One way to draw attention to your album is by convincing Nas and Jay-Z to spit a verse or two on your project, if possible on the same song. It’s a tactic that’s been proven to yield dividends, and everyone from Scarface to Eminem has relied on it at some point. Ludacris is the latest to collaborate with the 2 hip-hop giants on a new track appropriately dubbed “I Do It for Hip-Hop.” Listen as Luda previews the joint at a listening session in Chicago.

Theater of the Mind is scheduled to drop on Monday, Nov. 24, 2008.

Ludacris tries hard not to doze off while listening to Chris Bridges gloat about his role in Max Payne. Max Payne looks exciting, but I’m going to see W instead.

This collaboration between Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather and Ludacris reminds me of Mike Tyson’s role in Canibus’ “Second Round K.O.” 10 years ago. A young, promising MC named Canibus was embroiled in a bitter feud with an O.G. named LL Cool J. Bis needed to add some bite to his assault, so he invited Mike Tyson to hype him up on “Second Round K.O.” Mike, who was fresh off “The Bite Fight” with Evander Holyfield, egged Bis on as he proceeded to land an incendiary uppercut on LL.

This is the part where I’m supposed say, I knew Mike Tyson. Mike Tyson was a friend of mine. Floyd Mayweather, you’re no Mike Tyson.

Luda, please keep making ‘em like this. I am now officially looking forward to Theater of the Mind, which drops on November 25th.

Ludacris & T.I. - “I Wish You Would”

Produced By Toomp, “Wsh You Would” is taken from Luda’s Theater of the Mind, due in September. I remember when these two used to diss each other on songs. Now they jock each other on songs.

[Props to Enigmatik]

Jay Smooth offers an excellent analysis of the Ludacris — Obama flap.

Obama says, “I think you’re good, but you should stop using words like “bitch.”
Luda says, “Obama thinks I’m good, bitch!” Haha!

Luda’s Theater of the Mind won’t be out anytime soon, but his new Gangsta Grillz mixtape The Preview should hold you over for now. Here’s the tracklist.

• DJ Drama & Ludacris - The Preview

There’s a new Reuters article on Ludameister and his upcoming album, Theater of the Mind. Here’s what we know so far:

• Album’s titled Theater of the Mind because it’s, well, “theatrical”
• Set for release in September (August for bootleggers)
• Features his new song “Let’s Stay Together”
• “Let’s Stay Together” was produced by DJ Paul of Three-6-Mafia
• Theater’s a collection of his experiences (don’t they all say that?)

Fingers crossed.

Ludacris crashed The Walter Pyramid at UC Santa Barbara last Saturday, expecting to find some fans. Well, he did. But he also ran into some raging protesters who wanted nothing to do with a “sexist, violent” rapper. (more…)