Ludacris to Host 2014 Billboard Music Awards

Grammy-winning rapper and actor Ludacris has been announced as the host of this year’s Billboard Music Awards.

The Atlanta-based rapper is one of hip-hop’s all-time most successful artists, with 18 Hot 100 Top 10 singles (the third-most of any hip-hop musician) and 29 Top 10 singles on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. He has also produced five No. 1 albums on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Outside of music, Ludacris has appeared in acclaimed films like “Hustle & Flow” and “Crash,” in addition to a recurring role on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.” His outstanding resume makes him a perfect pick for this year’s BBMAs host.

Ludacris is currently in the midst of filming for “Fast & Furious 7” and working on his upcoming studio album “Ludaversal,” which is due out this fall.

Stars who will present awards alongside Ludacris include 5 Seconds of Summer, Ariana Grande, Florida Georgia Line, Iggy Azalea, Imagine Dragons, Jason Derulo, Jennifer Lopez, John Legend, Katy Perry, Lorde, Luke Bryan, Miley Cyrus, Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood, OneRepublic, Pitbull, Ricky Martin, Shakira, Chrissy Teigen, Danica McKeller, fun.’s Jack Antonoff, Josh Groban, Lucy Hale, Omar Epps, Phillip Phillips, Sarah Hyland, Shania Twain and Andy Dorfman (“The Bachelorette”).

The annual music celebration will include performances from Shakira, 5 Seconds of Summer, Florida Georgia Line, Imagine Dragons, Jason Derulo, Jennifer Lopez, John Legend, Lorde, Luke Bryan, Miley Cyrus, Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood, OneRepublic, Pitbull and Ricky Martin.

The 2014 Billboard Music Awards, which are produced by Dick Clark Productions, will be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena on ABC on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET. The “Samsung Galaxy Red Carpet LIVE! @ The 2014 Billboard Music Awards” two hour pre-show will live-stream on Yahoo at 6 p.m., with Lance Bass, Jordin Sparks and Ted Stryker as hosts for the event.