Even without any real “political” slant to his rhymes – probably the most socially responsible thing Ludacris stands for is safe (but really frequent) sex – it was impossible to notice the similarities between Ludacris’s durable, echoing voice and the timeless shout of Public Enemy’s Chuck D.īoth opening acts, P-Live and later One.Be.Lo, were more reserved than the headliner and struck to nice, if a bit average and forced, verses. Luda’s voice, adroit and booming on record, hit even harder live. The bass never squashed any of the higher-pitched drum loops on the songs. Hill’s acoustics were Luda’s right-hand man the bass stayed surreally crisp on his set opening “Number One Spot.” Each loop on “The Potion,” a Timbaland-produced, textured jam from last year’s The Red Light District, was firm and distinct. But thankfully, and most importantly, it was a completely successful night for the artist and his music.

Small moments like these are what made the great rap experiment at Hill so compelling. Old, graying ushers taking tickets from 20-year old guys in jerseys and hats.Ĭheering masses of college kids – of all ages and colors – chanting along verbatim as Ludacris tore through bundles of Top 40 hits.Ĭousin Dre from Detroit’s 102.7, the radio personality who acted as the night’s master of ceremonies, taunted the crowd from his usual shtick before awkwardly shifting into shout outs for the University chapter of Hillel, the University Activities Committee and Michigan Student Assembly.

Ludacris act a fool video