Having a couple of wisdom teeth yanked is a tough fate for a man who makes his living quick-lipping outlandish rhymes. But despite being sore and swollen, Atlanta rapper Ludacris isn't worried about tonight's postgame gig at Tropicana Field.
"Oh, I'll definitely be ready," the 31-year-old Atlanta rapper assures us (albeit slowly) with his trademark braggadocio.
Luda, a.k.a. Christopher Bridges a.k.a. an MC with ego to spare, will be busting out all his hip-hop hits — Get Back, Stand Up, Money Maker, Pimpin' All Over the World — as soon as the Tampa Bay Rays get done dusting the Washington Nationals. And they will win; after all, Longoria & Co. are 9-0 on "free concert" nights.
During a recent conference call, the rapper said he feels "no pressure" keeping the team's winning streak alive. Although he does add with a laugh: "I'm not sure who I'm going to root for. But probably the Rays."
Here are a few other Luda moments from the chat:
Your upcoming album, Battle of the Sexes, is an intense back-and-forth between you and Shawnna, the daughter of Buddy Guy. How did you come up with the concept?
This is definitely what's needed in hip-hop right now. I haven't heard a hip-hop album with a full dialogue between a man and woman before — except for maybe the Fugees.
You were a boisterous ally for Barack Obama during his campaign. Did you get your invite to the White House yet?
I went to the White House Correspondents Dinner, and that was just as good as the White House. It was Mother's Day, so I brought my mom. I was at the People magazine table, so I wasn't sitting with anyone weird.
What can folks expect from your show at the Trop? You're the biggest star the Rays have landed for a free concert.
Expect it to be extremely energetic, and for you to get your money's worth and more. Writing music is one thing, but being able to perform in stadiums is another. … Sometimes I get a little nervous, but once I hit the stage, it's all energy from there.
Wait — Ludacris actually gets nervous?!
Yeah, but all I need is one mike, and then it's takeoff.
Sean Daly can be reached at sdaly@sptimes.com or (727) 893-8467. His Pop Life blog is at blogs.tampabay.com/popmusic.
If you go
Ludacris
Performs tonight as part of the Rays Summer Concert Series. Game admission is good for concert, too. Game time is 6:08 p.m.; expect Ludacris to perform around 9. Tropicana Field, 1 Stadium Drive, St. Petersburg. 1-888-326-7297.
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