Ludacris is a household name in hip-hop and has a multitude of rap anthems under his belt. From ‘Number One Spot’ off his album, Red Light District, to his underground hit ‘Stand Up’, Ludacris most definitely has some jams.
Ludacris created some fantastic music during his career with his debut album Back For The First Time, giving an authentic voice to the city of Atlanta for the first time. As a southern artist on the Def Jam South label, Ludacris, along with his cohort, Disturbing Tha Peace, was integral in bringing the ‘Dirty South’ experience to the world.
With tracks such as ‘Southern Hospitality’ adding to the regional melting pot of hip-hop, Ludacris brought the slang and the vibes of the ATL to the masses. However, during a recent appearance on Stephen Jackson and Matt Barnes’ All the Smoke podcast, the emcee (real name Christopher Bridges) stated that he he doesn’t get the credit he deserves as a lyricist.
While speaking to Jackson and Barnes, Bridges unveiled that even Jay-Z told him he would never get respect for his lyricism, unveiling, “It was big, but there was a downside to it because even Jay-Z was one of the ones that said, you know, he don’t think I get the lyrical credit that I deserve because of the visuals.”
He continued, “People ask me, ‘Why don’t you think get the credit?’ Because I played too goddamn much, that’s what I do! And I wouldn’t have it any other way. That’s why my name is Ludacris, because it’s beyond crazy, it’s wild, it’s ridiculous.”
Bridges has always had crazy, exciting music videos with over-the-top outfits and expressions. However, that has led to many looking at his work as gimmicky. Elaborating on this, Ludacris explained, “I like post-effects and augmenting reality, big-ass shoes with big-ass chains, and bobbleheads and all that. So I get it, I can’t be mad at it. I just have to show the multi-faceted aspects of myself, and I actually love that.”
Although people don’t consider Ludacris as one of the greatest lyrically, many fans do hold him in high regard and recognise him as someone who profoundly increased the popularity of Southern rap.
You can watch Ludacris’ All The Smoke podcast interview below.
