Rappers as DCEU Characters
After recasting the DCEU and contemplating which rappers are the hip hop equivalent of MCU characters, I decided that with all this talk of the DCEU and all this writing about rappers as superheroes is definitely worth contemplating which rappers are the Hip Hop equivalent of DCEU characters.
I need everyone to be on board with the fact that I am making these comparisons based on how the characters appear in the films Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Suicide Squad, Wonder Woman, and the trailers for Justice League. Not how they have appeared in comics and iterations that you have preferred in the past.
Rapper/DCEU Character:
Chance the Rapper is the Hip Hop Batman
Why you have to agree:
I know what' you're thinking... because I'm thinking it too! What an excellent choice! The age thing means nothing! Exactly right? I mean Chance, like Batman, is seen as a mere mortal who is out to do the right thing! In relation to their superhero/rapper friends they're seen as everday men and they're using their money to fight the evil they see in the world. Plus! Chicago doubled for Gotham in the Nolan films! Tenuous location connections aside, I look up to Chance like I look up to Batman. They're pretty outspoken about what they don't like and they both saw a bad situation and attempted to correct it without superpowers or by signing to a major/joining a team (initially).
Why you have to agree:
Remember this is DCEU Superman we're dealing with here. The strongest connection I can make is how emo these guys are. An almost god like figure who isn't from around here (you know Canada/America, Earth/Krypton) who feels he can't catch a break. Both Drake and Superman don't know who to trust and feel like everyone is against them! See how Drake is performing in a fountain with some of the most lavish visuals and he's still talking about "kickers" and "burrying him" now so he'll get stronger... kinda like BvS Superman, right?
Rapper/DCEU Character:
Lauryn Hill is the Hip Hop Wonder Woman
Why you have to agree:
Both Lauryn and Diana have been around long enough to know what's up. Anytime they enter a situation they can do so with confidence based on their skills and experience. They both don't accept what's expected of them and are constantly showing the world that they'll be successful on their own terms. Not only that, but, they're extremely humble considering your favourite heroes/rappers all respect them. Let's not forget that Lauryn is prone to making us wait just like we waited for far too long for a solo Wonder Woman film... In both cases: WORTH THE WAIT!
Why you have to agree:
We haven't seen a full Flash movie yet. Having said that, it's been made clear that The Flash is a fun loving energetic young outsider who wants some friends! If I could I would just say Rae Sremmurd the group is a great analogue for that too. But that's crazy! A man can have super speed but two people can't represent one person. So I'm going with Swae Lee. Why? Because that's just how it's going to go. Swae Lee is a fun loving guy who hasn't quite been accepted into the mainstream even though we've seen him pop up from time to time just like The Flash in the DCEU!
Rapper/DCEU Character:
Killer Mike is the Hip Hop Aquaman
Why you have to agree:
Aquaman and Killer Mike both are all about their people! Both of them look imposing and both of them are not to be messed with because they both will bring the rukus if need be! Killer Mike will work with others like he does in Run the Jewels but only if it's for something way doper than he could achieve on his own, kinda like I assume Aquaman will be in Justice League.
Rapper/DCEU Character:
Jay Electronica is the Hip Hop Cyborg
Why you have to agree:
Both Jay Elec and Cyborg look out of this world based off of very little exposure. While I have seen Jay Electronica perform... he kinda only performed snippets. Just like I've only seen Cyborg in snippets. What can't be denied is that they're both in great company and sought after by legends in their respective arenas. Batman seeking out Cyborg and Jay Z and Puff Daddy seeking out Jay Electronica. As of the date that I'm writing this, Cyborg and Jay Electronica have only shown us flashes of what they can do and we're not even sure that Jay Elec will put out a full album or Cyborg will have a solo film. Let's keep hoping they follow through on the promise they've shown.
Rapper/DCEU Character:
Joe Budden is the Hip Hop Lex Luthor
Why you have to agree:
Let me start this by pointing out that I think Joe Budden had a top 10 album last year, I listen to his podcast, and I watch his daily show, Everyday Struggle. So this isn't hate. In fact I suppose that's where the similarities start. I liked Lex Luthor in BvS and I like Joe Budden. They both hate and are hated, though. Lex Luthor's seemingly out of nowhere hate for Superman in BvS is similar to Joe Budden's disdain for Lil Yachty's happiness. Also... as a bonus that I didn't even realize till now, Joe Budden, the Hip Hop Lex Luthor, went after Drake, the Hip Hop Superman! CONNECTIONS!
Why you have to agree:
Much like Deadshot in Suicide Squad, Pusha T doesn't really miss. They've also been through some changes in their family. Deadshot has been taken away from his daughter and Pusha T and his brother no longer rap together as The Clipse. They've also shown signs of genuinely going to work, as an assassin or rapper, in order to go for people's heads. Pusha has gone after Lil Wayne, Baby, and Drake... I mean they're still standing but it's similar to Deadshot dropping bodies and loving it.
Rapper/DCEU Character:
Remy Ma is the Hip Hop Harley Quinn
Why you have to agree:
Let's make one thing clear. Remy and Harley are about that life. If you come for what's important to them they will respond with violence. Remy recently came home from jail and it wasn't for tax evasion. I also see Remy and Harley as stronger and more skilled than some of their male peers. Don't confuse their smiling for kindness. They both want to project an air of crazy but as I said they're more than capable of out rapping/out slugging their peers if need be! Just like Harley getting a spin-off with Gotham Sirens, Remy has proved, after her group project last year, that she can take more of a lead role going forward.
Why you have to agree:
Fat Joe is like the DCEU Joker because I want to like him but when it comes to the album/actual movie things fall flat. The trailers for Suicide Squad hinted at another cool take on Joker just like every single Fat Joe puts out hints at an amazing album. In both cases I feel underwhelmed. Fat Joe is clearly talented, especially when it comes to an ear for beats and how to spit over those beats. I don't know what happens when it gets to the full album. It always feels like something is missing. Same problem with the latest Joker although we all know why it feels like something is missing... there's only like 40% of his performance in the movie. Anyway, the point is I want to like both Fat Joe and this new Joker so I hope they both finally knock it out of the park.
Rapper/DCEU Character:
A$AP Ferg is the Hip Hop Captain Boomerang
Why you have to agree:
I can only speak to my expectations versus reality with both A$AP Ferg and Captain Boomerang. I was ambivalent about both of them before I actually engaged with them. I like the idea of having Captain Boomerang in the Suicide Squad comics. It was actually the casting of Jai Courtney that threw me off. Just like Ferg just didn't seem up my alley based on the 30 seconds I'd heard from him. However, last year, all that changed! I loved Ferg's album last year and thought Jai Courtney's Captain Boomerang (who wasn't very much like the Boomerang I'd read about) was enjoyable and fun.
Rapper/DCEU Character:
Gucci Mane is the Hip Hop Killer Croc
Why you have to agree:
It is true that I'm not the biggest Gucci Mane fan, however, he knows himself. He has carved out his own lane and is definitely one of the best at what he does. Plus he is definitely not someone you want to mess with! That's just like Killer Croc in Suicide Squad. He know's he's beautiful and when it comes down to it he proves why he's one of the most feared members of Task Force X. It should be noted that I'm not the biggest Killer Croc fan either. I also didn't realize Killer Croc was supposed to be a black stereotype. At least Gucci is moving away from that in his post prison run. There's hope for Killer Croc evolving if he's in a sequel too.
Rapper/DCEU Character:
Iggy Azalea is the Hip Hop Enchantress
Why you have to agree:
Iggy and Enchantress were pretty much wild cards before their album and movie respectively. I didn't know what to expect from Iggy but I was down to listen because of who she was packaged with (i.e. T.I.). Same thing goes with Enchantress. Now that we've heard Iggy do her thing and seen Enchantress... it's safe to say they are the butt of many jokes and no one feels bad about making fun of either one. It's a shame. In both cases I wish I could defend or, better yet, not have to defend either one of them.
Rapper/DCEU Character:
Erykah Badu is the Hip Hop Amanda Waller
Why you have to agree:
Yeah I know. Erykah isn't a rapper. But she's got influence over rappers (i'll just let that sit there). Like Amanda Waller, Erykah has inspired some formidable people to do what she wants them to do. Did you catch all the cameos in the video above? Amanda in the movie and in the comics can stand up to Batman and of course gets people to do things that may even be against their best interest. Erykah also has experience with that as it pertains to Jay Electronica releasing his album! Watch this interview with Erykah and the Breakfast Club to get more insight into her influence over people.
-YG