Universal Music Publishing Group Signs #1 Debuting CD, Multi-Platinum Rap Star LUDACRIS to Exclusive Worldwide Publishing Deal

Universal Music Publishing Group Signs #1 Debuting CD, Multi-Platinum Rap Star LUDACRIS to Exclusive Worldwide Publishing Deal LOS ANGELES, Dec. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- In an extremely competitive situation, Universal Music Publishing Group today announced the signing of multi-platinum rap star Ludacris to an exclusive worldwide publishing deal. His album debuts at # 1 on the SoundScan chart this week selling more than 322,000 copies. Ludacris' "Stand Up" proved to be the hit single on his 2003 offering, Chicken -N- Beer, claiming the #1 spot on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles, #1 Hot Rap Tracks, #1 Rhythmic Top 40, #1 Billboard Hot 100 and reaching top ten positioning in both Top 40 Mainstream and Top 40 Tracks. The album went on to grab the No. 1 slot on the Billboard Hot 100 Albums and the No. 1 slot on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (as did the 2001 Ludacris album Word of Mouf). Following a tradition of ruling the U.S. albums and singles charts, multi- platinum rap star Ludacris' follow-up CD, Red Light District (Def Jam), was released December 7th. The first single off the new album "Get Back" was released this week and entered on the Billboard Hot 100 R&B/Hip-Hop Singles. Ludacris was previously signed to EMI Music. Commented David Renzer, Worldwide Chairman, Universal Music Publishing Group: "I am so thrilled that in an incredibly competitive situation Ludacris chose UMPG as his publishing home. He is truly an industry leader and we warmly welcome him to the UMPG family." Through the deal, Universal Music Publishing Group successfully triumphed in a highly competitive bidding situation, acquiring rights beginning with the release of Red Light District (IDJ) to one of the rap industry's most in- demand performers, responsible for hit songs including, "Roll Out (My Business)," "Splash Waterfalls," "Saturday (Oooh Oooh!)," "Southern Hospitality," "Stand Up," and "What's Your Fantasy." In addition to a successful career in music, Ludacris is a noteworthy actor with roles in such films as Lil' Pimp, Crash, 2 Fast 2 Furious, The Wash and is currently filming Hustle & Flow (slated for 2005 release). His composer credits in feature films include You Got Served ("Stand Up"), Honey ("Stand Up"), Bad Boys II ("Rollout", "Move B*tch"), Hollywood Homicide ("Gossip Folks"), How High, Rush Hour 2 ("Area Codes"), 2 Fast 2 Furious ("Act A Fool"), and The Fast and the Furious ("Area Codes"). Ludacris also contributes talent to a wide variety of other artists and has executive produced on Chingy's "Right Thurr" and "Jackpot" in addition to collaborating on hits for everyone from Fat Joe, Ginuwine, Jermaine Dupri, Missy Elliot, Mariah Carey, Outkast, The Neptunes, Twista, Usher and more. Managed by Chaka, Ludacris joins UMPG's successful urban roster, which includes 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, Young Buck, Ice Cube, Prince, Mary J. Blige, Jill Scott, Brian McKnight, DMX, Raphael Saadiq, Swizz Beatz, Eve, Common, Musiq Soulchild, Mariah Carey, Floetry, Ashanti, Ja Rule, Eve, Miri Ben Ari, and Anthony Hamilton, among others. In August 2004, Universal Music Publishing Group was named BMI Urban Publisher of the Year. About Universal Music Publishing Group With 47 offices in 41 countries worldwide, Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) is part of the Universal Music Group and one of the industry's largest global music publishing operations. Owning or administering more than 1 million copyrights, UMPG's writers and catalogs include: U2, Shania Twain, 50 Cent, Dave Grohl, Prince, Diana Krall, Godsmack, Ice Cube, Vanessa Carlton, Mary J. Blige, The Corrs, Eve, Musiq, Jill Scott, Brian McKnight, No Doubt, Blink-182, 3 Doors Down, Beastie Boys, Anastacia, Fatboy Slim, DMX, Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Paul Simon, the catalog of Henry Mancini, among many others. For more information, visit: www.umusicpub.com. Source: Universal Music Publishing Group CONTACT: Heather Brown, Dir. of Marketing and Communications of Universal Music Publishing Group, +1-310-235-4870, heather.brown@umusic.com Web site: http://www.umusicpub.com/ ------- Profile: International Entertainment