Have you ever wondered what happens when the mic gets traded for a script? Well, as surprising as it may seem, many rappers have had their share on the big screen. Just like how some singers have been featured in movies and TV shows, some of the rappers we all loved also starred in blockbuster hits that probably even our parents and grandparents loved back in the day. So, if you’re looking for your next movie night lineup, our list isn’t here to disappoint.
In this blog post, we’ll be sharing some of our favorite movies featuring our favorite rappers in main roles. These films can be streamed on various streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Sling TV, and more. Let’s start!
- Barbershop (2002)
Barbershop is about Calvin, played by Ice Cube, who inherits a barbershop in Chicago from his father. He’s been struggling to increase the shop’s revenue, so he considers selling it. He made a crucial decision that he regretted immediately after realizing how important the barbershop is to their community, despite the financial aspects of it. It’s a beautiful comedy story and Ice Cube surely did a great performance.
- Baby Boy (2001)
Snoop Dogg has starred in several movies, yet this remains to be one of our favorites. Baby Boy is a story about a young man named Jody, played by Tyrese Gibson, in South Central, LA, who has two kids with different women but still lives with his mom. His life’s a mess – dead-end jobs, fatherhood, and everything in between. As if he’s not already having a tough time, Rodney, played by Snoop Dogg, comes into his life to make his life harder.
If you’re planning to stream this movie, make sure to have a fast internet connection like Dish Internet so you can watch Snoop Dogg with this excellent portrayal of Rodney in this movie.
- Juice (1992)
Up for some crime drama? Juice is about a group of friends in Harlem played by Omar Epps, Tupac Shakur, Khalil Kain, and Jermaine Hopkins. They’re looking for a way out of their neighborhood, so they’re seeking what they call The Juice – respect, money, and a better life. Unfortunately, things get out of hand when they try to get it through a robbery. This movie successfully showed the painful realities of life on the street, and we also want to commend Tupac’s acting on this one. It’s probably one of his best performances on screen.
- Straight Outta Compton (2015)
This movie is a biographical drama film about the rap group N.W.A. They came from a rough neighborhood in California and rapped about their experiences. Their music was raw and honest, and it caused a stir because it talked about real problems, creating conflicts along the way. If you’re not aware, N.W.A is a group consisting of Ice Cube, Eazy-E, MC Ren, Dr. Dre, and DJ Yella.
Straight Outta Compton is a box office hit, so make sure to watch it. Just make sure to check your wireless service first so you can really understand what really happened to the group and what made them who they are as some of the biggest rappers out there.
- Friday (1995)
This film is a coming-of-age comedy about two friends, Craig (Ice Cube) and Smokey (Chris Tucker). It’s Friday in South Central LA, and Craig got fired. Unfortunately, his life becomes worse when his friend, Smokey, accidentally gets them tanged up with a local drug dealer. Now, they need to come up with $200 within a day or face the consequences. This movie is best watched if you just want something light and hilarious. Plus, Ice Cube’s acting was on point in this film. It’s definitely worth watching.
Wrapping Up
It’s fun to see some of our favorite rappers out of their comfort zone, and just portraying some of the most random characters ever. The nicest thing about this though is that they actually have talent beyond hip-hop, and we’re all lucky to have the opportunity to watch these great movies even though many years have passed already. Happy watching!