Ludacris is able to check off one more bucket list accomplishment – having a role in a Super Bowl ad.
The Atlanta-based rapper-actor has a small but noticeable role in the Mercedes-Benz spot advertising the voice-activated specialties of its new A-Class line.
On Wednesday evening in Phipps Plaza, clad in a black and gray print suit, mirrored shades and gleaming white Fendi sneakers, Luda raised a fist and yelled, “That’s the greatest commercial ever!” after the clip debuted to small group gathered in a Mercedes pop-up store.
His 2003 song, “Stand Up,” is the musical backbone of the commercial as well – “Play it as many times as you want – I get the publishing!” he joked after the initial screening.
While the clip can be viewed now, its official premiere will be Super Bowl Sunday.
Ludacris said he filmed his role, which features a quick change from an opera singer performing to Luda rapping, over an eight-hour day in November at a downtown Los Angeles theater.
The longtime Mercedes owner said it’s “a dream come true for someone who started as a rapper and is now an all-around entertainer” to work with the company. “They’re embedded in the culture. People market it naturally because it’s a Mercedes,” he said.
Ludacris previously starred in a Pepsi spot in 2002 (which angered then-Fox News host Bill O’Reilly, who believed Luda “degraded women” and successfully lobbied to have the ad pulled).
The busy performer, who will play State Farm Arena Thursday night with a lineup boasting Migos, 21 Savage, Ciara, Lil Jon and many more, also worked with Mercedes to provide a pair of Super Bowl tickets to kids at Ron Clark Academy.
“(It’s) one of those schools that has a reputation for not only doing great social media posts that are positive, but you can tell they inspire other kids to be just as active, whatever the subject matter,” he said. “They all love the arts. It was great to work with them in terms of seeing what the future looks like.”
Asked for his game-day prediction, Ludacris smiled.
“I always go for the underdog,” he said. “So my hope is that the Rams win.”
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