Musicians – and especially rappers – have always shown a love for sports. Whether it is repping their city’s jerseys in promotional videos or being spotted enjoying NBA courtside seats, they make their allegiances known. But some really put their money where their mouth is and invest in their local teams.

You won’t see much mention of these hip hop stars in the range of sportsbooks online but many of them now get involved with all kinds of decisions being made behind the scenes. Here are four rappers – and Usher – who made the move into the big leagues.

JAY-Z

Shawn Carter has come a long way since growing up in the Marcy Houses public housing project in Brooklyn. He is now one of the biggest music stars in the world and is famously married to the equally successful Beyoncé. His business portfolio is forever being updated, but he has made headlines with his sports ownership moves.

As well as various sports clothing and footwear business interests, Jay-Z became part owner of the Brooklyn Nets in 2003, encouraging the franchise’s move from New Jersey to his home borough. Although he sold up ten years later, he now owns a sports agency and once considered buying a stake in EPL soccer team, Arsenal.

NELLY

When the Charlotte Hornets moved to New Orleans in 2003 the NBA were worried that they would be hit with a lawsuit because of the relocation. So a new team – the Bobcats – took their place in the city. BET founder Robert L. Johnson led the new ownership group and Nelly became one of the notable co-owners.

He helped the franchise become better known at a time when sports and entertainment were really beginning to join forces. Nelly remained as a co-owner until Michael Jordan took over and brought back the Hornets name in 2010. Nelly still goes down as one of the early hip hop sports owners though.

DRAKE

Drake is a very vocal and visible supporter of everything Toronto and was named as the global ambassador of the NBA’s Raptors in 2013, joining the executive board of the franchise. It was the least it could do after his commitment to supporting the team over the years dressed in full gear.

He has also been seen sporting Maple Leafs merchandise and never lets anyone question his love for his hometown. That includes his involvement in Canadian Premier League soccer team, York United, based in the city. Soccer is getting to be a big thing in Canada – and Drake is definitely playing his part.

USHER

Usher may not be regarded as a rapper, as such, but we think his music credentials and connections warrant his inclusion on this list. The multi-award-winning singer is famously an Atlanta native who has always repped his city to the fullest. That is why there were a few surprised looks when he celebrated the Cleveland Cavaliers winning the 2016 NBA championship with so much gusto.

The reason, it transpired, is that Usher is actually a part owner. He reportedly invested around $9 million back in 2005 at the time that Dan Gilbert bought the franchise. We wait to see whether Usher decides to invest in any of the major league teams in Atlanta in the near future.

J. COLE

The last name on our list of hip hop owners is not actually an owner quite yet – but it looks like he soon will be. There must be something in the water in Charlotte, because J. Cole is set to follow in the footsteps of Nelly and become a part owner of the city’s NBA team – now back using its Hornets moniker.

Michael Jordan announced at the beginning of June that he was selling most of his stake in the franchise and fans were eagerly anticipating who might step in. Now it has emerged that one of the new minority owners looks like being J. Cole. The rapper was raised in nearby Fayetteville and is a huge hoops fan, even playing professionally in the NBA’s Africa league. Now it seems as if he will be swapping sneakers for an owner’s business suit.