It’s Ludacris — really, it is.

University Program Council’s Live Acts committee revealed its artist Wednesday, April 2 for the annual spring concert and it is none other than the Grammy award winning rapper and actor.

With SGA President-elect Keke Greer spinning the beats as DJ Keeks and plenty of snacks for partygoers, UPC members distributed CDs at Memorial Amphitheatre containing a 30-second song clip and information about this year’s concert. The concert is set for Tuesday, April 29 at 7 p.m. in Norton Auditorium.

“Everything was finalized the Friday before spring break started,” said Alonzo Dukes, chairperson of the Live Acts committee. “All contracts have been signed by everyone and we’re excited to move forward.”

Walter Hartley, vice president of UPC, is pleased with the committee’s selection this year. Though Ludacris is not set to release a new album until 2015, Hartley said having an artist as well known as him is a big plus.

“When you think about it, most people who are in college right now have probably at least heard of Ludacris or grew up listening to his music,” he said. “He’s a seasoned rapper and I think that will help him reach a broader audience. Plus, since he doesn’t really have any new stuff out I’m hoping he will perform his classics that everyone already knows.”

UPC members secured a maximum budget of $150,000 for this year’s concert, after petitioning the other branches of the Student Government Association for funds from their rollover account, said UPC Adviser Tyler Thompson in an earlier interview with The Flor-Ala.

The final agreement in the contract was between $88,000 and $90,000, Dukes said.

While UPC members did secure a larger budget than what they spent on last year’s $60,000 concert, Thompson said UPC’s goal is not to make money or turn a profit from ticket sales. There are risks involved with artists potentially not showing up to the concert, as well as little costs associated with the show.

“If we can’t pay the entire bill with what we already have, we won’t sign the artist,” Thompson said.

Extra funds will be used on marketing and public relations for this year’s concert, Dukes said. He and his committee members have worked with 413 Media to put together a marketing campaign, including announcements on radio stations in Florence, Huntsville and Birmingham, as well as promotional videos to be shown around campus for the launch party and the concert itself.

“Marketing and visibility are big goals with this concert,” he said. “That’s really what it’s all about.”

The committee putting together the concert is one of the best Hartley has seen during his time with UPC, he said.

“I feel like they really did their research this year and knew what they were getting into,” he said. “Even though they didn’t get their first choice and Plan A — or even Plan B — they continued to work hard.”

Dukes agrees and said his committee put a lot of hard work into the planning and execution stages so far.

“There’s a lot of talent in UPC, but this committee is great,” Dukes said. “I’m the type of person, I like to do things big or go home, and they have been with me every step of the way.”

Dukes said he was notified early last week that the opening act for the concert will be Two-9, an Atlanta-based rap group secured through UPC’s entertainment agency.

Student tickets will be free for those with a Mane Card and available for pick-up April 3 and 4 in the GUC. Tickets will also be offered in the Office of Student Engagement and will be on sale to the general public Thursday, April 10 for $20.