Ludacris in Atlanta in February 2024.Photo:Prince Williams/WireImage
Prince Williams/WireImage
Get out the way, it’s almost time forLudacristo host the 2024iHeartRadio Music Awards!
The rap icon, 46, is no stranger to emceeing awards shows, but this year marks his first time handling hosting duties for the iHeartRadio Music Awards — “but hopefully it won’t be the last,” he tells PEOPLE.
Ludacris.iheart Radio
iheart Radio
But that’s not all:Cheris set to receive this year’s Icon Award with a special musical tribute,Beyoncéwill receive the Innovator Award and bothGreen DayandTLCare set to take home iHeartRadio Landmark Awards.
Earlier this week, iHeartRadio revealed the show will additionally feature special appearances fromAvril Lavigne,Jennifer Hudson,JoJo Siwa,Katy Perry,GloRilla,Jared Leto, Latto,Meghan Trainor,Meryl Streep,Niecy Nash-Betts,Peso Pluma, Ravi Patel,Stevie Wonder,T-Pain, Vella Lovell and more.
Ahead of the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards airing on FOX at 8 p.m. ET on Monday, Ludacris caught up with PEOPLE about the hosting gig, his recent Super Bowl performance withUsherandLil Jon, fatherhood and upcoming music.
Ludacris performing in Miami in December 2023.John Parra/Getty
John Parra/Getty
How do you feel leading up to your first time hosting the iHeartRadio Music Awards, and what energy are you going to be bringing to the table?
When it comes to iHeart, it’s all about energy. It’s all about [viewers] seeing their favorite artists. It’s about blowing the roof off of this venue, man. I think that it’s just going to be fun because you have a great variety of people in here as well, so it should be good. And it’s right after Easter, so come on, man.
It’s shaping up to be massive with Beyoncé and Cher both set to accept major awards. What are you most looking forward to about the show itself?
The variety. I love that you got Jelly Roll on here, you got Lainey Wilson, you got Justin Timberlake. I’m not only hosting, but humbly speaking, I’m also performing. I just want to be a part of greatness. It’s so much talent, so much energy and so much stuff to look forward to — and some surprises as well.
Ludacris in Miami in May 2023.Jared C. Tilton/Getty
You’ve spoken recently about making new music. What can we expect from your performance — classics, new music or any surprises?
Man, we’re going to get classics for now, just because when it comes to iHeart, you only have a certain amount of time, so you want to hit them with the hits and make sure you leave them wanting more.
Will you bring out any guests?
I don’t know. It depends. That could be a surprise as well. We shall see.
Will your family be joining you at the ceremony on Monday?
Because it’s Easter, my family had plans to be elsewhere, so unfortunately they won’t be with me this particular timeframe.
Ludacris, Cadence, Cai, Karma, Chance and Eudoxie Bridges.Gilbert Flores/Variety/Getty
Gilbert Flores/Variety/Getty
How has life as a father been lately? You have daughters ranging from toddlers to 20-somethings, so I imagine it’s always eventful.
In February, you were a special guest with Lil Jon at Usher’s Super Bowl halftime show to perform “Yeah!,” which then became certified 13-times platinum. How did that moment feel, celebrating that massive record?
It’s one thing to make history with people that you know. It’s another thing to make history with friends, people you’ve known for so long. It is a different feeling, man. I don’t even know how to describe it. You want to do things with people that you love, and you want to make that type of history with those individuals.
Absolutely. Funny enough, whatever is the latest thing that I’ve done, whenever people see me in public, that’s what they address. But the Super Bowl has a little bit of a lasting effect, for sure. They’ll be like, “Oh, I just saw that movie you did. What’s up, Luda? Oh, I just heard that song, that feature. You killed that. Oh, I just saw you on Super Bowl.” Whatever the latest thing is I’ve done, that’s how people address me. It is a beautiful thing.
Ludacris, Usher, and Lil Jon perform during the Super Bowl in Las Vegas in February 2024.Kevin Mazur/Getty
Kevin Mazur/Getty
It’s been nine years since your last album,Ludaversal, came out. Does that timespan create any pressure as you make your next project?
It does, but at the same time, it’s good to take that time off. For someone who has over nine albums, I feel like it’s good to take that time off when you know you have more to give, but you have to pull from real life in order to truly reinvigorate, reinvent and reinforce the foundational elements of what Ludacris can do and what more I have to give. It becomes more and more difficult the more albums you come out with. So, in order to really dig deep, I just needed to take the time off to reinvigorate myself and pour full into this cup that has a lot more to give now.
You’ve collaborated with so many artists throughout your career, from Usher and Lil Jon to Fergie and Justin Bieber. Is there anyone you’d still like to work with?
I never did get a chance to collab with Justin Timberlake. That would be dope. Congratulations to him on his new album. You know, Fergie… They was just talking about howAdam Sandleris coming out withHappy Gilmore 2, and these classic, classic movies are now, 10, 15, 20 years later, just doing a sequel. We need to do the same thing with some of these collaborations that are considered as legendary as well. I think that’s a great idea.
source: people.com
