With all of the bling and cars, big chains and expensive clothes, hip-hop has become as much as a fashion statement as it is a form of music. But with $1500 shoes and $250,000 cars, hip-hoppers must have some sort of reliable source of income to keep up with the Jones’.
Each year, Forbes Magazine ranks “Hip Hop’s Cash Kings” according to how much money they pulled in during the prior fiscal year. Through weighing their financial accomplishments, Forbes ranks this year’s champs as 50 Cent, Jay-Z, and Diddy.
50 Cent Is The Richest Rapper In The Game
According to Forbes, the G-Unit general raked in a cool $100 million after taxes on the VitaminWater deal alone. With a portfolio that includes a clothing line, record label, movies, video games, and a gaggle of platinum albums, it is no wonder 50 is laughing all of the way to the “Piggy Bank” with almost $150 million made last year.
“They’re trying to buy Gucci/ I’m trying to buy the mall,” 50 said of his less successful counterparts.
Jockin Jay-Z’s Money
Although he lost the throne to 50 Cent, Jay-Z is far from broke. It’s been a big year from Brooklyn’s own. Having married his longtime girlfriend, R&B singer Beyonce Knowles, Mr. Carter also released a platinum album and scored a 10-year, $150 million deal with LiveNation.
“Roll like Monopoly, ad-vance you copy me, like white crystals, I gross the most, at the end of the fiscal year than these niggaz can wish to,” Jay said on the track “Dead Presidents II.”
Diddy’s Cash Is King
For the second consecutive year, Diddy come in third place in the fiscal free-for-all. According to Forbes, the hip-hop hit maker bought in $35 million last year. From his wildly successful clothing line, Sean John, to his Bad Boy label and two reality shows, Diddy’s business sense and marketability have earned him more money that even he probably imagined.
“Nothing but big thangs, check the hitlist/How we twist shit, what change but the name?/We still here, you rocking wit the best/Don't worry if I write rhymes, I write checks," Diddy said on "Bad Boy For Life."
Forbes Cash Kings List
Common, Lil Wayne, and Akon all made their respective debuts on this year's list, replacing embattled producer Scott Storch, newcomer Yung Joc, and West Coast veteran Ice Cube.
Here is how your favorite rapper made out:
1. 50 Cent
2. Jay-Z
3. Diddy
4. Kanye West
5. Timbaland
6. Pharrell
7. Swizz Beats
8. Snoop Dogg
9. Dr. Dre
10. Ludacris
11. T.I.
12. Lil Wayne
13. Eminem
14. Common
15. Akon
16. Jermaine Dupri
17. Lil Jon
18. OutKast
19. Chamillionaire
