The stretch of sidewalk along the Hollywood Boulevard has grown to represent the American dream most people are after; a life of fame and glamour. The idea came from an artist, Oliver Weissmuller, who had been hired to assist in the renovation of Hollywood in 1953 to make it more attractive.
The Hollywood Walk of Fame stretches 18 blocks, extending to the Grauman's Chinese Theater and has today become a popular destination for tourists and aspiring stars from all over the world.
The list of names gracing the walk contains legendary figures in film, music and live performance. Some of the stars carry the names of popular figures such as Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, Johnny Depp, Tom Hanks, Muhammad Ali, and many many more.
Every year since it opened, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce announces the names of entertainers who will be inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Unfortunately, not every celebrity gets the honor. Ever wondered how the stars are chosen? Wonder no more.
First, the entertainer has to be nominated under the five categories; television, motion pictures, radio, recording, and live performance. Anyone can nominate a celebrity, but the nomination has to include a commitment to sponsor the star in case the celebrity accepts the nomination.
The Walk of Fame Committee then selects the names from the list of nominations it receives.
The Walk of Fame committee consists of five people representing the five categories and a chairman. The five are the ones who mostly vote on who gets the honor with the chairman only voting if there is a draw.
Once a celebrity gets selected, he or she pays around $40,000, which will cater for promotion costs, the unveiling ceremony and upkeep of the star. A portion also goes to the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. The payment is only accepted once a celebrity has gone through the nomination process.
Once a celebrity is announced, he or she has to agree to be on the Walk of Fame. You might be thinking who would refuse the honor? Celebrities such as Julia Roberts and Dustin Hoffman have, in the past, declined the nomination. For those who agree, the unveiling ceremony has to be done within two years of the date they were selected.
Today, there are more than 2,500 stars on the Walk of Fame with a bulk of those belonging to film and television stars with live performers making up the least share. Hip hop has not being left behind. Here are a few hip hop artists who have been honored with a star on the famous sidewalk.
Queen Latifah became the first rapper to have a star on the walk when her star was unveiled in January 2006. Her contributions were however not only down to music but in film and television, with the rapper tur
ned actress receiving an Emmy and Academy Award as well.
Diddy got his star on the Walk of Fame in 2008, becoming the second rapper to receive the honor after Queen Latifah two years earlier. The mogul has been in the entertainment industry for twenty plus years with chart-topping singles and a respectable list of artists who have at one time or another, being under his Bad Boy record label.
It was a while till the next rapper joined the list, and it was worth the wait. Pharrell's contributions to music and hip hop cannot be overstated. Working with respectable names in the industry such as Jay Z and Snoop Dogg, few can argue against his deserved achievement.
There is no way you could have a list of rappers with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and not include Pac. He is one of the best selling artists in the world with his album All Eyez On Me, one of the best selling hip hop albums of all time. Before his death in 1996, he had become an accomplished poet and actor; starring in films like Above The Rim, Poetic Justice, Gang Related among others.
Another rapper turned actor to receive the honor due to his contributions to the world of entertainment was Ice Cube. He found fame alongside Dr. Dre; who graced the unveiling ceremony, as part of the West Coast hip hop group N.W.A. What most people don't know is that Cube wrote most of the lyrics for their Straight Outta Compton album.
He left the group and went on to have a successful music and acting career with roles in films such as Boyz n the Hood, Friday, and Barbershop, while producing the 2015 film Straight Outta Compton which was based on the story of N.WA.
This rap veteran also got his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. During the unveiling ceremony, Snoop took time in his acceptance speech to thank his source of inspiration for his illustrious career spanning over twenty plus years; himself. "I want to thank me for being me at all times," the rapper said.
More rappers have been announced as new recipients of stars on the Walk of Fame with names such as 50 Cent, and Cypress Hill set to get theirs in the coming years. Other rappers already on the list include LL Cool J and Pitbull, receiving their stars in 2016.
For many, having their names immortalized is an honor they still cove, but few ever get to enjoy. The inclusion of rappers shows the important contribution hip hop has made to the entertainment scene not only in Hollywood but in the world over. However, there is still a long way to go with notable names such as Kanye West and Jay Z still missing from the list.
Check out some of the works of the artists above as you kick back with a blunt knowing Blunt Power has got the after smell covered. With a wide array of flavors to choose from, BluntPower gives you the right air freshener to set the mood right for every stoning session.