Ludacris

$75,000 – $90,000 per show*

First album: 2000

Latest album: 2006

Born Christopher Bridges, Atlanta-based rapper Ludacris rode the Dirty South movement to fame in 2000 with the single “What’s Your Fantasy?” off his debut album, Back for the First Time. Earlier that year, Ludacris had released the album independently, then titled Incognegro, but it was repackaged by Def Jam South after he signed with the label. The song quickly rose to No. 21 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart, laying the groundwork for Ludacris’s future success. Singles like “Stand Up” and “Money Maker” reached No. 1 on the Hot 100, while “Move Bitch,” “Southern Hospitality,” “Area Codes” and “Roll Out” climbed various top 10 charts. Ludacris has released five more albums since, including Chicken-n-Beer in 2003, which hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200. He has also collaborated with artists like Missy Elliot, Mariah Carey, Usher and Fergie. In 2003, Ludacris entered the world of film as Tej in “2 Fast 2 Furious.” In 2005, he played Anthony in the movie “Crash,” which later won three Oscars. Ludacris is the CEO of the Ludacris Foundation, formed about seven years ago. The foundation’s mission is to make a difference in the lives of youth nationwide. His latest album was 2006’s Release Therapy.

The Roots

$40,000 per show*

First album: 1993

Latest album: 2006

For The Roots, the seed was planted more than a decade ago when rapper Black Thought and drummer ?uestlove met at the same Philadelphia high school. After taking on bassist Hub and rapper Malik B., the group released Organix, an independent effort, in 1993. Known best for their eclectic, experimental hip-hop, which has built upon the “hip-hop band” movement pioneered by the group Stetsasonic, the Roots signed with DGC before releasing their major-label debut, Do You Want More?!!!??!, in 1995. They later acquired two new members: beatboxer Rahzel and Scott Storch. The record peaked outside Billboard’s Top 100, but Clones, released in 1996, entered the rap Top Five and their third album, Things Fall Apart, was met with critical and commercial acclaim. The Roots, whose energetic live performances are often hailed as the best in their genre, are planning to release a tenth album in April this year, called Rising Down.

Toots ‘ the Maytals

$15,000 – $20,000 per show*

First album: 1973

Last album: 2007

The oldest outfit to grace the stage at Matthews Arena this year, Toots ‘ the Maytals actually coined the term “reggae” in the title of their 1968 single “Do the Reggay.” Though the group formed in Kingston, Jamaica, in the early ’60s, they were simply called The Maytals until producer Byron Lee renamed them about 10 years later. Shortly after leader Frederick “Toots” Hibbert met Nathaniel “Jerry” Mathias and Raleigh Gordon, the Maytals released their debut album, “Hallelujah,” blending horns, Jamaican rhythms and gospel-style vocals. The album gave way for them to achieve commercial success in Great Britain with hits like “Dog War” and “Broadway Jungle.” During the decades, Toots ‘ the Maytals traded one producer for another, settling down in the early 1970s with legendary producer Leslie King, with whom the Maytals gained international acclaim for tracks like “54-46 That’s My Number” (referring to Hibbert’s prison number; he was arrested for smoking and possessing marijuana in 1966) and “Pressure Drop.” After King died, the group worked with producer Lee before breaking up in 1981. Hibbert pursued a successful solo career through the ’80s, and pieced together a new lineup – still called Toots ‘ the Maytals – in the early ’90s. In 2004, they released their major-label comeback, True Love, and released Light Your Light last year.

*Prices compiled from www.PrettyPolly.com