These Stars You Know Today Once Had Budding Rap Careers

Before making headlines as Hollywood’s top actors or dominating the radio airwaves, many of our favorite celebrities first made their mark in the world of hip-hop. That’s right — from actors like Mark Wahlberg to MTV VJ Sway Calloway, these stars began their careers making music and selling mixtapes. Their early days can’t be overlooked, so let’s take a look at some of the most surprising former rap celebrities.

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Mahershala Ali

Before earning his Oscar recognition, Mahershala Ali was pursuing a budding rap career under the stage name, Prince Ali. Signed to the independent label Hieroglyphics Imperium, he released his debut rap album “Curb Side Service,” showcasing his rap skills before shifting his focus to acting.

Romany Malco

You may have seen Romany Malco in hilarious scenes in movies like “Think Like A Man,” but did you know that he was actually apart of a rap group called College Boyz? Before the movie fame, Malco was busy dropping bars and building his music career.

Daryl “Chill” Mitchell

Daryl “Chill” Mitchell was a natural born star when he made his appearance on the hit 90s movie, “House Party.” Before landing the role, he began his career as a member of the 1980s rap group Groove B. Chill.

Tom Green

In the early 2000s, we were introduced to the very unserious — but always hilarious — Tom Green and his hit comedy show, “The Tom Green Show.” The popular comedian launched his entertainment career in the early 1990s as the Canadian hip-hop group, “Organized Rhyme,” gaining attention for their quirky style and single, “Check the O.R.” which set the stage for Green’s career as a comedian and MTV personality.

Mark Walhberg

If you ever found yourself at a house party in the 90s, you may have found yourself doing the “Running Man” to Mark Wahlberg’s hit single, “Good Vibrations.” Before the blockbuster movie career, Wahlberg got his start in entertainment as “Marky Mark,” the frontman of the ’90s group Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch.

Tom Hardy

Before becoming a popular British actor, Tom Hardy was known as Tommy No.1 in the UK. In the 1990s, he recorded his mixtape titled “Falling on You Arse” , which was never officially released, but the tracks resurfaced years later, revealing his early passion for hip-hop.

Sway Calloway

Before “Sway In The Morning,” Sway Calloway first made his mark as hip-hop rapper and DJ in the late 1980s and early 1990s. With an impeccable ear to music, he was able to make the transition into radio and television, eventually becoming the iconic host and journalist known as Sway.

Jazze Pha

Legendary producer Jazze Pha wasn’t always known breaking records for other artists. Before becoming one of the most popular hitmakers, he was actually pursuing his own rap dreams before transitioning to full-time production.

Queenzflip

You may recognize Queenzflip as a co-host on “The Joe Budden Podcast,” but many forgot that he was once a rapper and an internet personality. His fame rose from his YouTube channel, “Quiet Room Battle,” where he combined rap battle road content, reactions and pranks, and after creating this viral record about the sidekick phone, he landed a partnership with T-Mobile.

Alchemist

If you are lover of hip-hop, The Alchemist is name that carries real weight. Alan Maman entered the industry in the early 1990 as part of the rap duo The Whooliganz before pivoting into production, eventually becoming one of hip-hop’s most respected producers with iconic beats for artists like Mobb Deep, Nas, Eminem, and Freddie Gibbs.

Peter Gunz

Peter Gunz became an unforgettable cast member on VH1’s “Love & Hip-Hop: New York” for his tumultuous relationship with his wife and the mother of his children. But before the reality-TV drama, Peter Gunz and Lord Tariq were responsible for the classic New York banger, “Déjà Vu (Uptown Baby).

Mos Def

Mos Def first broke out into 1990s as a respected lyricist in New York’s underground hip-hop scene. Teaming up with fellow rapper Talb Kweli, the two formed the rap duo Black Star, and his celebrated music career later paved the way for major roles in film and television.

Childish Gambino

Before we knew him as Donald Glover the actor, we were first introduced to him as Childish Gambino. The rapper began releasing mixtapes in 2008 while writing for the television series, “30 Rock,” , building a cult following online that helped pave the way for his rise as a respected actor.