Which rapper played the role of Will's friend Jazz on the show?

DJ Jazzy Jeff played Will's friend Jazz on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. His real name is Jeffrey Allen Townes, and he was already famous as one half of the hip-hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince with Will Smith.

Townes initially appeared as a recurring guest during the show's first season before becoming a regular presence. The character Jazz was written as Will's energetic, mischievous friend, closely echoing the performers' real-life musical partnership. His appearances often ended with Uncle Phil throwing him out of the Banks family home.

The role was more than a celebrity cameo: Townes became part of the show's recurring comic rhythm and helped connect its television success to hip-hop culture. He and Smith had already won the first Grammy Award presented for rap in 1989 for “Parents Just Don't Understand.”

A common mix-up is choosing Will Smith because he played the title character, but Smith portrayed Will, while his longtime musical partner played Jazz.