Though born in Illinois, Ludacris became one of Atlanta's most popular rappers of the 2000s, helping push Southern rap and hip-hop to a mainstream audience. In 1999, he independently released his debut album "Incognegro." He was then signed to Def Jam, which released his second studio album "Back for the First Time" in 2000. His fourth studio album "Chicken-n-Beer" (2003) was the first to peak on the Billboard 200 chart while the album's second single "Stand Up" (featuring Shawnna) was the first to peak at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart. In 2005, Ludacris won his first Grammy for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for the single "Yeah!" (with Usher and Lil Jon). "Ludaversal," Ludacris's ninth, dropped in 2015 followed by a soundtrack for his Netflix animated musical comedy, Karma's World, in 2021. During the spring of 2023, he will be touring with Janet Jackson throughout the United States.