Here’s A Ranking Of Rappers Turned Actors, From Least To Greatest

A different kind of top five.

Before we start let's lay some ground rules.

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1. Actors turned rappers are not eligible (e.g. Drake and Childish Gambino).

2. Rappers turned actors that are no longer alive are not eligible (e.g. Tupac Shakur).

3. Rappers that have only been in one movie are not eligible (e.g. Eminem).

Great actor + great movies + great rap impact = 5 mics

19. Fred "Fredro Starr" Scruggs

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Rap impact: Being part of the Hip-Hop group Onyx and "Slam."

Film impact: Strapped (1996), Clockers (1995), and Save the Last Dance (2001).

Amount of mics: 1 (out of 5)

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Explanation: Fredro Starr has the first verse on Onyx's biggest song "Slam" and he does not disappoint. He played Q, the love interest on Brandy's sitcom Moesha and even though he didn't have a huge role in Spike Lee's Clockers, that movie is just too good.

18. Mark "Marky Mark" Wahlberg

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Rap impact: "Good Vibrations".

Film impact: Boogie Nights (1997), Three Kings (1999), Four Brothers (2005), The Fighter (2010), and Pain & Gain (2013).

Amount of mics: 1 (out of 5)

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Explanation: Mark Wahlberg is definitely a Hollywood heavyweight, but his Hip-Hop crimes won't allow him to score high as a rapper turned actor. Now, "Good Vibrations" is a catchy song, but its black and white style mixed with boxing scenes and plenty of shirtless posturing is too reminiscent of "Mama Said Knock You Out." Blame Raekwon and Ghostface for the no biting policy here.

17. Tracy "Ice-T" Marrow

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Rap impact: "6 'n the Mornin'," "Cop Killer," and "Colors."

Film impact: New Jack City (1991), Tank Girl (1995), and Leprechaun in the Hood (2000).

Amount of mics: 2 (out of 5)

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Explanation: Ice-T is a Hip-Hop OG and because of that he'll forever be cemented as a legend. His song "6 'n the Mornin'" went on to inspire N.W.A.'s "Dopeman," so his musical legacy will forever be intact. But, you can't really say the same thing about his career in film though, besides New Jack City. His role on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit is great though.

16. Jihan "Eve" Jeffers

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Rap impact: Being the Ruff Ryders First Lady, and "Let Me Blow Ya Mind."

Film impact: Barbershop (2002), Barbershop 2: Back in Business (2004), and Barbershop: The Next Cut (2016).

Amount of mics: 2 1/2 (out of 5)

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Explanation: Eve has remained a solid act in both the worlds of acting and rapping. "Let Me Blow Ya Mind," and "Who's That Girl?" are timeless, just like the first two Barbershop films. She has an amazingly soft yet rough rap voice and she always held her own alongside The Lox, DMX, and the rest of the Ruff Ryders. Her sitcom Eve had some good moments too.

15. Christopher "Ludacris" Bridges

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Rap impact: "What's Your Fantasy," "Move B*tch," "Get Back," "Stand Up," "Area Codes," Back for the First Time (2000), and Word of Mouf (2001).

Film impact: Crash (2004), Hustle & Flow (2005), and numerous The Fast and the Furious films.

Amount of mics: 2 1/2 (out of 5)

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Explanation: Ludacris is officially a Hip-Hop giant. He might not get the respect he deserves because of his silly imagery, but he can hold his own with the best of them. Crash was an amazing movie and we know the The Fast and the Furious films are a powerhouse.

14. Robert "RZA" Diggs

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Rap impact: The marriage of Hip-Hop and Kung-Fu, and being the founder of one of the most influential rap supergroups (Odd Future, A$AP Mob, Brockhampton).

Film impact: The Man With the Iron Fists (2012), G.I. Joe: Retaliation (2013), and Brick Mansions (2014).

Amount of mics: 2 1/2 (out of 5)

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Explanation: RZA's presence and impact on Hip-Hop is cemented for eternity, but his impact on the film industry hasn't held the same weight. The soundtrack to Kill Bill: Volume 1 is immaculate though.

13. Shad "Bow Wow" Moss

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Rap impact: The only child that was down with Death Row, The Scream Tour, and the Beware of Dog album.

Film impact: Like Mike (2002), Roll Bounce (2005), and The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006)

Amount of mics: 2 1/2 (out of 5)

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Explanation: The Bow Wow Challenge has overshadowed his contributions to Hip-Hop, but Shad Moss was the young prodigy who owned "106 & Park," coining the nickname Mr. 106 & Park, he sold out tours repeatedly, and his poster was probably found on the door of every teenager from '00-'06. Like Mike was legendary, and maybe I'm biased because my family saw that in theaters.

12. Dante "Yasiin Bey" Smith

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Rap impact: "UMI Says," his verses on "Mathematics," and being half of the legendary rap group, Black Star.

Film impact: The Italian Job (2003), The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005), Be Kind Rewind (2008), and his appearances on Chappelle's Show (2003)

Amount of mics: 3 (out of 5)

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Explanation: Yasiin Bey is a legend! And underground god. He is also hilarious — his appearances on Chappelle's Show and The Boondocks will have you in tears. He's appeared in movies alongside some heavyweights, but his performances weren't too memorable.

11. André "André 3000" Benjamin

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Rap impact: OutKast, "Hey Ya," being arguably one of the best rappers of all time, and he popularized alien and space talk in rap music. Shoutout to Kool Keith though.

Film impact: Four Brothers (2005), Semi-Pro (2008), and Jimi: All Is By My Side (2013).

Amount of mics: 3 (out of 5)

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Explanation: Even though André 3000 looked like the spitting image of Jimi Hendrix on Jimi: All Is By My Side the film itself fell by the wayside and out of people's minds shortly after its release. But, he's revered so highly as a rapper, any hardcore fan will tell you they liked Be Cool. Class of 3000 was an amazing cartoon you most likely missed too.

10. Clifford "Method Man" Smith

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Rap impact: "You're All I Need," being a stand-out member of The Wu-Tang Clan, and of course being half of the legendary rap duo, Redman and Method Man.

Film impact: Belly (1998), How High (2001), and Soul Plane (2004).

Amount of mics: 3 (out of 5)

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Explanation: Method Man's face on the mural of Hip-Hop would be pretty huge. So rap-wise you don't really get more solidified than Tical. He's had quite the run with TV and film too — two cult classics, Belly and How High. He's currently on HBO's The Deuce and he was previously on The Wire.

9. Clifford "T.I." Harris, Jr.

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Rap impact: The creator of the trap music genre and "U Don't Know Me."

Film impact: ATL (2006), American Gangster (2007), and Ant-Man (2015).

Amount of mics: 3 (out of 5)

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Explanation: T.I. can rap well, he has been considered the Jay-Z of the South, he's been the self-proclaimed king of the South, he has a beautiful family, he played alongside Denzel Washington in American Gangster and Paul Rudd in Ant-Man, and his performance as Rashad in ATL is timeless. He's had great success in both the acting world and rapping world.

8. Calvin "Snoop Dogg" Broadus, Jr.

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Rap impact: The popularization of G-Funk, perms, chuck taylors, ANY song on "Doggystyle" (1993), and weed rap.

Film impact: Baby Boy (2001), The Wash (2001), Soul Plane (2004).

Amount of mics: 3 1/2 (out of 5)

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Explanation: Snoop is Snoop. It's just that simple. We haven't seen a run in Hip-Hop the way we've seen Snoop take off after the release of Doggystyle. Now, he's 16 albums in, and he's taken that same quantitative approach to movies. They can't all be hits, but regardless Snoop is unstoppable. AND HE HAS A SHOW WITH MARTHA STEWART!!

7. Earl "DMX" Simmons

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Rap impact: It's Dark and Hell is Hot, Flesh of My Flesh Blood of My Blood, and "Ruff Ryders' Anthem."

Film impact: Belly (1998), Romeo Must Die (2000), Exit Wounds (2001), and Cradle 2 the Grave (2003).

Amount of mics: 3 1/2 (out of 5)

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Explanation: There aren't really any rappers that have reached the Hip-Hop heights DMX has reached. He's had five albums that peaked at number one on billboard and much of his influence is still felt in the energetic yet menacing rap songs of today. He's had great success with his films too, and even though he brings that same energy we love him for to every character he plays, it isn't exactly always believable.

6. Lonnie "Common" Lynn

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Rap impact: BE (2005), "The Light," being a part of the Soulquarians, and destroying Ice Cube in a rap battle.

Film impact: American Gangster (2007), Wanted (2008), and LUV (Learning Uncle Vincent) (2012).

Amount of mics: 4 (out of 5)

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Explanation: Common has been around, remained true, and remained relevant in Hip-Hop for quite some time. He worked with Kanye West during his College Dropout times. He worked with J. Dilla in Detroit before his passing. And has released two classic albums, BE and Like Water For Chocolate. And he has a great resume when it comes to film as well. The film LUV was his first role as a main character and he does not disappoint.

5. Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson

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Rap impact: "How To Rob," Get Rich Or Die Tryin' (2003), the popularity of rappers bulking up, G-Unit, and division in New York Hip-Hop.

Film impact: Get Rich or Die Tryin' (2005), Righteous Kill (2008), All Things Fall Apart (2011), and Den of Thieves (2018).

Amount of mics: 4 (out of 5)

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Explanation: 50 Cent's Get Rich Or Die Tryin' is arguably the best debut Hip-Hop album of all time. His 2nd album, The Massacre blew up also, but still fell under the category of the sophomore slump. His show Power on Starz is amazing, we got to see Kendrick Lamar play a crackhead. Overall, his Hip-Hop legacy will be defined with one word — divisive. And it's really entertaining, but probably not the most productive.

4. James "LL Cool J" Smith

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Rap impact: Kangol bucket hats, "Mama Said Knock You Out," "Radio," "I Need Love," "Doin It," "Going Back To Cali, "Rock The Bells," "4, 3, 2, 1," the trend of rappers taking their shirt off at any opportune moment, and shouting out FUBU in a Gap commercial.

Film impact: Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998), Deep Blue Sea (1999), In Too Deep (1999), Any Given Sunday (1999), and S.W.A.T. (2003).

Amount of mics: 4 (out of 5)

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Explanation: He carried Def Jam on his back, he got the unanimous decision against Kool Moe Dee, he won the popular vote against Canibus (Canibus won), and he's arguably just as talented when it comes to acting. Also, let's not forget how good In the House was.

3. Dana "Queen Latifah" Owens

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Rap impact: "Ladies First," "Just Another Day" and "U.N.I.T.Y."

Film impact: Set It Off (1996), Taxi (2004), Chicago (2002), Last Holiday (2006), and Girls Trip (2017).

Amount of mics: 4 1/2 (out of 5)

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Explanation: Smack dab in the middle of the hardcore rap run mostly by men, here comes this woman with lines like "you gotta let 'em know, you ain't a bitch or a hoe," and for that alone her legacy is solidified. Her music career wasn't the biggest even though her legacy is intact, but we've seen her flourish in TV and film. We fell in love when we saw her play Khadijah on Living Single. And it came as no surprise when she was nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in Chicago.

2. O'Shea "Ice Cube" Jackson

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Rap impact: N.W.A., intelligent gangsta rap (AKA street knowledge), jheri curls, and saying "YAY YAY!," and destroying his former group N.W.A. in a rap battle.

Film impact: Boyz n the Hood (1991), Friday (1995), Higher Learning (1995), Three Kings (1999), Barbershop (2002), and Are We There Yet? (2005).

Amount of mics: 4 (out of 5)

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Explanation: There's no doubt that Ice Cube has had an amazing amount of success when it comes to films. It was obvious after his debut in Boyz n the Hood that he was destined for big things. Now, do we need to talk about the impact of Friday? No we do not. Bye Felicia. He also had great success as a solo rapper. His fourth album Lethal Injection was OK and probably where it started to wane — but we're thankful that he introduced the world to fellow Los Angeles OG's W.C. and Mack 10 with Westside Connection.

1. Willard "The Fresh Prince" Smith

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Rap impact: Clean, wholesome, and funny Hip-Hop, winning a Grammy but boycotting it because they wouldn't televise it, Jaden, and "Summertime."

Film impact: Bad Boys (1995), Independence Day (1996), Men in Black (1997), Wild Wild West (1999), Ali (2001), I, Robot (2004), Hitch (2005), The Pursuit of Happyness (2006), and I Am Legend (2007).

Amount of mics: 5 (out of 5)

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Explanation: We all got to know him on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, he made us cry, laugh, dance, and most of all he entertained us. Then he started getting roles in films — and he was the number one actor in Hollywood for quite some time. He's still a heavyweight, but his recent movies have been a little questionable. Even though it's "cool" to say he's corny when it comes to rap, he is one the most successful rappers of all time. And he did it without cursing.