Old-school rappers Where are they now?

Old School Rappers Where are they now?

Long before today’s rap stars were also highly successful business entrepreneurs and making headlines for outrageous Twitter rants, there was a long list of pioneers that paved the way, launching a multi-million-dollar industry and introducing a new style of music and fashion to the world. Here’s a look at what your favorite old-school MCs are up to today.

DJ Kool Herc
Then: The Jamaican born DJ is often known as the father of hip-hop. Kool Herc was known for mixing it up on the ones and twos in the early 1970s and playing two break beats together while dropping rhymes to dancers. Kool Herc was also an early influence on Afrika Bambaataa and another hip-hop legend called Kool Herc a hero.

Now: The hip-hop legend appeared as himself in a dance movie in the early 1980s, but he later fell on hard times. Now, there are reports that he is gravely ill. Get the latest news on his health.

Kid ‘n Play
Then: The real-life hip-hop comedy duo of Christopher "Kid" Reid and Christopher "Play" Martin starred in four films together, most notably these party flicks. Though originally called something else, teen-friendly Kid ‘n Play dropped several albums with positive lyrics.


Now: Kid continued acting with roles on a 1990s sitcom about reunited twins, while Play found God through his music. In 2009, the duo performed their signature dance move at an awards show. Is there a sitcom in the works?

Sir Mix-a-Lot
Then: Sir Mix-a-Lot’s debut album made the MC a superstar with a song about large derrieres. The infamous opening lines turned it into one of the most recognizable and popular rap songs of all time. Find out why MTV briefly banned the music video.


Now: He starred on a short-lived TV series. A native of a Northwest city, he narrated a 2009 documentary about its music scene. There are rumors of a comeback.

Run-D.M.C.
Then: The legendary rap crew from Queens is credited with helping to shape hip-hop culture and was the first group in the genre to achieve this honor. Their video for “King of Rock” was the first rap video to appear on MTV. The rap group also made its mark in fashion.


Now: The trio is now a duo after the tragic 2002 death of Jam-Master Jay. In 2009, Run-D.M.C. became the second hip-hop group to receive an honor dedicated to the most influential musicians. Find out which member is now an ordained minister.

Beastie Boys
Then: The Brooklyn-born Beastie Boys actually started with another musical style but gained commercial success after switching to hip-hop with the release of their debut album. A raucous-party-themed rap became a staple on MTV

Now: Their hair may be a lighter shade of gray now, but it hasn’t stopped the hip-hop luminaries from performing and releasing new albums. Their eighth studio album dropped last year after it was announced that one of them has cancer.

Public Enemy
Then: This 1980s rap group formed around issues like race relations, media criticism and politics. A groundbreaking and best-selling album explored tensions between whites and blacks and includes one of the most influential songs in hip-hop. Public Enemy helped define a musical style.


Now: The group is currently touring this country to promote social justice. Chuck D has become a speaker and activist on issues such as race and politics. One colorful member took another route, appearing on several reality shows, including one dating show satire. Who has a new fried chicken franchise?

Kurtis Blow
Then: This pioneering rapper boasts the first certified gold record hip-hop song, from his 1980 debut album, and was the first of his genre to be signed by a major label. Blow’s 1985 hit, “If I Ruled the World,” was covered by another artist.


Now: Blow, who became known for a national anti-drug and alcohol campaign, had his squeaky-clean image tarnished recently when he was arrested. Founder of a Gospel church, he became an ordained minister in 2009.

Salt-n-Pepa
Then: The 1980s Queens-based hip-hop group solidified itself as the best-selling all-female rap act with sexually charged hits like “Push It” and “Let’s Talk About Sex”. They also made their mark fashion-wise.


Now: Salt quit the group in 2002, officially disbanding the rap trio. Pepa appeared on a reality series about past-their-prime stars and then her own show. The group reformed for yet another reality show, this time following their return to the recording studio. They launch a national tour this year

Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five
Then: Composed of one DJ and five rappers, this group formed in the late 1970s and is credited for being the pioneer of hip-hop cutting and mixing. With influential hits like this classic ditty about the struggles of living in the ghetto, they became the first rap group to receive top rock honors.


Now: Grandmaster Flash released his autobiography in 2007. That same year, under a new name, he released his first solo album.

Ice Cube
Then: Before breaking out into a solo career, Ice Cube was a member of NWA, which was known for aggressive lyrics and considered to be one of the earlier acts of this genre of rap. His lyrics were widely criticized. He jump-started his acting career with roles in a film about growing up in the hood and a classic comedy.


Now: He released his comeback album in 2006 and another dropped in 2010. Get tour dates. Ice Cube continues to act and a TBS show premiered last year based on his 2005 movie of the same name.

KRS-One
Then: The MC was called by several stage names. KRS-One was known for shirking conventional rap themes of cars, jewelry and women for songs about political movements. He started his own record company.


Now: He formed an anti-violence movement. KRS-One was embroiled in a controversy over his comments about a terrorist attack. But, he bounced back. He also was awarded in 2008 for his work. Get tour dates.

Dr. Dre
Then: This veteran rapper and record producer is a legend in the business, having overseen the successful careers of several rappers. He’s credited with developing a synthesizer-based style of rap music. What gangsta rap group made him famous?


Now: Dr. Dre said he’ll release his final album this year. His vocals can be heard on one of his protégé’s new singles. Look for the entrepreneur’s brand of headphones and laptop. But why was he in court recently?

Ice-T
Then: Ice-T entered the rap world after leaving the armed forces and released his debut genre-defining album in 1987. It was the first to carry a controversial warning. One track was widely condemned.


Now: Leaving music behind, Ice-T is now best known for his role as an NYPD detective on a long-running cop drama. He appeared in a 2009 documentary about hair (watch clips) produced by a comedian. Find out why he was arrested last year.

LL Cool J
Then: Hunkycrooner LL Cool J is known for his romantic ballads, such as “I Need Love”, as well as classic hip-hop songs like “Mama Said Knock You Out”. He kick-started his acting career early on with a role in a 1985 rap movie based on the early days of a record label.


Now: After 14 records, LL now focuses on his acting career. He played another rap legend’s love interest in a 2006 romantic comedy and has a starring role on a spin-off of a popular police drama series

1980s musician comebacks

Fame is fickle, but these musical stars of the 1980s have reinvented themselves and their careers to step back into the limelight with some of the biggest comeback stories. See who's still touring, looking for love and starring in movies.

Paul Abdul

Before Paula Abdul moved "Straight Up" the pop music charts in the 1980s, she was a famous cheerleader.

After a few dormant years, she burst onto the scene again in the 2000s as a judge on the hit show "American Idol". Abdul left the show after eight years but is back on TV and is giving music another shot.

Kylie Minogue

Former Australian child actress and pop star Kylie Minogue topped the charts in 1987, but soon declining record sales led to declining popularity.

The pop diva rose to prominence again in 2000 with a hit single. Despite a serious health setback in 2005, Minogue is touring again and released her 11th album last year.

Bret Michaels

Bret Michaels sang his way into 1980s glam rock superstardom.
After the group broke up, he wrangled his way back into the spotlight as the star of a reality TV show in 2007. In the midst of major health woes, Michaels was "hired" in another reality competition and just released a new album.

LL Cool J

Hunky hip-hop star-turned-actor LL Cool J once made a coveted list for artists. LL released his final Def Jam album in 2008. Since then, he has taken to acting in a popular TV drama and on the big screen.

Duran Duran

With their combination of new wave, funk and rock, Duran Duran became a sensation in the 1980s with a ditty about a woman with a strange appetite for love. The band has never disbanded and recently released its 13th studio album. How did it do on the charts?

Guns N' Roses

The lead singer of Guns N' Roses has been the only consistent member of the 1980s hard rock group, which boasts the highest-selling debut album of all time. After a nine-year hiatus in the 1990s and several tumultuous lineup changes, the band shocked the public with a surprise appearance.

Guns N' Roses' comeback -- minus one famous former member -- has been marred by several incidents at live concerts.

Devo

This quirky band from Akron, Ohio, gained a cult following in the early 1980s. Devo's kitschy mix of science-fiction themes and synchronized instrumentation has influenced other new wave bands. They debuted a new album and music video in 2009. Devo is still touring to large audiences.

Steven Tyler

Steven Tyler made music history in the 1970s and 1980s with the rise of some self-proclaimed bad boys. The band hit a low in the early 1980s after drug abuse caused friction among members. But in the late 1980s the bluesy, hard-rock group scored a number of hits with a comeback that has been called one of the most spectacular in music history.

Tyler says his new high-profile job won't break up the band, which continues to perform and record music after 41 years.


Cyndi Lauper

New York City native Cyndi Lauper became one of the biggest pop stars in the 1980s with a string of party hits. Lauper has clung to her star power and last year released her 11th album. But she failed to pass the ultimate test on a high-powered reality show.

Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston was queen of the 1980s and 1990s but crashed and burned after public battles with drugs and her ex-husband.

The diva bounded back in 2009 sporting a new look and a new album with a highly publicized comeback. But the star hasn't been able to escape harsh critiques, and some fans were a bit disappointed.

Jon Bon Jovi

Despite professional setbacks, 1980s rocker and heartthrob Jon Bon Jovi has transformed his glam rock fame into political activism, a successful solo career and even acting. Still performing, Bon Jovi just collected a record payday in concert sales.

Michael Jackson

After becoming the King of Pop thanks to the mega-success of 1982's "Thriller", Michael Jackson increasingly became synonymous with headlines alleging drug abuse and child molestation rather than his music.

The pop star recently had a posthumous comeback. After his death in 2009, Jackson sold more than 8.2 million albums, making him the best-selling artist of 2009.


Ice-T

After spending four years in the Army, rapper-turned-actor Ice-T made a name for himself writing raps and later releasing an album in 1987. His music career has since faded, but he stepped back into the limelight starring in his own VH1 reality show in 2006.

Today, Ice-T is best known for his role on the NBC police drama "Law and Order: Special Victims Unit"