Move over: Ludacris got somethin’ to say

Some call him Ludacris, some call him Mr. Wiggles. But now, with a slew of television and movie appearances under his belt, there’s a new name to describe rap star Chris “Ludacris” Bridges: actor. \nThe Atlanta native has successfully made the jump from rap music to film and television, most recently resulting in an invitation back for another episode of NBC’s “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit”. Bridges first appeared on the show for two episodes in 2006 and will make a return appearance in the May 22 episode.\nBridges and “Law and Order: SVU” executive producer Neal Baer discussed the appearance during a conference call Wednesday afternoon.\n“When we did the show with him last year we did an episode called ‘Venom’ and we’ve never brought a character back a year later to continue a story,” Baer said of Bridges. “But we were so impressed by his work that Judy McCreary, who’s the writer of that episode, crafted an episode specifically for him, to bring him back. That’s how impressed we were with his ability.”\nBridges will reprise his role as Darius Parker in the episode, the step-son of fellow rapper Ice-T’s character, Det. Odafin “Fin” Tutuola. Bridges’ character will be on trial a year later for the murder of a woman and her baby.\nDespite working on the set with a fellow rapper, Bridges said that during filming, music is simply set aside.\n“When we’re on the ‘SVU’ set, it’s just all about the acting,” he said. “(Ice-T and I) might tell old stories, old tour stories and things of that nature. But we don’t focus on music when we’re on the set.”\nBridges now has nearly half a dozen movie and television appearances to his name, including a widely acclaimed role in the hit movie “Crash” and a breakthrough role in “2 Fast 2 Furious.” The rap star said that despite never receiving any acting lessons, his move from music to movies – and then to television – was fairly easy.\n“Breaking into TV was a great transition,” Bridges said. “I feel like with me doing all the videos and being in front of the camera, I feel like half the battle is being comfortable in front of the camera while there are a thousand people standing behind it. It was a great transition, I must say.”\nTwo days before the airing of the “Law and Order” episode though, Bridges will make a much different sort of television appearance. \n“I have a small cameo on ‘The Simpsons,’” he said. “I haven’t seen (my character) yet, that’s the crazy thing. I did the voice for the mock up, but I haven’t seen the finished version. I’ll be just as surprised as everyone else.”\nThough film and television have become a big part of his life now, Bridges has not forgotten his roots as a musician. The artist currently holds the No. 1 spot on the R&B charts for the song “Runaway Love”, which he performed live with Mary J. Blige and the group Earth, Wind & Fire.