Surprising Post-Rap Careers

MC Serch is back, but this time with a daytime talk show.

MC Serch - As a member of 3rd Bass and an essential figure in Nas’ early career, MC Serch has cemented himself a place in hip-hop history. And if his latest venture is successful, he may have a place in television history, too. This week, his new daytime talk show, Serch, debuted via CBS. While it's not his first foray in TV (The White Rapper Show and Miss Rap Supreme), it is a surprising new venue for the veteran rapper. Read on for more interesting twists in rappers' careers.(Photo: Shareif Ziyadat/FilmMagic)

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MC Serch - As a member of 3rd Bass and an essential figure in Nas’ early career, MC Serch has cemented himself a place in hip-hop history. And if his latest venture is successful, he may have a place in television history, too. This week, his new daytime talk show, Serch, debuted via CBS. While it's not his first foray in TV (The White Rapper Show and Miss Rap Supreme), it is a surprising new venue for the veteran rapper. Read on for more interesting twists in rappers' careers.(Photo: Shareif Ziyadat/FilmMagic)

Ma$e, @MasonBetha - Tweet: "Thanks for all u supporters who inspire me. Here u go. Enjoy. If u love MA$€ u will love this  RT…"Ma$e is at it again. The former Bad Boy just dropped his new single, "Why Can't We," for all the fans who've been impatiently awaiting the Harlem heater's return. #welcomeback(Photo: Johnny Nunez/Getty Images)

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Ma$e - The former Bad Boy rapper shocked fans and peers when he left the limelight at the height of his success to become a pastor. He opened up his own church in Atlanta and began a new chapter of his life as a preacher. On occasion, though, Ma$e will get back on the hip hop mic, and has even been entertaining the idea of signing with Drake's OVO Sounds.(Photo: Johnny Nunez/Getty Images)

Uncle Luke - Best known for his work with 2 Live Crew — which often proved controversial and was even involved in a Supreme Court case — Luther Campbell surprised many when he took a turn as a politician. In 2011, the Florida native ran for mayor in Miami-Dade, taking home 11 percent of the vote.(Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

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Uncle Luke - Best known for his work with 2 Live Crew — which often proved controversial and was even involved in a Supreme Court case — Luther Campbell surprised many when he took a turn as a politician. In 2011, the Florida native ran for mayor in Miami-Dade, taking home 11 percent of the vote.(Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

Tracey Lee - After enjoying some commercial success with the 1997 single “The Theme (It’s Party Time),” Tracey Lee left the music industry to become a lawyer. His experience in the industry prompted him to go to law school, and he’s been an attorney specializing in contracts and entertainment law since 2007. (Photo: Tracey Lee via Instagram)

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Tracey Lee - After enjoying some commercial success with the 1997 single “The Theme (It’s Party Time),” Tracey Lee left the music industry to become a lawyer. His experience in the industry prompted him to go to law school, and he’s been an attorney specializing in contracts and entertainment law since 2007. (Photo: Tracey Lee via Instagram)

Charlie Brown - In the early 1990s, Charlie Brown emerged as a member of the Leaders of the New School, a group which also included Busta Rhymes. However, after the group parted ways in the mid-'90s, Brown spent more than a decade writing jingles for commercials.(Photo: Steve Eichner/WireImage)

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Charlie Brown - In the early 1990s, Charlie Brown emerged as a member of the Leaders of the New School, a group which also included Busta Rhymes. However, after the group parted ways in the mid-'90s, Brown spent more than a decade writing jingles for commercials.(Photo: Steve Eichner/WireImage)

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Christopher "Play" Martin - Once known for his lighthearted rhymes and partying antics as a member of Kid 'n Play, Christopher "Play" Martin went from class clown to front of the class in 2011. That year, he joined Florida A&M University as a professional-in-residence at the Institute for Hip Hop and Music Industry Studies, where he co-taught a course and lent his hand to developing programming for the college TV station.(Photo: PNP/WENN.com)

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Christopher "Play" Martin - Once known for his lighthearted rhymes and partying antics as a member of Kid 'n Play, Christopher "Play" Martin went from class clown to front of the class in 2011. That year, he joined Florida A&M University as a professional-in-residence at the Institute for Hip Hop and Music Industry Studies, where he co-taught a course and lent his hand to developing programming for the college TV station.(Photo: PNP/WENN.com)

Vanilla Ice - Vanilla Ice has made headlines for all sorts of reasons since he blew up with “Ice Ice Baby” in 1990. Most peculiar, however, may be his venture The Vanilla Ice Project, which is a reality TV show on the DIY Network that finds Ice undertaking home improvement projects.(Photo: Leon Bennett/BET/Getty Images for BET)

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Vanilla Ice - Vanilla Ice has made headlines for all sorts of reasons since he blew up with “Ice Ice Baby” in 1990. Most peculiar, however, may be his venture The Vanilla Ice Project, which is a reality TV show on the DIY Network that finds Ice undertaking home improvement projects.(Photo: Leon Bennett/BET/Getty Images for BET)

Rhymefest - This is not very surprising for anyone that knows Che "Rhymefest" Smith. The dude is opinionated. However, since taking home a Grammy Award for co-writing Kanye West's "Jesus Walks," Smith has turned his attention to battling the social issues that plague his native Chicago. After falling short on his bid to be elected a city Alderman in 2011, Smith is now set to launch a new radio talk show to address issues that impact inner cities. He hasn't given up his music completely, however. Fest plans on putting out a book and new album this year.(Photo: Paul Natkin/WireImage)

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Rhymefest - This is not very surprising for anyone that knows Che "Rhymefest" Smith. The dude is opinionated. However, since taking home a Grammy Award for co-writing Kanye West's "Jesus Walks," Smith has turned his attention to battling the social issues that plague his native Chicago. After falling short on his bid to be elected a city Alderman in 2011, Smith is now set to launch a new radio talk show to address issues that impact inner cities. He hasn't given up his music completely, however. Fest plans on putting out a book and new album this year.(Photo: Paul Natkin/WireImage)

Sadat X - As a prominent member of esteemed group Brand Nubian, Sadat X established himself within hip-hop music in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The New York native shifted gears, though, and became a special education teacher for elementary school kids.(Photo: WENN)

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Sadat X - As a prominent member of esteemed group Brand Nubian, Sadat X established himself within hip-hop music in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The New York native shifted gears, though, and became a special education teacher for elementary school kids.(Photo: WENN)