Rapper Ludacris To Perform At MLB Civil Rights Game

ATLANTA - Award-winning and Atlanta-based Rapper and Actor Ludacris, plus a "special guest," will be performing on the field at Turner Field on Saturday, May 14 as part of 2011 Civil Rights Game Week. The scheduled one-hour performance will take place following that day's game between the Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies, which is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET.

Ludacris is one of music's premier entertainers, selling more than 12 million albums domestically, winning three and being nominated for 17 Grammy Awards. His versatility and artistic complexity enabled Ludacris to make a seamless transition to acting with acclaimed performances in film ("Crash" and "Hustle & Flow") and television ("Law & Order: Special Victims Unit"). His philanthropic efforts rival his entertainment accomplishments as he had previously partnered with "Crash" writer-director Paul Haggis and the Artists for Peace and Justice to help raise more than $4 million for Haitian relief efforts. Ludacris has also raised more than $100,000 for Atlanta flood victims through his The Ludacris Foundation, and recently partnered with a local Atlanta automobile dealer to give away 20 cars to people who have been adversely affected by the recession.

"I'm a fan of baseball, and I am honored to be a part of MLB's family and tradition of being a pioneering organization for civil rights and social justice and equity," said Ludacris. "I have studied the strides made in baseball and in sports, and the impact they have had on social issues affecting race and race relations in America. The Civil Rights Game Week is a celebration of those achievements and a reminder of our ongoing responsibility to continue leveling the playing field for all."

The Civil Rights Game Week consists of a four-day (May 12-15) series of events, which have been designed by MLB and the Braves to pay tribute to all of those who fought on and off the field for equal rights for all Americans. As home to many key leaders and organizations of the civil rights movement, and as a location for many of the movement's grassroots activities, Atlanta played a critical role in this period of American history. The Civil Rights Game will be played on Sunday, May 15 between the Braves and Phillies at Turner Field.