Get ready to step into Ludacris’ universe. The hip-hop mogul is readying his new album Ludaversal for release this year.

Luda is in the early stages of recording his eighth LP Ludaversal, the follow-up to last year’s Battle of the Sexes. The project is anticipated for a 2011 release. “I’m just getting started on it, so hopefully by the end of this year,” he told 102.7 KIIS FM’s Ryan Seacrest.

In the meantime, the rapper-turned-actor has been busy with his burgeoning Hollywood career. He will play a police officer in the ensemble dramedy New Year’s Eve co-starring Hilary Swank, Halle Berry, Jessica Biel, and Sofia Vergara, and also reprise his role in Fast Five.

“That movie is amazing. I guarantee you, if not No. 1, it will be top three movies of this year,” a confident Luda said of the fifth installment in The Fast and the Furious series, in theaters April 29.