This isn't to bash rappers, nor is it to say that these artists aren't allowed to pursue different paths in Hollywood. With so many prominent rappers acquiring roles in big movies though, it begs the question-why?

It's not as if rappers in movies are a new thing. In 1991, Mario Van Peebles cast Ice-T as a cop in "New Jack City," a film that is beloved by many. That same year, director John Singleton cast Ice Cube as a Los Angeles gangbanger in "Boyz N the Hood." These two movies helped open the floodgates for rappers to enter the world of acting.

Soon, Will Smith went from rap...

Happy Birthday to "Bring It On: All Or Nothing" actress Hayden Panettiere (1989), French singer Alizee (1984), The Prodigy singer Liam Howlett (1971), System of a Down singer Serj Tankian (1967), "The Matrix" actress Carrie-Anne Moss (1967), "Sex and the City" star Kim Cattrall (1956), The Clash singer Joe Strummer (1952; d. 2002), Australian film director Peter Weir (1944), singer Jackie DeShannon (1944), actor Clarence Williams III (1939), guitarist James Burton (1939), country singer Kenny Rogers (1938), basketball legend Wilt Chamberlain (1936; d. 1999), actor Melvin Van Peebles (1932),...

Happy Birthday to tennis pro Mary Pierce (1975), character and voice actor Regina King (1971), actor Chad Lowe (1968), actor/director Mario Van Peebles (1957), British actor Julian Sands (1958), comedic stage and screen star Andrea Martin (1947), Spanish singer/actress Charo (1942), civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. (1929; d. 1968), TV Lois Lane Phyllis Coates (1927), actor Lloyd Bridges (1913), and jazz drummer Gene Krupa (1909; d. 1973).

Mario Van Peebles has shattered Tupac Shakur's gangster image by suggesting the late rapper was ashamed of his love for William Shakespeare because he felt it might hurt his tough guy reputation.

The star, son of director Melvin Van Peebles, spoke at the 2006 Black Movie Awards in Los Angeles, California, last week, where he told the New York Daily News that now the slain rapper has been laid to rest, it is time the hip-hop world knew his deepest secret.

Van Peebles says, "Tupac went to Julliard and he read Shakespeare. He felt that his hip-hop constituency couldn't know that. W...

Happy Birthday to "Bring It On: All Or Nothing" actress Hayden Panettiere (1989), French singer Alizee (1984), The Prodigy singer Liam Howlett (1971), System of a Down singer Serj Tankian (1967), "The Matrix" actress Carrie-Anne Moss (1967), "Sex and the City" star Kim Cattrall (1956), The Clash singer Joe Strummer (1952; d. 2002), Australian film director Peter Weir (1944), singer Jackie DeShannon (1944), actor Clarence Williams III (1939), guitarist James Burton (1939), country singer Kenny Rogers (1938), basketball legend Wilt Chamberlain (1936; d. 1999), actor Melvin Van Peebles (1932),...

Happy Birthday to tennis pro Mary Pierce (1975), character and voice actor Regina King (1971), actor Chad Lowe (1968), actor/director Mario Van Peebles (1957), British actor Julian Sands (1958), comedic stage and screen star Andrea Martin (1947), Spanish singer/actress Charo (1942), civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. (1929; d. 1968), TV Lois Lane Phyllis Coates (1927), actor Lloyd Bridges (1913), and jazz drummer Gene Krupa (1909; d. 1973).