It’s always refreshing to hear hip hop artists who have longevity in the game take a walk down memory lane. Ludacris recently caught up with The Mogul Mixtapes podcast to chat about his impact in the industry, and during the discussion, the rapper touched on those early days prior to becoming an icon in the industry. Before he became a household name, Luda worked at a local radio station in Atlanta with the hopes that he could snag the attention of some of the bigwigs that came through the office.

Rich Fury / Stringer / Getty Images

“I had a plan that if I could become a regular fixture at this radio station, you have all these artists and producers that come through every single day,” Ludacris recalled. “It was only a matter of time before somebody latches on or at least I can get somebody to lend an ear to this music and give me some feedback so I can continue to get better. That, or actually wanting to sign me to a contract.”

He showcased a style that the industry wasn’t used to during a time when “gangsta rap” was on the rise. “I think I brought a certain light to hip hop that wasn’t necessarily always talking about having to shoot guns or the street life is great,” Luda added. He listed tracks that showed the versatility in his catalog including “Move B*tch,” “Southern Hospitality,” “Oh” with Ciara, and “Baby” with Justin Bieber. “It’s also okay to smile and laugh and actually joke around. I think that I brought a lot of different styles and continue to bring a lot of different styles in terms of flow that bring inspiration into a lot of different rappers, as well.” Listen to Ludacris talk about the evolution of his career and his impact on hip hop below.