Read: 20 Most Remarkable First Film Roles By A Musician

From IFC: Some musicians have a distinct advantage when it comes to launching an acting career, bringing celebrity and a fan base to the bargaining table that can add crucial appeal to their early prospects. However, musicians (and we use the term loosely), rappers and singers must also struggle with the preconceived notion that comes with them, to the ruin of many who cannot break free of their tabloid typecasting. But this can also be their greatest asset -- there is nothing audiences love more than watching someone defy expectation, other than perhaps a star, defying expectation. Many have tried, most have failed. Everyone from Michael Jackson to Mos Def, Method Man to Mick Jagger, have dabbled in acting with varying degrees of success. Most recently, Justin Timberlake has come out strong in "The Social Network," but we decided to focus on the early role, the first real performance of some of the best crossover talents (and Timberlake in "Edison Force" didn't make the cut). These are 20 of the most remarkable. VIEW THE LIST HERE