Every year, Forbes Magazine ranks its top 20 money making musicians in hip-hop. Whether you are a producer or rapper, as long as you are able to make a massive impact in the hip-hop industry and you are able to cash large cheques from your endeavours there is a high chance that you will make it on to the list. The impressive thing about these men that are opportune to find their way on to this list, they have been able to branch out of music and dive into other industries, thereby developing their multi-tasking skills and adding more zeros to the money they have in the bank.
In the year June 2009-June 2010, it is no surprise that Jay-Z takes the top spot for the second year in a row making $63 million (an improvement from the $35 million he made the year before, heavily due to the recession). Jay-Z had a successful album (Blueprint 3) and a successful world tour that he used to promote the album, He co-owns the 40/40 club chain and has a stake in the NBA's New Jersey Nets, the money Jay-Z made from these ventures gave him the right to sit tight at the summit of the list. Followed closely behind is Sean "Diddy" Combs who made the same amount as last year through the same ventures without releasing an album or prominently touring, a considerable $30 million from his Ciroc Vodka sales, a number of Television and Film roles (most notably his role in the comedy Get Him To The Greek), Sean John Clothing Line and his joint venture with Dr Dre to create diddybeats- his line of earphones. Akon takes third place with $21 million and that is due to the success of his Konvict Clothing Line, his World Cup soccer ad campaign with Pepsi and his Kon Live imprint backed by Interscope Records that is home to Lady Gaga. Lil'Wayne comes in fourth with $20 million money made from the success of his Rebirth album and the Young Money album, he also went on tour before he went to prison to serve his one-year sentence. Dr. Dre closes out the top 5 with $17 million, money made from his production credits on Eminem's Relapse and Recovery Albums, he also made a chunk of cash by launching earphone lines for Diddy and Lady Gaga.
Ludacris made $16 million, cash made from the success of his Battle of the Sexes album, film roles and a new line of Cognac known as Conjure. Drake becomes the highest-earning newcomer on the list. He banked $9 million over the past 12 months, thanks to a new record deal, an advertising pact with Sprite, and an agreement with Virgin America that plasters his likeness onto the sides of airplanes. Another good decision: recruiting Lil Wayne and Jay-Z to appear on his debut album, Thank Me Later, which sold 447,000 copies in its first week. Other notable mentions on the list include Eminem, Kanye West and 50 Cent, the latter two take dips in their earning power when compared to previous years in 2007/2008 and 2008/2009.
One thing is for sure, Rappers are not relying on their music alone to stack up a fortune for themselves and their families. It goes to show that even though society may look at them as not-the-best role models, we cannot deny their drive and ambitiousness.
The Full List can be seen below;
1. Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter ($63 million)
2. Diddy ($30 million)
3. Akon ($21 million)
4. Lil Wayne ($20 million)
5. Dr. Dre ($17 million)
6. Ludacris ($16 million)
7. Snoop Dogg ($15 million)
8. Timbaland ($14 million)
9. Pharell Williams ($13 million)
10. Kanye West ($12 million)
11) Drake($10 million)
12) T.I.($9 million)
12) Swizz Beatz ($9 million)
14) Eminem ($8 million)
14) 50 Cent ($8 million)
14) Young Jeezy ($8 million)
17) Common ($7 million)
18) Soulja Boy ($6 million)
18) T-Pain ($6 million)
20) Lil’ Jon ($5 million)
20) Gucci Mane ($5 million)
20) Rick Ross ($5 million)
21) Nelly ($4 million)
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