rid of this technology, so we can live peacefully. <\/p>\n\n\n\n KW<\/strong>: Do you think a scenario like this has a chance of becoming a reality someday?<\/p>\n\n\n\n L<\/strong>: Man, you never know. The possibilities are definitely limitless when it comes to technology like this. We all embrace technology, but sometimes you have to be careful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n KW<\/strong>: How\u2019d you get along with the other members of the cast? <\/p>\n\n\n\n L<\/strong>: I loved working with this cast, especially with Gerard Butler. That\u2019s how I study and try to become a better actor. He\u2019s extremely serious and focused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n KW<\/strong>: How do you divide your time between making music and making movies?<\/p>\n\n\n\n L<\/strong>: It\u2019s hard, man, but you just gotta focus on one thing at a time. I give whichever I\u2019m doing 100% of my attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n KW<\/strong>: Is there any truth to the rumor that comedian Katt Williams is your cousin?<\/p>\n\n\n\n L<\/strong>: [Laughs] No, but that is my homey, though. Katt Williams is one thug. That\u2019s like my brother.<\/p>\n\n\n\n KW<\/strong>: Is there any question no one ever asks you, that you wish someone would?<\/p>\n\n\n\n L<\/strong>: Man, over the past ten years, I believe I\u2019ve been asked every question you could possibly ask. So, off the top of my head I can\u2019t think of anything that hasn\u2019t been asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n KW<\/strong>: The Tasha Smith question: Are you ever afraid?<\/p>\n\n\n\n L<\/strong>: I\u2019m sure we\u2019re all fearful of something. I\u2019m afraid of God. You have to be fearful of Him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n KW<\/strong>: The Columbus Short question: Are you happy?<\/p>\n\n\n\n L<\/strong>: [Chuckles] I am definitely happy, man. Of course, I wouldn\u2019t say I\u2019m always happy. I don\u2019t think anyone is. But for the most part, I\u2019m living out my dream. I\u2019m doing what I have to do. My family\u2019s taken care of. I\u2019m financially straight. So, damn right, I\u2019m extremely happy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n