When Our Favorite Artists Go Hollywood

Could French Montana join this iconic group?

Lights, Action, Hollywood! - Now that it looks like French Montana will be making his way to the Hollywood big screen, he'll be joining the wonderful ranks of musicians-turned-actors with his upcoming role in The Perfect Match. Could this be a big break for him? It could be.This past year, LL Cool J, a musician-slash-actor, received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Moments like that make the auditions well worth the while. But the journey to the top is a long one sometimes, especially when your career started in the opposite direction. There are times our favorite artists hunger for more than spotlights on a stage. These artists have thrust themselves onto the silver screen for some iconic, memorable roles. Check out some of the most notorious. —Jon Reyes & BET Staff (Photos from left: Walter McBride/WM Photography/Corbis, Frazer Harrison/Getty Images, Mark Da...

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Lights, Action, Hollywood! - Now that it looks like French Montana will be making his way to the Hollywood big screen, he'll be joining the wonderful ranks of musicians-turned-actors with his upcoming role in The Perfect Match. Could this be a big break for him? It could be.This past year, LL Cool J, a musician-slash-actor, received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Moments like that make the auditions well worth the while. But the journey to the top is a long one sometimes, especially when your career started in the opposite direction. There are times our favorite artists hunger for more than spotlights on a stage. These artists have thrust themselves onto the silver screen for some iconic, memorable roles. Check out some of the most notorious. —Jon Reyes & BET Staff (Photos from left: Walter McBride/WM Photography/Corbis, Frazer Harrison/Getty Images, Mark Da...

Tupac Shakur, Juice (1992) - Tupac’s first starring role wasn’t run-of-the-mill. Shakur joined Omar Epps and Samuel L. Jackson on screen as the psychotic and violent Roland Bishop. Tupac apparently received the role after showing up and auditioning spur of the moment. What a start.(Photo: Ron Galella/WireImage)

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Tupac Shakur, Juice (1992) - Tupac’s first starring role wasn’t run-of-the-mill. Shakur joined Omar Epps and Samuel L. Jackson on screen as the psychotic and violent Roland Bishop. Tupac apparently received the role after showing up and auditioning spur of the moment. What a start.(Photo: Ron Galella/WireImage)

Janet Jackson, Poetic Justice (1993) - Already a multi-platinum artist, Janet jumped into the role of Justice with critical bumps. She received the Razzie Award for Worst New Star and a nomination for Worst Actress. Still time has been kind to the movie, since it is Janet’s only movie in the '90s.(Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

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Janet Jackson, Poetic Justice (1993) - Already a multi-platinum artist, Janet jumped into the role of Justice with critical bumps. She received the Razzie Award for Worst New Star and a nomination for Worst Actress. Still time has been kind to the movie, since it is Janet’s only movie in the '90s.(Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Whitney Houston, The Bodyguard (1992) - This was Whitney’s first starring role that was hated by most critics but a worldwide success in the box office. How could it not? With the multi-platinum soundtrack paired along with the film and the success of “I Will Always Love You,” it was a sure-fire hit.(Photo: Walter McBride/WM Photography/Corbis)

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Whitney Houston, The Bodyguard (1992) - This was Whitney’s first starring role that was hated by most critics but a worldwide success in the box office. How could it not? With the multi-platinum soundtrack paired along with the film and the success of “I Will Always Love You,” it was a sure-fire hit.(Photo: Walter McBride/WM Photography/Corbis)

Chris Brown, This Christmas (2007) - This was a less-than-memorable performance. As "Baby," Chris Brown plays a young man who can sing but has to keep it a secret from his family in the holiday film. Very dramatic and sad.(Photo: Stephen Shugerman/Getty Images)

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Chris Brown, This Christmas (2007) - This was a less-than-memorable performance. As "Baby," Chris Brown plays a young man who can sing but has to keep it a secret from his family in the holiday film. Very dramatic and sad.(Photo: Stephen Shugerman/Getty Images)

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Beyoncé, Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002) - Bey’s first major studio role as Foxxy Cleopatra was a satirical play off characters like Foxy Brown and Cleopatra Jones from the '70s. Not well received by critics, many panned Bey’s performance. Let's face it though, it's still a Bey Hive favorite.(Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

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Beyoncé, Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002) - Bey’s first major studio role as Foxxy Cleopatra was a satirical play off characters like Foxy Brown and Cleopatra Jones from the '70s. Not well received by critics, many panned Bey’s performance. Let's face it though, it's still a Bey Hive favorite.(Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

Will Smith, Where the Day Takes You (1992) - Two seasons in on Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Will jumped into joining an ensemble cast as a handicapped teen in a wheelchair. With positive critical acclaim, it still failed to deliver in the box office. Thankfully, that wouldn’t be a problem for Will in later years.(Photo: Vince Bucci/Getty Images)

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Will Smith, Where the Day Takes You (1992) - Two seasons in on Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Will jumped into joining an ensemble cast as a handicapped teen in a wheelchair. With positive critical acclaim, it still failed to deliver in the box office. Thankfully, that wouldn’t be a problem for Will in later years.(Photo: Vince Bucci/Getty Images)

LL Cool J, The Hard Way (1991) - LL’s first full brush in a Hollywood role was as a detective in a buddy comedy that starred Michael J. Fox and James Woods. It wouldn’t be until 1999’s Any Given Sunday that LL would receive a starring role alongside an ensemble cast.(Photo: Donald Weber / Getty Images)

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LL Cool J, The Hard Way (1991) - LL’s first full brush in a Hollywood role was as a detective in a buddy comedy that starred Michael J. Fox and James Woods. It wouldn’t be until 1999’s Any Given Sunday that LL would receive a starring role alongside an ensemble cast.(Photo: Donald Weber / Getty Images)

Eminem, 8 Mile (2002) - Talk about a major debut. So far the film has grossed almost $243 million worldwide. Aided from the fact that it was a critic darling, it went on to earn Eminem an Oscar for writing “Lose Yourself” for the film.(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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Eminem, 8 Mile (2002) - Talk about a major debut. So far the film has grossed almost $243 million worldwide. Aided from the fact that it was a critic darling, it went on to earn Eminem an Oscar for writing “Lose Yourself” for the film.(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

50 Cent, Get Rich or Die Tryin’ (2005) - A critical bomb was how 50 entered into the film world. All signs were pointing for this to be a success with two highly successful albums under the star’s belt and an Oscar nominated director Jim Sheridan. It didn’t quite measure up. Not even Terrence Howard could save the film.(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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50 Cent, Get Rich or Die Tryin’ (2005) - A critical bomb was how 50 entered into the film world. All signs were pointing for this to be a success with two highly successful albums under the star’s belt and an Oscar nominated director Jim Sheridan. It didn’t quite measure up. Not even Terrence Howard could save the film.(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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Queen Latifah, Set It Off (1996) - Queen Latifah got top billing with this, her first major role, alongside Jada Pinkett-Smith, Vivica Fox, and Kimberly Elise. It even earned her a couple of award nominations and paved the way for roles later on.(Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

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Queen Latifah, Set It Off (1996) - Queen Latifah got top billing with this, her first major role, alongside Jada Pinkett-Smith, Vivica Fox, and Kimberly Elise. It even earned her a couple of award nominations and paved the way for roles later on.(Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

Ice Cube, Boyz 'n the Hood (1991) - Ice Cube had already popularized and polarized as a member of N.W.A and it only seemed natural that he would move over to film. But this project, directed and written by John Singleton, was the perfect kick-off for Ice Cube. Not only was the film a box office success, it’s classic and iconic.(Photo: Vince Bucci/Getty Images)

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Ice Cube, Boyz 'n the Hood (1991) - Ice Cube had already popularized and polarized as a member of N.W.A and it only seemed natural that he would move over to film. But this project, directed and written by John Singleton, was the perfect kick-off for Ice Cube. Not only was the film a box office success, it’s classic and iconic.(Photo: Vince Bucci/Getty Images)

T.I., ATL (2006) - People really wanted to love this film about rappers trying to make it in Atlanta. It had a good box office opening, but failed to make more money after that. KING, T.I.’s fourth album was a success, though, as it also served as the film’s soundtrack.(Photo: Michael Buckner/Getty Images)

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T.I., ATL (2006) - People really wanted to love this film about rappers trying to make it in Atlanta. It had a good box office opening, but failed to make more money after that. KING, T.I.’s fourth album was a success, though, as it also served as the film’s soundtrack.(Photo: Michael Buckner/Getty Images)

Alicia Keys, Smoking Aces (2007) - The beloved piano girl made her film debut as a contract killer which Taraji P. Henson’s character has a crush on. Leeshy stays winning.(Photo: Mark Davis/Getty Images)

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Alicia Keys, Smoking Aces (2007) - The beloved piano girl made her film debut as a contract killer which Taraji P. Henson’s character has a crush on. Leeshy stays winning.(Photo: Mark Davis/Getty Images)

Diddy, Monster’s Ball (2002) - Diddy’s film debut was playing Halle Berry’s husband, who was executed in the film that would earn her the famous Academy Award. (Photo: Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

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Diddy, Monster’s Ball (2002) - Diddy’s film debut was playing Halle Berry’s husband, who was executed in the film that would earn her the famous Academy Award. (Photo: Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

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Ice-T, New Jack City (1991) - Ice-T’s affinity to playing cops started from the very beginning. His first major role was alongside Wesley Snipes and it would propel him to many other roles after that.(Photo: Ron Galella/WireImage) 

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Ice-T, New Jack City (1991) - Ice-T’s affinity to playing cops started from the very beginning. His first major role was alongside Wesley Snipes and it would propel him to many other roles after that.(Photo: Ron Galella/WireImage) 

Common, Smoking Aces (2007) - Common kicked his film career off in this action film as a security professional. He didn’t stop there. Since then he’s nabbed roles in major films like American Gangster, Terminator Salvation and Selma.(Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

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Common, Smoking Aces (2007) - Common kicked his film career off in this action film as a security professional. He didn’t stop there. Since then he’s nabbed roles in major films like American Gangster, Terminator Salvation and Selma.(Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Mos Def, Brown Sugar (2002) - Mos Def was great in this one, his first major starring role. Playing a rapper who moonlights as a cab driver and then becomes Queen Latifah’s love interest. It’s too good.(Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

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Mos Def, Brown Sugar (2002) - Mos Def was great in this one, his first major starring role. Playing a rapper who moonlights as a cab driver and then becomes Queen Latifah’s love interest. It’s too good.(Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

Tyrese Gibson, Baby Boy (2001) - Tyrese plays Jodi in the cult classic film about the ultimate f**kboy. While his acting did leave a little to be desired at times, John Singleton managed to pull out great scenes from Tyrese alongside Taraji P. Henson.(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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Tyrese Gibson, Baby Boy (2001) - Tyrese plays Jodi in the cult classic film about the ultimate f**kboy. While his acting did leave a little to be desired at times, John Singleton managed to pull out great scenes from Tyrese alongside Taraji P. Henson.(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Ludacris, 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003) - Luda struck big with this franchise. Adding great wit and comedy to all of his scenes, it’s been 13 years since he jumped on board and he is still riding high.(Photo: Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images)

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Ludacris, 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003) - Luda struck big with this franchise. Adding great wit and comedy to all of his scenes, it’s been 13 years since he jumped on board and he is still riding high.(Photo: Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images)

André 3000, Four Brothers (2005) - André’s first major role was in the action packed revenge movie alongside Mark Wahlberg and Tyrese Gibson. His movie appearances are far and few since then with the latest being his role as Jimi Hendrix in the latest biopic about the famed musician.(Photo: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

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André 3000, Four Brothers (2005) - André’s first major role was in the action packed revenge movie alongside Mark Wahlberg and Tyrese Gibson. His movie appearances are far and few since then with the latest being his role as Jimi Hendrix in the latest biopic about the famed musician.(Photo: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)