Tech CEOs and Their Rapper Equivalents

Image via Complex Original

Rap counterpart: 50 Cent

Certified splurger, self-made millionaire, and straight shit starter. Wait...who are we talking about here? Kill the debate. The Oracle kingpin and G-Unit general are mere reflections of themselves, earning respect as business moguls and temperamental bosses who ain't afraid to tell it like it is, let alone throw shade at anyone who crosses their paths. Beware how you approach the gods.

Rap counterpart: Nas

They say bosses move in silence. Well, Nasir did. The mind behind the most-demanded computer OS across the globe and the genius who made what is arguably the greatest hip-hop album of all time know all about adapting with the times, focusing on business, and sharing a methodical mind state. To put it bluntly, Windows is to technology what Illmatic is to hip-hop. Period!

Rap counterpart: Drake

Young, rich, Jewish, and perceived as sensitive to the public, one could easily mistake the social media giant for the OVO rapper. But despite the criticism and hate that comes with fame, the two continue to prove over time that they’re the youngest in charge of their individual spectrums.

Rap counterpart: Diddy

Both master in the art of campaigning to push their brands and take immense pride in being radicals to their respective fields. Then again, T-Mobile's CEO and Bad Boy's founder thirst for the attention every time they step into a party. Don't believe us? See what Legere's been guilty of as of recent. And you already know how Puffy gets down. Yea, take that, take that.

Rap counterpart: ASAP Rocky

Natural born trendsetters, the Tesla co-founder and ASAP Mob chief have an affinity for flashing their success, style, and wealth. Fashionable bachelors who can party with the best of them, these dudes epitomize the concept of swag. Not to mention the two share ambitions of being out in space—Musk running his own private space venture and Rocky enjoying visions of possessing a “condo out in space.”

Rap counterpart: Nicki Minaj

Ironically, Mayer and Minaj stand out as the only female influencers to their cultures. But even with the two trapped in male-dominated spaces, M&M continue to hold their own as leaders of the new school through adept business motives, notable fashion senses, and strong-willed personalities.

Rap counterpart: Rick Ross

Reckless with the mouth, strong-minded, and unconditionally overweight—where do the similarities end, right? Granted you wont see Rozay do any of Ballmer's signature dance moves at his next album release, but the two power figures are familiar with running an empire and refuse to bite their tongues, even if controversy follows.

Rap counterpart: Macklemore

Granted Macklemore gets props for becoming a dignitary on the independent music scene, homie pretty much plays to the market by giving listeners exactly what they seek: commercial hits. Some would say Cook is guilty of the same crime after being designated to the same throne that Steve Jobs once sat in and releasing safe, yet less groundbreaking iDevices. Straight posers.

Rap counterpart: Kendrick Lamar

One is the tech industry's hottest neophyte and the other is hip-hop’s prodigal son. What do they have in common? Levie’s practically captured the attention of Silicon Valley the same way Lamar has taken over the rap game. And both accomplished such success without compromising their visions.

Rap counterpart: Eminem

You want to talk uber-serious individuals who live reserved and private lifestyles, then look no further than Twitter’s co-founder and the self-proclaimed rap god. But don’t get it twisted though. They have no quarrels laying a verbal smackdown on someone, whether in 140-character form or on record.

Rap counterpart: Kanye West

Egomaniac, perfectionist, visionary, and voice for today’s generation—you would swear Donda’s little boy and Apple’s deity came from the same womb. No matter the age difference or background, both Stevie and Yeezy shared the same passion for creating the best product available, whether musically or technically. Some say Ye's proclamation of picking "up where Steve Jobs left off" speaks for itself. We say the two's respective catalogs of work scream in loud volume.

Rap counterpart: Jay-Z

We’re talking about two of the wealthiest men in the world with ball-so-hard attitudes and huge business ventures across different fields. In short, you can say they’re their own businesses, man!