Happy 30th Anniversary to a cultural masterpiece! The Martin reunion show is now streaming on BET+ and has brought to mind many of the standout rapper cameos on the series. These rapper cameo appearances are significant for being some of the earliest instances of rappers appearing on a broadcast television series.
Let’s take a look at our 8 favorite rapper cameos that appeared on Martin.
8. Method Man
Method Man is no stranger to appearing in TV and film in the current stage of his career. However his cameo on Martin was his first opportunity to flex his acting chops. In the episode he plays a burglar robbing Martin’s apartment that plays along with an ongoing beef between Martin and Pam to make off with the goods.
7. Bushwick Bill
Bushwick Bill of The Geto Boys had a cameo on Martin along with Tony Cox. The duo brought plenty of laughs in the Season 1 episode.
6. Tone Loc
Tone Loc had quite the career in the early 90’s following the release of his smash hit song “Funky Cold Medina”. He appeared on many series of the era but his cameo on Martin stands out. He played a former popular student that bullied Martin in their school days. Martin finds him breaking into students’ lockers at their reunion and finally stands up to him.
5. Yo-Yo
Yo-Yo had several cameos on Martin as Sheneneh’s partner in crime Keylolo. She had a hilarious dynamic with Lawrence’s character. The duo portray the roles of 90s hot girls perfectly and created classic scenes with their natural chemistry. Yo-Yo was also the protege’ and frequent collaborator of West Coast rap legend and entrepreneur Ice Cube.
4. Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg’s cameo on Martin was featured in an episode where Pam and the crew throw Martin and Gina a surprise engagement party. However, the couple is so busy arguing that they miss the whole thing. Snoop Dogg comes through because he was invited by his Uncle Jerome and takes the party to a whole new level. All the party attendees leave shortly before the couple arrives as they head off to L.A. with Snoop to keep it going.
3. Christopher “Kid” Reid
Christopher “Kid” Reid is one half of the iconic 90s duo Kid ‘n Play. The group is widely known for their films House Party, House Party 2 and Class Act. Reid appeared on Martin as the host of a competition for a fan to win a date with him. Hilariously, Sheneneh ends up being the winner and Kid decides he is unable to go through with it after seeing her in person. This rapper cameo led to one of the funniest moments of the series, Forever Sheneneh.
2. OutKast
OutKast’s cameo on Martin came at a time when the South was just finding a way into mainstream hip hop success. In the episode All The Players Came, OutKast serves as the musical guest while Martin and the crew rally to save a local theatre. This is a guest-heavy episode that really showed admiration for the Black actors and actresses that paved the way for shows like Martin to exist. It featured appearances from Pam Grier, Antonio Fargas, Rudy Ray Moore, Whitman Mayo and Ja’net Dubois. It is also notable that the show was based in the East Coast and the episode came out in 1995. Later that year, the duo was booed after winning best new artist at The Source Awards.
1. The Notorious B.I.G.
Biggie’s appearance on Martin was one of the biggest cultural moments of the day. One of the most influential rappers of the 90s appeared on a top-rated Black sitcom. The episode focuses on Biggie’s search for background singers to take on tour with him. Martin is an old friend that lets Big stay with him to avoid commotion at a hotel. This allowed people to see the smooth personality that Biggie had in another format. There was no way we could make a list about our favorite rapper cameos on Martin without this taking the top spot.
Martin is a show that has consistently connected with generations of TV watchers for decades and one of the strongest pieces of its legacy is the excellent rapper cameos.
BET+ will begin streaming the Martin: The Reunion on June 16 with comedian Affion Crockett as the host. The first trailer dropped yesterday featuring a tribute to the character Tommy played by the late Thomas Mikal Ford.
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Malcolm “Laidback Mack” Morrow | IG: @mack_stay_manifesting | FB: The Hood Hippie MS | Twitter: @_laidbackmack_