Gallery: 25 Pictures of Rappers Reading

Rappers are totally literate yo.

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Image via Complex Original
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Snoop Dogg

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Nas

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Nas

What he's reading: A written statement

Good thing Nas wrote down his speech about Fox News, that way he can remember the words. Maybe he should try the same thing when he performs his songs.

Lil Mama

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Lil Mama

What he's readingThe Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

Lil Mama is enjoying this book so much—soon she'll be ready for Dr. Seuss.

The Roots

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The Roots

What they're reading: A Bearded Gentleman: The Style Guide To Shaving Face by Allan Peterkin and Nick Burns

Reading is cool and all, but we really need ?uestlove to write a book about maintaining the perfect fro.

Eminem

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Eminem

What he's reading: A newspaper

Em reading the paper makes perfect sense. During the making of The Eminem Show, he claimed he would write his rhymes while watching the news.

50 Cent

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50 Cent

What he's reading: The Wall Street Journal

Reading the Journal  lets 50 track his stock portfolio, which helped him transition from wearing G-Unit tank-tops to business suits.

Ludacris

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Ludacris

What he's readingAtlas Maior by Willem and Joan Blaeu

Luda is either planning his next vacation to some exotic island or wondering if Uruguay is really pronounced "U-R-GAY."

Lil Wayne

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Lil Wayne

What he's reading: Some magazine

What better place to catch up on your reading than a basketball game?

Drake

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Drake

What he's readingThe Frank Book Chapter 35: Somoa by The Frank151 Editors

Drake prefers his books like he prefers his women: Something Lil Wayne already read.

Yasiin Bey a.k.a. Mos Def

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Yasiin Bey a.k.a. Mos Def

What They're Reading: Some magazine or other.

Based on his facial expression, Mos looks like he's reading a review of The New Danger.

T.I.

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T.I.

What They're Reading: A written statement

Nice to see Tip's at a basketball game. The last time we saw him reading a written statement, he was in court.

Devin The Dude

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Devin The Dude

What he's readingNorth American Trees by Richard K. Preston

With trees on his mind, Devin is definitely wondering what's taking the weed man so long. 

Ice Cube

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Ice Cube

What he's readingNigger: An Autobiography By Dick Gregory

We wish this Ice Cube could travel to the future and tell present day Are We There Yet? Ice Cube to make some of that ol' hardcore rap.

Common

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Common

What he's readingYoga Journal

Of course Common is reading a Yoga magazine. He's Common!

Shyne

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Shyne

What he's reading: N/A

Damn, was Shyne really reading the Torah while in prison? L'chaim!

RZA

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RZA

What he's reading: N/A

We can't tell what book RZA is actually reading, but knowing him it's probably The Art of War.

Talib Kweli

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Talib Kweli

What They're Reading: N/A

In case you were wondering that's acclaimed author Junot Diaz standing next to Kweli. Good to see great writers who respect rappers.

Rakim

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Rakim

What he's reading: Who Shot Ya? Three Decades of Hip-Hop Photography by Ernie Paniccioli Edited by Kevin Powell

Rakim looks like he's gonna flip past all the Big Daddy Kane pictures and go straight to pictures of himself.

Waka Flocka Flame

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Waka Flocka Flame

What They're Reading: Gangsta's Don't Die by Mouse

True, he's not actually reading in this photo but we're just glad Waka has some kinda book in his house. Even if it's one of those street-lit books.

Nicki Minaj

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Nicki Minaj

What she's reading: The newspaper

Turns out Nicki makes the same stupid faces during her music videos as she does when she's reading the paper. 

Lupe Fiasco

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Lupe Fiasco

What he's reading: The newspaper

Sure, Lupe reads the paper. But knowing him, he doesn't believe anything that's in it. 

KRS One

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KRS-One

What he's reading: Every book ever written.

Come on Kris, we know we're never gonna finish all those books.

Asher Roth

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Asher Roth

What he's readingRap Up Magazine

Asher looks like he's reading an article about white rappers that makes no mention of him.

Raekwon

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Raekwon

What he's readingDUBCNN magazine

Looks like Raekwon just read a magazine that fucked up his day.

Bun B

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Bun B

What he's readingRap Up Magazine

Geez, we gotta get more pics of rappers reading Complex.

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