Rappers have extremely demanding work schedules, especially the successful ones. With all the time they need to prioritize towards writing music, recording, performing and engaging in press interviews, a lot of them just simply use the time to rest and unwind. However, some of them find extra time to pick up truly unique and worthwhile hobbies.
When thinking about what rappers do for fun most people probably think they just head out to bars to drink, smoke, woo women and party with their friends, since that’s what is usually highlighted in tabloids and the media. According to the rappers on this list, there’s more to them than that.
A lot of the hobbies on this list are unusual or surprising, like bug collecting, while others, like smoking weed are expected. Although what’s interesting about the hobbies of some of these rappers is that it introduces you to another side of that rapper, whether it is their generous, athletic, and even their gentle or feminine sides. Not all rappers act hard all the time. A lot of them only act that way in their music or in interviews. They are people just like us and have similar interests, such as cooking, skateboarding and even playing chess.
DMX and Kool Keith have both been collectors of bugs. The “Party Up (Up In Here)” rapper supposedly used to be an entomology buff along with the founding member of the Ultramagentic MCs. Both artists are intense spitters when they get on the mic Even though the two rappers have a lot in common, DMX is the only one who’s been busted by the law for possession of marijuana in 2000. Maybe he should take up collecting creepy crawlers and slugs again to keep himself out of trouble.
Ice-T
While several rappers are serious about their video games, there is one that seems to surpass all the others when it comes to his love of holding a game controller. West Coast rapper Ice-T is a master of gaming. The Newark, New Jersey native has even called himself “The Original Gamer,” in tribute to his 1991 album, O.G. Original Gangster. In an interview with Gameinformer, Ice-T says video games came along at the same time hip-hop did, which made it easy for him fall into the activity. Back in the day he owned some of the first gaming systems, such as Atari and Sega. One of his favorite games to date is Call of Duty.
In college Plies was athletically inclined and played football on scholarship. The “Shawty” rapper played as a wide receiver for the team at Miami University in Ohio in 1996 and 1997. He then transferred to University of Central Florida where he also played football, but then dropped out. When he began his football career as a freshman in 1995 he had nine receptions for 69 yards. In 1996 for his sophomore year he had 25 receptions for 262 yards along with 2 touchdowns, which was the second-most receptions on his team for that season.
West Coast artist Warren G has done several hours of community service and social work for the city of Long Beach. In August 2005, the mayor of the region even named a whole week after the “Regulate” rapper for his good deeds. Trae Tha Truth, who is part of the underground group, Screwed Click, has done similar community service work in Houston. The city of Houston has recognized Trae’s acts of goodness by declaring July 22 “Trae Day” each year. These rappers prove that not all rappers’ hobbies have to be dangerous, but can involve giving back to the communities they grew up in.
Kelis
Kelis has the reputation of using her “milkshake” to bring boys to the yard, but what some don’t know is that she’s also a mean cook in the kitchen. The “Bossy” artist began studying part-time as a saucier in 2006 and eventually graduated from Le Cordon Bleu culinary academy in 2010. The same year she started culinary school Kelis teamed up with Lauren Pesavento and released a cookbook, while designing fashion accessories for her own line, Cake. In 2013 the certified chef debuted her own sauce line, Feast, at the Beverly Hills Food & Wine Festival. Currently she hosts her own show, “Saucy & Sweet,” on the Cooking Channel The program premiered on Wednesday, February 26 at 8:30 p.m. ET. The songstress released her latest album, Food, on April 18 this year, which highlights her love of food as well.
Tupac
The late West Coast rapper Tupac Shakur is known for studying ballet as a young kid. At the age of 12 he enrolled in Harlem’s 127th Street Repertory Ensemble where he took acting and dancing classes, including ballet. He was cast as Travis Younger in the play, “A Raisin in the Sun,” which was showcased at the Apollo Theater. Later when his family moved to Baltimore in 1986 he attended the Baltimore School for the Arts where he studied acting, poetry, jazz and ballet. While at this school he appeared in Shakespeare plays and even as the Mouse King in “The Nutcracker.” Tupac proved it was cool to be well versed in areas not normally explored by men.
Will Smith
Will Smith likes chess. He was taught the game by his father when he was seven. The “Fresh Prince” and “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It” rapper is now known for having the most chess fans worldwide. Recently he endorsed the “Millionaire Chess Open” to be hosted by Grandmaster Maurice Ashley and business icon Amy Lee. The tournament will be held on October 9, 2014.
In the past 50 Cent has found enjoyment in shoveling snow for money. After a blizzard, which left the Northeast Coast covered in snow in December 2010, the “In Da Club” rapper went around to his neighbors to shovel their driveways. He charged each person $100 or more if they wanted to take a photo with him. He even hired a group of kids to help him. This act of kindness proves Fiddy is a good Samaritan, however, the fact he set a hefty price proves he still has that hustler mentality.
Wiz Khalifa
Wiz Khalifa and Snoop Dogg both enjoy smoking the green bud. Each rapper has successful careers and busy schedules, but they always make time to relax with some marijuana. Both are serious advocates when it comes to the legalization of the plant, even though their hobby has gotten them in trouble with the law several times.
Lil Wayne
One of Lil Wayne’s hobbies is skateboarding. The “Lollipop” rapper embraced the sport a few years ago and has since become very dedicated to practicing. He’s befriended several pro-skaters, attends skating events and even skateboarded to the stage at the VMAs one year. Weezy also has a tattoo that reads “Baked” on his forehead, which is stylized after the Baker Skateboards logo. In October 2012 he opened up the skate park Trukstop in his hometown of New Orleans.
