20 memorable performances from Rappers turned Actors

Bow Wow began acting almost as young as he began rapping. His first roles were on Carmen: A Hip Hopera and popular ‘90s sitcom, Moesha. His first starring role was in Like Mike, but he continued to thrive with leading roles in Roll Bounce, Johnson Family Vacation, and a recurring role on Entourage and CSI: Cyber.

We know 50 as a Film/TV Exec, but when he played Marcus in Get Rich or Die Tryin’, we knew he had the range. His true breakout role was his role on Power as Kanan and he currently has a leading role on ABC’s For Life as Cassius Dawkins.

Though he's been Sam Hanna on NCIS: Los Angeles for well over a decade, the Queens native was a prominent heartthrob in romantic comedies, Last Holiday and Deliver Us From Eva. However, our personal favorite LL roles are as Marion Hill in In The House, Ray Bud Slocumb in Kingdom Come and the preaching chef in Deep Blue Sea.

All hail the QUEEN! You knew she was going to be in the game forever with her breakout role as Cleo in Set It Off. She went on to star as Khadijah James in Living Single and since then flaunted her extensive skills in films like The Secret Life of Bees, Life Support, Just Wright, Beauty Shop and shows like Star and Single Ladies. Now you can catch her weekly on The Equalizer.

We’re not even going to begin to list out all of Will Smith’s film credits. However, we highly recommend checking some performances you might’ve missed like Six Degrees in Separation, Shark Tale, Collateral Beauty and The Legend of Bagger Vance. 

Eve's first on-screen role was as Terri, the sassy barber, in 2002's Barbershop. She took on smaller roles until her eponymous sitcom hit the scene from 2003-2006. She reprised her role as Terri in the Barbershop sequels and is now set to star in forthcoming Hip Hop drama, Queens, alongside Brandy.

Ice-T is a master at longevity. His breakout role was in the classic crime drama, New Jack City, but for the past twenty years, he thrived as Detective Tutuola on Law & Order: SVU. 

Before Drake existed, there was Aubrey Graham, star of hit Canadian show, Degrassi. For several seasons, Graham was Jimmy Brooks and even hosted a reunion of his own when he invited his former castmates to star in his “I’m Upset” video.

In spite of his life being cut short, Tupac made quite the impact. His first role was in the coming-of-age film, Juice, as the power-hungry Bishop. He then showed a softer side in Poetic Justice, played a detective in Gang Related and also made a guest appearance on A Different World. We can only imagine what he should’ve achieved if he were still here.

Ice Cube came into the acting game ready to make an impact as Doughboy in Boyz N The Hood. As Fudge in Higher Learning, he was a smart, fearless fifth-year senior, always armed and ready to protect his own. Friday hilariously followed and it wasn’t long before he garnered his first directing credit with 1998’s The Players Club. Ice Cube is known for comedic talents, but with more serious roles like the forthcoming April 29, 1992 and Flint Strong, we're eagerly awaiting to see more.

If you've been following the Fast & Furious series, then you know and love Luda as the witty yet highly intelligent Tej. However, unless you've seen him in the critically-acclaimed film, Crash, or as the endearing protector in New Year's Eve, it's time to expand your palette.

Before Mark Wahlberg ever started talking to a feisty teddy bear, intimidated stepdads, avenged the death of his adopted mother or had an 'entourage,' Wahlberg was Marky Mark, a rapping powerhouse, with chart-topping singles and even a GRAMMY nomination.

Heavy D was a scholar and gentleman with a sense of style. On Living Single, he was Darryl— a love interest. Someone not often seen as a Big & Tall man. Yet, did you know he had recurring roles in Roc, Boston Public and The Tracy Morgan Show? Heavy D definitely deserves his flowers.

This is one artist who made it clear who he was, from the start. All things music-related stemmed from Childish Gambino and all things on-screen were Donald Glover. From 30 Rock to Community to Atlanta, one thing that is guaranteed from Glover is entertainment.

The rapping duo portrayed a dynamic and hilarious team when appearing on-screen together in Class Act and House Party. Kid (Christopher Reid) then on to have a recurring role on Sister, Sister while Play (Christopher Martin) recently appeared on the series, Church Folks. However, they both are currently filming Scroll Wheel of Time, a tv series about "an up-and-coming rap duo from Atlanta who are given an old-school iPod that is actually a time-traveling device," in which they will reunite as Kid 'n Play.

Recently, you can find Method Man scheming and succeeding on the hit spinoff, Power Book II: Ghost. However, if you want to see more from the New York native, check out select episodes of The Wire, Oz, How High, The Breaks, and Rebel.

While we love Common as the loving ball player in Just Wright, here's another one you need to dive deeper into. Check out LUV, Now You See Me, The Chi, The Kitchen and of course, Selma.

In the '90s, Mos Def was everywhere. He has recurring roles on You Take the Kids, and The Cosby Mysteries. That only kicked his acting career into overdrive. The rapper went on to star in Carmen: A Hip Hopera, Brown Sugar, Civl Brand and Something The Lord Made. He also played renowned Rock & Roll pioneer, Chuck Berry in Cadillac Records.

Fredro Starr's acting career was spent tackling guest roles, but once he stepped up as the leading man on Moesha, his star quality really began to shine. According to his IMDB, he has several projects in the works including two thrillers and a coming-of-age story about his group, ONYX, featuring its fellow founding members, Sticky Fingaz and Sonsee.

Not only is RZA an accomplished actor, he has also directed three features: Cut Throat City, Love Beats Rhymes and The Man with the Iron Fists. The Wu-Tang Clan member had recurring roles on Californication and Gang Related and soon, you'll be able to catch him on screen yet again in Nobody and Minions: The Rise of Gru.

This list would be complete without mentioning these rappers who also dabbled in acting a time or two. Q-Tip starred in the highly underrated, coming-of-age film, Prison Song. The Lady of Rage had a leading role on The Steve Harvey Show, as well as Next Friday and recently, Judas and the Black Messiah. Xzibit is best known for his recurring roles on Empire, Hawaii Five-0 and Broken Ground. OutKast members (André 3000 and Big Boi) both did exceptionally well for themselves after going solo. André starred in Four Brothers, American Crime and Dispatches from Elsewhere while Big Boi appeared in ATL and most recently, the Creepshow reboot and American Soul.