Image via Complex Original
Friend Zone god Musiq Soulchild decided he was tired of chicks saying he was just a friend and figured he'd try to get their attention another way: by being a rapper. His rap alter ego is the Husel. The jury is still out on the meaning of the name. Is there a deeper meaning? Is the rap game "the hustle?" What we do know is Musiq isn't the first artist to do something for attention, money, etc. LL Cool J offered to trade in his jewelry for slavery chains, Lil Wayne was once a "rock star," Ma$e used to be a preacher, and Juelz Santana wants you to wake up now. Check out when good artists do unfortunate things for your enjoyment.
Angel Diaz is a Staff Writer at Complex Media. (@ADiaz456)
Lil Zane
Unfortunate Thing: Bringing the Hip-Hop Dalmatians to life.
Do you remember the scene from Brown Sugar when Taye Diggs' character, accompanied by a rap group in fur coats, runs into Sanaa Lathan's character in a restaurant? This is that group in real life. Lil Zane and the Hip-Hop Dalmatians, ladies and gentlemen. Very excited to see what they have in store. We have no further comment.
Yasiin Bey
Unfortunate Thing: Standing like a grandma in a kente cloth.
No shots here—this is customary garb in Ghana—it's more about the stance. Yassin looks like an old aunt who just lost at bingo. He looks like a mother who just screamed to get in the house because the street lights are on. The Mighty Mos needs to start taking rap seriously again, or at least get back into acting. To each his own.
Busta Rhymes
Unfortunate Thing: Taking his Swagger Wagon verse way too seriously.
I hate how much Busta took this seriously. He laid down a solid 16 instead of just going along with the joke. Busta musta pulled in a pretty penny. I miss when he used to dress with top hats and tailored garments. Now he's taking radio raps as seriously as a feature on a Biggie remix looking like a Dominican drug dealer turned barber.
Juelz Santana
Unfortunate Thing: Promoting what might be a pyramid scheme.
Come on, guys. Wake up! Do this pyramid scheme because Juelz told you to. Don't you know how marketing works? Wakeupnow. WAKE UP! Now. Because Juelz said so. Wake. Up. Now. You ain't rich yet? Stop sleeping, and wake up now. Juelz Santana from the Diplomats wants you to wake up now. Joe Budden's ex also wants you to wake up now. This might actually not be that unfortunate. It can make us all rich!
Musiq Soulchild
Unfortunate Thing: Trying to rap.
The Husel. Like the Hustle but without the the silent "t" and the "e" being in the wrong place. Does an artist like Musiq Soulchild have the right to switch up his shit completely? He was rightfully sitting on the throne of Friend Zone R&B, and he throws it away for some kind of rap-singing career? In total disregard to his subjects in the Friend Zone? To quote the Caribbean goddess Rihanna: “The audacity…” Listen to this trash.
Ma$e
Unfortunate Thing: Going from rapper to preacher, and now preacher to rapper.
Does he still think Puffy is the devil? Did that make him go to Atlanta to get filthy rich by preaching marital bliss to the congregation while he and his wife were going through marital strife? Is that you, Betha? Is that you? Now he's making another comeback. By the looks of his Instagram account, he doesn't need the money. Maybe he misses the fame? We just hope he goes back to being Ma$e instead of trying to keep up.
Wyclef
Unfortunate Thing: Taking a half-naked photo on a motorcycle.
Wyclef responded to rumors of his charity not spending Haiti relief funds correctly by wearing a Haiti flag Speedo, getting oiled up, and hopping on a Ducati. Now that's how you show love of country. Unfortunately, it takes a while to get this image out of your brain. Apologies for that.
Lupe Fiasco
Unfortunate Thing: Refusing to stop talking politics.
Obama the biggest terrorist on Earth? Hyperbole for sure. Point is the U.S. government is not one to talk given its history. However, Lupe talking politics always ends up with him with his foot in his mouth. Plz stop.
Nelly
Unfortunate thing: Endorsing Honey Nut Cheerios at the worst possible time.
He tweeted a tweet about Honey Nut Cheerios during the whole Mike Brown situation. However, he did steal Floyd Mayweather's girl. Actually, that's another thing we wish he didn't do.
LL Cool J
Unfortunate Thing: Contributing to “Accidental Racist.”
LOL. If LL wasn't a fucking legend this would've finished him. On some “You'll never work in this town again. You're finished. Finished, I tell you” shit. Do I have to really transcribe some of his wildly offensive bars to you? Just listen for yourself.
Lil Wayne
Unfortunate Thing: Having the balls to record Rebirth.
Fans gassed Lil Wayne into believing he was the greatest ever, so he repaid them by believing he was the greatest ever. And when you're the greatest ever, or at least believe such a thing, you start thinking you can do whatever the fuck you want and people will eat it up because you're the GOAT. Rebirth never happened. Do that thing Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones do when they want people to forget shit.
Memphis Bleek
Unfortunate Thing: Agreeing to do a shampoo commercial.
No, this is not a sketch from Chappelle's Show. Yes, Memphis Bleek is wearing a durag in a shampoo commercial. As a matter of fact, that makes sense. Durags are used to protect hair and/or to keep waves on spin. Garnier Fructis is the perfect shampoo for all parties involved. Dammit, Memphis, it worked.