XM Signs Multi-Platinum, GRAMMY(R) Award-Winning Artist and Actor Chris 'Ludacris' Bridges to Host New Music Show
The Cunning Linguist :Ş
(Nasdaq: XMSR), the nation's leading satellite radio service with more than
5
million subscribers, today announced GRAMMY(R)-nominated multi-platinum-
selling artist Ludacris will host a weekly music show exclusively for XM.
"Disturbing Tha Peace Presents Ludacris' Open Mic" will feature music hand-
selected by the artist, including songs from Ludacris' vast personal music
collection, as well as special guests and interviews with other artists.
The
show will debut in January 2006 on XM's uncut hip-hop channel RAW (XM
channel
66).
"This is the beginning of a great partnership and I really look forward
to
growing with XM and their millions of subscribers," said Ludacris. "XM
Satellite Radio is affording me the opportunity to expose our audience to a
wider variety of music and ideas."
Born Christopher Bridges, multi-platinum hip-hop recording artist
Ludacris
is one of the most recognized names in popular music today. A former radio
personality from Atlanta with an impressive knowledge of music, Ludacris has
enjoyed enormous success since his major-label debut in 2000 and his music
has
been embraced by urban media outlets, as well as MTV and pop radio. Beyond
his own work as a recording artist, Ludacris is CEO of Disturbing Tha Peace
Records, which is home to some of the top-selling artists in R&B and Hip
Hop,
selling over 15 million records.
In addition to his own lucrative music career, Ludacris has branched out
into acting, most recently with a standout performance in the independent
film
Hustle and Flow, winner of the Sundance Audience Award. He also starred in
the critically acclaimed film Crash, which has earned him a Supporting Actor
nomination at the First Annual Black Movie Awards, and will be featured on
the
October 6 episode of "The Oprah Winfrey Show." A committed philanthropist,
Ludacris is also dedicated to giving back to the community through his
Ludacris Foundation, which has recently provided free housing for over 100
people.
"Ludacris' passion for and knowledge of music, along with his remarkable
talent as an artist, are a natural fit with XM," said Eric Logan, executive
vice president of programming for XM Satellite Radio. "The addition of
Ludacris to the XM artist family is a testament to XM's commitment to create
the best original music programming available on satellite radio."
About XM Satellite Radio
XM is America's number one satellite radio service with more than 5
million subscribers. Broadcasting live daily from studios in Washington,
DC,
New York City and Nashville at the Country Music Hall of Fame, XM's 2005
lineup includes more than 150 digital channels of choice from coast to
coast:
the most commercial-free music channels, plus premier sports, talk, comedy,
children's and entertainment programming; and 21 channels of the most
advanced
traffic and weather information. XM was named Best Radio Service at the 2004
Billboard Digital Entertainment Awards.
XM, the leader in satellite-delivered entertainment and data services
for
the automobile market through partnerships with General Motors, Honda,
Toyota,
Hyundai, Nissan and Volkswagen/Audi, is available in more than 120 different
vehicle models for 2005. XM's industry-leading products are available at
consumer electronics retailers nationwide. For more information about XM
hardware, programming and partnerships, please visit http://www.xmradio.com.