Ludacris Busy Building An Empire

Ludacris is following the footsteps of P. Diddy and Jay-Z with a laundry list of projects, including a Web site, acting gigs and a show on the Planet Green network.

"It's my responsibility with the power that I have to show different sides of myself, not only my freedom of speech," the 30-year-old rapper told The Associated Press in a recent interview.

Ludacris, who is based in Atlanta, recently launched WeMix.com, where aspiring musicians can upload material, collaborate with others and receive feedback.

"This is a site where you can get your music heard," he said. "You put your original music on here, you can get feedback, and this is a new way for music industry executives to sit in the comfort of their own homes and look for artists."

The Grammy winner said he remembers how hard it was "trying to get into the music game myself."

"What's most important is that they don't have any pressure from the outside world; they can (upload) their original content with no one telling them how their music should be," he said.

Ludacris, whose real name is Christopher Bridges, said he's found country and alternative artists he may add to his Disturbing tha Peace imprint, distributed by Def Jam Recordings. "We're actually looking to sign some artists from the site already," he said.

He added: "I do feel that now there are alternative ways of making money. You've got touring, ringtones these days, so everything balances itself. As long as we continue to put out good, solid music, we'll sell records."

Meanwhile, Ludacris and Tommy Lee will star in Planet Green's "Battleground Earth," a series of competitions between the rapper and the rocker to determine who's the greenest.

"Tommy Lee and myself were two people who didn't have that much knowledge of being eco-friendly at first," he said. "I signed on because I wanted to learn (and) teach others."

"We're learning about alternative fuels, recycling, solar panels, eco-barrels, everything that you could possibly imagine to try and save the planet," he said.

Ludacris - whose screen credits include "Crash" and "Hustle & Flow" - also appears in several upcoming films, including "Max Payne," starring Mark Wahlberg, and "RocknRolla," directed by Guy Ritchie.

His new CD, "Theater of the Mind," is slated for release in September.