One
Diddy takes the number 1 as the richest man in hip with a wopping networth of $735million. Diddy was clever enough to invest money in several companies like Diageo’s Ciroc Vodka, in which he also has equity. Not only that but has controlling stake with brands like Sean Jean, Enyce, his new tequila brand DeLeon and of course multimedia network Revolt.
Two
Last year, it was without a shadow of doubt that Dre was leading in numbers after he sold Beats by Dre to Apple and became raps’ first billionaire. Unfortunately for him, that total was reported before tax deductions. So this year the Compton producer sits at 2nd place with $700million.
Three
In third place comes Jay-Z with $550million. Owning all of his masters, Hov is racking in royalties from as far as his second album, which is not a small fee. Let’s not even get into Rita Ora, Kanye West, Rihanna and the Roc Nation artists where he also gets a piece of the pies. Jay also makes about a million a year from Roca Wear even though he no longer has ownership in the company. You throw in the acquisition of Tidal Streaming, a 56 million dollar deal, and Hov is has cheques coming out of his Bailman jeans.
Four
50Cent takes fourth place with $155million still reaping the rewards of his $100million deal he had with Vitamin Water in 2007 but also with other endeavors like his SMS Headphones, Effen Vodka and Frigo underwear. 50 has also launched his career as a film exec, founding the popular TV show Power and collorating with Robert DeNiro to produce movies. Above all, his boxing promotion company has lifted off the ground last year.
Five
Birdman just hanging onto that fifth spot with $150million after things have been a little bit shaky at Young Money Cash Money. He is also still signing artists, which suggests that clearly he is in a much better position than people realise. Cash Money Young Money Business all day.