0
0
Hip-Hop or Rap is a great musical genre. Those who can spit that hot fire on the mic sometimes find success in acting. Sometimes both skills go hand in hand. Through the years or decades since the inception of rap and hip-hop in the world, more rappers have made the jump to acting. Going from being creative on the mic, many expand their brands and venture out into the world of acting. Not all rappers find success but for the ones that do, they leave rapping behind and become an even bigger star. Here are the top 10 rappers who made the jump and found success on the big screen.
#10: Yasiin Bey
You might know Yasiin Bey as his former name Mos Def. Bey dropped a few albums but Black on Both Sides is a must listen to. As an actor, Bey starred in many films that showed his range and are fun to watch. You need to watch Cadillac Records, The Italian Job, Brown Sugar and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. One of his funniest roles is playing Gangstalicious in The Boondocks.
#9: Donald Glover aka Childish Gambino
Donald Glover aka Childish Gambino has done it all and is one of the best in the industry right now. He was hired by Tina Fey to write 30 Rock at 23 and then gained fame in the NBC sitcom Community. He also starred in the brilliant and funny Atlanta which he created. Glover has also appeared in several films from The Lazarus Effect, The Martain and played Lando in Solo: A Star Wars Story. As a singer who goes by the name Childish Gambino, Glover has dropped a monster hit in “This is America” which won Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Rap/Sung Performance, and Best Music Video at the Grammys. Glover still is just getting started and can’t wait to see what he comes up with next.
#8: Ludacris
“What’s Your Fantasy?!?!” Luda!! Came on the scene from Hotlanta or the ATL with “What’s Your Fantasy” and followed that up with “Southern Hospitality.” Luda brought his own rap style that was fun and fast. He dropped hit after hit with each album. Naturally, he decided to try his hand at acting. He is best known as Tej Parker in the long running Fast and Furious series. Luda is one of the few rappers to be part of an Academy Award winning film with his role in Crash. He has also appeared in Gamer, New Year’s Eve and Max Payne.
#7: Common
Common is probably one of the most accomplished as he won awards such as a few Grammys, an Academy Award, an Emmy and a Golden Globe. Dude only needs a Tony, and he would reach the illustrious EGOT status. Common music is one of the best with his flow and lyrics. Common has also jumped into acting with roles in Smokin’ Aces, John Wick 2, Wanted and starred in AMC western series Hell on Wheels. Common has done it all and is still getting started. He needs to go after that Tony.
#6: Ice-T
Ice-T is one of the few or maybe only rappers to making a song and then playing that character the song is about. Ice-T is a rapper and heavy metal singer. Man is crossing all genres. What I was saying is that, Ice-T made a track called “Cop Killer” where the lyrics is about killing cops. When he switched over to acting, he got his break in New Jack City playing a cop and since 2000 has played NYPD detective/sergeant Odafin Tutuola Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Sometimes you don’t know where life will take you.
#5: LL Cool J
Ladies Love Cool James needs to be on this list and honestly in the top 5. One of the best rappers to go to acting. LL Cool J has been dropping hits and starring in films for such a long time that he needs his flowers. Having Classic songs such as “I Need a Beat,” “Mama Said Knock You Out,” and “I’m Bad.” LL is up to fourteen albums that he has released. When he made the jump to films, he seems like a natural. You can see him in such films as Any Given Sunday, S.W.A.T, In Too Deep, Deep Blue Sea and many others along with television. He doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon.
#4: Tupac Shakur
“A’int nuthin like a gangsta party!!! I would put this legend at #2 because I believe he was iconic in his roles, but his life was tragically cut short at 25 years old. Just think about that for a second. Shakur had such a major impact in music and his film and only at 25. He was just getting started and would’ve reached new levels if he lived. Known for his lyrics and messages while bringing along gangsta rap, he made his breakthrough in film as Bishop in Juice. Out of all the artists on this listen, his music is still influential today.
#3: Queen Latifah
The Queen is here!!! Queen Latifah shows that a strong, black woman can dominate the rap game and then dominate the acting game. Latifah started her rap career at 19 when she dropped her debut album. Her third album brought stardom as it was the first album to go gold by a solo female rapper. Latifah moved to acting and she went on a tear after her breakout role of Set It Off. She continued her acting career with starring in the great Living Single. During her acting career she managed to nap an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress. This is why you bow down to the QUEEN.
#2: Ice Cube
I had the pleasure of meeting Ice Cube, and he is larger in life in person. This is Ice Cube we are talking about. He is without a doubt one of the most successful rappers to actors. Cube came on the scene hard and with ferocity with his lyrics on N.W.A’s album Straight Outta Compton which helped the rise of gangster rap and an instant classic album. Cube started his career in the early 90s as he had his breakout as Doughboy in John Singleton’s Boyz n the Hood. From that point, Cube has performed in classic films such as Friday, Barbershop, Ride Along and many more. Cube is still the greatest representative of L.A.
#1: Will Smith
Will Smith is the standard of going from rapper to actor status. Not just a regular actor but a superstar actor. Smith started as the MC of the hip-hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince. With songs such as “Parents Just Don’t Understand” and “Summertime,” Smith seemed poised to take over the music game until he starred in the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. From that series, Smith went on to become one of the biggest stars ever. July 4th weekend was dedicated to Smith where he dropped Independence Day and Men in Black. Smith went on to star in Bad Boys, and many others but also won the Academy Award for Best Actor in King Richard.
