Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, the Atlanta-based rapper, actor and philanthropist, is now a citizen of Gabon.
Ludacris shared the news on his Instagram page, posting a photo of him boarding a Gabonese helicopter and a video celebrating his dual citizenship.
“Starting My New Year off with Dual Citizenship! 🇬🇦 AFRICA IM OFFICIAL!! Momma & Kids Too. The Best Gift of the Decade 🥇Award goes to @eudoxie ✊🏽
#thebridges”
Related: Ludacris named Georgia State University artist-in-residence
The news got a shout out from singer and actor Tyrese, who referred to his friend as an “African American for real!!!!!!!!!”
Ludacris’ wife, Eudoxie Bridges, is a native of Gabon, which is located near the equator in Central Africa and borders the Atlantic Ocean.
Eudoxie Bridges is the founder of the Unspoken Angels Foundation, a nonprofit she started in 2013 to empower, support and educate girls and young women who have experienced verbal, sexual and physical abuse.
Related: Eudoxie Bridges forms nonprofit to help girls and young women
More: Ludacris marries longtime girlfriend
Gabon, which is slightly smaller than Colorado, gained independence from France in 1960.
The artist visited Gabon and Ghana as part of the 2019 “Year of Return,” which was launched by the president of Ghana as a way to encourage those in the African diaspora to reconnect with their African roots and also to encourage investment. It also marks a significant time in the trans Atlantic slave trade.
“Our ancestors never gave up Faith,” Ludacris posted in a photo showing him in front of the Male Slave Dungeon in Ghana. “You can never imprison our minds nor our spirits. They empowered me to Return. I have completed the cycle and I’m beginning a new Cycle. The Chains have been Broken and the indomitable resilience of African People Triumphs 🙏🏽 ✊🏽 #yearofthereturn.”
Other celebrities who have visited Ghana for the “Year of Return 2019” include Idris Elba, Boris Kodjoe, T.I., Tameka “Tiny” Cottle and Naomi Campbell.
