Kanye West – $5 billion
Kanye West’s endorsements may be dwindling following his questionable outbursts over the last few years, but he is still at the top of the rapper-rich list, with a net worth of around $5 billion. A lot of his early wealth was accumulated from his record sales, as he was active in the years before streaming services took over. He then went on to sign a number of endorsements, as well as setting up his own Yeezy clothing line.
Jay-Z – $2 billion
Jay-Z was the first rapper to ever become a billionaire, a huge milestone for the genre. His longevity in the industry is one of the main reasons why he has accumulated so much wealth, since he has been active since the mid-1990s. However, nobody can ignore the fact that his marriage to pop superstar Beyoncé has had a lot to do with his extreme financial wealth.
P-Diddy – $900 million
As well as writing, recording, and producing his own music, P-Diddy is also the founder of the Bad Boy Entertainment record label, which helped to launch the career of rap legend Biggie Smalls. Diddy has appeared in multiple movies and owns his own clothing line, Sean John, all of which have contributed to his hefty net worth.
Dr. Dre – $500 million
Dr. Dre is another rapper who found fortune by starting up a record label. Aftermath Entertainment helped to launch both Eminem and 50 Cent to stardom, adding to the wealth that Dre had accumulated from his time in the rap group N.W.A. Of course, Dre also owns a very successful headphone business, Beats by Dr. Dre.
Russell Simmons – $340 million
Russell Simmons may just be the most business-minded rapper on this list, having spent years investing in a number of money-making avenues. In addition to helping launch the career of the rap group Run-DMC through his label, Def Jam Records, Simmons also started a prepaid debit card company, a clothing line, and a production company.
Drake – $250 million
Drake has released more hit records than any other rapper on this list, which is a money spinner in itself. However, the majority of the Canadian’s income has been made through his live performances, as he charges extortionate prices for each performance. He also has a lucrative contract with Universal Music Group.
Eminem – $250 million
At one point in the 2000s, Eminem was the biggest name in rap, with his Marshall Mathers LP becoming the biggest-selling rap album of all time after its release. Slim Shady may not be as active as he once was, but he has maintained a loyal listenership, raking in 63 million monthly listeners on Spotify, so he won’t be worrying about money any time soon.
Master P – $200 million
1990s rapper Master P may not be the most famous name on the list, but his entrepreneurial endeavors have set him up very comfortably. He has invested in record labels, released clothing lines, owns a production company, and even owns a travel agency, proving that it’s always a good idea to diversify!
Usher – $180 million
Usher was one of the biggest artists on the planet during the 2000s and early 2010s. He has sold over 100 million records worldwide and charges a high price to perform live. He is also the co-founder of RBMG Records, the label that looks after Justin Bieber among others, which has ensured he will remain comfortable.
Lil Wayne – $170 million
With over 200 million records sold, and more Billboard Hot 100 entries than Elvis, Lil Wayne is certainly not short on cash. He’s also made money by selling his record label Young Money Entertainment for $100 million. The record label helped to launch the careers of both Nicki Minaj and Drake.
Ice Cube – $160 million
Ice Cube got his start in the industry as part of the rap group N.W.A., and he forged a successful solo career following his departure from the group. He has produced numerous records for other artists and found success for himself as an actor, appearing in movies such as Boyz n the Hood and Three Kings.
Birdman $150 million
Birdman is a rapper and performer but he actually accumulated most of his wealth through his record label, the aptly named, Cash Money Records. He sold it to Universal Music Group for $30 million, while managing to retain the label’s musical output. In a rather unique business venture for someone in the music industry, Birdman accrued even more wealth with his energy company, Bronald Oil.
R0nald Slim Williams – $150 million
Ronald Slim Williams was once Birdman’s partner, and he also owned a significant share in Cash Money Records. His wealth shot up thanks to the success of the label’s artists, Drake, Lil Wayne, and Nicki Minaj. In addition to this, Williams has a healthy real estate portfolio, owning numerous properties in the affluent South Florida area.
Snoop Dogg – $150 million
Snoop Dogg is one of the most revered and well-respected rappers in the industry, with his album Doggystyle seen as an important milestone in the history of hip-hop. He went on to purchase Death Row Records, the label on which he released the album, and has appeared in multiple movies, video games, and commercials, which further increased his wealth.
Swizz Beats – $150 million
Hip-hop artist and producer Swizz Beats has helped hone the sound of rap artists for multiple high-profile record labels. Aside from music, he has invested a large amount of his fortune in real estate and is also the husband of hugely successful singer-songwriter Alicia Keys.
Nicki Minaj – $150 million
Throughout her music career, Nicki Minaj has blended her rap lyricism with out-and-out pop music, solidifying her as one of the biggest names in the music industry. This has meant that she has played some of the biggest shows in the world, as well as giving her the platform to launch a successful acting career.
LL Cool J – $120 million
LL Cool J helped push rap music further into the mainstream, making him a legend in the industry. In addition to the millions of albums he has sold during his time as an artist, he has also appeared in a string of Hollywood movies and is even currently pursuing his acting career on the small screen.
Pitbull – $100 million
There was a point in the early to mid-2010s where you couldn’t go anywhere without hearing a Pitbull song. The Cuban-American rapper has produced and featured in a whole host of songs by major pop artists, including Jennifer Lopez, Christina Aguilera, and Enrique Iglesias. As a result, he has a very healthy net worth.
Ad-Rock – $100 million
Ad-Rock, or Adam Horovitz, is the co-founder of the music group the Beastie Boys, who achieved major success throughout the 1980s and 1990s. He has also made appearances in a variety of movies, such as Golden Exits and While We’re Young. Meaning that he will probably never have to worry about money again.
Mike-D – $100 million
Michael Diamond, or Mike-D as his fans know him, co-founded Beastie Boys in 1981 along with Adam Horovitz. Beastie Boys’ success and huge record sales landed them an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012. Mike-D also provides commissioned remixes for other artists, another huge money-spinner.
Timbaland – $85 million
Timbaland is a record producer, rapper, and songwriter, and has worked with many a high-profile artist during his career, including Missy Elliot and Aaliyah. His work has transcended genres, as he has also been involved in projects with the artists Madonna and Chris Cornell, who paid him handsomely for the privilege.
Cardi B – $80 million
Cardi B first came to the public’s attention after her Instagram account went viral, gaining around 100 million followers. This, along with an appearance on a reality TV show, helped her earn a record deal with Atlantic, with whom she has produced a string of hits. She’s also branched out into acting, appearing in the movie Hustlers, alongside Jennifer Lopez.
DJ Khaled – $75 million
Known for saying ‘another one’ at the beginning of every song, DJ Khaled has been involved in a lot of huge hits, working with Justin Bieber, Rihanna, and many more. Outside of music, he is a corporate machine, with endorsements from large companies such as Apple, Weight Watchers, and T-Mobile.
Kendrick Lamar – $75 million
Multiple Grammy winner Kendrick Lamar is one of the faces in rap music responsible for pushing the genre to new levels of experimentation, from the mid-2010s to the early 2020s. The success of his music has led to him performing some huge shows, including headlining Glastonbury in 2022, which comes with a generous fee.
Nas – $70 million
Nas is beloved in the world of rap music, having provided inspiration for many in the generations after him. As well as his successful music career, Nas has invested heavily in emerging technology firms and cryptocurrency. He also owns a chicken and waffle restaurant chain, called Sweet Chick.
Will.i.am – $70 million
Will.i.am was the driving force behind the success of The Black Eyed Peas in the 2000s. He further cemented his status in the music industry by producing songs for other artists. He has also done voice acting in movies and appears as a regular judge on the TV talent show, The Voice.
Wiz Khalifa – $70 million
Wiz Khalifa has been active in the music industry since 2005 and has carried on releasing records to this day. His most prolific spell was in the 2010s, which helped him generate large amounts of wealth before the rise of streaming. Nowadays, it is notably harder for artists to make a large amount of money through record sales.
Ice-T – $65 million
Ice-T’s career went mainstream in a big way in the 1980s, as he released three albums towards the end of the decade, with each one selling over a million copies. Following this success, Ice-T decided to branch out into acting, appearing in both movies and television shows, yet again increasing his wealth.
Akon – $60 million
Akon was another 2000s artist that it was hard to escape from. His prolific work in that decade helped him to generate a very comfortable living: writing, producing, and performing on records by Snoop Dogg and Eminem, among others. He has also started his own clothing brand, Konvict Clothing.
J. Cole – $60 million
J. Cole’s success in the music industry was greatly helped by the backing of Jay-Z, who signed him to his record label, Roc Nation in 2007. J. Cole has gone on to sell millions of albums under his own name, as well as producing for multiple other artists.
Rev Run – $60 million
Joseph Simmons, also known as Rev Run, was a founding member of rap group Run-DMC, who achieved major success in the 1980s and 90s. While the majority of Simmons’ wealth initially came from Run-DMC, he has also starred in reality TV shows in the years since, adding to his enormous wealth.
PSY – $60 million
PSY entered everyone’s world in 2012, following the release of Gangnam Style. The song shot PSY to fame if only for a brief period, as it became one of the most viewed videos in YouTube history. This song, as well as his huge fame in his homeland of South Korea, has contributed heavily to PSY’s extreme wealth.
Chad Hugo – $55 million
Chad Hugo is responsible for creating the sounds for much of Jay-Z’s most revered work, pushing the definition of what rap music could sound like and keeping things unique and interesting. Hugo’s work has landed him with writing and production credits on some huge songs, making him an incredibly wealthy man.
Travis Scott – $50 million
Travis Scott is another rapper in the height of his career, releasing hugely popular albums and embarking on world arena tours. He is also associated with the mega-rich Kardashian family, having dated billionaire Kylie Jenner before ending their relationship in 2019.
Future – $50 million
Future’s music career began to take off in 2011 after he signed a deal with Epic Records. He had previously been releasing self-recorded mixtapes, which had gained him a good reputation in the industry. His music has since sold well and has been used in movies such as Black Panther, which have given him a good chunk of Marvel money.
Chamillionaire – $50 million
Chamillionaire has released a fair bit of solo material since 2005, but is probably best known for being the founder of his company Chamillitary Entertainment. Many rappers have come and gone through the Chamillitary doors over the years, helping to line Chamillionaire’s pockets. He has also invested in self-driving car technology, in a slightly left-field business venture.
Common – $45 million
Common is known for his attention to detail and for his perfectionist approach to making music. This has led to him releasing some extremely high-quality material over the years, gaining praise from rap music purists. He’s also made it as an actor, appearing in Hollywood movies such as Suicide Squad and Terminator Salvation.
Post Malone – $45 million
Post Malone has done some great work in closing the gap between the world of rap music and rock music, taking both genres in strides at once. This has helped him gain a large fanbase, including those who wouldn’t usually be interested in rap. Malone’s Stoney broke the record in 2018 for the longest time a song has spent on the Billboard singles chart, which explains his wealth.
Rick Ross – $45 million
As well as having a successful music career, Rick Ross has invested in the luxury living lifestyle, curating an impressive real estate portfolio and a collection of luxury watches. We mustn’t forget about his music career though, as he has, for a long time, been one of the most sought-after rappers in the world.
50 Cent – $40 million
50 Cent first entered the spotlight in the early 2000s after being discovered by Eminem. Dr. Dre then offered him a million-dollar record deal, which helped him to release a string of highly successful albums. He then transitioned into an acting career, building up great wealth, before lawsuits and excessive spending pushed him down the list.
