Ludacris

When the radio station Hot 97.5 opened in Atlanta, Georgia, one budding young rapper was first on the scene handing out demos. They wouldn't play his tapes but they did give him a job, and he used their studios to continue recording and building up a reputation, until Def Jam Records made Ludacris the first Southern rapper to sign to their iconic label in 2000. Spearheading the Dirty South scene of local rappers, he was quickly releasing a steady stream of hits before landing the US Number 1 Stand Up (featuring Shawnna) and Money Maker (featuring Pharrell). Chart-topping albums Chicken-n-Beer (2003), The Red Light District (2004) and Release Therapy (2006) have seen him mature from an unashamed, party-loving hustler into a more introspective, political voice - openly criticising Rev. Jesse Jackson, George W. Bush and John McCain. Along the way he has also found time to guest on hit singles with Usher, Fergie and Jamie Foxx, while cultivating a burgeoning acting career with roles in the films 2 Fast 2 Furious, Crash and RocknRolla.