From gritty dramas to blockbuster comedies, these 14 films showcase hip-hop legends delivering unforgettable performances.
Here are 14 movies where rap stars stepped up and showed their range.
The role showed everyone what Tupac could do switching from charming to terrifying in an instant.
This wasnt just some rapper trying to act this was a star being born.
Their chemistry jumps off the screen as they roll from LA to Oakland in a mail truck.
The film turned Ice Cube from a rap star to a Hollywood triple threat.
And it proved he could write, produce, and carry a movie.
Beneath Cleos tough exterior, Latifah layers in a real vulnerability.
Her performance kicked open doors, leading straight to her Oscar nod forChicagoyears later.
Paramount Pictures
DMX brings his raw energy to his character Tommy, a street hustler looking for redemption.
8 Mile (2002) Eminem
8 Miletells Eminems real-life story with a slightly fictional bent.
Eve holds her own in the cutting battle of wits with Cedric the Entertainer and Ice Cube.
Columbia Pictures
Trading verses for tactical gear, he shines opposite actors like Samuel L. Jackson and Colin Ferrell.
Playing a flashy dealer on the rise, Camrons performance feels lived-in, not acted.
Going up against Terrence Howards DJay, Ludacris ditches his usual playful style to show a darker side.
New Line Cinema
Their scenes crackle with tension, showing off acting chops nobody knew Luda had in the tank.
This role kicked open doors for bigger parts down the line.
But Jamal Woolard nails it, bringing the late rapper back to life without turning him into a cartoon.
New Line Cinema
The flow, the charm, the presence its all there.
Plus, having a real rapper play one of hip-hops greatest icons makes all the difference.
Takers (2010) T.I.
Artisan Entertainment
and Chris Brown
T.I.
steps in as Ghost, fresh out of prison and carrying old grudges into a high-stakes heist.
Chris Brown surprises as the crews parkour expert, pulling off some legit stunts between shootouts.
Universal Pictures
Straight Outta Compton (2015) Ice Cube Jr.
Between staking bloodsuckers and dropping one-liners, the D-O-Double-G proves he can handle both the action and the laughs.
20th Century Fox
Sony Pictures
Miramax Films
MTV Films
Fox Searchlight
Sony Pictures
Universal Pictures
Netflix
