Rapper and entrepreneur Ludacris was honored with an honorary degree from Georgia State University on May 4. The recording artist, whose real name is Christopher Brian Bridges, attended the college in the 1990s before landing his recording contract. Bridges, who also has a successful career in acting, posted a video on Instagram to share the news.
The 44-year-old artist captioned the post, “IT’S OFFICIAL ‼️‼️ Class Of 2022 STAND UP!!! @georgiastateuniversity LUDA-CUM-LAUDE.”
“Yeah, that’s right. You see it,” he began. “From now on, with all due respect, and remember I said with all due respect, y’all gonna have to call me Georgia State University Graduate Chris Ludacris Bridges, Okay? Mama. I made it! We did it! Class of 2022. Yes, it took a long a– time, but d–n it, I made it.”
The Grammy-winning recording artist told the more than 800 degree recipients that his time at Georgia State University boosted his confidence while pursuing his music career.
“My time on campus sharpened my skills,” he said. “It gave me confidence that my path was preordained. That I was exactly where I was supposed to be. Doing exactly what I was supposed to be doing. Though I left school I was never gone because this institution had become a part of me. It was a part of my fabric and DNA. My heart never strayed far from its steps and my commitment to someday return, and finish, was ever-present.”
He added, “My pledge is to continue my support of the university and to live up to its standards. Hopefully, I will continue to make you proud and be an example of Georgia State’s determination and resilience.”
Georgia State University also revealed the news and shared a video of Ludacris giving the commencement speech on Twitter. “‘Nobody said life would be easy, but I promise living in your WHY will make life worth it.’ – @Ludacris ’22. Congratulations Class of 2022! #TheStateWay #GradSeason #Graduation2022.” Bridges has become a heavily involved member of the Georgia State community in recent years.
GSU says Bridges has been involved with the school community for years, including in 2019 when he joined the institution’s Creative Media Industries Institute as an artist-in-residence. That experience allowed him to share with students, among other things, his insights on the industries of film and music.
