Ludacris Speaks on the Beauty of Being an Independent Music Artist

Ludacris and Tyrese were on Power 105.1 FM's The Breakfast Club show last week to promote the latest Fast and Furious movie that they both star in, and the discussion veered towards their individual music careers and the fact that they are both on independent music labels right now. And then Ludacris took time to speak on the beauty of being independent.

Ludacris Speaks on Settling Issues with Bill O'Reilly

Back in 2002, Fox News man, Bill O'Reilly said it would be in Pepsi's best interest to terminate their endorsement deal with Ludacris cos Ludacris makes music that degrades women. A few days after he made this statement, Pepsi fired Luda. The hate between the two was on from there on, and Luda took some jabs at O'Reilly on some of his songs back in the day.

Over a decade has passed since then, and Bill O'Reilly is now making headlines for sexually harassing multiple women over the years. Hmm! Interesting, right? Anyway, Ludacris and Tyrese were on Power 105.1 radio yesterday to promote the new Fast and Furious movie coming out, and Luda was asked what he felt about O'Reilly's sexual harassment issues, considering O'Reilly once asked Pepsi to drop Luda because he makes music that degrades women, and he answered with...

Ludacris Gives Information on Ludersal Album

Ludacris has been off and off the music scene for a while now. Ever since he started appearing in the fast and Furious movie series, he hasn't had much time for his rap career. But, in this recent interview with Billboard, Luda gave some details on when his 8th studio album, Ludaversal is probably going to drop.





"We're thinking around November. We're putting a single out this month and we're hoping for November. We're getting all our ducks in a row. Again, it's right now as I do another movie, the whole thing with Fast & Furious and how we had to stop production and start again. There was a whole plan to drop the album when I had time and then the whole movie got pushed back seven months. So I want to make sure there is a clear lane for me to just focus on music and go out and promote, as opposed to just dropping an album and not being able to back it up." (Billboard Interview)

Luda has been away for a while, I hope he can still get attention from the hip hop world...rap music listeners have a very short attention lifespan. 

New Music- 22 Jump Street (Angel Have feat. Ludacris)

Iggy Azalea and Ludacris do their thing with this very EDM beat. You can listen to 22 Jump Street below, and download it if you like it. I am kinda on the fence with this one.

Download the song here- 22 Jump Street

Sales of All Ludacris's Albums

Since we are on the subject of Ludacris's Ludaversal album, I decided to put up sales of all his past albums. He has seven studio albums, and four of them went multi-platinum. Check them out below.

Back for the First Time (2000)- 3,100,000

Word of Mouf (2001)- 3,700,000

Chicken-n-Beer (2003)- 2,000,000

The Red Light District (2004)- 2,100,000

Release Therapy (2006)- 1,300,000

Theater of the Mind (2008)- 700,000

Battle of the Sexes (2010)- 550,000

Ludacris Gives Updates on 'Ludaversal' Album

Since his 2010 album, Battle Of The Sexes, Ludacris has been more in Hollywood than the in a recording studio. He has appeared in two Fast & Furious movies, and a couple of TV Series. In a recent interview at the just concluded Billboard Music Awards, Luda let the world know that his first love is still music, and he updated fans on his upcoming 8th studio album, Ludaversal. 




During his interview with Billboard, he was asked when to expect about his Ludaversal album, and he said...






“It is almost done, we’re about 90 percent done. You’ll probably hear some singles, the first one around June or July. This is one of the things that I live for. It pumps adrenaline and so much through my body. This is what music does to people. I’m just happy to be a part of the ride.”







Back in the early 2000s, Ludacris was one of the top sellers at Def Jam Records. Most of his albums went double platinum...he was selling more than Jay Z at a time. But right now, I don't know if he would do so good commercially. But ofcos, I am still a Luda fan, and i think he is still a dope rapper, but you can't do two things at the same time and not expect one to suffer. He has been making the big bucks from Hollywood and hasn't been putting his whole mind into the music he makes these days. 

Pics Of Ludacris's Cars (2013)

With a networth of $75 million, it is only right Ludacris have some really cool cars in his garage. In a recent interview, he said he once had up to 15 cars in his home, but had to give most of them away, since he was always on the road, and didn't get to drive them often. Luda has a very good rap career, and he is currently building his career in Hollywood. He also has a couple of businesses that bring him more money, like his headphones line- Soul By Ludacris, and his Cognac, Conjure.





As of right now in 2013, Ludacris has 6 cars in his home. He owns a Chrysler ME 4-12; only two were made, and Luda has one of them. He also owns a black Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe ($450,000), he owns a blue Bentley Continental GT ($190,000), a 2013 Range Rover SUV ($100K), he also has two Ferrari's- a blue Ferrari 458 Italia ($230,000), and a Ferrari FF ($295,000). And of cos, the oldest car in Luda's garage, a 1993 Acura Legend ($29,000). He got the car before he was famous, and said he likes to drive it cos no one expects him to be driving a car like that so he goes by unnoticed a lot of the time.



Check out the cars below...they appear in the order that I have listed them above.

Ludacris's Net Worth

Ludacris started out as a DJ on radio, and went on to become one of the biggest selling rappers signed to Def Jam Records in the the early 2000s. He has since swayed to Hollywood, and I must say, he is done pretty good. He has starred in 3 of the 6 Fast & furious movies, and a host of other notable blockbusters. He has his own headphone line named Soul By Ludacris, and has his own Cognac named Conjure. As of right now in 2013, Ludacris is worth $75 million.

With the work Luda has put in over the years, it is only right he enjoys himself. His $5 million mansion in Atlanta has a backyard big enough to house some people's mansions. he owns exotic cars like Ferraris and Roll Royces, but he sometimes likes to feel grounded, so he drives around in his silver coloured 1993 Acura Legend, which he had before he was famous...you can see it parked next to his private jet below. Yes, Ludacris owns his own private jet.

'Fast & Furious 6' Big Box Office Numbers

The new instalment in the Fast & Furious series, Fast & Furious 6 did big numbers at box office over the weekend. The movie grossed $98,528,000 over the weekend, beating out Hangover 3 which was also released around the same time, and grossed $42,415,000 over the weekend. This movie is lovely; it seems the franchise keeps getting better...with bigger budgets and all that. When I think of Fast & Furious 6, I think money well spent. Well, the only problem I have is that it's great movies like this that continue to make Ludacris' Rap skills deteriorate. He nolonger cares about Hip Hop, and you notice his heart is not in the current music he makes...cos of the bigger checks he is getting in Hollywood.




It's all good. Check out the top 10 movies at the Box Office over the weekend-




10. Oblivion- $815,000 ($87,280,000)

9.  The Croods- $1,215,000 ($179,238,000) 

8.  42- $1,245,000 ($91,049,000)

7.  Mud- $1,928,000 ($14,535,000)

6.  The Great Gatsby- $13,705,000 ($114,432,000)

5.  Iron Man 3- $19,424,000 ($367,506,000)

4.  Epic- 34,200,000 ($34,200,000)

3.  Star Trek Into Darkness- $38,000,000 ($146,827,000)

2.  The Hangover Part 3- $42,415,000 ($54,204,000)

1.  Fast & Furious- $98,528,000 ($98,528,000)

D'Banj Present at "Luda Day Weekend"

Ludacris, like most rappers, like to give back to the community that birthed them. He has been carving out a weekend each year, for 7 years now, for what he calls Luda Day Weekened...this year's own was held last week in Atlanta, and it featured a charity basketball game, with up to $30,000 raised in ticket sales, which would go into making his community better. Nigerian's own D'Banj was one of the guests at the event, and also in attendance were Mase, Kevin Hart, Akon and Pusha T.


It is also cool to know that Ludacris is a virgo; his birthday is next week, Sept 11 to be precise. Below is what Ludacris had to say about the charity event-











Supporting our youth includes educating and empowering them about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle-responsible dating, greener communities, and healthy eating habits. Eating right and exercise promote good habits, both mentally and physically. We want to show young people that physical activity and eating well can be fun and a part of your everyday life.”

Check out some other pics of D'Banj at the event-

“

Ludacris Explains How He Stays on Forbes Hip Hop Cash Kings List

Year after year, Ludacris keeps popping up on that Forbes Hip Hop Cash King List. He hasn't released an album since 2010 (Battle of the Sexes), and he has only dropped one single since the year began, but he managed to make it at the No. 10 spot on Forbes Cash Kings list this year- with earnings of $12,000,000.



Ludacris shares his secret below-

“I rap at least once a year that I’m on one of the Forbes lists, and that’s a great thing. Th[e headphones are] part of the reason," he said. "When we talk about building brands, we’re not in it for the short run. It’s not about getting in and hurrying up and trying to sell something...we get offers all the time; that doesn’t mean we take every offer that comes to us...it’s almost the same as someone working in an office building from nine to five, and then on the weekends they go partying. Every human being has different sides to themselves, and they showcase their emotions in different ways…I’d be doing fans a disservice if I only showed one 
side of myself.”








Hmm! I guess everyone is going the Headphones way these days. I wish him all the best with his ventures. And I think he needs to chill on the acting for a while, and put more focus on the rapping. I personally think acting always takes away a rapper's original passion and hunger. It did it to Will Smith...it did it to Ice Cube...it  did it to DMX...it is doing it to T.I. You can only mix two profession for so long  before one of them starts suffering...it is only logical.



Check out the full Forbes Hip Hop Cash Kings List (2012)

Big Sean Responds to Ludacris "Bada Boom" Diss

Ludacris recently dropped a mixtape (1.2 Megawatts), where he dissed Big Sean and Drake on one of the songs. Apparently, several months ago, or probably last year, Big Sean and Drake both agreed, on seperate interviews, that Luda had stolen Big Sean's "Supa Dupa" flow, and was using it all wrong. Ludacris dissed them both on the "bada boom" track off his mixtape, and Big Sean has come forward to respond to the diss-

"Ya'll sure [the song] is about me? 'Cause I didn't hear no name or nothing, " he said. "I ain't got no problems with Luda, I never did. I think he's referring to an interview I did over a year ago. Literally over a year ago. But in the interview I said he's a legend. I respect people who is ahead of me. I respect OGs and the Gs in general. The only thing I said--[the interviewers] was telling me about the "Supa Dupa" flow. They call it the Supa Dupa flow because on Big Sean my second mixtape I had a flow on there where I was using one word to describe another word in a punchline form."

He continued, "I feel like Drake made it more popular on the song 'Forever.' A lot of people thought Drake made that up and this was new, and Drake was like, 'I could trace that back to Big Sean actually on his mixtape. That's where I first heard it. I think that's where a lot of emcees got it from.' That's what Drake said. So people was telling me, 'This is your flow.' And I'm like, 'Alright.'"

He also said he understood that the flow came before him, and perhaps even before Ludacris.

"I'm pretty sure it was done before [Luda] but I'm just saying where it came from now. We talkin' about now…I'm not trying to debate and say, 'I was the first to do this ever.' I'm just saying that's just where it was between us. So [some interviewers] asked me, 'What's a good example of [the Supa Dupa flow] and what's a bad example of it?' And I think I said [Luda's] 'balloons' line. But I'm telling you this was over a year ago. I can't believe this was something that's been lingering this long…I don't have no problems with Luda. I didn't even know he cared that much, for a year, to be thinking about what I said in interviews…I think Luda is the best, I think he's a legend."

I knew Big Sean was going apologize. But, it is funny that he is also sneaking in some indirect disses in this interview...pointing out that luda didn't have the nerve to mention his name on the track, and also that the interview in which he talked reckless was over a year ago. Yeah, it was over a year ago, but Luda has been away for a while...he has been making that Hollywood money.

As i said in my previous post, Big Sean or Drake don't want it with Luda in anyway. Here is the link to the diss track- bada boom

Ludacris Disses Drake and Big Sean

It is crazy how new rappers that haven't been on the scene for more than 4 years would come up and start talking reckless about legends in the game. I do consider Ludacris a legend of his era, and i think it is really disrespectful that Drake and Big Sean would say some negative things about Ludacris...Come on son! Luda would reap them to pieces on a lyrical level. Before i get lost in putting down my thoughts, i would like to address the issue at hand. Ludacris just dropped a new mixtape (1.2 Gigawatts) and on a track (bada boom) off it, he dissed Drake and Big Sean. Luda actually used the "pause, stop" flow (the style Big Sean Claims he created) on his "My Chick Bad" track, off his BATTLE OF THE SEXES Album.


To set the record straight, Ludacris was only defending himself. A couple of months ago, Drake got on an interview and was going on about how Ludacris stole Big Sean's style, and was using it all wrong...and then, in another interview, Big Sean supported that claim. I think that is really really funny. I have both Drake and Big Sean's albums on my phone right now, and there are some songs from them that i really enjoy, but these dudes are kids in hip hop...they need a history lesson. The "pause, stop" flow that Drake claims Luda stole from Big Sean has been in use probably before Big Sean clocked 10 years old. Q-Tip was using it in the 90s after he went solo...and Biggie also used it a couple of times. It is really funny watching them talk reckless and all that...it is almost like listening to two kids talking about how their friend from the other street invented the "back-hand" smash in Table Tennis.


Well, i know there a lot of people from the younger generation that wont buy what i am saying, but it is all good. Anyway, let me go on with the reporting. To understand the whole story, i would like to give you the big picture. Below is what Drake said about Ludacris stealing Big Sean's style-

"Well, that flow has been killed by so many rappers. And, I never want to use that flow again in life. [Laughs] I wanted to take if off my album, because I was like, 'I shut 'em down. Onyx.' I hate the fact that that rhyme is still in there. To be honest, that flow, you can trace it back to like...I trace it back to Big Sean (artist on Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music). That's the first guy I heard utilize that flow throughout the duration of a verse. I'll give him that credit. I think Kanye got it from him. Me and Wayne found a dope way to do it. I don't want to sound cocky, but the best way its been used was on "Forever." Those lines just all individually make so much sense. They're all punchlines. Then a bunch of rappers started doing it and using the most terrible references in the world. I don't want to offend somebody...I hate that rappers picked that flow up. I wish they had left that for people that know how to use it. [They go like] "It's a parade! MACY'S!" (All Hip Hop)

And then check out what Big Sean said-

"With the super duper flow, I created that one word rhyme style," Big Sean said in an interview. "Drake really made it more popular, but Drake gave me the credit and was like, 'I really got that from Big Sean.' I think some artists just did it so wack man. Every time I say names I get in trouble and it's like I'm dissing, but some people used it wack. If he said Ludacris used it wack, hey. Don't get it wrong I'm not trying to dis Ludacris or nothing. He's a great MC. But even though that style got so overused, there was a lot of people who did it great and there was a lot of people who didn't do it so great. People always ask me was you mad that people took that style from you. I'm like, 'Nah, that went and shows me how far I can go as an artist.' I feel like I changed hip-hop. I haven't even dropped an album yet. So that goes to show me how powerful my mind is.'" (RapFix)


And below is Luda's diss-


"I'm the truth in this booth and you n*ggas all h*es," Luda raps. "Counterfeit rappers say I'm stealing they flows, but I can't steal what you never made up b*tch/Y'all some duplicate rap cloning n*ggas/I manufacture you h*es put on your makeup b*tch. ... Let me explain, nothing's been new since Big Daddy Kane/Flows'll get recycled, passed around to different names -- Y'all get a couple hit records, make some noise and have the nerve to start shouting?/Who's gassing 'em?/ ... May not like the way I used it, but you know you ain't invent it, boy/Do your research before you make a claim so bogus that's disrespecting pioneers in the game ... 'My Chick Bad' went platinum, still winning motherf*cker!" ("Bada Boom")


This whole thing would probably end with Big Sean and Drake apologizing and saying they didn't mean it that way. They definitely don't want none of Luda on the battle tip...it might not end their careers, but it will surely dent it. This is the link to the song- bada boom

Ludacris Reveals Tracklist and Cover Art for His "1.21 Gigawatts: Back To The First Time" Mixtape

There has been news for a while now that Ludacris was working on this "1.21 Gigawatts: Back To The First Time" mixtape, but it is finally here...or atleast it will soon be here. He has released the tracklist, and when artists do this with mixtapes, the mixtape usually drops a few days later.

Luda has always been good with projects like this, so i think it would be good. I just hope he puts his heart into it...if he does/did, it would be cool.

Check out the tracklist below-

1. Intro (prod. by Tone Mason)
2. Save It For Another Day (prod. by M 16)
3. Rich and Flexin feat. Waka Flocka Flame (prod. by FK)
4. Muthafucka Can You Buy That (prod. by Drugs)
5. History Lesson (Skit)
6. Badaboom (prod. by Wonder)
7. Say It to My Face feat. Meek Mill (prod. by Juicy J)
8. I Ain’t the One feat. 2 Chainz (prod. by Fat Boi)
9. Shake n Fries feat. Gucci Mane (prod. by Fat Boi)
10. Do Something Strange feat. Rick Ross (prod. by Drumma Boy)
11. I’m On Fire feat. Big K.R.I.T. (prod. by Mike Will)
12. What You Smoking On feat. Wiz Khalifa (prod. by Big K.R.I.T.)

News on Ludacris's 1.21 Gigawatt's Mixtape

Ludacris has been off the scene for a while now, probably lost somewhere in Hollywood. I have said it before, i don't think all these acting he has been doing lately will help his rap career. Hip Hop listeners nowadays have a short attention lifespan, and they would forget you in a minute. It is cool that he is planning to drop something for the streets. He is planning to drop a mixtape titled 1.21 Gigawatt's in November. I think that is cool, cos i have always been a Luda fan, and i am glad he once to switch his focus back to rapping.

Read more on the news below-

"Putting 3 more songs on 1.21 Gigawatts mixtape & getting Ross & Meek Mill on it.New official date is Nov 15!It will be worth the wait.TRUST.," he tweeted October 7th. (Ludacris' Twitte

"RT 1.21 GIGAWATTS ALBUM/MIXTAPE DROPPING OCT 12 ALLNEW MUSIC FOR THE STREETS!! [sic]," he tweeted September 22nd. (Ludacris' Twitter)

"We'll put a mixtape out before we get it all the way right. I'm actually doing a mixtape and it's called 1.21 Gigawatts on y'all a**es, get ready for it," Luda said in an interview. "Gigawatts, that equals to a billion watts and so we basically taking it out of control. This whole thing is something you're going to pump louder than anything you've ever heard in your life, basically. It's definitely for the streets." (Shade 45)

"I'm working on a new album called Ludaversal, but, I'm also working on a mixtape man, so we're gonna flood the streets with a bunch of music for all the fans that appreciate stuff," Ludacris revealed in an interview. "This is like my first time doing, like, I've done mixtapes before but this is my first time in terms of, it's going to be new music. We're gonna put it out there and it's been ten years. It's a decade long. It's time. It's rejuvenation. We gotta make sure we give everybody what they need right now." (Kube 93)

I know when Luda gets serious, he really goes in, so watch out! 

Ludacris Got Paid $100,000 For Performing at a Millionaire's Holiday Party

Ludacris got paid $100,000 for a 45minues performance at Millionare, John Hope's Holiday party; what can be cooler than that? Just about two weeks ago, a similar situation happened with rapper Rick Ross, when he got paid $100,000 just to appear at a Nigerian boy's 10 year old party- that is, Nigerian parents paid rick ross $100,000 to appear at their son's 10th birthday.http://kaysrapzone.blogspot.com/2010/12/nigerian-parents-paid-rick-ross-100000.html

You can read the full story on ludacris's fortune below;

Atlanta rapper Ludacris received quite the hefty check this week thanks to his performance at a millionaire’s holiday party. According to TMZ the rapper received an impressive $100,000 to perform a 45-minute set.
The extravagant party took place at the Arizona home of entrepreneur John Hope. Hope reportedly spent somewhere near half a million dollars on the party.
Other celebrities in attendance at the party were also paid, but did not receive nearly as much as Ludacris. Jersey Shore reality star Snooki received $17,500 while other celebrities including actor Dean Cain and Keeping Up With The Kardashian’s Bruce Jenner received anywhere from $5,000 to $12,500.
Hope, a known philanthropist, is currently pursuing endeavors in the technology and computer information systems sectors.

Good for you luda; just take that money and do something good with it.

rap albums on billboard top 200 charts

As was expected, and predicted, DRAKE's debut album, "thank me later", is at the top of the charts this week. The album sold 447,000 copies, after one week in stores. I think they are great numbers, but as he said on his song, "you're the best", i could sell a blank disc; yeah, he could have sold a blank disc with all the buzz he had going for him.

The next rapper in line after drake this week is b.o.b, with 20,000 copies sold. That brings his total sales, for his "the adventures of bobby ray to 249,000 copies. Southern rapper, PLIES, also moved 20,000 copies this week; his second week in stores with his "goonaffiliated" album, which is now at 76,000 copies.

Other notable mentions on the chart this week are "ludacris's" BATTLE OF THE SEXES, and NAS and DAMIAN MARLEY's "distant relatives", which bought sold 11,000 copies individually this week. Luda is at 462,000 copies, and nas and damian are at 125,000 copies of their revolutionary album.

Let's wait and see what eminem does next week. I have personally heard the album, RECOVERY, and i think it is fire. It started off a bit ehh, but by the 4th track, it is a roller coaster ride till the end.