Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI), the global leader in music rights management, will present the President’s Award to Christopher “Ludacris” Bridges at the 2014 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards, to be held Friday, August 22, at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood. The star-studded event draws the entire entertainment community together to celebrate the songwriters, producers and publishers of the most-performed r&b/hip-hop songs of the previous year. Check out more below…
“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,”. 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 BMI President’s Award.” –Mike O’Neill, BMI President & CEO
“We are proud to be honoring Ludacris with our President’s Award! 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 of the BMI President’s Award.” –Catherine Brewton, BMI Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, Atlanta.
As the 2014 honoree, Ludacris will join elite ranks that include will.i.am, Adam Levine, Carlos Vives, Taylor Swift and Pitbull.
Rapper, entrepreneur, actor and philanthropist Christopher “Ludacris” Bridges has built a phenomenal career. His lyrical acumen and innate ability to create hits such as “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,” have earned him three BMI million-performance citations, one BMI two million-performance citation, nine BMI Pop Awards and thirteen BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards. The honors continue with 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, to include his upcoming 8th studio album, ‘Ludaversal’, due in the fall, has sold more than 19 million records in the United States and 7 million internationally.
In addition to his heavily awarded music career, Ludacris is an esteemed 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 the prestigious 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 groundbreaking summer singing competition series “Rising Star,” which airs Sundays at 8pm (EST) on ABC. He’ll be returning to film next year in Fast & Furious 7.
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 rival his entertainment accomplishments. He partnered 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 inspire youth through education.
The evening will also include the presentation of the R&B/Hip-Hop Songwriter, Producer and Publisher of the Year crystals; the Social Star Award will also be presented. BMI President and CEO, Mike O’Neill and Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, Atlanta, Catherine Brewton will share the evening’s hosting duties.
Photo Credit: Jonathan Mannion
Leave a Reply