Los Angeles ? The pairing of a rap star and a martial arts heavyweight pushed “Cradle 2 The Grave” to the top of the box office.

The high-octane action-adventure film featuring rapper DMX as a gang leader and martial arts star Jet Li as a Taiwanese intelligence officer took in $17.1 million in its opening weekend.

“Cradle” follows DMX and Li as they form an unlikely alliance in a film that mixes stolen diamonds, kidnapping and a plot to distribute a deadly new weapon of war.

“Chicago” crossed the $100 million mark over the weekend, making it the highest-grossing musical since “Grease” in 1978. It’s now earned $105.2 million.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday, according to Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc.:

1. “Cradle 2 The Grave,” $17.1 million.

2. “Old School,” $13.9 million.

3. “Daredevil,” $11 million.

4. “How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days,” $10.1 million.

5. “Chicago,” $8.1 million.

6. “The Jungle Book 2,” $6.8 million.

7. “Shanghai Knights,” $4.8 million.

8. “The Life of David Gale,” $4.4 million.

9. “Gods and Generals, $2.8 million.

10. “The Recruit,” $2.6 million.