Rappers Who Can Really Act
These double threats have changed the face of Hollywood.
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Will Smith - Call him the Sidney Poitier of rap for pioneering the prominence of the hip hop generation in Hollywood. His emotionally-packed performances in the films Pursuit of Happyness and Ali earned him the honor of being the first rapper nominated for an Oscar. (Photo: Dave Hogan/Getty Images)
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Queen Latifah - From rap music to Hollywood, Queen Latifah has always made sure ladies were first. Starting with her noted role in the bank heist classic Set It Off in 1996, Latifah built a film presence that would go mega after her singing role in the hit musical Chicago bestowed on her the honor of being the first female MC nominated for an Oscar. (Photo: Vince Bucci/PictureGroup)
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Big Boi - As a member of Outkast, Big Boi honed his acting chops playing low-key hustler to Andre 3000’s cosmic boho. This musical role translated well onto the big screen when Big Boi played the ever-scrambling Rooster in the beautifully shot 2006 film Idlewild. It also served him well playing neighborhood drug kingpin Marcus in ATL the same year. (Photo: Don Arnold/Getty Images)
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Xzibit - At a time when hip hop began enjoying the spoils of mainstream acceptance and media cache, Xzibit transferred his underground fame into film/TV stardom, acting in such films as XXX: State of the Union and hosting his own hit MTV show, Pimp My Ride. (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
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Tupac - His role as the gun-blazing, power-crazed Bishop in 1992’s Juice made America take notice of this rapper with immense acting chops (he’d studied the craft in high school). Not just the loose cannon (1996’s Above the Rim), Tupac also showed emotional depth/introspection (1993’s Poetic Justice) and a mature intensity (1997’s Gang Related and Gridlock’d). (Photo: Davila / Retna Ltd)
Photo By Photo: Bill Davila / Retna Ltd.
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50 Cent - With a life story that unfolds like a riveting urban noir, it was deftly accurate to not only bring it to the big screen, but that 50 play himself in the starring role. Thus Get Rich Or Die Tryin' became the title of both the rapper's classic LP and biopic, turning the rapper into a serious Hollywood thespian. Just peep the jarring pic of him in the upcoming flick Things Fall Apart. (Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
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Mark Wahlberg - After his breakthrough starring role in 1997’s Boogie Nights, Walhberg has been a member of Hollywood’s A-List, turning in critically hailed performances in such films as Martin Scorcese’s The Departed (for which he was nominated for an Oscar) and the self-producing The Fighter. (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
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Ice T - As the Radiotron club rapper in the iconic 1984 film Breakin’, Ice T gained national recognition as a hip hop star. But his memorable role as officer Scottie Appleton in the classic cocaine film New Jack City officially turned the rap superstar into a bonifide and respected actor. (Photo: Katy Winn/Getty Images)
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Eminem - Eminem’s acting career began as a means of expanding the demographic of the then-controversial rap megastar out to folks who had reservations about him. And what better way to reach those masses than a Rocky-esque hip hop film based on Eminem’s real life road to rap fame with Em as the lead. Thus, the box office smash 8 Mile and Eminem’s career as a serious actor was born. (Photo by Brad Barket/PictureGroup)
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Ice Cube - Ice Cube writing Eazy-E’s gritty hit "Boyz-N-the-Hood" didn’t just inspire change in rap music but the vehicle that launched his acting career. Since his classic portrayal of gangbanger Doughboy in Boyz nthe Hood, Ice Cube has since established himself as a notable Hollywood thespian, starring along side such A-listers as George Clooney and Mark Wahlberg. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
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Common - After his appearance in the quirky mob flick Smokin’ Aces in 2006, alternative rapper Common has been on the fast-track to carving out his space as an actor. His role as Turner Lucas in 2007’s American Gangster made critics take notice, leading to his starring role, along side Queen Latifah, in the 2010 romantic comedy Just Wright. (Photo by Angela Weiss/Getty Images for Virgin Unite)
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LL Cool J - In 1985, LL burst onto the national stage by playing himself in the classic hip hop flick Krush Groove, a role that launched his stardom as a rap artist. His hit 1995 sitcom, In The House, introduced America to LL’s comedic acting side. Though it would be his role as Julian Washington, the cocky NFL star, in 1999’s Any Given Sunday that would establish LL as both a national hip hop sex symbol and major film/TV actor. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images)
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Diddy - He’s conquered hip hop music, the fashion industry, and the liquor biz. So naturally Diddy would attempt to tackle acting… and succeed. This was especially the case after his surprising short but memorable role as Halle Berry’s hubby on death row in 2001’s Monster’s Ball. Diddy would also take Broadway playing Walter Lee (a role most associated with Sidney Poitier) in A Raisin In the Sun. (Photo by Mark Davis/Picture Group)
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T.I. - The Atlanta-bred rapper has quickly become an actor to watch, beginning with his instant break-out role as the stern but introspective Rashad in the 2006 hit ATL. Next, he’d deftly display his quiet intensity as Denzel Washinton’s co-star in American Gangster. Unfortunately, he’d return to jail before he could maintain the momentum of his immensely impressive role in the 2010 heist hit Takers. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
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Mos Def - Before becoming a star rapper, Mos Def was a TV actor. So the acting skills were there. But, of all thespian rappers, Mos Def is one of the most critically acclaimed actors of both film and stage. For his power-packed performance in the HBO movie Something The Lord Made, he was nominated for both an Emmy and Golden Globe Award. And he won an Obie Award for his performance in the off-Broadway play F-----n' A. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Photo By Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images
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