Gambling is often seen as a representation of wealth and success, which is prevalent in hip-hop and has become an integral part of this genre. Many rappers incorporate the world of high-stakes and risk-taking in their lyrics, which is more evident in the newer generation of rappers.
However, we’re not going to talk about the newer generation rappers and their interest in high-stake crypto games at bet999.io, but the real OGs that made the genre what it is today. In this article, we will explore the top five hip-hop artists that are not only great at delivering punchlines but are also fantastic poker players.
Keep reading until the end, as our list of the top five rappers who love gambling also includes a billionaire. Let’s get started!
Snoop Dogg Plays Casanova Poker on Crip Blue Bandana
The father of the Crip Walk, Snoop Dogg, is a pretty laid-back rapper. He’s always in a happy and chill mood whenever encountered on the streets or during interviews.
However, there is a side to the godfather that most people do not know about: he’s a stone-cold poker player and is excellent at dealing cards.
We’re not just assuming things here. There is rare footage of the hip-hop artist surfacing on the Internet that shows Snoop hosting a table. After digging further into it, we discovered that the scene was from a movie where the rapper made a cameo as a table games host playing poker.
When you look at that clip, you’ll see a different side of Snoop Dogg. He’s pretty serious while playing cards but is also capable of creating a good-hearted atmosphere at the table.
This shows that the rapper is not only good at producing some of the best hip-hop songs of all time but also enjoys a game of poker now and then. A bonus Easter egg in the video is the crip blue pattern that many people missed!
Akon Loves Playing Online Poker
Today’s generation may not have heard about Akon or listened to his songs, but he was one of the trendiest hip-hop artists back then.
With a global hit titled “Smack That,” Akon became a mega superstar and eventually transitioned to becoming an enterprising entrepreneur. Currently, he’s stepped away from the microphone and is helping young and upcoming artists to make it to the mainstream media through his record label.
Most of us who were from that generation where Akon was the number one artist know how the rapper liked to indulge in luxury, so it didn’t come as a surprise when we found out that he loves playing online poker!
According to CoinTelegraph, in 2021, Akon gave a shout out to the play-to-earn poker platform for being the next wave of gaming. Besides that, he made some headlines earlier when he released his own cryptocurrency, Akoin, a blockchain-based ecosystem of tools and services designed for entrepreneurs in the rising economies of Africa.
It seems like Akon loves technology and high stakes, so creating a cryptocurrency with a purpose did not come as a surprise to the fans.
50 Cent Likes to Get Rich or Die Trying with Gambling
The American rapper Curtis James Jackson, also commonly known as 50 Cent, is a singer, producer, businessman, and hustler. He likes to hustle to make money, and one of his favorite pastimes is gambling with his earnings to make easy cash. It’s no surprise, as the hip-hop artist has a poker face. Perhaps, that is his secret to winning.
Although 50 Cent loves to play poker now and then, he prefers betting. Despite that, he will never refuse to join a good table and bring his persona and riches to it. He lives his life by his notorious hood phrase, “Get rich or die trying,” every day.
Eminem and Dr. Dre Play Poker Every Now and Then
We had to mention Eminem and Dr. Dre together, as this iconic duo significantly impacted the hip-hop industry and changed it for good.
Dr. Dre, the real OG, supported Eminem at a time when the music industry didn’t want a white male representing the rap culture. The two share an inseparable bond and have respect for each other, leading to some of the greatest hip-hop songs of all time.
Eminem and Dr. Dre love playing poker, as evident from the many videos on the Internet. They’ve been seen together at the Las Vegas Palms playing at a table. That said, they’re not enthusiasts and see poker as a good pastime rather than view it as a hobby or an interest.
Lil Wayne and Drake
This is an unusual matchup, but many people don’t realize that the “Lollipop” star and the “Hold on, we’re going home” artist love playing poker.
According to a post on Reddit, the starting scene of the mashup song “Forever” video indicates that the two are big fans of the game.
Jay-Z
It goes without saying that the rappers with a lot of cash to flash are fans of poker, and Jay-Z is worth $2.5 billion!
Although many people know him for being married to the R&B, pop, and hip-hop queen Beyoncé, he’s launched many successful artists, including Kanye West, Rihanna, and J.Cole. Besides that, this billionaire loves playing a good game of poker whenever he can.
Perhaps, it is the thrill from the game that pairs well with his larger-than-life personality, or maybe he just has too much cash!
Final Thoughts
Gambling, including playing poker, is part of the hip-hop culture, with experts believing that it is the high-stakes and risk-taking that attracts rappers.
Some songs have lyrics that revolve around the theme of casinos, sports, betting, and gambling games. Perhaps, the artists believe that taking risks can inspire personal growth, helping them overcome their fears and giving them more self-control.
Elements of gambling have always been prevalent in hip-hop culture, signifying wealth and status, something that the rappers earned through sweat and blood.
Going forward, we expect that this trend will continue to rise, with more hip-hop artists making references to gambling in their future tracks.