Over the years many rappers have ventured into acting and usually watching them act on the big screen is excruciating or downright funny. But sometimes there are rare gems where that rapper surprises you and goes beyond expectations to show off a stellar performance. Through the years plenty of rappers have taken to the screen in an effort to chronicle their lives, a big noteworthy tour, a moment or a behind-the-scenes look into their real lives.
We have compiled a top 10 list of movies about rappers featuring rappers. Click through to check them out and see who made the list.
Tupac: Resurrection
While there are many Tupac documentaries since his passing, “Tupac: Resurrection” is by far the best. Home movies, photographs, and recited poetry illustrate the life of Tupac Shakur, who is considered one of the most beloved, revolutionary, and volatile hip-hop artist of all time.
8 Mile
Described as a “hip-hop movie masterpiece” by Vibe Magazine “8 Mile” follows the accounts of a young white rapper named Jimmy "B-Rabbit" Smith Jr. living in inner city Detroit, Michigan set in 1995. While Jimmy is a talented MC, he isn’t taken seriously because of his race. The film is based on Eminem’s life and is even filmed in his home state of Detroit.
Notorious
The life and death story of Notorious B.I.G. (a.k.a. Christopher Wallace), who came straight out of Brooklyn to take the world of rap music by storm. The film stuck true to his life especially seeing how people close to him produced including Sean Combs, Voletta Wallace and Biggie's former managers Wayne Barrow and Mark Pitts.
Get Rich or Die Tryin’
50’s film debut in “Get Rich or Die Tryin” was his first acting debut. Similar to the 2002 Eminem film, “8 Mile,” the movie is an autobiographical film account of 50 Cent's own life. It was directed by 6-time Academy Award-nominee Jim Sheridan. The film opened to both positive and negative reviews but audiences seemed to really enjoy the movie, and that’s all that matters right?
Krush Groove
“Krush Goove” is an 80’s film written by Ralph Farquhar and directed by Michael Schultz. It stars Blair Underwood as a young Russell Simmons in the early days of Def Jam. Russell Simmons was the film's co-producer and story consultant; he also had a cameo role in the film as a club owner named Crocket.
ATL
“ATL” is a screenplay written by Tina Gordon Chism from an original story by Antwone Fisher, and is loosely based on the experiences of the film's producers Dallas Austin and Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins growing up Atlanta. And it’s actually hip-hop artist T.I.’s film debut. The movie also stars Antwan Andre Patton, aka Big Boi of the hip hop group OutKast, Evan Ross, Jackie Long, Lauren London, and Mykelti Williamson.
Biggie & Tupac
This documentary is all about murdered rappers Christopher "Notorious B.I.G." Wallace and Tupac "2Pac" Shakur by Nick Broomfield. In the film Broomfield suggests the two murders were planned by Suge Knight, head of Death Row Records.
Fade to Black
In this celebration of what was supposed to be his “final” LP, Jay Z took fans behind the scenes of the making of The Black Album and Hov’s epic show at Madison Square Garden. The film has appearances from Kanye West to Diddy, this is definitely a must see for any Hov fan!
Rock The Bells
This documentary chronicles Chang Weisberg’s first-ever Rock The Bells Festival, as the show promoter tries to do the impossible and pull together all the members of the Wu-Tang Clan for a reunion show. While the group have been more willing to reunite in recent years, this was the last time the entire original lineup took the stage together, as ODB died just months after the doc was filmed.
2 Turntables And A Microphone: The Life And Death
Released six years after his untimely death, 2 Turntables delves into the illustrious life and mysterious death of Run-D.M.C.’s longtime DJ, Jam Master Jay. Though his murder was and continues to be a mystery, the film celebrates Jay’s impact on the rap game. The film also features interviews with Rev Run, Russell Simmons, Ja Rule, 50 Cent and LL Cool J, and more.