ATLANTA — Ludacris is leading the new class!
The rapper and mogul, whose real name is Chris Bridges, is joining Georgia State’s Creative Media Industries Institute (CMII) this fall as an artist-in-residence.
This appointment draws on the vast experience in the film and music industries of the multi-platinum, Grammy award-winning artist, actor and entrepreneur.
He will be working closely with CMII professors, focusing on entrepreneurship in the music and film industries, as well as mentoring students.
“Chris is an incredibly talented artist and has so much industry knowledge to share,” said CMII executive director Brennen Dicker. “We are excited to see how our students, and really the entire institute, will benefit from this great new partnership.”
Formed in 2014, the CMII prepares students for careers that transcend traditional degree programs and connects them with Atlanta’s booming film, music and video game industries.
Bridges, who attended Georgia State before becoming a major recording star, said he feels connected to the university and where it is going.
“Georgia State is one of the most innovative and diverse universities in the country,” he said, “I couldn’t imagine a better place to work with students than CMII.”
Bridges’ professional experience does not only encompass expertise in the music and film and television business, he is also a successful entrepreneur.
He has sold more than 20 million records worldwide and recently executive produced and hosted the television show “Fear Factor” for three seasons. Bridges has had acclaimed performances in film (“Crash," "Hustle & Flow”) as well as television (“Law and Order – Special Victims Unit”). He’s shooting the ninth installment of the global box-office hit franchise, “The Fast and the Furious,” which will be released in 2020, and plans to drop his 10th studio solo album in 2020. He is the founder of Disturbing tha’ Peace record label.
He’s also avid in pursuing philanthropic endeavors.
In, 2001 he founded The Ludacris Foundation (TLF), a platform to serve youth and families in our communities. TLF has been named as one of the top 20 “Leading Philanthropy Foundations” by Black Enterprise magazine. It has funded and supported more than $2.2 million in youth-focused programs and provided more than 105,000 hours in volunteer services. The foundation has funded more than $200,000 to help disaster survivors in Louisiana, Georgia and the Bahamas.
Among his latest entrepreneurial ventures is the opening of a restaurant at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport - Chicken + Beer - and future projects to be announced in the technology space.
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