Chris Bridges, better known as Ludacris, Atlanta's most influential rapper, claims that hip-hop is just a game and that the game itself "ain't nothin' without me."
Reflecting on all of his albums, he said in an interview with The Spectrum, "I always strive to be the best."
In his new album titled "Release Therapy," Luda attempts to best portray the complexities of human nature and personalities.
"I always try to show so many different sides of myself," he said. "I don't mean to knock anyone's hustle, but I feel as if other rappers tend to only show one side of themselves in their music, and I think that's unfortunate."
He said that every year the face of hip-hop seems to change, and its fan base constantly changes their opinion of what's hot and what's not.
"As the game changes, you kind of have to change with it," he said. "As I change and grow, I feel that my true fans kind of grow with me."
Luda has branched out over the years not only through music but also with his role in the Oscar winning film "Crash."
"I try to show all the different sides to myself, and acting helped me out with this," he said.
The man has also bloomed in his role as CEO of Disturbing Tha Peace Records.
"Although it's a valuable experience, when I'm in artist mode, sometimes its hard being in CEO mode, and as a result I have people to help me out with this," he said.
In the music business, according the rapper, everyone has his or her own beliefs and inspiration.
"You have to use your voice as an influence. Music can free the soul from imprisonment," he said.
This belief carries the weight in his album "Release Therapy."
Other artists and many other forms of music influence him. Luda said that he has been touched not only by other hip-hop artists, but also groups such as 3 Doors Down, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Linkin Park.
In the modern music business, there are so many young people who aspire to make it in the rap game. Luda's advice to these artists is, "Do your own thing and just keep at it, make your own beats and try to raise money to get your music out there."
In the world of hip-hop it is an unfortunate reality that many artists have been incarcerated, and many of them have done serious time.
"Although I have not done hard time myself, there are many rappers that have," Luda said. "This is a serious matter that should be expressed, but at the same time, it isn't something that should be celebrated."
Luda is trying to break the generic mold of rap and is trying to bring a more personal aspect back into the game. This aspect of his behavior is what he refers to as "going against the grain."
"On this record, I talk about striving, silliness, sex, salvation, among other things," he said.
The ability to express many different emotions on a single record is no easy task for a hip-hop artist. Luda's ability to add such a personal aspect of his life to the rap game is an admirable trait.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
