The Atlanta emcee dropped his seventh solo LP, Battle of the Sexes, back in March. B.O.T.S. debuted at number one (Luda’s 4th album to do so) and spawned two hits singles, with “How Low” and “My Chick Bad.” Luda maintained his fledgling acting career as well, starring alongside Jude Law and Forest Whitaker in Repo Men.

Diversifying his brand, Ludacris collaborated with Norwegian cognac house Birkedal Hartmann to create Conjure cognac in 2009, and also signed an endorsement deal with TAG body spray. CNN also tapped the rapper to participate as a judge to help name ten individuals to be honored on "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute."