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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.