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The N Signs Development Deal With Ludacris

[via press release]

The N Inks Development Deal With Actor/Platinum Award-Winning Recording Artist/Composer – Chris ‘Ludacris’ Bridges

NEW YORK, Nov. 1 – The N, the nighttime network for teens, has signed a development deal with actor and platinum-selling recording artist/composer/producer Chris “Ludacris” Bridges. The network has tapped the star for his first-ever television project, entitled Halls of Fame, in which he will serve as executive producer and will write and perform original music for each episode. He will also guest star in a recurring on/camera roll. Dallas Jackson, a producer with 20th Century Fox based Davis Entertainment will also serve as Executive Producer. Amani Walker is a producer on the project.

“We’re thrilled to have this multi-talented artist bring his edge and creativity to such an exciting project,” said Essie Chambers, Vice President, Development, The N. “Teens love and respect Chris ‘Ludacris’ Bridges, and we’re honored that he has chosen The N as his first broadcast network partner.”

“The N has long been at the forefront of television programming for the teen audience. Their shows are insightful and smart and I’m happy to be joining with the network to create good programming for my teenaged fans. Halls of Fame promises to be a realistic journey into how young people can get started in the entertainment business,” said Chris ‘Ludacris’ Bridges.” “It’s about working hard and being dedicated toward your goals and will hopefully help to empower more kids into believing that they too can realize their dreams. Whether it’s music, fashion, dancing or acting – everyone has to start somewhere. Hopefully this program will show teens one way to go about it as well as the realistic obstacles they’ll come up against. And there’s no better place than The N for this show!”

Driven and inspired by today’s hottest music, the series features multi- talented students attending the Philadelphia High School of Performing Arts. At the center are two sisters; 21-year-old singing phenomena Starla and 15- year-old aspiring fashion designer Taylor. New in town and desperate to join the ranks of the gifted and artistic, the sisters find themselves up against their demanding teachers, cutthroat competition, new relationships and each other. The juicy drama of high school collides with the pressures to find love, family and fame.

It has only been two years since the release of “The Red Light District” and acclaimed rapper Chris “Ludacris” Bridges has gone through more than a few personal changes. From dealing with “haters” spitting in his direction to presenting on the Oscars, 28-year-old Ludacris continues to mature as a man and an artist on his fifth solo disc “Release Therapy.”

Ludacris put his experiences of being not just an artist in “Release Therapy,” but also reveals some of what he has learned as CEO of Disturbing Tha Peace Records, Founder of The Ludacris Foundation as well as forging a new identity as a critically acclaimed and well-respected actor. 2006 has seen tremendous movement for Bridges in all facets of his life. Under his watch at DTP Records, a collection of talented and diverse artists will all release albums this year. The roster includes: Shawnna (the dynamic Chicago bred female rap star), Bobby Valentino (the smooth R&B platinum selling singer), Field Mob (the groundbreaking hip hop duo) and the newest addition to the DTP family, Shareefa (the soulful and sultry R&B rising songbird). In his burgeoning film career, Chris took home both a Screen Actor Guild Award and a Critics Choice award for his performance in CRASH and won rave reviews for his turn on NBC’s Law & Order: SVU — a role he will reprise next year. His Ludacris Foundation continued to grow and raised over half a million dollars towards helping kids to empower themselves.

With “Release Therapy,” Ludacris releases a classic disc that rises to the top of the hip-hop heap and firmly establishes him as one of the most insightful lyricist of his generation. Yes, this is what rap music has been waiting for since the beginning of the millennium.

The N, the nighttime network for teens, is a programming arm of MTV Networks and is currently available in 52 million households via cable, digital cable and satellite television. The N’s mission is to be the authentic voice for teens and help them figure out their lives with relevant, topical programming on-air and online at the network’s web site www.the-n.com. The N airs everyday from 6:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. (ET). The N and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom International Inc.