Christopher Brian Bridges was born on Sept. 11, 1977 in Champaign, Ill., where he began rapping at the age of 9 and formed his first musical group a few years later. While in his teens, his family moved to Atlanta where he attended Banneker High School before majoring in music management at Georgia State University.

Chris 'Ludacris' Bridges

He later worked at a local radio station as DJ Chris Lova Lova until adopting the alias Ludacris to perform on Timbaland’s track “Phat Rabbit.” He subsequently launched his own career in 2000 with the release of the album “Back for the First time,” following that up a year later with “Word of Mouf,” and the rest is history.     

The six-time Grammy-winner is not only a hip-hop icon, but also an entrepreneur, philanthropist, restaurateur, pitchman, columnist, and of course a gifted actor.

Here, Ludacris flows with several topics, including his new film “Gamer,” a sci-fi adventure co-starring Gerard Butler, Kyra Sedgwick, Terry Crews and Amber Valletta.

Ludacris: What up, Kam?

Kam Williams: Hey, Luda, thanks so much for the time.

L: No doubt, man.

KW: So, what interested you in Gamer?

L: Man, in picking movies, I always look at all the elements before making a choice, from reading the script to seeing who else is in it to who produced it to who’s directing. The opportunity to work with Gerard Butler was definitely a plus. I’ve been a fan of his especially because of the movie “300.” And I also wanted to work with the guys who wrote and were directing it, Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor.    

KW: Yeah, they made “Crank,” which was quite impressive, a non-stop, adrenaline-fueled, roller coaster ride.

L: Exactly. I made my decision based on that. In addition, I loved the role they had for me, because I never want to be typecast. I love playing all sorts of different roles.

KW: How would you describe your character, Humanz Brother?

L: I play the leader of a resistance group that’s totally against putting computer chips in human beings’ brains because I think that’ll lead to the taking over of mankind, period. So, I’m all about trying to get rid of this technology, so we can live peacefully.  

KW: Do you think a scenario like this has a chance of becoming a reality someday?

L: Man, you never know. The possibilities are definitely limitless when it comes to technology like this. We all embrace technology, but sometimes you have to be careful.

KW: How’d you get along with the other members of the cast?  

L: I loved working with this cast, especially with Gerard Butler. That’s how I study and try to become a better actor. He’s extremely serious and focused.

KW: How do you divide your time between making music and making movies?

L: It’s hard, man, but you just gotta focus on one thing at a time. I give whichever I’m doing 100 percent of my attention…

KW: Music maven Heather Covington asks: What music are you listening to right now?  

L: A lot of different music. I have a “Battle of the Sexes” album coming out soon, so I have to listen to all these unreleased tracks so that we make sure we pick from the best of them to give to the true fans who support us.

KW: What’s the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome in life?

L: All the people who told me I couldn’t make it, and individuals who were trying to step in the way of my becoming who I am.

KW: The Rudy Lewis question: Who’s at the top of your hero list?

L: Martin Luther King, Malcolm X and Mr. Barack Obama.

KW: How did you feel a year ago when President Obama said he was listening to you on his iPod?

L: I really appreciated that.

KW: Have you spoken to him since he became President?

L: That’s confidential information….

KW: When you look in the mirror, what do you see?

L: I see a multifaceted Negro, an entrepre-Negro….

KW: Leon Marquis wants to know if it’s true that you’re going to star in “The Richard Pryor Story.”

L: I wouldn’t say that it’s untrue, but nothing is confirmed yet….

(To see a trailer for Gamer, visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ubYTIazskQ)