For the last two decades, famous rap musicians have been leaving their mics behind and showing that their talent extends beyond just rhyming words by taking part in feature films as actors. Sometimes these ventures turn into amazing movies and sometimes they turn into epic failures.
Rappers like DMX, Dr. Dre, Ludacris, and RZA have found success in several different movies, with their roles varying from large to simply inconsequential cameos. Some actors, like LL Cool J and Ice Cube, have essentially left their musical roots behind them and moved to the silver screen for good.
This weekend, musicians take over the box office in the ensemble casted movie Takers, which stars Chris Brown and T.I., not to mention Matt Dillon and Paul Walker.
The movie isn't the first feature for Brown, whose first appearance was in the very popular Stomp the Yard. T.I. had appearances in ATL and American Gangster. Takers marks the first time the rappers have acted together, and opens in theaters August 27th, 2010.
Friday Five: Best Movies of Summer 2010
Honorable Mention: 16 Blocks
Mos Def has certainly had his fair share of misses when it comes to feature films. Fortunately for movie lovers, 16 Blocks is actually a pretty solid film, made even better by Def's performance. In the movie, Def plays Eddie Bunker, a chatterbox witness to a dirty cop's hearing. A NYPD detective, played by Bruce Willis, is in charge of escorting Bunker 16 blocks to the courthouse for the testimony in what is supposed to be an easy, last-minute job. The job turns out to be not so easy, as several people don't want Bunker to testify at that hearing. Things quickly go from bad to worse as Willis and Def try to figure out who they can trust, and who they can't. The movie is directed by Richard Donner and is a very solid piece of entertainment.
#5. Four Brothers
Four Brothers might be one of the best remakes ever made. The movie is based on the western The Sons of Katie Elder, and tells the story of four adopted brothers who reunite after their adoptive mother is murdered in a corner store. The movie stars three very talented musicians, Mark Wahlberg, Andre Benjamin, and Tyrese Gibson. Corrupt cops, money laundering, and murder all play a pivotal role in this action-driven movie. It doesn't hurt that the movie is directed by the incredibly talented John Singleton, who previously directed rapper Ice Cube in Boyz in the Hood.
#4. Hustle and Flow
Ludacris may play a smaller role in Hustle and Flow than the other rappers on this list, but Hustle and Flow is the essential rap movie of all time. It tells the story of one man's struggle to leave his life of drugs behind him for the chance at becoming a rapper. The movie is beautifully executed and is all about rap, making it a true gem for fans of the music. Ludacris' character is essential to the story, but the actor's screen time is marginal at best. The movie was paid for entirely by John Singleton, which makes its story that much more impressive. The movie went on to win an Oscar for Best Original Song, "It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp".
#3. 8 Mile
8 Mile is, without a doubt, the greatest rap movies of all time. Amazingly, the lead role is played to perfection by rapper Eminem, who is essentially retelling his life story from growing up in the 8 Mile district of Detroit. The movie focuses on Eminem's early life, and the struggles he faced growing up with his mother in poverty. Lots of things are changed for dramatics, including the addition of a younger sister, who is supposed to mirror his own daughter Hailie. The movie was a success, and scored Eminem his own Oscar for Best Original Song. At the time of release, rumors ran rampant about Eminem being nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role, but that nomination never came.
#2. Friday
Rapper Ice Cube wrote and starred in this critically acclaimed comedy about two stoners trying to scrape together $200 that they owe to a drug dealer. The movie takes place on Friday, with the debt owed by that evening. The movie is hilarious, from start to finish, mostly in part to Cube's frustrated persona. Cube plays Craig Jones, who is frustrated with his home life and his best friend, Smokey, who is the reason the two owe the money in the first place. The movie spawned two sequels, which is unfortunate for Ice Cube fans, as each grew progressively worse.
#1. Juice
Juice is a movie that defines 1990 filmmaking. It stars Tupac Shakur in a role that launched him as an actor, allowing him to express his darker side with emotion and distress. The movie centers on four friends in Harlem, and like its poster says, is all about power and respect. The four friends try to survive the tough city streets while also earning respect among their peers. Things come to crashing halt when the group comes into possession of a firearm, a device made for both power and respect. Tupac went on to star in several other movies before his passing, but none near the quality of Juice.
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