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The hip-hop genre, which has inarguably been at the center of many controversial and cultural arguments from its emergence in the 1970s to its chart-topping domination today, has brought the limelight upon an array of world-changing talent.
Fortunately, this divisiveness hasn’t prevented some of the genre's most iconic names from appearing across other forms of media. Over the years, rappers have, much like featuring on the records of others, cropped up in the most unexpected of games. Albeit as a playable character, an unlockable exclusive, or merely a virtual presence, it’s always a treat to see a beloved emcee take center stage in a video game.
7 Entire Crew - Wu-Tang Shaolin Style
Also released as Taste the Pain, this PS1 arcade-style fighting game featured all nine Wu-Tang Clan members in their own Kung-Fu adventure. Utilizing their major inspiration from martial arts movies, the crew embark on a hyperviolent quest to rescue their Master Xin, a master of the form of the Wu-Tang.
Behold chaotic four-player fights, original music, and Mortal Kombat-style finishing moves that were so explicitly gruesome upon release that players had to enter a cheat code to enable the full gore. Much like a lot of the Clan’s dynamic side projects, a W-shaped Playstation controller was released exclusively for this game, which is now exceedingly rare.
6 Dr. Dre - Grand Theft Auto Online: The Cayo Perico Heist
True to classic Rockstar style, secrecy was paramount in the inclusion of Dr. Dre in GTA Online, with even his co-stars not being made aware of his presence during recording. The legendary producer who co-founded the gangsta rap supergroup NWA makes an appearance in Los Santos in two missions, The Cayo Perico Heist and The Contract.
In the latter, players accompany his accomplices to retrieve his stolen phone, containing unreleased music. As players progress through the missions, they’re rewarded with exclusive access to the unheard music, including features from Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Busta Rhymes, Rick Ross, and more.
5 ScHoolboy Q - PGA Tour 2K21
The inclusion of gangster rapper ScHoolboy Q in the long-running PGA Tour series was a progressive step away from the notorious rep that videogames, violence, and rap culture have in common.
Pitched alongside professional golfer Justin Thomas and Happy Gilmore actor Christopher McDonald, the Collard Greens rapper starred in a promotional piece for the 2021 edition of the game, revealing him as a playable character. ScHoolboy Q is open about his enthusiasm for golf and has even claimed that it brought him to a better place from his past feelings of depression.
4 RZA - DJ Hero 2
We all remember the iconic battles against Slash, Tom Morello, and even the Devil himself in Guitar Hero 3, but lesser remembered are the breakbeat brawls in DJ Hero. In DJ Hero 2, players are pitted against Wu-Tang Clan co-founder RZA in a scratch-off.
The legendary producer and emcee samples Pharoahe Monch, Damian Marley, LL Cool J, and more, all whilst throwing Wu-Tang hand signs throughout. An avid videogame enthusiast, RZA and the rest of the Clan are renowned for their evident appreciation and engagement with a variety of media, being largely inspired by Kung-Fu films and soundtracks.
3 Travis Scott - Fortnite
Love it, hate it, or be merely confused by it, Travis Scott’s appearance in Fortnite is inevitably one of gaming’s most unlikely rapper cameos. The bizarre event called Astronomical saw a colossal Scott glitch around the map performing hits like Sicko Mode and Stargazing, whilst players dabbed, flossed, and orange-justiced in awe of the spectacle.
Blatant memes aside, the Astronomical event was not only a massive hit but an interesting experiment into the potential future of virtual events. Attendees were also introduced to Cactus Jack exclusives, such as a microphone stand-wielding emote and several Travis Scott skins.
2 Snoop Dogg in True Crime: Streets Of LA
Snoop Dogg’s inclusion on this list should come as no surprise. The Californian hip-hop legend has conquered the music industry, starred in movies, hosted a cooking show with Martha Stewart, established a football league, and made an appearance in True Crime: Streets Of LA.
Collect 30 Dogg Bones in the game and players could play as the D O double-G himself on a mission called Dogg Patrol. Cruising around in a purple Cadillac and knocking down gangsters whilst yelling “Let’s rock and roll, baby, BAM!” is an answer to our gaming prayers.
1 The Entire Roster – The Def Jam Series
Oh, what we’d do for another Def Jam game. The series, which seems to have gone on an indefinite hiatus since 2007, was a wrestling-style fighting game starring real rappers. Including (deep breath) Flavor Flav, Ghostface Killah, Ludacris, Method Man, Redman, Slick Rick, Warren G, Xzibit, Ice-T, Busta Rhymes, Big Boi, E-40, The Game, and DMX to name but a few, it goes without saying why this critically acclaimed, fan-favorite series earns its place on this list.
Also, in the 2004 entry Fight for NY, Snoop Dogg is a boss battle — just in case you needed further convincing.