10. T.I.- Born Clifford Joseph Harris Jr. from Atlanta, Georgia has made the transition from the Rap World with the stage name T.I. and has released eight studio albums. In 2009, T.I. was given the Top R&B/Hip Hop Male Artist of the Decade at The Billboard Music Awards. He also has won 3 Grammy Awards. As for his acting career T.I. has jumped to acting with a great debut in the movie titled ATL (2006) and followed that with a outstanding performance in the movie titled Takers (2010). He also made a cameo in American Gangster (2007) as Stevie Lucas along side acting great Denzel Washington. His acting career is still quite young but I feel there are more great performances in his future on the Big Screen.
ATL Trailer
9. Mos Def- Born Dante Terrell Smith from Brooklyn, New York. One part of the duo Black Star with Talib Kweli. Some hits include "Respiration" and "Definition", which would go on to be featured in VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of Hip-Hop. The Source ranked him #23 on their list of the Top 50 Lyricists of All Time. As for acting his start began at the age of 14 with roles in several TV shows which includes "The Cosby Mysteries". As an adult Mos Def has played roles in 16 Blocks, Cadillac Records in which he portrayed Chuck Berry, and Something the Lord Made. Mos Def has been nominated for a Black Reel Award, Emmy Award, Golden Globe, and won a Image Award for his role in "Something the Lord Made". Mos Def has become a dual threat in both music and movies and will continue to be for years to come.
Trailer from Something the Lord Made
8. Ludacris-Born Christopher Brian Bridges in Champaign, Illinois, but has resided in Atlanta, Georgia since early childhood. The one they call Ludacris hit the music world by storm. He has released six studio albums, his first five albums have all achieved multi-platinum status, and his sixth album achieved Platinum certification. He is a three-time Grammy Award-winning, he is also a winner of several BET and MTV awards. As for his acting career Chris "Ludacris" Bridges began with a mostly cameos, one of his more popular cameo was in the movie "The Wash" staring Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre. After that he was added on to the "Fast and Furious" franchise as Tej. Ludacris has been the last three "Fast and Furious" productions and another has been announced to be released later this year. The role I feel that lands him in the number 8 spot would be his role as Anthony in the award winning movie "Crash". In 2005 the cast of "Crash" received a Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Cast in a Motion Picture. In both music and movies Ludacris has made a tremendous impact in a short period of time.
Chris "Ludacris" Bridges in Crash
7. Ice-T-Born Tracy Marrow in Newark, New Jersey, but move to Los Angles as a adolescent. Best known for his song "Cop Killer", which stirred up tons of controversy gaining national attention and utlimately got him released from his contract with Warner Bros. Records. Ice-T has one Grammy to his name and several nominations from various award shows. Its ironic the man known for the song "Cop Killer" played a cop in one of his early roles as Scotty Appleton in the movie "New Jack City ". Fast forward to present day he has a reoccurring role in the hit TV show "Law and Order SVU", in 2002 he won a Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his role. He also starred as himself in the reality TV Show "Ice Loves Coco".
Law and Order SVU scene
6. 2Pac-Born Tupac Amaru Shakur in New York City, but moved to Oakland, California as a teenager. 2pac by far has sold more album than anyone on this list with a estimated 75 million records sold to date. That is top tier numbers of any artist of any genre. Rolling Stone named him the 86th Greatest Artist of All Time. Even with all these accolades he never won a Grammy Award during his career. Even though his movie career was short lived he brought several roles to life as only he could in movies like "Juice" and "Poetic Justice". 2pac was nominated for a NAACP Image award for his role in "Poetic Justice". A man that was taken away from us too soon but he will forever live through the music he made and the movies he brought his special touch to.
Outstanding Scene from Juice
5. Queen Latifah- Born Dana Elaine Owens in East Orange, New Jersey. Known as the first lady of Hip Hop. She came on the scene in the late 80's and at that time female artist lacked the exposure as their male counterparts. Even with the obvious double standard in the Hip Hop world the Queen was able to spread a message to the masses. In her efforts she received several Grammy nominations and has won awards from various award shows. As for acting Queen Latifah had a starring role on the TV show Living Single which aired from 1993-1998. Her claim to fame in her acting career came with her role as Matron "Mama" Morton in "Chicago". For her role she received the Oscar nomination Best Supporting Actress, this put her in rare company of rappers turned actor as only 1 other rapper (Will Smith) can make this same claim. The list of movies she has starred in include The Perfect Holiday, Beauty Shop ,and Set It Off. Queen Latifah has mastered her craft in both movies and music and her career shows that women can do everything a man can and in some cases even better.
Scene from Chicago with the Queen
4. LL Cool J- Born James Todd Smith in Long Island, New York. Ladies Love Cool James or LL Cool J for short beginning with his Debut Album "Radio" (1985) is a stable for any Hip Hop collection. Estimated 12.5 Million Albums Sold worldwide and probably the first Sex symbol of Hip Hop. He has received 2 Grammy Awards and several MTV Awards to name a few. LL Cool J acting career started around the same time his rap career took off. In the early 90's LL Cool J received roles in "Toys" and "The Hard Way". In present day LL Cool J stars in the TV show "NCIS: Los Angeles" and has over 20 movies under his belt. LL Cool J has won several Image Awards for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series for his role in "NCIS: Los Angeles". As we all know Ladies love cool James and so does the movie screen.
Scene from Any Given Sunday
3. Ice Cube-Born O'Shea Jackson in Los Angeles, California. One of the original members of the Rap Super Group N.W.A and also arguably the top lyricist of all time. He was ranked #8 on MTV's list of the 10 Greatest MCs of All Time. His songs have brought much controversy and mainstream attention outside the Hip Hop community and it shows with his lack of music awards. His accolades in his rapper career can not be measured by awards but his impact and longevity shows that lyrics can outweigh any trend. Acting is only one aspect on Ice Cube's lustrous career. He has directed, written, and executive produced numerous films. Some that stand-out are "Boyz n the Hood ", "Higher Learning" , and Friday Franchise. Ice Cube has become one of the best to make the transition from Rap to Movies and his track record reflects that.
Scene from Boyz n the Hood
2. Mark Wahlberg- Born Mark Robert Michael Wahlberg in Boston, Massachusetts. As for Mark and his "Rap" career he did have one in the early 90's. Who remembers Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch, yes good vibration all over the world when this group hit the scene. You could argue the group was a one-hit wonder but the #1 hit "Good Vibrations" can still be heard at clubs around the nation. Whether you use the term Teen Idol or Rapper you cannot deny his transition to the big screen. Mark was been in many memorable movies such as The Departed, Boogie Nights, and The Italian Job. For his role in Departed Mark received a Nomination from Academy Award and Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor. Mark Wahlberg has come a long from his teen idol days as Marky Mark to become one of Hollywood's top leading men.
Scene for Four Brothers
1. Will Smith- Born Willard Christopher Smith Jr. in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Fresh Prince was one part of the hip hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince. He has received three Grammy awards one which was the first Grammy Award in the Rap category. He began his acting career as Will on the hit TV show "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air", which air from 1990-1996. Shortly after he launched probably to largest Blockbuster summer streak of all time. Movies Independence Day, Men in Black, and Wild Wild West all were all Gold in the Box office and was a start of a movie career you could only dream of. Will Smith has gone to star in numerous critically acclaimed films like Ail, Pursuit of Happiness, and Seven Pounds. Will Smith has been nominated for Academy Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role for his roles in Ali and Pursuit of Happiness. Will Smith is by far the biggest movie star that began as a Rap Artist.
Scene from Pursuit of Happiness
Here is the Top 10 list Rapper turned Actor. Please comment your thoughts.
