18 Rappers With Interesting Middle Names

What's in a name? For rappers, it's an essential part of their packaging. The stage name is a major key in showcasing the type of music they want to create and essential in harnessing the attention of the audience. Traditionally in hip-hop, rappers name themselves something that shows off fierceness on the mic, or highlights their lyrical prowess, physical presence or something menacingly dope about their personality. Hence your Scarface's, Killer Mike's, Murda Mase's and Bone Crusher's. Some of today's hottest MC's like Kendrick Lamar or Kanye West prefer to use their government names instead of a creating a new one.

Aside from the monikers they choose for themselves, some of hip-hop's most famous names have interesting real names as well. Through a little digging, XXL discovered rappers new and old school, from Cam'ron and Missy Elliott to Joey Badass and Earl Sweatshirt, have surprising middle names. Though arguably arbitrary, someone's middle name can be chosen to honor a relative or family friend or be a place holder for another name the parents might have wanted to name their youngin'. What makes these rappers' middle names so interesting is how they fit in with their government names, and how unexpected they are based on the public persona that rapper presents. How well do these middle names fit the personalities of the rhymes smiths they belong to? Check out 18 rappers with interesting middle names.