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Top 10 Movies About Rap: From Hip-Hop Legends to Modern-Day Artists

The 90s and the early 2000s proved that Hip-hop movies were entertaining and this new theme in films was something to look forward to because afterall, fans loved it very much. Currently, hip hop is the most common and beloved genre of songs especially if you are one to easily be in touch with societal advocacy. Rap music has always been an avenue to make that possible and we live for that.  Moreover, hip-hop has evolved into vast phenomena and rappers all over the world express themselves through rap music, and in turn so many of them have started producing their films. This has also created another outlet for their content hence giving their fans something more to look forward to. Films like Groove, Beat Street and many more are a true manifestation of this hence why movies that fully embrace hip hop as the major theme never lack a huge viewership. With that said, let鈥檚 have a look at some of the top movies that are about rap.

1. Urban Menace (1999)

The beauty of this movie is the horror and thriller theme it has adopted, hence proving that hip-hop movies can work with any genre. In this 1999 movie, Snoop Dogg ( yes, the one and only rapper, Snoop), decides to take matters into his own hands and have vengeance that leaves his enemies asking for forgiveness and mercy. The storyline of this movie is that a gang burned down a church leaving the minister (snoop dog) and his family dead. The Minister鈥檚 ghost comes after the gang responsible for his and his family鈥檚 death and that鈥檚 when the whole drama begins. The movie is quite amazing not to mention the impressive hip-hop hits as its score

2. Blame It On The Streets (2014)

Based on a true account of events, this 2014 movie is an account of the legendary YG鈥檚 life, as he rose to fame from the streets of Compton. The movie was co-written by YG himself together with Darryl 鈥楲ucky鈥� Rodgers. This short film was inspired by YG鈥檚 two songs, one of which is 鈥楤PT,鈥� a song about his initiation into the infamous gang, Piru Bloods gang and the other song being 鈥� Meet the Flockers,鈥� which details YG鈥檚 days as a house burglar. Since many of the hip-hop movies eventually went off the radar, it was a breath of fresh air seeing this throwback released from a major label artist.

3. Conflicted (2021)

After getting a reputation as leaders of the new wave of hardcore and gritty hip-hop music, Buffalo鈥榮 favourite sons took their amazing talents onto the big screen as actors in this 2021 film. The storyline follows a character named Hunt, an ex-con who tries to dodge the lure of the streets after he鈥檚 been released from prison. Griselda has to prove that they can just as well release iconic films and change the game of hip-hop filmography at the same rate as they release their music.

4. I Got The Hook 2 (1999)

Master P got the gang together with this long-awaited sequel after releasing 鈥業 Got The Hook.鈥� In this particular movie, Master P, playing Black, and Anthony Johnson, playing Blue, have their restaurant shut down when Black finds himself so pressed for cash. When his don and main man bring him a bunch of stolen cellphones, Black decides to sell the cellphones on the streets again. Of course, there鈥檚 a hiccup in that plan because the boxes with those phones also a Colombian cartel鈥檚 stash of Molly which Black鈥檚 main man decided to sell. What could go wrong right?

5. Thicker Than Water (1999)

The late 90s as far as Hip-hop was concerned brought about too much tragedy. Fans were still mourning the deaths of Tupac and the Notorious B.I.G. Around this time, Mack 10 and Fat Joe decided to make this movie together. They play the roles of two rival gang leaders who are trying their hand at music production. Instead of continuing with the feud, they decide to join forces which eventually ceasefire between their gangs. This movie has featured other iconic rappers in the hip-hop industry like Big Pun, Icecube, and Kidada Jones. It is indeed a must-watch because of the interesting story kind and all those familiar and iconic faces you will get to see.

6. Choices: The Movie (2001)

Released in 2001, the plot of this iconic movie follows the life of Pancho, played by Rodney Wickfall, who is a returning citizen from prison. He attempts to stay on the right path despite all the challenges and temptations seeking to draw him back into his old life. The whole drama revolves around that as the undeniable connection between hip-hop and gang violence is widely explored.

7. Baller Blockin (2000)

At one point, Juvenile made a bold statement that 鈥渃ash was taking over for 99 to 2000.鈥� This meant more than music especially when Cash Money attempted to cash in their success as a label, after the release of 鈥楤aller Blockin鈥� in 2000.  The movie tells the story of a Juvenile鈥檚 early life while growing up in the mean streets of Magnolia in New Orleans. He joins forces with Beatrice, played by Baby, Iceberg, played by Lil鈥� Wayne, and Teke played by Turk. They join forces to purchase large amounts of cocaine and of course, you can just imagine what kind of drama goes down once this happens.

8. The Eastsidaz (2000)

After Snoop Dogg developed as an artist on Deathrow, he went on to become a businessman at No Limit Records. Then in 2000, he decided to go the Master P route and starred in his film that featured his crew, The Eastsidaz (Tray Deee and Goldie Loc). This typical gangster movie tells the story revolving around hierarchical politics and street ethics of gang life.

9. Streets Is Watching (1998)

After the release of his album, 鈥業n My Lifetime Vol. 1, the response from fans was a bit lukewarm, and naturally, Jay Z had to go back to the drawing board. He took notes from Master P鈥檚 book and decided to finance his Hiphop movie for a straight-to-video release. Quite innovative actually. This musical film comprises several unreleased music videos that have been put into a continuous film. Directed by Abdul Malik Abbot, the movie sheds more light on the ups and downs of the industry and depicts Jay Z and his crew on a never-ending paper chase in the Marcy Projects of Brooklyn.

10. Beats (2019)

In this musical Hip-hop movie, a struggling music producer crosses paths with a bitter and angry teenager who has never recovered from the death of his sister. Directed by Chris Robinson, the film has starred so many times iconic actors and rappers and that鈥檚 what sets it apart even more. The love for Hiphop unites the teenager with the producer and within no time it becomes the redeeming point that both had been looking for all along. Released in 2019, the movie can be watched on Netflix and has had so many positive reviews from critics, not to mention the catchy and unforgettable songs that make the film quite irresistible.

Hip-hop movies are quite interesting and mind-opening. The musicals especially are one to look forward to because you get to be entertained and intrigued at the same time.