Take five of rap’s finest, drop them into an episode (or two) of one of your favorite CBS primetime shows, and what do you get? Undeniable talent and pure entertainment.
These artists have not disappointed when crossing over from music to TV. The fluidity that has come from replacing their music sheets with script pages has impressed their fans, as well as professionals in the acting world. These artists have shown us just how their natural talent holds no limit – whether on a concert stage or a TV set.
Bow Wow, CSI: Cyber
Bow Wow (Shad Gregory Moss) made his mark on the rap radar at the age of 13 when he released his first album, Beware of Dog (2000). In In 2003, Lil Bow Wow released his third album Unleashed and dropped “Lil” from his stage name to reflect a more mature step in his career. Bow Wow’s undeniable talent in front of the camera eventually led him to screen work on shows like Moesha (2001), Smallville (2006), Ugly Betty (2008), Entourage (2008) and coming this Spring, CSI: Cyber, in which he’ll play Brody “Baby Face” Nelson as a series regular, alongside Golden Globe Winner Patricia Arquette.
Bow Wow as Brody “Baby Face” Nelson and costar Patricia Arquette star on CSI: Cyber. New Series CSI: Cyber airs March 4, 2015 at 10/9c
CSI: CYBER stars Emmy Award winner Patricia Arquette in a drama inspired by the advanced technological work of real-life Cyber Psychologist Mary Aiken. Special Agent Avery Ryan heads the Cyber Crime Division of the FBI, a unit at the forefront of solving illegal activities that start in the mind, live online, and play out in the real world.
LL COOL J, NCIS: Los Angeles
You may have just seen James Todd Smith — better known as LL COOL J — host the 57th Annual GRAMMYs. That gig is fitting, because his roots in the entertainment world began with music. He’s an accomplished rapper-turned-actor. On NCIS: Los Angeles, LL COOL J has been a series regular since 2009, playing former Navy SEAL and current NCIS agent Sam Hanna.
LL COOL J as Sam Hanna beside partner “G” Callen on NCIS: Los Angeles. NCIS: Los Angeles airs Mondays at 10/9c
Before he hit the TV screen, fans were first familiar with rapper LL COOL J for his sweet voice, dimpled smile, and catchy lyrics. His hits “Mama Said Knock You Out” (1990) and “Doin It” (1995) gained immediate popularity in the hip hop nation, and within no time, LL COOL J showed us all that it was indeed true that “Ladies Love Cool James.”
His organic flow between the rap and acting worlds seemed like an effortless leap. In addition to his television experience, LL has starred in films such as Deep Blue Sea (1999), Any Given Sunday (1999), Rollerball (2002), and Last Holiday (2006).
Watch LL COOL J on NCIS: Los Angeles with CBS All Access.
2 Chainz, 2 Broke Girls
When rapper 2 Chainz hit the 2 Broke Girls set in 2013 to guest star in an episode, Max and Caroline were headed to Los Angeles for the GRAMMYs on a private plane. Max celebrated her bucket list item of flying in a plane for the first time. She shared the trip with 2 Chainz, who played himself.
2 Chainz (Tauheed Epps) hit the music scene as a solo artist in 2012 when he left Playaz Circle and joined Def Jam Records. His collaboration with Kanye West, Big Sean and Pusha T on the song “Mercy” (2012) received much acclaim, and his rap album Based on a TRU Story was nominated for a 2013 GRAMMY. This year, 2 Chainz announced that he will start his own independent record label “The Real University” (also known as “T.R.U.”; or “The Real U”).
2 Broke Girls airs Mondays at 8/7c.
Method Man and Kid Cudi, Scorpion
In 2014, Method Mad and Kid Cudi brought their talents to the CBS Series Scorpion. With Method Man as Lucky the King, and Kid Cudi playing Peyton Temple, they starred alongside Team Scorpion in the episode “Risky Business.” The episode followed the team as they helped police solve the murder of a music blogger. As viewers, we got to see Method Man’s and Kid Cudi’s genuine acting chops, and they didn’t let us down.
Method Man and Kid Cudi star in an episode of Scorpion. Scorpion airs Mondays at 9/8c
Method Man (Clifford Smith), an American hip hop artist, entered the rap world in 1992. He is best known as a member of the group Wu-Tang Clan, as well as one half of the duo Method Man & Redman. His CBS TV work has also included appearances on CSI as the character Drops in 2006, 2008, and 2010.
Kid Cudi (Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi) has had his fair share of television acting experience since becoming a rapper in 2003. After Cudi’s debut single “Day ‘n’ Nite” (2009) reached the top five of the Billboard charts, he spread his wings toward television acting, with appearances on One Tree Hill (2010), Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013) and then Scorpion (2014).
Watch Method Man and Kid Cudi on Scorpion with CBS All Access.
Xzibit, Hawaii Five-0
Then there’s Alvin Nathaniel Joiner, better known to rap lovers as Xzibit (or X to the Z). He’s certainly proved himself as a rapper, actor, and TV host since hitting the entertainment scene back in 1994. In the latest episode of Hawaii Five-0 (“Powehiwehi”) the rapper plays JC Dekker, a former drug dealer turned federal informant. Dekker’s helped Five-0 identify a Bulgarian arms dealer who U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Jeff Morrison (Greg Grunberg) had been hunting for eight months.
Xzibit guest stars on Hawaii Five-0. Hawaii Five-0 airs Fridays at 9/8c
Former host of MTV’s Pimp My Ride (2003-2007), Xzibit, began his rapping career with his acclaimed debut album At the Speed of Life (1996), which jetted him off into the hip-hop scene. His successful rap career has led him to collaborations with Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Alice Cooper and 50 Cent.
Watch Xzibit on Hawaii Five-0 with CBS All Access.