Once again Forbes let us peer into rappers’ bank balances with its list of the top 5 wealthiest rappers in the game: The Forbes Five: Hip Hop’s Wealthiest Artists 2014.
Diddy continues his reign as the richest of the pack, boasting a staggering $700 million, an increase of $120 over his net worth last year! Diddy got a major boost from his newly-launched Revolt TV network, a music-focused, multi-platform channel in which he has the majority stake. Ciroc Vodka and the Bad Boy record label are also some of the mogul’s cash cows. At the rate he’s going it’s only a matter of time before he becomes hip hop’s first billionaire.
Dr. Dre may have been dead silent in the music circles – making us wait forever for the Detox album – but he sure hasn’t been lazing around as he comes in as the second richest rapper of 2014 with $550 million. Dre owes his success mainly to Beats By Dr. Dre. Formed in 2008, the brand controls two-thirds of the premium headphone market, with reported annual sales of just over $1 billion. Beats By Dr. Dre is worth close to $2 billion.
$520 million was enough to place Jay-Z comfortably at third place, surpassed by Dre who occupied third position last year. Most of Jay’s recent growth comes from his record label Roc Nation which recently expanded into sports.
Birdman, who makes most of his money from his Cash Money Records label, comes in at number four with $160 million. Founded two decades ago, Cash Money is today one of the leading stables in the game, home to much respected names such as Drake, Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj. Birdman’s other ventures include Cash Money Content, GT Vodka and the YMCMB clothing line. According to Forbes, Birdman would be worth over $300 million had he not shared his fortune with brother Ronald “Slim” Williams.
50 Cent, who’s set to release his new album Animal Ambition in June, rounds up the list with $100 million, thanks to the sale of his VitaminWater pact in 2007. Some of his business ventures include companies such as SMS Audio and Street King energy drink.
Check out the new issue of HYPE that features Forbes’ list of Hip Hop Cash Princes – see who will make this list above one day, unless they fall off…
Written by: Moza Moyo.