Release Therapy [PA]

Performer: Ludacris
Artist: Pharrell Williams; R. Kelly; Bobby Valentino; Young Jeezy
Engineer: Josh Houghkirk; Graham Marsh; Andros Rodriguez; Dylan Ely; James Czeiner; Lenny Mollings; Bryan "B" Baldwin; Tony Rey
Producer: Don Cheegro; Rich Skillz; Happy Perez; Andre Harris; Vidal Davis; The Neptunes; Trak Starz; Polow Da Don; The Runners; KenJo
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: Personnel: Cypress Fluellen, Jennifer Robinson (vocals); Lenny Mollings, Mike Hartnett (guitar); James Czeiner (strings); Phillip Stewart (saxophone); Craig King, Jason Perry (keyboards); George Stanley, Keri Hilson (background vocals). Audio Mixers: Vincent Dilorenzo; Andros Rodriguez; Phil Tan. Recording information: Chalice Recording Studio, LA, CA; Deadly Soundz Studio, New Orleans, LA; Ludaplex, Atlanta, GA; Maze Studios, Atlanta, GA; Nasty's Crib, Orlando, FL; Nexxus Media Group Studios, Dallas, TX; Right Track-Sound On Sound Recording, New York, NY; Studio 609 Recordings, Philadelphia, PA; The Chocolate Factory, Chicago, IL; The Field, Orlando, FL; Thug Mansion Studios, Atlanta, GA; Townhouse Studios, London, England; Trak Meet Studios, St. Louis, MO. Photographer: Christian Lantry. "Never scared to be different," as he puts it, Ludacris didn't need a deal to make a name for himself. He was already a homegrown star in the ATL--selling his self-produced, independent first album straight out of his trunk--before he got put on. But when he did get called up to the majors, he did it in a big way. As the first artist signed to Def Jam South, under the tutelage of Scarface, Luda effortlessly dropped hit after hit, including memorable collaborations with Nate Dogg, Pharrell, and Mystikal. Four major label LPs and a string of acting roles later, Ludacris returns with his fifth Def Jam effort, RELEASE THERAPY, which carries more than a few potential club anthems (most notably the Pharrel-produced banger "Money Maker") and asserts his spot among commercial hip-hop's top dogs. The guest-list features rap cameos from Young Jeezy, Field Mob, and Beanie Siegel, radio-friendly R&B hooks from R. Kelly, Bobby Valentine, and Mary J. Blige, and an MC's dream line-up of hitmakin' producers that includes Kanye West, Pharrell, Jermaine Dupri, and Rick Rubin.

Rolling Stone (p.132) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "[T]he therapy tunes are more convincing, particularly 'Runaway Love' -- a powerful song about women in bad situations that recalls Kanye West on 'Roses'." Spin (p.99) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "The anger is a new look for him, as is the role of political pundit or chronicler of social ills." Entertainment Weekly (p.78) - "His fifth major-label album offers enough fierce dis tracks and exuberant punchlines to all but ensure a top 10 debut." -- Grade: B- Vibe (p.158) - "RELEASE is his most serious work ever....Even the foreboding Billy Paul sample on the hook signals Luda's glimpse into corners previously avoided." XXL (Magazine) (p.149) - "Luda manages to deliver social commentary with equal skill..." XXL (Magazine) (p.137) - "Taking a curtain call of sorts, 'Cris was finally ready to get personal on wax."

Atlanta, Georgia-based rapper Ludacris was a local success story. As a former intern on an Atlanta radio station, he became known for his theatrical station IDs. In 2000 he parlayed this notoriety into a successful debut album that he self-marketed throughout the Southern states. The album caught the attention of Def Jam South label president Scarface, who signed Ludacris to be the first artist on the new label. Fitting into the Dirty South rap genre, Ludacris follows in the footsteps of Mystikal, Master P, and Silkk the Shocker.

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