Lineup

The career of the multitalented CHRIS “LUDACRIS” BRIDGES can best be described as remarkable. As a recording artist, he has sold more than 24 million albums worldwide, thanks to the blockbuster success of such singles as “Stand Up,” “Get Back,” “Southern Hospitality,” “Number One Spot,” “Money Maker” and “My Chick Bad.”

All of these records were accompanied by ingenious videos that demonstrated Bridges’ far-reaching imagination, and his willingness to stretch the boundaries of what rap videos should look and feel like.

With an unrivaled match of lyrical acumen, wit, and imagery, Ludacris has solidified himself as one of music’s premier entertainers. His versatility and artistic complexity also enabled him to make a seamless transition to acting, including the fan favorite role of “Tej” in Universal Pictures’ box office phenomenon Fast & Furious franchise. His other notable feature film credits include Garry Marshall’s ensemble comedy New Year’s Eve, Ivan Reitman’s romantic comedy, No Strings Attached, Paul Higgin’s Crash which received an Academy Award for Best Picture in 2006 and Hustle & Flow which earned Bridges a SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture.

Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter, actor and author Ashanti burst onto the music scene with her smash hit, self-titled debut album, Ashanti. It landed the #1 spot on both the Billboard Top 200 and R&B album charts, selling a whopping 504,593 units in its first week.

This set a SoundScan record as the most albums sold by any debut female artist in the chart’s history and granted her a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records. Over the span of her 20 year career, Ashanti has released six studio albums and received a number of illustrious rewards including eight Billboard Awards, a Grammy, two American Music Awards, two Soul Train Awards and six ASCAP Awards. She has reigned at the top as one of Billboard’s “Top Females of the Decade from 2000-2010” and continues to break Billboard records having a Hot 100 entry every decade in the 2000’s, 2010’s and 2020’s.

As a philanthropist, Ashanti is the Ambassador for the Jumpstart Reading Program and became the “Youth of the Year” Ambassador for the Boys and Girls Club of America in 2009 and was inducted into their Hall of Fame. She became a member of their “BE GREAT” Campaign with Denzel Washington and was a part of the “Let’s Move” health campaign with Michelle Obama.

To celebrate her contributions to music and recording, Ashanti will receive a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Spring 2022.

The independent underground would not be what it is today without pioneers like Strange Music cofounder Tech N9ne. Tech’s unparalleled tour schedule and signature rapid-fire “chopper” style combined with the business acumen of Strange Music CEO Travis O’Guin have molded Strange Music into the number one independent hip-hop label in the world. In less than two decades, Tech himself has earned three gold records, sold over two million albums, and made multiple appearances on Forbes’s “Hip-Hop Cash Kings” list. Tech’s multi-faceted skillset has not gone unrecognized by artists of all genres, exemplified by collaborations with such diverse artists as The Doors, Slipknot’s Corey Taylor, Eminem, and Boyz II Men, to name just a few. Everyone from Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson to Elton John has been spotted bumping Tech N9ne records, a testament to constant reinvention and inarguable excellence that has become standard of Tech’s work. It’s by no coincidence that his latest label-wide collaborative project was named Dominion – Tech N9ne will not stop until he and Strange Music have completely dominated the world of hip-hop and beyond.

Dubbed “the Mixtape Messiah,” Houston’s Chamillionaire arrived late as a major-label artist during his city’s 2005 takeover of mainstream rap — the Top Ten Sound of Revenge, released during November that year, followed albums from , , and former Color Changin’ Click partner  — but he had already built a loyal following outside the South and received significant print coverage. Through a prolific succession of mixtapes, Chamillionaire (born Hakeem Sediki) became known for his deep, versatile voice (he sings his own hooks very effectively) and lyrical ability. Originally part of Swishahouse, he switched to Paid in Full, where he and  collaborated on 2002’s Get Ya Mind Correct — an album that sold 100,000 copies. Prior to inking his deal with Universal, he founded the Chamilitary label and began grooming the careers of brother  and . “Ridin’,” off The Sound of Revenge, reached the top of the Billboard singles chart and was later nominated for a pair of Grammy Awards. The follow-up to Revenge, titled Ultimate Victory, was released in September 2007.

A Banner Vision (ABV) CEO, David Banner is an internationally recognized Grammy Award-winning music producer, recording artist, philanthropist, activist, and actor with over 26 films under his belt. The Mississippi native is an entrepreneur dedicated to preserving culture, economic empowerment and freedom of expression.

Clients including Pepsi, Gatorade, Paramount Pictures, Marvel, Capcom and Mercedes- Benz have trusted ABV to produce captivating, culturally relevant, insightful content that engages audiences and builds brands. With a team of creative intellectuals and music producers that regularly work with today’s top music superstars, A Banner Vision brings this same level of expertise to its brand clients.
Banner’s outspoken point-of-view inspires, informs, and galvanizes audiences as is demonstrated in his numerous CNN appearances, social engagement and the over
10,000 subscribers to The David Banner Podcast, which is currently in production.

Banner’s commitment to community, love for humanity and
passion for justice are embodied in his foundation, Heal the Hood Inc., which provides clothing and other necessities to families during the holidays. Having earned a Business Degree from Southern University (Baton Rouge) prior to embarking on his career in entertainment, Banner encourages under-served youth and creative minds to pursue professions “behind the scenes”.

One of the most thuggish rappers embraced by the mainstream, Trick Daddy broke out of the South in 2001 with “I’m a Thug” and established himself as an unlikely national superstar. Before his breakthrough, he scored a few regional hits. In particular, he became known for “Nann Nigga” and “Shut Up,” club anthems characterized by rousing beats and rowdy lyrics. When TrickDaddy finally broke into the mainstream with the appropriately titled “I’m a Thug,” it came as somewhat of a surprise. No one questioned his talent, but his image — a trademark omnipresent grimace, bald head, prickly whiskers, forearm tattoos, and gold grill — hardly matched that of other mainstream rappers. Thug or not, Trick Daddy became a national superstar. He collected numerous RIAA accolades, including a platinum certification for 2001’s Thugs Are Us, and hit the Top Ten of the Billboard R&B/hip-hop albums chart with seven consecutive releases through 2009’s Finally Famous: Born a Thug, Still a Thug. The rapper wasn’t nearly as prolific the following decade but continued performing, releasing the occasional mixtape and EP while remaining sought for guest verses.

Jasiel Amon Robinson (born September 20, 1980),better known by his stage name Yung Joc, is an American rapper. He is best known for his 2006 hit single “It’s Goin’ Down”, and as a feature on T-Pain’s 2007 U.S. number-one single “Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin’)”.

Robinson met Atlanta producer Nitti Beatz and the two recorded the hit “It’s Goin Down” in the spring of 2005. After teaming with Russell “Block” Spencer, founder of the Block Enterprises label, Spencer signed Robinson to Sean Combs’s Bad Boy South for a multimillion-dollar deal, and Bad Boy released Robinson’s debut New Joc City the following year.

Robinson was on 2006 “Forbes’ Richest Rappers List”, ranking at No. 20, having grossed approximately $10 million that year. “It’s Goin’ Down” reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the Hot Rap Tracks chart. The next single, “I Know U See It”, reached No. 17 on the Hot 100 and No. 2 on the Hot Rap Tracks.

Warren Anderson Mathis (born March 6, 1977), better known by his stage name Bubba Sparxxx, is an American rapper. His singles include “Deliverance”, “Ugly” (both featuring Timbaland), and “Ms. New Booty” (featuring Ying Yang Twins and Mr. Collipark), the latter of which peaked at number 7 on the U.S. BillboardHot 100.

Sparxxx’s first commercial release, Dark Days, Bright Nights, released in 2001. The debut album saw some success in Georgia and caught the attention of Jimmy Iovine of Interscope Records. Sparxxx signed to Interscope and began working with record producers Timbaland, Organized Noize as well as continuing to work with Shannon Houchins. The major-label reissue of Dark Days, Bright Nights, released via Timbaland’s Beat Club Records imprint and which now included five collaborations with Timbaland and two with Organized Noise, debuted at #3 on the Billboard 200.

In 2002, he had a minor hit being featured on Archie Eversole’s “We Ready”, which became popular for being played at sporting events, such as American Football and basketball games.