Ludacris
Ludacris in 2008, Joe Seer / Shutterstock.com
Birth Name: Christopher Brian Bridges
Place of Birth: Champaign, Illinois, U.S.
Date of Birth: September 11, 1977
Ethnicity: African-American, as well as small amount of Native American
Ludacris is an American recording artist/rapper, entrepreneur, and actor. He got his first major break in 2000, with his album Back for the First Time, and stars in The Fast and the Furious films. He is also known as Chris Lova Lova, Luda, Velvet Jones, and Bronze Bridges.
He was born in Champaign, Illinois, to African-American parents, Roberta Shields and Wayne Brian Bridges. He moved to Atlanta, Georgia, with his family in his high school years. According to Ludacris’s family stories, one of his great-great-grandfathers was a white Jewish man who was said to be named Luther Smith. It is not clear if Ludacris’s Jewish ancestry has been verified.
Ludacris is married to Gabonese model Eudoxie Mbouguiengue. He has four children, including a daughter with Tamika Fuller; and two with Eudoxie. Ludacris has acquired Gabonese citizenship.
Ludacris’s paternal grandfather was Otha Paris Bridges (the son of Thomas H. Bridges and Augusta Cheek). Otha was born in North Carolina. Thomas was the son of Peter Bridges and Terra/Terry Cross. Augusta was the daughter of Hugh R. Cheek and Mary J. Davis.
Ludacris’s paternal grandmother was Mary Christine Davis (the daughter of William Ernest Davis and Mary Cassie Lewis). William was the son of Robert Davis and Maria Cunningham.
Ludacris’s maternal grandfather was Robert Edward Shields, Sr. (the son of William Shields and Mamie Jackson).
Ludacris’s maternal grandmother was Juanita Irene Craig (the daughter of William G. Craig and Bertha Cheatham Motley). Juanita was born in Illinois. William was the son of William A. Craig, who was of African-American and Native American descent, and Nancy. Bertha was the daughter of Luther Baker Smith and Stella Motley.
Ludacris is a cousin of singer Monica‘s stepfather.
Ludacris is also a second cousin, once removed, of comedian and actor Richard Pryor. Ludacris’s maternal great-great-grandparents, William A. Craig and Nancy, were also the maternal great-grandparents of Richard Pryor.
Sources: Genealogies of Ludacris – http://www.geni.com
http://www.wikitree.com
Ludacris’s paternal grandfather, Otha Paris Bridges, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Ludacris’s maternal great-great-grandfather, William A. Craig, on the 1900 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
it doesn’t matter what race you are because we all mixed up that’s the fact we all are human that’s what matters
there is no such thing as african american. Most black americans dont no a damn thing about africa. African americans know of their african part. You dont see people calling all white people european american.
@noob
that’s because they’re allowed to just call themselves american.Also they do call themselves(italian,irish,french etc)and they may have nevrr even seen those places,however no one says anything to them
You dont have to see the place you are who you are PERIOD
@noob
what do you call africans who have just came here,who are first generation?or who are the children of an african and an american,can they claim it?Also are you black,because if not,I don’t really see why your concern what black people here call themselves.I’ve seen this alot lately,white people being angry that black people here call themselves that,how does it affect you?It doesn’t bother me what you call yourself
funny thing is, it was proved on African American lives that a fond majority of black people do not have native american history at all! like if there was a group of 20 black ppl only of 1 outta of those 20 would have native ancestry. Its actually white blood that is being mistaken for native blood. I have another question why is every black celebrity on somehow mixed..no one is just african american? Really now?? :/ Reaching back in ppls great great grandfather’s history…….lmao!
Not everyone in america is a purebred race… lol. Annd technically they’re not african american, just because their ancestors are from there doesn’t mean they are. :)
To anonymous
Well if that’s the case,that goes for everyone born here.People are still yelling I’m Italian,and have never even seen Italy,and their families have been here for a 150 yrs.Yet no one stops them from claiming that heritage.Now I’m not saying what you said wasn’t true,I’m just saying it can apply to everyone
To imjustsaying:
I also saw that program twice,and it didn’t prove anything.Except that those people didn’t have a high enough amount of native heritage.Also all he did was give his opinion on how many had it,but opinion is just that,it’s not a fact.He took less than 20 people out of 40 million,and that is suppose to represent the majority of black people,Please.
he looks like he’s native american in him. Cherokee right here!(:
I’m Choctaw and black so I gotta rep for my Choctaw people!!! :)
Yes sir!!! Rep that native pride!! Seneca right here bitches….