Ludacris to Receive BMI President's Award

Fifteen years after making his debut, Christopher “Ludacris” Bridges will receive the President’s Award at the 2014 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards.

The Atlanta rapper, 36, will be honored during the star-studded ceremony on August 22 at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood. In addition to Ludacris, songwriters, producers, and publishers of the most-performed R&B/hip-hop songs of the previous year will be celebrated.

“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 Mike O’Neill, BMI President & CEO. “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.”

Previous President’s Award honorees have included will.i.am, Adam Levine, Taylor Swift, and Pitbull.

“We are proud to be honoring Ludacris with our President’s Award,” said Catherine Brewton, BMI Vice President, 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 of the BMI President’s Award.”

Ludacris has sold more than 19 million records in the United States and 7 million internationally. He is currently working on his eighth album Ludaversal, due this fall, and stars in Fast & Furious 7, set to open in theaters on April 3, 2015.