People: Ludicrous? Not in the least
Ludacris returned to his alma mater, stepped into a gymnasium – and saw a mural featuring his likeness.
“I’ve always wanted a street named after me, but this is better,” the 30-year-old rapper said of the mural, which includes his face overlooking the words “Gym of Dreams.”
Ludacris was welcomed back to Banneker High School in south Atlanta to participate in a crusade against violence.
He spoke at a ceremony Monday honoring a project by students who stuffed more than 1,000 anonymous letters on the topics of gang violence and rape into a black coffin.
The small gym was named for Christopher Bridges, Ludacris’ real name.
“I know a lot of us come from hard times, but it’s extremely important that you use your street knowledge and book knowledge to get to where you need to be,” he told students.
Ludacris and R&B singer Monica also planted two trees on the school’s front lawn.
“This is a way to show them how to stay on track,” she said. “There’s a lot of peer pressure out there in the world. But the tree symbolizes a fresh start.”
Ma will miss her Papoose
Meanwhile, a weeping Remy Ma was sentenced to eight years in prison Tuesday for shooting a woman outside a Manhattan nightclub in an argument over money.
The Grammy-nominated rapper, whose real name is Remy Smith, faced up to 25 years.
The sentencing was followed by a hallway outburst by her fiance, fellow rapper Papoose.
They planned to wed last weekend at Rikers Island jail, but officials called it off after Papoose showed up with a handcuff key.
Not so trigger-happy
Actor Dennis Farina, a onetime Chicago cop, faces felony charges after a loaded gun was found in his carry-on luggage over the weekend at Los Angeles International Airport.
The 64-year-old former “Law & Order” star told police he forgot the .22-caliber handgun was in his luggage. Authorities later learned the weapon wasn’t registered.
Now and forever?
A foreclosure auction scheduled today for Michael Jackson‘s Neverland Ranch was canceled after an investment company bought his loan, meaning he can keep it for now.
Jackson, who has struggled to pay his debts following his 2003 arrest on child molestation charges, went into default on the $24.5 million he owes on the 2,500-acre spread, which he turned into a miniature amusement park.
Well, pursuit yourself
Actress Drew Barrymore, who escaped injury when her car was rear-ended Monday in West Hollywood, followed the other driver and took down the license plate number.
While having the number is instrumental to tracking down a hit-and-run motorist, a police spokeswoman said, following someone after an accident “could be dangerous.”
The birthday bunch
Singer-bassist Jack Bruce (Cream) is 65. Director George Lucas is 64. Musician David Byrne (Talking Heads) is 56. Director Robert Zemeckis is 56. Actor Tim Roth is 47. Actress Cate Blanchett is 39. Director Sofia Coppola is 37. Actress Amber Tamblyn is 25. Actress Miranda Cosgrove (“Drake & Josh”) is 15.