For those of you that are cable-savvy and not living under a rock, I’m sure you’ve caught an episode of HBO’s hit show Entourage (or at least heard of it). For all of you that haven’t, shame on you. Not only is the show actually entertaining, it also shows much love to Hip hop and the culture that embodies the music genre. From guest appearances to wardrobe pieces, Entourage definitely pays homage to the best that ever did it.

Said to be based loosely on the life of actor Mark Wahlberg and his friends, the show is about the life and times of Queens native Vincent Chase (played by Adrian Grenier) and his childhood friends as they go through the trials and tribulations of living in Hollywood. Vince keeps his inner circle tight with his friend Eric (Kevin Connolly) as his manager and older brother Drama (Kevin Dillon) and Turtle (Jerry Ferrara) by his side at all times. Throughout the show, Vince and his boys encounter many of the ‘perks’ that come with being a Hollywood star, but are also faced with some of the pitfalls that come with celebrity status (like catching feelings for your girlfriend’s best friend after having a threesome).

The show is also known for having subtle (ok- sometimes blatantly obvious) undertones of hip hop culture. For one, half of the show’s soundtrack is rap- and not the fluffy, commercial-appeal stuff, either. Paul Wall and T.I blessed the compilation while songs from folks not featured on the soundtrack such as rapper AZ and Philly native Eve are also heard on various episodes as well. In addition to that, many hip hop artists have also made guest appearances on the show. Kanye, Snoop and T.I. have all appeared on episodes alongside Vince and the boys while rappers Bow Wow and Saigon got lucky and scored recurring roles. 50 Cent is even scheduled to appear on an upcoming installment and Lil’ Wayne is rumored to appear in the upcoming season as well.

Besides the occasional rapper guest appearance and classic old school song playing in the background, Entourage also pays homage to hip hop by playing up on one of its main characters. Turtle, Vince’s friend and entourage member, holds on to his Queens accent (yes, folks from Queens have accents- admit it) and even ends up managing rapper Saigon on the show. His supply of velour suits seems endless and the Hummer he drives seems like it is right out of any given random video featuring one of hip hop’s finest.

Whether you’re a fan of the show or have yet to see a single episode, Entourage is sure to be around for a while. The show has been given the green light for a seventh season as well as a few Emmy nominations- further solidifying its spot as good television. With a bright future on the horizon, Entourage is sure to deliver bigger and better things- and of course, more things hip hop.

Rachel McCain