Ludacris

Ludacris made his name as the irreverent, oversexed club denizen with a knack for juggling oftentimes hilarious braggadocio and great punch lines. That Luda is still here ("One More Drink," "Nasty Girl"), but he also tests out gangsta waters on "Southern Gangsta" and "Call Up the Homies" and aims for political gravitas on "Do the Right Thing," which features Spike Lee. It's contradictory and a bit scattered, with Luda adopting the style of whatever guest he's enlisted, but there are some jewels here ("Last of a Dying Breed," "I Do It for Hip-Hop," "Wish You Would").

Though he's acting more than rapping, Luda wants to prove Hollywood hasn't softened his
skills. Amid booming tracks from producers like Scott Storch, he boasts, "I'm still the
champion of the South," which is probably news to T.I. But if the cred-grabbing lyrics feel
rote alongside guests like Jay-Z and Lil Wayne, Luda's thundering cadence and pop-wise
club jams are strong on "One More Drink," where he raps that Hennessy plus Bud... More >