Nobody Paid Him Any Mind, No One Gave a. . .


luda_1.jpgYesterday, we expressed our deep sadness that Ludacris will not be appearing at the Big E this year due to low ticket sales. Yet the discussion in the comments has turned into a discussion about the mertis, demerits, and sweatiness of Taylor Hicks and the Nickelbackian qualities of Chris Daughtry.

People. Let’s focus on what’s really important here.

Ludacris.

Ludacris (or Luda) is a good rapper, a shrewd businessman, and a talented actor. He got his start DJing in Atlanta, and both mega-producer Timbaland and Jermaine Dupri wanted to sign him, Ludacris recorded his own debut and sold 50,000 copies out of the back of his car, which he rapped about in Missy Elliott’sGossip Folks.” Perhaps he would inspire more passion had he made Paula Abdul cry on American Idol.

Since he was signed to Def Jam South, Luda’s career has taken off. He’s rapped on hits like Usher’sYeah” and “Runaway Love” with Mary J. Blige. His sense of humor and ability to rattle off sexual fantasies that involve a woman’s pleasure as well as his own sets him apart from other rappers, as do his surreal videos. And we’ve had “Money Maker” stuck in our heads all day.

Then there’s his great performance in Hustle and Flow as Skinny Black, the Southern rapper who crushes DJay’s dreams. Ludacris has a role in Fred Claus, a throwaway Christmas comedy, and will be in Guy Ritchie’s RocknRolla, which will hopefully stretch his skills a little more than the role of “Angry Elf.”

While we appreciate spirited debate in the comments, we must also bring the spotlight back on the artist who has been disrespected by low ticket sales. While we think “Area Codes” loses something in its Bill O’Reilly-friendly translation, but we’re still sorry we’ll have to settle for “Do I Make You Proud” and “It’s Not Over” instead of watching farmers try to do the “when I move you move” dance.