20 rappers who starred in movies

Queen Latifah is arguably one of the most successful rappers and an in-demand and respected actor in Hollywood. In addition to being a Grammy Award winner, she holds an Emmy Award, a Golden Globe, and an Academy Award nomination. Some of the films she starred in include Set It Off, Bringing Down the House, Last Holiday, and Girls Trip. 

Will Smith was already a rising hip-hop star as one half of the duo DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince when he decided to get into acting. His first acting role started on television in which he starred in the sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. He soon took his talents to the silver screen and became a blockbuster actor in films like Independence Day, Bad Boys, Men in Black, and Ali. In 2021, Smith also starred in King Richard and won the Academy Award for Best Actor. 

Tupac Shakur was well on his way to becoming one of the biggest rap stars and actors before his tragic death. Fortunately, fans were able to see a little bit of his magic on the small screen with roles in Above the Rim, and starred alongside Omar Epps in Juice,  as well as Janet Jackson in Poetic Justice. 

While Ice Cube started his career as a member of rap group N.W.A. before setting off on a solo career, he’s also starred in a number of films. His first acting gig came in 1991 for the film Boyz n the Hood. He then got into screenwriting and production while also starring in the 1995 film Friday. Some of his other movies include Higher Learning, All About the Benjamins, Barbershop, and Ride Along. 

LL Cool J is another MC with an illustrious career across hip-hop and Hollywood. While Mr. “Rock the Bells” was releasing hits such as “Going Back to Cali” and “Around the Way Girl,” he’s also made quite a name for himself across the silver screen. Throughout his career, he’s starred in films such as Deep Blue Sea, Any Given Sunday, Last Holiday, and S.W.A.T.

While establishing himself as a rising rapper in the late ‘90s and 2000s, while also being Dr. Dre’s protégé, Eminem first took the acting scene with a small role in the 2001 film The Wash. However, it was the 2002 film 8 Mile , a semiautobiographical movie that showed Eminem could play a leading role. He starred alongside fellow actors Mekhi Phifer, Brittany Murphy, and Anthony Mackie.

If Ludacris decides to never release another album again, fans can always catch him in movies. Not only has he made a name for himself in the Fast and Furious franchise, but he’s also played roles in Crash, Hustle & Flow, The Ride, and Dashing Through the Snow. 

In addition to being a member of the Wu-Tang Clan and embarking on a solo career, Method Man started to venture into film in the late ‘90s. Some of the movies he played in were How High, Belly, Soul Plane, and Red Tails. 

Snoop Dogg is the type of rapper who believes in venturing out to other businesses and investments. In 1995, he started to dabble in the film world as he took on roles in films like Half Baked. However, his acting resume is more known for roles he’s played in Baby Boy and Training Day. 

A$AP Rocky got his first shot on the silver screen when he starred in the dramedy film Dope. Executive-produced by Pharrell Williams, Rocky starred alongside other actors including Shameik Moore, Kimberly Elise, and Zoe Kravitz. 

In 1998, DMX starred alongside fellow rapper Nas in their film debut Belly. Since then, DMX has gone on to take roles in films like Exit Wounds and Romeo Must Die. 

By the time T.I. took on acting, the self-proclaimed King of the South, was already heating up the charts with hit songs like “Bring Em Out,” “ASAP,” and “Rubber Band Man.” In 2006, he starred in his first movie ATL, alongside actors Lauren London and Keith David. He went on to take other roles in films such as American Gangster and Takers. 

During the mid-2000s, hip-hop duo Outkast were slowing down on releasing music. During that time, group member André 3000 started venturing into the acting world. He took on the role of Jeremiah Mercer in Four Brothers, played alongside John Travolta in Be Cool, and played Jimi Hendrix in a biographical film. 

With Common’s acting career, he’s known for venturing into different film types. Whether it’s a crime film like American Gangster, a romantic comedy like Just Wright, or an action thriller like John Wick: Chapter 2, Common shows how actors need to have some range to truly succeed in Hollywood. 

In 2001, Redman starred alongside his friend and collaborator Method Man in the comedy How High. Although the movie didn’t fare well with critics, the movie grossed over $30 million at the box office. 

When he was 13, Bow Wow had teens and tweens going crazy with his debut album Beware of Dog. A couple of years later, he got into more acting, starring in family-friendly films such as Like Mike, Johnson Family Vacation, and Roll Bounce. 

Nas hasn’t starred in many films, but one of his most prominent roles came in the 1998 movie Belly. Written and directed by noted music video director Hype Williams, the crime film also featured roles from Method Man and DMX. 

With Big Boi hailing from Atlanta, it made sense for him to play the character named Marcus in the 2006 film ATL. Throughout his film career, he’s also taken on roles in movies like Idlewild, Who’s Your Caddy?, and Superfly. 

Mos Def has taken his acting chops across television and film. Some of the movies he’s starred in include Monster’s Ball, Brown Sugar, and Cadillac Records.

Cam’Ron seems to take a liking to crime films, as those are the types of movies that he’s played in. In 2002, he made his film debut alongside Wood Harris and Mekhi Phifer in Paid in Full. He then went on to take roles in films like Paper Soldiers and State Property 2.