Will Smith/Fresh Prince —- Will Smith started out as an emcee with a group called DJ Jazzy Jeff & Fresh Prince. The group was the first artist to receive a Grammy award in the inaugural year of the category in 1988. His success as the rapper Fresh Prince sparked the sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Some people know this about Will Smith, but the fact that he has become one of the best actors in Hollywood; some people forget. Some may argue that over the years that he is evolved strictly into an actor and doesn’t balance music into his career. That’s a valid point, but his success as an artist stills gives him credibility enough to still be considered as one. And that’s why he is at the top of the list.
(Notable Films: Bad Boys, Enemy of the State, Ali… Click for the complete list)
Ice Cube — I’m not sure if you put Ice Cube in a dramatic role like Ali or Concussion if he would be able to duplicate or surpass Will Smith’s performances. I think Ice Cube is a good actor; but not a great actor. The reason I chose him at number two was because of my favoritism towards his movies. Friday and Players Club are two of my all-time favorites, Boyz n the Hood was a classic and Higher Learning was great. He knows how to pick the right roles and movies that will entertain people.
(Notable Films: Boyz n the Hood, Friday, Higher Learning….Click for the complete list)
Queen Latifah —- My fondness of Ice Cube movies might have done a disservice to Queen Latifah on this list. Because in regards to the talent on the screen; Latifah is phenomenal. She comes second to Will Smith in that category. You may then ask why she is third on the list and not second. And my only defense would be that I know all the lines from Friday and Players Club movies by heart. Sorry; Ice Cube will remain second.
(Notable Films: Set it Off, Bringing down the House, Just Wright….Click for the complete list)
Mos Def/Yasiin Bey — I think he is underrated as an actor and artist in general. His performances in Something the Lord Made and 16 Blocks convinced me that he was one of the best rappers/actors. I wonder why he doesn’t get more opportunities to star in major films. I know he does some indie stuff but his talent is definitely made for a big budget.
(Notable Films: The Italian Job, Something the Lord Made, 16 Blocks… Click for the complete list)
Tupac Shakur/2Pac — Yeah I know he has passed away and it is impossible to predict the future for anyone’s life. However, based on his body of work, I think it is fair to assume Tupac would have acted in more movies if he were still alive. I don’t believe he would have been in the category of Will Smith, but I think he would have been recognized as a great actor. His role in the movie Juice is what really got us familiar with him as a rap artist. I remember seeing the movie Juice first, then the video for Brenda’s Got a Baby. Wasn’t a fan of his post-death movies, (Bullet, Gridlock’d, and Gang Related) but Poetic Justice and Above the Rim is classics.
(Notable Films: Juice, Poetic Justice, Above the Rim… Click for the complete list)
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