School Family

Whether you think rap music is a bad influence on kids or harmless fun, you’ve got to give a hand to Ludacris, who recently held a back-to-school fair for low-income kids in his hometown of Atlanta.

Whether you think rap music is a bad influence on kids or harmless fun, you’ve got to give a hand to Ludacris, who recently held a back-to-school fair for low-income kids in his hometown of Atlanta. The rapper and actor outfitted 200 kids with school supplies, provided free medical checkups, and gave away gift certificates so the kids could shop for name brand sneakers or athletic wear.

Luda, who made $16 million last year, is among hip-hop’s top earners. At the back-to-school event he told kids that sticking with school helped him attain success in his music career, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

For years parents have criticized rap for lyrics that promote promiscuity and glorify violence. But talking with the kids, Ludacris sent a message that parents can get behind.

The music business is 90 percent business and 10 percent music. You’ve gotta know how to write and do math and speak effectively, Ludacris told the kids. That’s why I’m so successful. I stayed in school.