With Sanaa Lathan’s recent studio debut for her single ‘Emotional’, one can only start to reflect on other actors and actresses who’ve decided to venture off into the other side of entertainment.
For some, the transition has been seamless and successful. For others, not so much.
In fact, a couple of thespians have been largely encouraged to keep their day jobs.
Here’s a list of celebrities who started as actors, and later ventured into music careers, for better or worse.
Drake
Before Aubrey Graham became the hip hop star we’ve come to know as Drake, he was best known for his role as the wheelchair ridden basketball player Jimmy Brooks on the teen drama Degrassi. His mother started him out at an early age, engaging in modeling ads and local theatrical performances. Since beginning his rap (sometimes called singing) career, he has won countless accolades. His voice performance in Ice Age: Continental Drift and appearance on Saturday Night Live reminded fans of just how multi talented the performer is.
Lauryn Hill
When most people think of Lauryn Hill, the iconic albums The Fugees and Miseducation of Lauryn Hill come to mind. However, many will recognize that face as one of the brightest young stars to emerge from Whoopi Goldberg’s Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit. Hill got her start taking acting lessons while growing up in Manhattan. She even made appearances in As The World Turns.
Jamie Foxx
Few would argue that Jamie Foxx is the definition of “triple threat”. He started his career in comedy, appearing on such sitcoms as ROC and The Jamie Foxx Show. Foxx was eventually able to do what few actors have done, and that is transition from comedy to more serious roles. He won an Academy Award for his coveted performance of Ray Charles in the hit biopic. Ironically, the musically inclined character he played on his self-titled show would soon mirror his real life. With chart-topping hits like 2006’s “Unpredictable” and 2009’s “Blame It”, Foxx has proved that you can be a “jack of all trades” and master of all.
Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez a.k.a J.LO has a face that is synonymous with nearly every aspect of entertainment. She began her career as a Flyy Girl, dancing on the show In Living Color. But, her breakout acting debut as Selena put Lopez on the map. Since then, she’s enjoy the success of a string of roles in such movies as – – – . In –, J.Lo released her highly anticipated first album On The Six. That release has been followed by a string of music hits and albums, both in English and Spanish.
Eddie Murphy
Eddie Murphy’s comedic legacy is undeniable, yet the SNL funnyman certainly didn’t laugh over his biggest hit, 1985’s “Party All the Time,” as much as music fans did. The so-bad-it’s-good track, produced by Rick James, features Murphy pondering why his lady friend is so promiscuous. But the Beverly Hills Cop actor didn’t stop there: He released two more albums of pop and R&B following his hit.
Jada Pinkett-Smith
She’s of Hollywood’s most successful actors and the wife of Will Smith. Yet, it’s safe to say Jada Pinkett’s music career nearly pales in comparison to her acting. She began her television career with roles on A Different World, and eventually transitioned into film starring in Eddie Murphy’s The Nutty Professor, Menace to Society, and Set It Off, to name a few. Pinkett Smith launched her music career in 2002, when she helped create the metal band Wicked Wisdom, for which she is a singer and songwriter. While the group achieved moderate success, it does not nearly rival the impressiveness of Jada’s acting resume.
Donald Glover
Donald Glover is entertainment’s modern renaissance man. Not only does he play Troy Barnes, the lovable Jehovah’s Witness on NBC’s religiously-followed comedy Community, Glover also managed to snag his own Comedy Central Special, Weirdo. Pair that with Glover’s ambitious track record as rapper Childish Gambino, which includes a string of mixtapes and four albums. But it was Gambino’s latest album Camp, his first studio album, which dropped in mid-November and spawned the hits “Bonfire” and “Heartbeat,” that has made him a serious, far from childish contender in the rap game. For all those who ever hated, Glover is getting the last laugh.
