An Open Letter to Ludacris: Please Make Dope Music Again, Thanks

Dear Mr. Bridges,

First off, I feel that it is absolutely necessary for me to put this letter into context and avoid being dismissed as a hater. I’ve been a die-hard fan since 2001; I’ve purchased every single album you have ever released (everything from ‘Icognegro’ to ‘Battle of the Sexes’ and all of the DTP collaboration albums in-between), and I will continue to do so until your inevitable retirement. So, before you can jump the gun and take offense to what I’m writing, understand that this letter is coming from a huge fan—not just a blogger with an itchy-typing finger.

Luda, you’re the fucking man. Over the past 11 years of your career, fans have heard you overshadow every rapper from Gucci Mane (‘Atlanta Zoo’) to Nas (‘Made You Look’ Remix), and yet, for one reason or another, the general hip-hop community has consistently overlooked you as a contender for best rapper alive. Why?



The reason is simple: it’s because you’re not making the effort.

There’s a general rule that every great rapper has a classic album; Eminem and Jay-Z (the most common contenders) have had multiple. You, unfortunately, have yet to release yours.

I’ve spent years telling anyone who would listen that you’re one of the best rappers in the business. Unfortunately, as hard as I tried to convince others of your talents, every argument ended in the exact same fashion: someone would play the “classic album” card and I take a loss.

“Back for the First Time,” “Word of Mouf,” and “Chicken & Beer” are great albums that have stood the test of time, but classics on par with the works of early Outkast and Scarface records? I’m not so sure.

During your commercial run for “Theater of the Mind”, you said that it would be your magnum opus, the album that would solidify you in everyone’s Top 5. I could not have been more excited to hear you to say that. I thought “Theater of the Mind” would finally be the album to prove your talent; it wasn’t.

Don’t get me wrong, “Theater of the Mind” was an incredible album, but it wasn’t a Ludacris album; having four solo tracks on a fourteen-track release is something no-talent hacks do to pump up their album’s credibility—something a man of your talent should never have to do. The same criticism can be applied, understandably, to “Battle of the Sexes”, an album that should have been reworked entirely when Shawnna dropped out.

What I’m getting at is this: it’s been five years since fans heard your last real LP. Since then, we’ve had two releases that can rightfully be called collaboration albums. On “Theater of the Mind”, you proved that you could go toe-to-toe with the best of the best. Now, you just need to release your classic. But, before you can do that, some other things need to be taken care of:

1) Stop with the Conjure product placement. I respect that you’re making your money, but is it really necessary to whore out your product in every verse you’ve recorded since 2009?

2) Understand that dropping eight-bar verses on pop singles isn’t going to make anyone in the hip-hop community respect you. Once again, I don’t mind that you’re making your money, but Bieber’s fans aren’t the ones rushing out to purchase “Battle of the Sexes.” Know who your demographic is and cater to them. You’re far too talented to waste your talent on bullshit.

3) Promote your music. If you spent half as much time touring and connecting with fans as you do visiting liquor stores for Conjure signings, “Theater of the Mind” and “Battle of the Sexes” would have went platinum by now. You still have two potential hit singles on BOTS (“Tell Me A Secret” & “I Know You Got a Man”) and you passed up a potential Top 40 single when you didn’t bother promoting “Everybody Drunk” even moderately (the video looked like it was made for college students, not the richest southern hip-hop artist of all time).

4) Know your strengths. When it comes to aggressive delivery, nobody does it better than you do. Your verses on “Stomp,” “All I Do Is Win,” “Southern Fried,” “Stand Up,” and “Grew Up A Screw Up”, are flawless. The fans want more riot makers, Luda. We know you have them in you. (On a side note, I have a strong feeling that you and Tech N9ne would be an impeccable tag team.)

5) Know your weaknesses. You kill guest features on R&B tracks, but your appeal on bedroom-burners is usually short-lived. If you insist on making slow songs, keep them short and be very, very selective with your producers.

6) Bring back that trademark humor you left with “Release Therapy.” The fans miss it.

Follow these general suggestions and you should be on your way to the top. Jeezy has a good idea of what kind of production you’d sound best over. Take notes from his and Ross when it comes to your beat selection and “Ludaversal” could be your classic.

Sincerely,
Eric Jaffe