acting

There are very few television shows that have captured the hearts of hip-hop heads like Power. The 50 Cent-led production has become more of a universe at this point with three spin-offs that have continued to keep fans at the edge of their seats. Most recently, the Power universe brought an end to Power Book II: Ghost, which included a cameo from Lil Durk, who made his acting debut. However, he’s far from the last musical artist to appear on the show. Throughout the original series and its spin-off, 50 Cent and Courtney Kemp have been selective with the star cameos from hip-hop’s elite. Of course, we’ve seen lyrical heavyweights like Joey Bada$$ and Method Man grace the screen in prominent roles, along with R&B icons like Mary J. Blige and Jeremih. Below, we’ve done a round-up of every hip-hop and R&B star to appear in the Power universe. 

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50 Cent – Kanan Stark (Power, Power Book III: Raising Kanan)

Without 50 Cent, Power would not be as successful as it is. As a showrunner, he’s played a significant role alongside Courtney Kemp in bringing this story to life. However, he also played one of the best roles of his acting career as Kanan Stark. He served as Ghost’s and Tommy’s former mentor-turned-rival in the original Power series. However, his story was explored even further in the spin-off series, Power Book III: Raising Kanan, though Fif primarily appeared in flashbacks.

Joey Bada$$ – Kadeem “Unique” Mathis (Power Book III: Raising Kanan)

A revered MC in his own right, Bada$$ delved into acting in the years that led to his role in Power Book III: Raising Kanan. In the show, he took on the role of Unique, who initially served as the primary antagonist and later, became an anti-hero. He was a streetwise kingpin who inherited a drug empire from his incarcerated brother. The role came for Bada$$ after he already won an Oscar for Two Distant Strangers and appeared as Rebel/Inspectah Deck in Wu Tang: An American Saga. 

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Method Man – Davis MacLean (Power Book II: Ghost)

Meth took on the role of the suave criminal defense attorney Davis MacLean. In the first two seasons of the spinoff, he serves as Tariq St. Patrick’s defense attorney while also aiding Tasha before forming a professional bond with Cooper Saxe. Though Meth has undoubtedly built a strong resumé as an actor, his appearance as MacLean will undoubtedly serve as one of the most notable roles in his career.

Mary J Blige – Monet Stewart Tejada (Power Book II: Ghost)

In the first spin-off in the Power universe, Mary J. Blige takes on the role of Monet Steward Tejada–the second-in-command in the Tejada cartel. As Lorenzo Tejada’s husband, she serves as the queenpin of the organization, recruiting her three children, Dru, Cane, and Diana, to keep the family business afloat. Mary J. Blige’s portrayal has earned her great acclaim on screen and two NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.

Kendrick Lamar – Laces (Power)

Perhaps, one of the most surprising rapper cameos in a television series, Kendrick Lamar stepped onto the TV screen as Laces, a neighborhood “crackhead” that helps Kanan track down a few henchmen. It was truly a shocking and splendid display of his acting chops, which was a selling point for Courtney Kemp. In fact, she admitted to rejecting several rappers who hoped to appear on Power.

 “He wanted to play something crazy,” Kemp told EW. “You would never put in Kendrick as a gangster anyway; he’s not really that guy. He wanted to come in and play a part and really act. Most people don’t really wanna act. They wanna, like, ‘Yeah, I wanna be in that s—. I wanna have a gun, I wanna…’ and they don’t wanna act. Kendrick wanted the challenge. He wanted the next level of his artistry and his creativity to be challenged. He really wanted us to give him something.”  

Redman – Theo Rollins (Power Book II: Ghost)

Redman appeared as Theo Rollins, MacLean’s incarcerated brother. It was an interesting dynamic, considering it marked one of the first times since Method & Red that the Blackout! Collaborators appeared together on TV. Unfortunately, Redman’s appearance on the show lasted one season. Method Man later revealed they had to recast Rollins’ role because Redman refused to get the COVID-19 jab.

Freddie Gibbs – Cousin Buddy (Power Book IV: Force)

Just as Freddie Gibbs began getting his feet wet in the acting world with films like Down With The King and a supporting role in Peacock’s Bust Down, he returned as Cousin Buddy in Power Book IV: Force. In the show, he portrayed the cousin of Marshall Cranon, a cross-eyed kingpin in Gary, IN who links up with Jenard Sampson to further expand his operation.

Jeremih – Elijah Linden (Power Book IV: Force)

A high-ranking member of the CBI organization, Elijah Linden serves as a street-smart ally to the Sampson brothers who eventually meet his demise. Jeremih hasn’t necessarily built a strong filmography over his career but it was still an impressive outting. No doubt that his long-standing relationship with 50 Cent played a major role. 

MC Lyte – Jelani Otombe (Power)

The legendary MC delivered an impeccable but brief performance in the season 5 finale of Power as Jelani Otombe.

Rotimi –  Andre Coleman (Power)

Serving as part of the main cast from the second season onward, Rotimi portrayed Andre “Dre” Coleman. Though once a close affiliate to Ghost and Kanan, he eventually begins to try and make a mark for himself. However, his efforts ultimately lead to his own death. 

LeToya Luckett – Kenya Pierce (Power Book III: Raising Kanan)

LeToya Luckett plays Kenya Pierce in Power Book III: Raising Kanan. Kenya is introduced as the long-lost mother of Jukebox (portrayed by Hailey Kilgore), who abandoned her as a child. After years away, Kenya re-enters her daughter’s life, attempting to form a relationship with her. The former Destiny Child star crushed her role as Kenya.

Lil Durk – Bronze (Power Book II: Ghost)

In his acting debut, Lil Durk took on the role of Bronze who portrays a cousin of the Tejada family. It’s a full circle moment for Durk, who previously contributed to the “Power Powder Respect” theme song alongside 50 Cent and Jeremih. Durk didn’t necessarily receive a standing ovation for his efforts. However, he deserves his flowers for proving that drill has no limits. 

LightSkinKeisha – Brushaundria Carmichael (Power Book II: Ghost)

Expanding her filmography further, LightSkinKeisha takes on the role of Brushaundria Carmichael, a classmate of Tariq. 

Yung Bleu – Stokely (Power Book II: Ghost)

The Mobile, AL star took on a small role in the latest season of Power Book II: Ghost.

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