It was very rare to see artists going on to lead successful careers on the screen. However, years have gone by and the norm has changed for good.

Hip Hop blew up, transcending the next generation onto a greater path.

Here are 7 actors who began their careers in the music industry:

Queen Latifah

Just like her hit song in 1989, Ladies First, we definitely have Queen Latifah topping our chart, as she is the only female in this category.

Latifah has had some good old rap songs that makes her the star that she is today.
Her character in Living Single definitely stands the test of time. Latifah has grown with every character portrayed. Her character in Brown Sugar, Just Wright and Set It Off proves that she is indeed a versatile actor.

Queen Latifah is a respected member of the black hip-hop community and as such has gained respect and accolades generations after from upcoming female rappers.
The

“Queen Of Hip-Hop”

She has been awarded a Grammy, RIAA certification, A Star on the walk of Fame, A Academy Award nomination and a Golden globe award.

Latifah began her film career in 1991 when she was cast in Jungle Fever directed by Spike Lee. Her acting career became a global hit. Since then she created her own talk show

“The Queen Latifah Show”,

and appeared in the Broadway musical

“Chicago”

which earned Latifah her first Academy award after the film bagged six Oscar nominations.

The rapper-turned-actress also took on a challenging and daring role in the 2007 television film

“Life Support”

As an HIV positive woman. Latifah’s prowess in this film earned her a Golden globe award and an Emmy nomination.

Her musical hit series, which she stars as Bessie has gone on to receive accolades from lovers of film across the globe. Her current and notable work is

“Hustle,”

the sports comedy film, alongside Adam Sandler.

Will Smith

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air definitely had to be Will. We didn’t see anyone playing that character and still managing to pull off outstanding performances years later. It’s such a remarkable feeling, not many actors go from being the fresh prince to an Enemy of the state.

For years, Smith was the biggest movie star thanks to movies like Bad Boys, Independence Day, Enemy of the State, Wild Wild West, Ali, Hitch, and The Pursuit of Happiness.

From Will’s making music that took off in 1985 to becoming Hollywood’s leading man, the Fresh Prince grew to become high in demand in mainstream cinema.

Smith began his musical career by collaborating with fellow Philly DJ and record producer, DJ Jazzy Jeff. The duo went on to win several awards including an American Music Award, and a Grammy amongst others. The duo went their separate ways in 1993 after Will decided it was time to go into acting.

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air gave Will the credit and accolade he had long desired, starring as the lead character. The series ran for over 6 years with 140 episodes. Smith displayed charm and an aura that a lot of producers were seeking at the time.

Will Smith went on to attain other leading roles, which gave him incredible success in Hollywood.
He has been noted with credible awards such as An Academy Award and a Golden Globe for his recent performance as Richard Williams in the 2021 Biographical Drama, King Richard.

LL Cool J

There’s no doubt that LL Cool J was the talk of the town as hip hop’s hottest act in the ’90s; however, this didn’t stop him from honing in on new talents and pivoting into acting. LL Cool J starred in “In The House” and the entire plot of the movie was about his character, Raider.

LL Cool J, though hasn’t been in many movies but his on screen presence knows no bounds. He outdid himself everytime he appeared on the screen, as his fake resurrection performance in

“Deliver us from Eva”

Is still a scene that lives rent free in the minds of many fans. He has starred in other movies like Deep Blue Sea, In Too Deep, and Any Given Sunday.

The ever dapper James Todd Smith, famously known as LL Cool J is well known for both his acting and rapping. He’s one of the first known commercial rappers who relevant through his community, flow and style since 1984 when he signed with Def Jam Records.

He also stars in the hit crime show NCIS: Los Angeles. He embodies roles that allow you to remember his performance even when the end credits have rolled in, giving his audience and unforgettable cinematic experience. Some of his work also include, 30 Rock, American Dad!, Hawaii Five-O, Charlie’s Angels, S.W.A.T., and Last Holiday.

Ice Cube

The list wouldn’t be complete without Ice Cube, is doing some amazing things on and off screen.
Ice Cube is not your favorite actor but he carved a niche for himself with his few appearances that makes a list like this incomplete without him.

Friday is one of the best comedy films, which earned Ice Cube his respect.

He remains noted and versatile in his acting. A few notable works include BarberShop, Three Kings, 21 Jump Street, Friday, Boyz in the hood, All About The Benjamins, The Long Shot, Trespass, and the list goes on.

O’Shea Jackson Sr., famously known as Ice Cube is a household name in hip-hop. His successful solo career and his success from N.WA is where he gained respect in hip-hop. His musical career earned him a Certified Triple Platinum, Five star rating from rolling stone and an induction into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

Ice transitioned into film after starring in

“Boyz in The Hood,”

Written and directed by John Singleton. The movie went on to be nominated in two categories, earning an accolade for the director, actors, and crew.

Ice spent years building his resume, aiming to make something out of his career as an actor. In 2012, he starred as Captain Dickson in the action comedy film 21 Jump Street. The film went on to become a huge success, grossing over $200 million with a $54 million budget. In 2015 Ice served as the producer on N.W.A biopic, Straight Outta Compton, which gained an academy nomination for Best Original Screenplay.

Ice T

Tracy Lauren Marrow better known as Ice T is a rapper turned actor. His debut as an actor was in Breaking ‘N’ Enterin in 1983, where he starred as a rapper and a dancer.

In New Jack City besides Wesley Snipes he out did himself, whilst taking up roles that would show his versatility and style as an actor. He has featured in many crime films, which brings us to his famous role as Fin Tutuola in Law and Order Special Victims Unit since 2000. He continues to place his best foot forward in each episode.

His career took off after putting himself on the map with his rapping capabilities.

Some of his notable cinematic films include Trespass, Surviving The Game, Out Kold, Crazy Six, Blood runners, Final Voyage, Ticker.

Tupac Shakur

Tupac was not your regular onscreen guy but his notable appearances still gives him an edge to be in this list many yeas later. He stared in

“Juice,”

Which till still outshines any hip-hop movie made.

Tupac Amur Shakur was indeed a talent to behold.

Gridlock’d, Above the Rim, Poetic Justice were all released following his death.

He also starred in Nothing but Trouble, Gang Related, Murder was the Case and Bullet.

Shakur studied at the school for the Arts in Baltimore. He was a sensational act that went beyond film and hip-hop, into a true force to be reckoned with.

His rap career earned him Platinums and Diamonds, with Shakur having sold over 75 millions records gaining a massive mainstream success.

His performance in Juice was memorable, one can remember every scene with outliving and breathtaking performances by Shakur. He brought in a natural part of himself, transcending beyond the character into a true hip hop legend.

Tyrese Gibson

Tyrese has earned himself a seat at the table as a singer turned actor, starring in movies like Fast Five and Transformers

Gibson’s talkative character first appeared in 2 Fast 2 Furious as Roman Pearce, the movie not critically acclaimed still managed to earn Tyrese a reprising role for the rest of the film’s franchise.

While his success isn’t merely in film but music has earned him six Grammy nominations, adding a spice to the 2 Fast 2 Furious franchise with his amazing vocals, a collaboration with fellow rapper turned actor Ludacris.
His debut in Baby Boy was critically good and has lived on to becoming a reference in black entertainment.

Tyrese followed that with a series of roles in other action films, like Flight of the Phoenix, Four Brothers and Death Race.

Tyrese has starred in many remarkable features including Black and Blue, Waist Deep, Annapolis, Dangerous, Rogue Hostage, Shame, Hard Matter, Death Race, and The Collective, Squealer.

Clique, what are your thought?