Even though some hip-hop artists and underground rappers went too mainstream, turning their backs on freestyle rap and ignoring the artists they were on the road with back then, they still had careers to build and mouths to feed. After all, they’re just normal people like the rest of us. So much so, in fact, that some old–school rappers people know and love also enjoy hobbies us regular folk tend to tuck into during a typical week, including gaming.
Some of the most respected lyricists in the rap game have always adored gaming in their spare time. While some of them haven’t always backed today’s artists, they still embrace the array of modern releases, plus some of the classics. There isn’t a shortage of enticing gaming experiences to take on either. Gamers can’t seem to get enough of Fortnite’s battle royale package, while DraftKings slot games like Rumble Kong CASHINGO are a blast. Some of these gaming titles and more are also being explored by some much-loved lyrical magicians.
With the above in mind, below we highlight a selection of old–school rappers who endorse new–school gaming. Some of them have even appeared on live streams, while others have simply shared their gaming journeys on social media.
T-Pain
Aged 42, T-Pain still dedicates himself to gaming. In fact, the legendary singer and rapper even has a gaming and streaming hub of his own, where fans watch him game away in style through franchises like Call of Duty. Also a fan of the Madden games, T-Pain is clearly a diehard gamer and he’s proud of it.
Eminem
Eminem is one of the finest rappers we’ve witnessed. As such, it was refreshing to see Slim Shady make his comeback in recent years. When he was away, though, Eminem clearly enjoyed some time away from the spotlight, with gaming being a hobby he occasionally dabbled in. Classics like 50 Cent: Bulletproof and the Donkey Kong franchise are close to his heart, while Eminem also plays a few modern favorites, alongside appearing in recent titles like Hitman: World of Assassination.
50 Cent
50 Cent is a man of many talents, although most people don’t always associate the 51-year-old with gaming. However, the rapper, television producer, and businessman has made an impact in the games industry thanks to releases like 50 Cent: Bulletproof and 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand. While they aren’t the best games you’ll ever get your hands on, 50 Cent clearly enjoyed his foray into gaming given his passion for it in his younger years. To go from playing games when growing up, to being the face of two titles highlights just how well the Queens rapper has done for himself.
Snoop Dogg
When he isn’t sipping on gin and juice, Snoop Dogg is fully locked in on a variety of gaming titles. As a staunch supporter of the American football franchise, the Pittsburgh Steelers, Snoop always plays along as his heroes in the Madden games, although he has also dabbled in titles from other areas.
Overall though, as seen on live streams, the iconic rap star is an adept Madden player who clearly adores the various games from over the years.
Ice-T
As one of the biggest rappers the world has seen, Ice-T has impacted the lives of many rap lovers. The 68-year-old has even managed to win even more fans over by sharing his love for all things gaming, with the Resident Evil franchise and specific Mortal Kombat games being explored by the Newark-born rapper.
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