From Cardi B to Ice Cube, Check Out These Rappers Who Have Also Appeared in Movies and TV Shows

After becoming a success in hip-hop, Queen Latifah has built a beyond-impressive acting résumé. In fact, she was nominated for an Oscar for her role as Matron “Mama” Morton in the 2003 “Chicago” adaptation (pictured here). She’s won multiple SAG Awards, as well as a Golden Globe. Some of her most memorable films include “Set It Off,” “Hairspray,” “Life Support,” “The Secret Life of Bees,” and “Girls Trip.” She, of course, played Khadijah James in “Living Single” and is currently starring in the CBS series “The Equalizer.”

Unlike his peers, Eminem‘s acting roles are more few and far between and mostly cameos, save for 2002’s “8 Mile.” “8 Mile,” of course, is an autobiographical story of Eminem’s life, with the rapper playing a version of himself named B-Rabbit. “Lose Yourself,” Eminem’s single from the film, won best original song at the 2003 Oscars.

Amid a successful rap career with hits like “Rollout” and “Act a Fool,” Ludacris has also shown his strength as an actor with parts in films like the Oscar-winning movie “Crash.” He began appearing in the Fast and Furious franchise as Tej in 2002 (pictured here) and has also starred in “Hustle & Flow,” “No Strings Attached,” and “New Year’s Eve.”

Similar to his friend Eminem, 50 Cent’s first big acting role was as a version of himself in 2005’s “Get Rich or Die Tryin’.” Other parts followed in things like “Righteous Kill,” “Dead Man Running,” “Gun,” and the Escape Plan series. He executive produces Starz’s Power TV franchise and appeared as Kanan Stark in the parent series “Power.”

Cardi B got her big break on reality television, appearing in “Love and Hip Hop: New York” from 2015 through 2016. While she has a few more scripted roles coming up, her current acting resumé features portraying stripper “Diamond” in critical darling “Hustlers” in 2019.

The soon-to-be dad of two has had roles in two dramas: Dom in 2015’s “Dope,” and 2018’s “Monster.” He’s also made a few onscreen cameos as himself.

The “Barbie World” rapper most memorably appeared in 2014’s “The Other Woman” as Cameron Diaz‘s character’s assistant, Lydia, and had another big-screen turn in 2016’s “Barbershop: The Next Cut.” She’s also done some voiceover work, first in 2012 as Steffie (she’s a mammoth, of course) in “Ice Age: Continental Drift” and later in “The Angry Birds Movie 2.”

The N.W.A. member has made acting his primary gig for some time now, notably appearing as Doughboy in 1991’s “Boyz n the Hood,” Craig Jones in the often-quoted Friday franchise, in the “Are We There Yet?” film and TV series, and in “21 Jump Street,” plus its sequel, “22 Jump Street.”

Kid Cudi has paired his successful music career with turns in rom-coms like “Two Night Stand,” a role in the canceled-too-soon HBO series “How to Make It in America,” and a recent part in horror film “X.” He also had a substantial part in the 2023 “House Party” remake.

Mr. D.O. Double G has a seriously long list of acting credits, from scripted roles to voiceover parts to cameos. Most memorable? 2022’s “Day Shift,” 2019’s “The Beach Bum,” 2001’s “Training Day,” and “Baby Boy.”

Before he was Drake, the “God’s Plan” rapper was best known as Canada’s Aubrey Graham. He memorably portrayed Jimmy Brooks in “Degrassi: The Next Generation” in the early aughts. Jimmy was a basketball star who was left confined to a wheelchair after being shot.

The “Cop Killer” rapper has, coincidentally, spent the last 23 years portraying Detective Odafin “Fin” Tutuola in “Law & Order: SVU.” Fin has appeared in character in multiple other series as well, like, “30 Rock,” “Chicago P.D.,” “Law & Order: Organized Crime,” and “Law & Order.”

The Oscar-winning “Glory” rapper has dabbled in acting for most of his career, appearing in “Selma,” “American Gangster,” “Just Wright” (alongside fellow hip hop multihyphenate Queen Latifah), “Hell on Wheels,” and “Date Night.” He recently guest starred in beloved Netflix teen series “Never Have I Ever,” as seen here.

The Wu-Tang Clan member’s first acting gig was in 1997’s “One Eight Seven,” followed by parts in “Oz,” “Garden State,” “Trainwreck,” and, of course, his big film, “How High,” with fellow rapper and friend Redman. He currently plays Davis MacLean in “Power Book II: Ghost.”