9 of Shia LaBeouf’s Surprising Hip-Hop Moments
Shia LaBeouf has never been shy in voicing his love for hip-hop.
As one of the most interesting actors in Hollywood, he's gained increasing popularity not just because of his acting skills but also since he doesn't live by society's standards. Some may call his actions strange — dissing Soulja Boy and Lil Yachty in a freestyle could count — and some may call his antics genius. One thing is clear: the former Even Stevens actor is a huge hip-hop head.
His fandom has been pretty well-documented for a while now. He's great friends with rappers Cage and Kid Cudi and directed a few of their music videos, he has multiple tattoos of rappers' faces on his body and he's frequently showcased his freestyling ability on radio.
Most recently, the 30-year-old West Coast native visited Sway in the Morning to participate in the show's signature “Five Fingers of Death” freestyle segment. Over classic beats from Missy Elliott, 2Pac, Snoop Dogg and The Notorious B.I.G., the big-screen star ripped through a two-minute freestyle. Sway later declared Shia the “No. 1 MC in Hollywood.”
He then went on Power 105.1's The Breakfast Club and dropped another freestyle in which he dissed Drake, Lil Yachty, Hot 97 and Soulja Boy, whom he later got into a comical beef with.
Hip-hop runs through Shia LaBeouf's veins. Most recently, he, along with Jaden Smith —who can deliver some crazy bars when he wants to also (don't sleep) — launched an anti-Trump live stream that will run for the duration of the reality show star’s time in office.
With a deep connection to the game, XXL highlights Shia LaBeouf's most surprising hip-hop moments.
- 1
Directs Kid Cudi's "Marijuana" and "Maniac" Videos
LaBeouf stepped behind the camera to flex his directorial skills by teaming up with Kid Cudi for two of his videos: "Marijuana" and "Maniac."
- 2
Directs Cage's "I Never Knew You" Video
He linked up with rapper Cage to the direct video. This time, he was at the helm of the visual for "I Never Knew."
- 3
Copies Gucci Mane in Plagiarism Apology Tweet
After it was discovered that Shia LaBeouf's debut film, HowardCantour.com, was plagiarized from a graphic novel by Daniel Clowes, he issued an apology. However, it wasn't an original as one would hope considering the controversy surrounding his film. The actor/director plagiarized again by copying Gucci Mane for a sarcastic Twitter apology.
- 4
Freestyles That He’s “Best to Do It Since 2Pac”
For more than three minutes, the actor freestyles about potatoes, astronomer Galileo Galilei and the Transformer film franchise (which he disses). The most memorable line is when he raps that he’s "the best to do this since 2Pac was doing music."
- 5
Gets Tattoos of Tupac, Biggie, Dr. Dre and Missy Elliott
LaBeouf went on The Ellen DeGeneres show to highlight a few of his tattoos dedicated to hip-hop. He has two images of Missy Elliott from the “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)” video, and a few more tats of Dr. Dre, Tupac and Biggie Smalls.
- 6
Bodies ‘Five Fingers of Death’ Freestyle
Never underestimate this guy's freestyle skills. He stopped by Sway in the Morning and went to work on the mic.
“Get ready, get set, this a meme/This is wild, this a childhood dream/I’m that guy, though/All pride, yo," he raps. “1Oak, that’s a dumb club/I don’t go there, but I get dumb love/Legend bitch, trash you heard, that’s all alleged bitch/Plagiarists stay makin’ shit/Greatest gifts come from painful shit/Truth is? I’mma true G/Only white kid with Big in a Coogi tatted to me/And Tupac too, and Missy on my two knees/Dude, please askin’ bout my tats like a groupie/Whenever the truth’s required, I’m hired/I’m the go-to guy for fire.”
- 7
Shia LaBeouf Calls Out Drake, Soulja Boy, Lil Yachty and Hot 97 on New Freestyle
The actor-turned-rapper fired off disses at Hot 97 radio personality Peter Rosenberg as well as rappers Drake, Soulja Boy and Lil Yachty.
“First lame’s first/Rosenberg’s the oldest turd/He knows he’s dirt,” he raps, taking shots at the Hot 97 host. He also calls Rosenberg, “Faker than Drake’s Jamaican accent/Old as fuck dog, you’re past tense/Stagnant, sure don’t miss you when you’re absent/You’re lackin/To Sway and Charlamagne, you’re a fraction.”
He also fires off at Yachty. “Not a Nautica boy, I own myself/This whole thing’s a bit absurd but on my word/Is Boat about to get this work/You spit that dirt,” he raps. Shia later adds, “Bitch, I’m fuckin on fire/You, unaccompanied minor," LaBeouf delivers.
And ends with a jab at Soulja. “Him and Soulja on that shout out shit/This is not, this a murder, this is tragedy man/He’s like Lil Romeo meets Raggedy Ann," he rhymes.
- 8
Gets Banned From Atlanta by Soulja Boy
In response to Soulja Boy banning Shia LaBeouf from Atlanta, the actor released his final freestyle and claimed he’ll be in the ATL when he has free time.
- 9
Calls Soulja Boy a Sweetheart
While walking into a building in Studio City, Calif., TMZ caught up with Shia LaBeouf to discuss his beef with Soulja Boy and the rapper's threats.
“I think he’s awesome,” the actor responded. “He’s a sweetheart, bro. He don’t mean it,” LaBeouf said, unbothered.
However, when asked if he would let Big Soula be in one of his movies, the actor's tone switched up. “I don’t know, he can [get a part in the movie] on his own, probably. He’s a pretty enigmatic character,” Shia added before entering the building.