Several artists in Hip-Hop changed over the years from Lil Kim, to Jay-Z to Diddy. Some toned down, others toned up and others came up both in appearance and in their pockets.
Check out our 10 best makeovers in Hip-Hop below.
Lil Kim
Lil Kim went from an around the way Brooklyn girl to International rap icon. Through her time with Biggie Smalls and the rest of her Junior Mafia family, Kimberly Denise Jones became one of the most prominent voices in female rap with the attitude and rhymes to match.
The rapper is still enjoying her notoriety today after being named of Three Olives Vodka ‘O Face’ campaign and successfully opening a hair salon in North Carolina.
Physically Kimberly looks better than ever, although she’s rumored to have undergone at least 10 plastic surgeries.
Rick Ross
William Leonards Roberts has grown to become one of the biggest names in rap despite what many consider a questionable past. The rapper was outed in 2008 as a former corrections officer by The Smoking Gun after pictures of him in police uniform hit the net. After initially denying the photos, Ross later admitted that he’d worked as a corrections officer in the 90’s and went on to sell millions of albums under his Maybach Music Group imprint.
From a corrections officer to a “Teflon Don”, we call that an upgrade.
Nicki Minaj
Nicki Minaj started out as a drama student at La Guardia High School in Queens, New York with dreams of making it big.
After being discovered by Lil Wayne through “The Come Up” DVD series, Minaj joined his Young Money roster and the rest has been what seems to be history.
Minaj has gone from a gritty street rhymer holding her trademark stack of money, to the branded Barbie you see today that reportedly makes over $50,000 per booking.
Besides a monetary makeover it’s hard not to notice how the femcee has grown physically over the years, with glamorous hair, makeup and wardrobe to match.
50 Cent
Born in South Jamaica, Queens to a drug slinging mother, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson has seen his life change dramatically.
The 35-year-old went from being shot nine times and following in his mother’s drug laden foot steps to being a multi-millionaire and earning a reported $400 million for his investment into the Vitamin Water brand.
Physically Curtis has gone from G-Unit tank tops a crossover in tailored suits and ties that have graced many daytime talk show couches.
His album Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified 8 times platinum by the RIAA and has sold over 15 million copies worldwide.
Nelly
Cornell Haynes Jr. has managed to maintain a spot in Hip-Hop since the 2000 release of his album Country Grammar.
The now platinum selling rapper first appeared on the music scene alongside his squad of St. Lunatics and while they obtained minor success as a group, Nelly went on to make millions selling over 21 million album is the U.S. making him one of the best-selling male artists in American music history.
Physically, the change in Nelly is evident and the STL rapper plans to show off his new look in a series of fitness DVDs set to hit stores soon.
Trina
Trina has gone from local Miami raptress to national female rap icon.
The rapper burst onto the music scene alongside Trick Daddy in 1998 with “Nann n*gga” with her gritty lyrics boasting about her sexual prowess and a now notorious “diamond” studded bra.
Since then Trina’s ditched the glittery breast holder and glammed up her look completely.
Over the years, Trina’s become more playful with her lyrics but still maintains that she’s still the baddest.
Jay-Z
From Marcy Projects to Madison Square, Jay-Z has had one of the biggest makeovers in Hip-Hop to date. Jay-Z has grown from an up and coming Brooklyn rapper to a pop culture icon, gracing the covers of Rolling Stone, Forbes and Billboard.
Add in an estimated worth of over $450 million and a marriage to one of the biggest stars in the world and it’s safe to say that Jay-Z’s life has been a makeover success.
Diddy
Diddy has grown from a boy growing up in the projects of Harlem to a rapper, producer and entrepreneur.
After becoming an executive at Uptown Records and a fateful meeting with Christopher “Notorious B.I.G. Wallace”, Diddy has seen his career expand over decades.
In addition to having his own solo rap career, Diddy has played a hand in the rise and fall of a number of artists including those on his “Making The Band” reality show and those who’ve crossed the doors of his Bad Boy Record label.
Additionally the mogul has his Sean John Clothing line and sales from his Ciroc vodka to add to his growing bank account.
After making an estimated $30 million last year alone and with ties to Nicki Minaj and Rick Ross, it’s safe to say that Diddy’s been upgraded from a dancer Diddy Boppin’ at Howard to a multi-million dollar success.
Drake
Drake has ascended to the top of charts and is now and an International rap sensation.
The” Degrassi” actor hung up his acting chops and prop wheelchair, for a microphone in 2006 and had a steady mixtape buzz up to the release of platinum selling Thank Me Later album.
With the help of his friend and mentor Lil Wayne, Drake has gone from Canadian actor to one of the biggest names in rap today.
Forbes recently ranked him number 11 on the list of “Top Earners In Hip-Hop” with an estimated worth of $10 million.
Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne has grown from a 9-year-old member of Cash Money, to the multi-platinum, multi-millionaire, entrepreneur/ executive he is today.
While the “son” of Bryan “Birdman” Williams remained a staple in the Cash Money army for years, the world was unaware of this music icon in the making until 2004’s The Carter where he made the now-infamous claim that he was the “best rapper alive.”
A number of people agree and proved it, by helping 2008’s Tha Carter III move over 1 million copies in its first week.
Although currently incarcerated at Rikers Island Correctional Facility for federal weapons charges, Lil Wayne’s makeover from Cash Money to comrade to Young Money CEO who made an estimated $20 million last year has been one of the best yet.
