Walk Of Fame Ceremony: Ludacris Promises To Keep ‘Shattering Stereotypes’

Chris ‘Ludacris’ Bridges, a US rapper, and actor, promised to “continue to shatter stereotypes” as he accepted an award from the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

In his thank-you speech, Ludacris acknowledged that his family, friends, and “the people who showed up for me” had been the sources of inspiration for his career-long adversity and hard work.

He has sold more than 24 million CDs as a recording artist around the world, with songs like Stand Up, Get Back, Southern Hospitality, Number One Spot, Money Maker, and My Chick Bad.

Later, he made the switch to the big screen and became a star of the popular Fast And Furious series.

Fast X, which will be released in theaters everywhere on May 20, will be Ludacris’ eighth time as Tej, who was initially introduced in 2003’s 2 Fast 2 Furious.

In addition to rapper LL Cool J, actor Vin Diesel from the Fast and the Furious series also spoke at the celebration on Thursday in Los Angeles.

Ludacris hailed his “village” in his own words for assisting him in going from “a young man with a dream” to being recognized on the Walk of Fame.

“No matter what people say I can’t do, I will continue to shatter those stereotypes and show people it’s possible in order to make everyone who got me here proud,” he said.

“Because you all inspire my hard work and dedication to receive this star today. I’m motivated by legacy and history.”

He continued: “This means that I’ve made my mark… my own personal history being documented. To be amongst these names is just amazing to me.

“I went from being a young man with a dream to having my name cemented in one of the most visited places on Earth. People walk this block and their eyes are glued to the ground.

“If kids and parents or anyone walking up and down the street sees my name and the pavement and it ignites just the smallest spark of creativity, drive, and ambition in any of these people, it will continue to just mean the world to me and I know it’s all worth it.

“So getting a star as a statement, but be clear about this statement, the even bigger statement to me is that we are all interconnected. And I am a culmination of the people who showed up for me today believing in me and pushing me to inspire me. I’m a reflection of you.

“So y’all be clapping for me all day I’m gonna need y’all to give yourselves a round of applause because I’m nothing without you.”

Ludacris was also surprised by his daughter who had previously told him she would not be in Los Angeles to attend the event.

Karma Bridges described her father as “my rock, my hero” and “the perfect example of a father”.

“Words can’t describe how much being here for you today means to me. If ‘practice what you preach’ was a person, it would be you. You are a go-getter, you are a natural leader, you are a risk-taker, you are a multitasker, you are a king, and you are a perfect example of a father.

“After years of being the one surprising me, it is my honour to have the tables be turned.”

Diesel also praised Ludacris’ curiosity, loyalty, and gratitude and said he would not “be here” if not for the rapper.

“We’ve never seen anybody dominate the music world and then come and dominate cinema while being entrepreneurial in the way that he is,” he said.

“I come from a place that the way you show love to somebody and say ‘I would die for you’. What Chris has brought in is another variation on that term which is ‘I will live for you’.

“So I will live for you my brother, always, and I love you from the bottom of my heart.”

Ludacris’ star is the 2,756th on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and is awarded in the category of Motion Pictures

It is located at 6426 Hollywood Boulevard.