With the 2015 MTV Movie Awards in the bag and us getting naturally excited for Queen Latifah’s portrayal in the upcoming HBO drama Bessie, we felt it was time to give you the undisputed list of the best rappers turned actors ever.
Starting with the G-G-G-Unit general.
IPA/WENN
20. 50 Cent
Winning Roles: Home of the Brave (2006), Get Rich or Die Tryin’ (2005), All Things Fall Apart (2012)
Fiddy’s work ethic and willingness to take on a wide range of roles allowed him to beat out other visible rap stars such as Nelly and Diddy on our countdown.
WENN
19. Snoop Dogg
Winning Roles: Training Day (2001), Baby Boy (2001), Mac & Devin Go to High School (2012)
The Boss Dogg never morphed into an Oscar potential candidates but he doesn’t need to. He’s Snoop Dogg.
WENN
18. Bow Wow
Winning Roles: Roll Bounce (2005), Lottery Ticket (2010), The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006)
Shad Moss doesn’t get anywhere near the credit he deserves for technical acting ability but that hasn’t slowed his hustle. Catch him on the new CSI: Cyber.
WENN
17. DMX
Winning Roles: Belly (1998), Cradle 2 the Grave (2003), Romeo Must Die (2000)
For a minute there, it appeared X was going to become the Black Steven Seagal but real-life struggle got in the way. There’s still no denying his cure for boredom on a random Saturday afternoon, though.
Judy Eddy/WENN
16. Method Man
Winning Roles: HBO’s The Wire (2003-2008), How High (2001), Red Tails (2012)
Meth’s natural charisma has kept him employed behind the silver screen for decades.
Joel Ginsburg/WENN
15. Eminem
Winning Roles: 8 Mile (2002)
Marshall Mathers is his own worst enemy in regards to his filmography but he did bless Hip-Hop with a classic flick, which is easier said than done.
Judy Eddy/WENN
14. Ludacris
Winning Roles: Crash (2005), The Fast & Furious Franchise , Hustle & Flow (2005)14. Ludacris
Luda’s adheres to his strengths as a supporting actor but he’s no second fiddle.
C.Smith/ WENN
13. RZA
Winning Roles: American Gangster (2007), Funny People (2009), Brick Mansions (2014)
The Abbott has expanded his repertoire since Ghost Dog and now has undercover cop, crazy rapper (Californication) and Black terrorist under his kung-fu belt.
JD/WENN
12. T.I.
Winning Roles: American Gangster (2007), ATL (2006), Takers (2010)
Jailhouse blues has stunted Tip Harris’ Hollywood shuffle a bit but look for him to get that stride back with upcoming appearances in the Entourage movie and Marvel’s Ant-Man.
WENN
11. Common
Winning Roles: Selma (2014), Wanted (2008), Just Wright (2010)
The Chicago legend doesn’t rest on his looks to get him by on the big screen. All the better for him to keep pushing rap to the side for those acting checks.
WENN
10. Eve
Winning Roles: Barbershop (2002), Barbershop 2: Back in Business (2004), Eve (2003–2006)
The former Ruff Ryder held it down on network television for years, making her one of the most believable rap actors ever. Her appearances have slowed in the past few years but she still has the undeniable chops.
WENN
9. André 3000
Winning Roles: Four Brothers (2005), Semi-Pro (2008), Jimi: All Is by My Side (2013)
Three Stacks’ acting bug ultimately did Outkast in but at least he does the damn thing when the movie is less than stellar. (We’re looking at you, Jimi.)
WENN
8. Ice-T
Winning Roles: New Jack City (1991), Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1909-), Leprechaun in the Hood (2000)
Ice Tracy has played a cop forever, allowing kids like Soulja Boy forget he actually raps. Still, he always managed to differentiate the two personas.
Getty Images
7Winning Roles: Juice (1992), Poetic Justice (1993), Above the Rim (1994)
7. Tupac Shakur
Thanks to his passionate soul, Pac was well on his way to becoming a force to be reckoned with in Hollywood. As we all know, everything go cut short on September 13, 1996.
WENN
6. Mos Def
Winning Roles: Something the Lord Made (2004), Cadillac Records (2008), 16 Blocks (2006)
Like his musical career, Yasiin Bey’s acting skills are as versatile as they come. Blame the latter for disrupting the former’s flow.
WENN
5. LL Cool J
Winning Roles: In Too Deep (1999), S.W.A.T. (2003), Deliver Us from Eva (2003)
Whether it’s a rom-com, action flick, horror movie or network television, Uncle L can do it and he does it well.
WENN
4. Queen Latifah
Winning Roles: Set It Off (1996), Chicago (2002), Last Holiday (2006)
The hood loves Set It Off. The ‘burbs loved Bringing Down the House. Dana Owens holds court over both audiences. A supreme honorable mention goes to Living Single on FOX.
WENN
3. Mark Wahlberg
Winning Roles: The Departed (2006), Boogie Nights (1997), The Fighter (2010)
“Marky Mark’s” rap career has been relegated to one-hit wonder status but he is indeed a Hollywood legend.
WENN
2. Ice Cube
Winning Roles: Friday (1995), Boyz n the Hood (1991), Ride Along (2014)
Cube knows exactly what works which is why he’s the only rapper with a filmography that matches the legend of his discography.
WENN
1. Will Smith
Winning Roles: Independence Day (1996), Hitch (2005), Men in Black (1997)
The Fresh Prince has admitted on occasion that he doesn’t always do the best movies but when he hits, the magic is real. And even if the movie does blow, the acting is generally on point.
Speaking of The Fresh Prince, an Emmy was missed here.
Best Rappers Turned Actors Of All Time
