Ludacris clean up his act? Why, that’s just … him
Ludacris is considering a more sedate lifestyle. Less “Chicken ‘N Beer,” more exercise and books. Maybe even giving up some of his hard-partying ways.
But the witty, free-flowing 26-year-old rapper isn’t about to get all conscious on us just yet. After all, this is the same guy who stripped in his “Splash/Waterfalls” video and whose latest single tells critics to “Blow It Out” a place that would be more than a bit uncomfortable.
Ludacris’ ability to turn a phrase in the most unique of ways is what’s made the former Atlanta radio DJ one of today’s most successful rappers. Though he’s only on his third album — “Chicken ‘N Beer” — he’s rapped on more than a dozen hits, thanks to numerous collaborations like Usher‘s recent No. 1 smash “Yeah!”
His penchant for explicit words and topics led Fox News talk show host Bill O’Reilly to urge Pepsi to drop him as a pitchman in 2002. Though O’Reilly was successful, Ludacris did get his revenge on record — his barbs against the popular conservative are among the most hilarious rhymes on his multiplatinum album.
O’Reilly’s remarks may actually have helped him, Ludacris says.
“I’m sure a lot of people who didn’t know who Ludacris was definitely know who I am because of him, talking about my name,” he says. “Because the audience that watches his show, a lot of those people are ones that haven’t necessarily heard of my music or heard of me.
“So I wouldn’t doubt in my mind that it made me a little more popular, because some people say any publicity is good publicity, and I also think it made him popular. And yes it did spark something, because rap is all about emotion, so I couldn’t help but to let out my feelings about the subject.”
But the Federal Communication Commission’s crackdown on indecency following the infamous Janet Jackson Super Bowl halftime show has been another story.
“That whole deal is really crazy to me,” he says. “It’s really sad that Janet Jackson was just going to let her (breast) out and the next thing you know, the FCC is just cracking down on everything.
“It affected me already, because my ‘Splash/Waterfalls’ video was a little kind of sexually explicit, but on certain video channels, I won’t name any, they had to completely stop playing mine during the daytime.
“It’s going to make people kind of like, I guess, not be as blatantly vulgar, on videos and music. And in a sense, it’s a good thing.”
Indeed, his goals these days are centered around personal growth.
“I’m at a point where I feel like I want to learn more,” Ludacris says. “I want to increase the brain capacity. I’m really into empowering myself and just making myself stronger. There comes a time in everybody’s life where they just feel like they just wanna get on the right path. I just want to stimulate my mind.”
So does that mean he would give up marijuana?
“I’ve thought about it, but I’m not at that point where I can completely stop yet,” he says. “Maybe will eventually, but not yet. Especially, the next album is called ‘The Red Light District.’ There’s some smokin’ songs on there.”
The birthday bunch
Actor-director Clint Eastwood is 74. Singer Peter Yarrow (Peter, Paul and Mary) is 66. Actress Sharon Gless (“Cagney & Lacey”) is 61. Actor Tom Berenger is 54. Comedian Chris Elliott is 44. Actor Kyle Secor (“Homicide: Life on the Street”) is 44. Actress Lea Thompson (“Caroline in the City”) is 43. Singer Corey Hart is 42. Rapper Kid Frost is 40. Rapper DMC (Run-DMC) is 40. Actress Brooke Shields is 39. Actor Colin Farrell is 28.