Ludacris Posing - P 2014
Courtesy of BMIChristopher “Ludacris” Bridges will be be honored with the President’s Award at the 2014 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards on Friday, August 22, at the Pantages Theater in Hollywood.
The star-studded event celebrates the songwriters, producers and publishers of the most-performed R&B/hip-hop songs of the previous year.
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“The President’s Award is bestowed to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in songwriting with profound global influence on culture and the entertainment industry,” said BMI president/CEO Mike O’Neill. “Christopher ‘Ludacris’ Bridges’ songs traverse boundaries and reach listeners of all genres, making him a global presence. Additionally, his philanthropic efforts go beyond measure with the work he does by way of his charitable organization, the Ludacris Foundation, making him a natural for the honor.”
“We are proud to be honoring Ludacris with our President’s Award,” added Catherine Brewton, vp writer/publisher relations, Atlanta. “He is a hometown hero to the city of Atlanta who has had a remarkable career in music, film and television. His consistency in the industry, as well as his outreach in the community, proves he is more than deserving.”
Ludacris will join previous honorees will.i.am, Adam Levine, Carlos Vives, Taylor Swift and Pitbull.
Ludacris’ string of hits includes “Break Your Heart,” “Glamorous,” “Tonight (I’m Lovin’ You),” “Yeah,” “Chopped N Screwed,” “How Low,” “Money Maker,” “My Chick Bad,” “Runaway Love” and “Southern Hospitality,” earning three BMI million-performance citations, one BMI two million-performance citation, nine BMI Pop Awards and 13 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards. He’s also won three Grammy Awards and five Billboard awards; and multiple Top 10 positions on the Billboard Hot 100, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, Billboard 200 and the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts. Ludacris’ discography, his eighth studio album, Ludaversal, is scheduled for release in the fall, has sold more than 19 million records in the U.S. and another seven million internationally.
Ludacris is also a respected actor, having appeared in the acclaimed indie drama Hustle & Flow; blockbusters 2 Fast 2 Furious, Fast Five, Fast & Furious 6; and the 2006 Academy Award Best Picture winner, Crash, which earned him both the Screen Actors Guild and Critics’ Choice awards. His television credits include a role on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and hosting the 2014 Billboard Music Awards. Currently he serves as a judge on the summer singing competition series Rising Star, which airs on Sunday nights on ABC. He’ll be returning to film next year in Fast & Furious 7.
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A consummate businessman, Ludacris is enjoying success with his ventures in spirits with Conjure Cognac and electronics with his SOUL by Ludacris headphones. His philanthropic efforts include partnering with Crash writer/director Paul Haggis and the Artists for Peace and Justice to help raise more than $4 million for Haitian relief efforts. He has also raised more than $100,000 for Atlanta flood victims through The Ludacris Foundation. Having partnered with Jane Fonda, Bill Gates, Richard Branson and Nelson Mandela, to name a few, The Ludacris Foundation continues to support youth through education.
The evening will also include the presentation of the R&B/Hip-Hop Songwriter, Producer and Publisher of the Year crystals; as well as the Social Star Award. BMI’s O’Neill and Brewton will share the evening’s hosting duties.
