Written by Fredia Lucas
In 2000, as a dangly and mild-mannered six-year-old, I knew all the words to Ludacris’s debut single, “What’s Your Fantasy.” Big ups to my older cousins who watched 106 & Park in their early aughts era bedrooms and the local radio station, KMEL, reinforcing the message. In my defense, I only knew the radio edit, and conceptually the lyrics went over my head.
It was Ludacris’s cadence, comedic flow, and southern charm that I was enamored by. My fandom for Ludacris was persistent through the early 000s while listening to “Southern Hospitality” (2000), “Welcome to Atlanta” (2001), and “Stand Up” (2003). My passion for his music steadily grew through the “My Chick Bad” 2010 era, and I am proud to say it exists today. I’ll go even further to declare that Ludacris has been and continues to be one of my favorite rappers of all time.
Now at twenty-seven years old, I’m applauding Ludacris once again. Not for his musical expeditions but instead cheering Mr. Bridges on as he sets his sights on new creative endeavors and voyages to create a lasting legacy as a husband, father, world citizen, and Black entrepreneur.
“Karma’s World” details the life of a 10-year-old Black girl named Karma Grant
Congratulations are in order for the rapper, actor, producer, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and 3-time-grammy-winner Ludacris. Thus far, in 2021, Ludacris is expecting his fourth child with his wife, Eudoxie. He is celebrating the release of “F9”, the 9th installment in the Fast & Furious 20 year franchise history, and executive producing a new animated-musical-kid-series that will premiere on Netflix in fall 2021, “Karma’s World.”
In a statement released by Netflix, “Karma’s World” follows 10-year-old Karma Grant, an aspiring musical artist, and rapper with big talent and an even bigger heart. Smart, resilient, and deeply empathetic, Karma pours her soul into songwriting, channeling her feelings into whip-smart rhymes with passion, courage, and her signature brand of humor. In this series, Karma is only beginning to grasp the incredible emotional power that words and music can have. She doesn’t just want to share her music with the world...she wants to change the world with it!” Bridges, the show’s creator and executive producer, premiered an exclusive look of the series during the Kids and Family Sneak Peek at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival.
“Karma’s World” is formatted for children ages six to nine but will be engaging enough that parents won’t want to turn it off either. The animated series will include a library of original songs tackling emotional and complex issues like self-esteem, body positivity, discrimination, creativity, friendship, family, leadership, celebrating differences, and more. The catalog of songs is meant to engage the emotional intelligence of young viewers and give them the vocabulary to understand the circumstances in their lives and how best to solve problems.
It doesn’t hurt that the writer of monster hits like “Area Codes” and “Rollout (My Business)” is at the helm of “Karma’s World” sound design and music composition. In a recent interview with USA TODAY, Ludacris guaranteed that the original music will be age-appropriate for children and will undeniably slap. “A lot of kids love the present-day songs on the Hot 100 charts. “Karma’s World” music will be able to compete against those songs that are on the Hot 100 charts. So yes, it’s definitely children’s music, but it’s revolutionary children’s music in that it sounds current.” Bridges continued, “What I am saying is parents will probably like the songs even more than the children” There is no doubt in my mind that Ludacris will succeed in this effort. Then again, I’m not one to bet against Ludacris’s musical prowess, especially after seeing him annihilate Nelly in the 2020 “Verzus Battle.”
What makes “Karma’s World” incredibly heart-warming is that the series is inspired by Chris’s 19-year-old daughter, Karma, who expressed interest in rapping when she was a child. Bridges, a father to three young ladies, used his daughters Karma (age nineteen), Cai (age seven), and Cadence (age five) as the springboard for the episodic topics and themes for the series. “I thought about all the things that not only I went through as a child but also what my daughters are going through. I think I am almost a professional at parenting and understanding the different phases that not only human beings but young girls go through as well. It’s all about being there for them and loving them and letting them know that they can accomplish anything they want to in the world” (Ludacris, USA Today)
To say this project is a labor of love would be a vast understatement. “Karma’s World” has been in the works for over a decade stemming from the interactive educational website of the same name created in 2009 by Chris Bridges’s production company, “Karma’s World” Entertainment. Karmas’ World Entertainment is an entertainment media company dedicated to helping kids develop self-esteem, healthy living, creativity, and leadership skills through fun music and problem-solving educational programs, with an appreciation for diversity.
As a Black woman who intends to have "Very Black" children one day, I’m inspired by the opportunity to leave my wealth behind with my children to create a new generation of young Black heirs and heiresses. Bridges uttered a similar sentiment to Variety Magazine, “I’ve had a lot of accomplishments in my life, but everything that I’ve experienced seems to have led up to this point to where I can leave a legacy for all my daughters. “Karma’s World” is one of those legacies,”
Of course, a legacy isn’t just about leaving physical items behind. It is also a matter of how you raise the social consciousness of those that will come after you. Bridges accounted for that fact as well; he continues once more with Variety. “I hope this series will show kids that there are many ways to overcome difficult situations. This show is going to move hip hop culture forward and show young girls that they have the power to change the world.”
According to “Karma’s World” head writer Halcyon Person, viewers of “Karma’s World” have a lot to look forward to, including “the most beautiful Black hair texture ever seen on TV, diversity of hair texture, and diversity of skin tones to celebrate all types of characters.” Additionally, the writer acknowledged the overarching goal of the children’s program, “It’s truly authentic, and it truly shows real stories and real situations. There are not always easy answers. Things are complicated, just like real life is. And it shows kids a road map, and it models great behavior.”
As for Bridges, he wants to change children and their parents from the inside out. “Growing up, there were certain shows that helped build on our confidence, that we looked to as a form of entertainment but also to brighten our entire lives up. That is exactly what I want “Karma’s World” to do for many children and many people in this new generation. I think it is going to be something that will have a long-lasting impression on their soul.” (Chris Bridges, Hollywood Reporter)
As a long-time Ludacris fan, I am elated with how well he has guided his career from album releases, iconic musical features, participation in the #fastfranchise, and now with “Karma’s World.” Ludacris is a well-rounded example of how to leverage individual opportunities to create entirely new lanes of prosperity for your family, community, and the world. For all that Ludacris has done, it’s a safe bet that his daughters, under his tutelage, will do things even bigger and better. That is, in fact, the next portion of Ludacris’s master plan.
During the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, Bridges commented, “I believe Karma is going to be a much bigger artist than Ludacris has ever been.” Words said like a true #girldad.
“Karma’s World” is produced in partnership with Brown Bag Films (Doc McStuffins), its parent company, 9 Story Media, and “Karma’s World” Entertainment, Chris Bridges’s production company. The series will feature forty 11-minute episodes and is categorized as a coming-of-age tale meant to make kids and parents alike feel good. “Karma’s World” will debut on Netflix in the fall of 2021.
