Rapper/Actor

A lot of rappers are very interested in making it in the movie business. Ice Cube, Mos Def, Queen Latifah, Common, Method Man, Ludacris, and so on, have already done it, and many more are trying with mixed results. If they're not make it on the big screen they do a bit of acting in their own music videos. King Magazine listed the 10 Worst Movie-Inspired Videos (in hip-hop). I definetely don't agree with all of their choices. I'd never seen Ludacris' "Slap" before, but I think the "Taxi Driver"-theme works and it fit the lyrics and the mood of the song. I also like De La Soul's "Wizard of Oz"-inspired "Oooh", and Nas' "Casino"-video for his "Street Dreams" is a classic! However, I totally agree on Ja Rule's really corny "Grease"-video for "Mesmerize", and Jay-Z probably do some of the worst acting I've ever seen as Verbal Kint from "The Usual Suspects" in "The City Is Mine". I decided to put together a Top 3 of my favourite movie-inspired (hip-hop) videos:

3. Busta Rhymes - "Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See"
Busta dressed up as Prince Akeem Joffer from "Coming To America". Very well done, and who other than him could have an elephant in his video?



2. Redman - "Whateva Man"
Red' gets bailed out and hook up with his partner-in-crime Method Man as hip-hop's version of "The Blues Brothers". They are just as cool and laidback (if not even more) as the original duo.



1. Infinite Mass - "Caught Up In Da Game"
The original Swedish gangstas went to L.A. to shoot their classic video as the film about the man almost every rapper wants to be; "Scarface". They follow the theme all the way through the video with the right scenery, type of clothes and everything, without making it look like a parody.



Feel free to comment and add on the list if you got your own favourite movie-inspired music videos.