Jay-Z Tops Forbes' Richest Rappers List
Thursday August 16, 2007
Forbes has compiled several lists ranking the most affluent business men and women but never a list devoted exclusively to hip-hop. Now that rap music has become big business, it was only right that Forbes took the time to recognize the hustle of hip-hop entrepreneurs. Unsurprisingly, Def Jam prez Jay-Z finished at the top of the list with an estimated $34 million grossed in 2006. 50 Cent is not too far behind Hov, having grossed a whopping $32 million last year. (Forbes' list is based solely on 2006 income.) It's also interesting to see six hip-hop producers in the Top 10.
A rundown of the list after the jump:
- Jay-Z - $34 million
- 50 Cent - $32 million
- Diddy - $28 million
- Timbaland - $21 million
- Dr. Dre - $20 million
- Eminem - $18 million
- Snoop Dogg - $17 million
- Kanye West - $17 million
- Pharrell Williams - $17 million
- Scott Storch - $17 million
- Ludacris - $16 million
- T.I. - $16 million
- OutKast - $14 million
- Lil Jon - $14 million
- Ice Cube - $13 million
- Jermaine Dupri - $12 million
- Swizz Beatz - $12 million
- Chamillionaire - $11 million
- The Game - $11 million
- Yung Joc - $10 million
Comments
speaking of fifty, henry did u hear about fifty saying that if kanye outsells him he’ll stop putting out solo albums? well, that leaves me two questions for u. number one- will fifty outsell kanye? and number two, if kanye outsells fifty, will fifty stop putting out albums or return with his tail between his legs?
James, it’s called bluffing. I don’t know who will outsell who (honestly, I don’t care). One thing I know for sure is that only one of these fellas is getting my money on that day.
It’s interesting to see Eminem and Dr. Dre make less than their protege. It’s also a shame. I bet it’s all the money he gets from Vitamin water, because to earn a ton from his musical talent seems just unfair. My money is on Kanye.
haha henry yea ur pry right he’s just bluffing. but the one who will get my money on that day? kanye, fifty sucks now.
Yong Joc? Wow lol. I would think Jeezy should be somewhere on this list too. Jay-Z is still up there I guess.
Ludacris – $16 million
T.I. – $16 million
Eminem – $18 million that’s what it is my 3 of 5 favorite rappers are making bank ya digg
WHAT ABOUT LIL FLIP HE GOT SOME OF THESE RAPPERS ON THE LIST, I THINK YALL GO FOR WHO YOU LIKE AND NOT THE TRUTH
JERMAINE DUPRI LOST HIS MONEY SO HOW HE IN THE TOP 20
i personally think fifty changed and thet new fifty sucks!!! what happened to the guy who sang get rich or die trying?
Im sure if they included assets Diddy would be at the top. Sean John is worth 2 much 2 count!
actually ralphie d 50 cent would be leader, he just sold vitamin water and he owned 10% of it and he made 400 million.
I just wanna say one thing yea stop talkin abou their money boyz but think about urs. We all can make more money than them.
Ps
Jayz got $34 million
Bill gates got $52 billion
lol
jay-z sold out a long time ago
yo fifty might suck at rap but one thing is sure he knows how to get paid .. what would u rather be good at freestyle or getting paid big money !!!!
how much cud pac be ! cud be the richest i guess.
kafula
Yeah I was curious but at the end of the day it aint important how much money they got. JUST MAKE GOOD MUSIC!!! Like Rap/Hip Hop used to. BE CREATIVE!!! Its turning into a fckuin Fisher Price Sweety churning Factory.
Personally Im finding it difficult to understand why anyone likes Kanye. I believe its all HYPE!!!
As for 50 hes a bit samey usually backed up by solid beats. Each to there own tho.
I struggle to find rappers thesedays with something interesting to say and/or who make me Laugh!!!
Redman, Eminem, Canibus These rappers have and will be around for a while.
Time will best judge these other artist but for now I guess I’ll just take one of those Kanye Fizzy Sherbert Thingys. Yukk!!!
i wouldnt consider timbaland hip hop producer since his production contains little if any elements of hip hop!!!
and i didnt realise snoop dogg was makin that much??? it must be beacuase of movies etc.
man i think kanye west made more than that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I always knew that Jay-Z would be rap’s biggest star with the most money after he changed his whole image and demeanor from roughneck to savy business intellect. I have alwyas admire him from a distance but now that’s he at the forefront of gaining incredible wealth and stature, I am a staunch admire of this brother. I just can’t say the same for 50 cents (25 cents because of his devaluation by me). Rap nowadays is nowhere near the talent stature of yesteryear with guys like (LL Cool J, Whodini, Run DMC, Afriak Bambatta, Big Daddy Kane, Kool Moe Dee etc., etc.). It has been watered down with untalanted tugs that has gotten rich and just don’t know how to handle success with their tuggish behavior which is disgraceful and shameful and does not set a good example for our young peoples, especially black kids. I look for positive role models in the rap community and Jay-Z is one of them along with several others.
will says:
August 18, 2007 at 10:56 pm
I just wanna say one thing yea stop talkin abou their money boyz but think about urs. We all can make more money than them.
Ps
Jayz got $34 million
Bill gates got $52 billion
lol
if u read the article you would know that 34 million is how much jay-z made last year not how much money he has, he actually has 547 million and bill gates really has 59.2 billion where u gettin ya numbas from?
And yes you people must read “BASED ON 2006″ Cuz I know for a fact that Ludacris has close to 100 million now, Dr.Dre, Em, and Snoop BEEN hit 100 mill so please make sure you read before making half-azz comments!!
50 Cent has changed in the past couple months and I don’t like it. I was probably the biggest 50 Cent fan until I heard all this shyt about him quitting solo records if Kanye outsells him and all the G-unit drama going on, 50 gettin’ pissed off at Banks and Buck and saying “I’ll Fire Everybody” but 50 does have a point it’s just that his attitude is changed and a lot of G-Unit fans aren’t happy.
Where the hell is Lil Wayne, Birdman, Cash Money Records
Personally from the amount of publicity/Marketing and MySpace hits 50 Cent gets he is going to outsell Kanye. By the way 50 cent has a 5 album deal with interscope to only put out 5 CD’s anyway so after “Before I Self Destruct” and hit Greatest Hits come out he is likely to leave the game with the amount of money he has anyway, which is about a half billion. Even though he has said that I can’t see him stopping because he is smarter than that just look at Diddy and Jay-Z. Their music sucks but to keep up their image and endorsements they still put out albums. It’s common sense.
Eminem,Jigga,Snoop,T.I,Dre,Scott Storch,Pharrel,………….theze people are making money but in their records they dnt make a hype about it.WHERE THE HELL IS RICK ROSS,LIL WAYNE,BIRDMAN………talking about money 3\4 of their songs.Well maybe it from drugz i guess.
Lil Wayne is the best rapper alive! He’s very talented and I love his music.Wayne is for real, and all you haters need to back off. Don’t hate, appreciate. 50 who? He’s is so not good anymore. I’ll be putting my money on Kanye. And I can’t wait for the Carter III to drop. Weezy #1 lyricist!
Hip-Hop is definately not the same. But there’s a revolution that’s about to start. Ya look out for this new cat that’s coming out. (can’t say his name yet). This cat ain’t talking about cars, weed, hoes, bitches, bling-bling and so on. Sound strange right? It’s like what’s he going talk about? Ya wait and see. Ya will know when he comes.
There’s been alot of cats talking about “They are the hip-hop Savior” but they all the same.
I think this will be the REBIRTH of Hip-Hop.
Stay tune! Peace Much Love
Funny how the richest rappers are the worst rappers. Cuz they in it for the money and not for the love of Hip Hop. Nas, Rakim, Ice Cube, Chuck D… the greatest rappers of all time. Not one of them close to that list.
Wow this dumb ass said icude is nowhere near the list Ice Cube is number 15 u dick LMao!! at guy on top of me ^^^^^^^^
Yung JOC!!!! wow get outta here he aight but… geez hes new and i always thought new artists dont see bread.. and chamillionaire? who likes him— the following i would have guessed made more than them— maybe– bow wow, nelly, lil wayne even geez joc made more than lil wayne….
50000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 centttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt im proud of him pls keep gettin more money i dont care if u dont give me although i want some money about a ,million should do. go 5000000/cent yeah
Give My Boy 50 “aka” Ferrari About 2 More Years.
to any1 who likes 50 cent…your nuttin but a kid!!!!!
u prob never even heard of public enemy..gang starr…a tribe called quest..the roots..etc.
i think da top 4 richest guys arent doin hiphop.i mean real rap.they are in 4 da money n gud business men but those who do hiphop cuz they love it like nas, mos def,common,rakim etc big upps 2 u guys,we luv u n keep doin what u do
50 cent rocks and am his greatest fan
FOR ALL YOU BUSTERS THE REASON ALL HATIN ON FITTY IS BECAUSE ALL AIN’T GETTIN MONEY. IF ALL WAS GETTIN MONEY LIKE ME YOU WOULD SEE WHERE HIS COMIN FROM T’LL THEN THINK ABOUT. PEACE
shaq and Cathal , you said it guyes!Rappers like mos def, talib kweli,common,mad skillz …etc. will always be the greatest no matter how much money fifty cent have made!
50 and eminem are my favorite rappers maybe 50 rap is getting worst i loved pwer of dollar and GR Or DT but the massacre and curtis are good too at least in my opinion but 2pac will always be the king
hip hop is nothing fast paced nonsense,, al’f them talk fast nd think slow,,,,,,except jigga
Yall 2pac is still de king of rap.rapperz nowdays dwell too much on_pac kept recordz cumin fo de luv of his fanz
much love for 50 n EM.. what I would really like to know is how much these rappers are really worth, who is the richest rapper? how much is he worth, stuff like that… I am a broke ass what about a donation ahah! I lov U Em.. love that ryhme “its not that i dont like u it just that when i am not behind the mike i am a person just like U”
50s wackkk, any1 heard curtis yet?? Pure toilet paper, suttin u can wipe ur butt crack with, shout outs 2 EM and Jada who crushed him lyrically, hip hop aint the same anymore, especially wen people actually think 50 is good rapper,lmaooo, Read a book!! Preferablly the roots of hip hop,ya diggggg!
Yo Em and shady aftermath crew,the first mcs i admired.Em&50 made a dopest colaboration on PATIENTLY WAITING,DONT PUSHMe etc and now i dont knw about 50(Eminem is dope,lyrically)he deserves his money(along with jigga).big ups 2 slim(maybe 1 day ill some of that dalla aha)peace haters
wtf lil wayne is not even on the list
the guy has over 700 songs and he cant even pull together 10 mill
i find that hard to believe hes a sick rapper
If you listen hard to 50 songs you can sing everyone of them to the same beat. my money is on kanye
all lies(diddy is still number one)Because 10years from now we’ll still be on top.we wont stop cos we cant stop.
Cause I live at home in a trailer, what the hell am I gonna do!
DIDDY COULD EASILY BE ON TOP IF HE SOLD SEAN JOHN, WHICH IS WORTH ALMOST 500 TO 700 MILLION ALONE…MAYBE MORE…IF 50 KEEPS G-UNIT CLOTHING HOT, HE MAYBE ABLE TO SELL THAT IN 3 YEARS FOR 150 TO 250 MILLION
i’m glad that even witha hizzo(jay-z) outta d real game, he’s still dustin fakers like fiddy. keep da game on brovas. i love ur page man
i respect these guys getting their money but there are many rappers not listed this is just a year rating look at the total wealth. 50 does not get $400 million he gets $100 million the people u see where n the spot light last year master p was est. years ago
at about $500million that would make 10million a year in intrest. diddy’s income was figured at at 50million a year in childsupport court i dont think it got cut in half a few months later
50 made some money but he got away togo to catch jay z, diddy, r master p.
master p said romeo was worth 50 million years ago uve never seen
The offending nature of rap music and its purveyors speak for themselves and are easily recognized by a reasonable person of sound mind and values: the encouraging of wanton violence, the defilement of women, and the glorification of self-destructive practices such as the taking of illegal drugs.
How about calling on decent people and their leaders to take immediate action against businesses and persons who press that foulest of discordance which they call “rap music” on the people and drive them to ruination?
All of the rappers mentioned above should be arrested and thrown in jail for the destruction they have caused humanity.
Bottom line… All of these dudes got more money than EVERYBODY who posted a comment… lol
Please give KJ King a visit he is an up and coming Artist with plenty of talent. He is at
UnsignedArtistsGroup.com
Thanks. All you can do is WIN
HEY MEN AM NOT REALLY IMPRESSED WIT DIDDY’S POSITION.HE’S NOW CONCERNTRATIN MORE ON MAKING THA BAND.THATS F*K*.
I THINK 50s ‘CURTIS’ ROCKS MORE THAN KHANYEs ‘graduation’.SO EVERY1 SHOULD GO OUT THER AND GET UR OWN COPY OF FIDDY.
IM BUYIN COPIES OF 50CENT FOR EVERY1 AT HOME EVEN MY GRANNY.
i cant believe what i have seen here…i aint know diddy is going to fall to 3 like on the list..this is beyond my expectation……i bet 50cent will soon take over from jay z….but that is going to be a big fight…..
all the rappers on that list is wack lets talk about real artist like common talib, masta ace, wordsworth, royce da 59, sean price, kenn starr, one be lo, and so many more I can name artist all day who rep real hiphop yall need to do your research hiphop is more alive than ever just check for those artist I named and I can’t for get nas one of the best ever and don’t let me start talking about artist back in the day. holla back this is ill catz from philly
wateva yall say! jigga is my man.
And yeah! I love 50.
I wonder why lil wayne, birdman and cash money aint in the top 20.
To me Wayne is monster when it comes to rap! nigga dont get close to him
his da best
jay z is the undisputed champion of the mic.all the years of hard work have PAID off
Scott Storch is not a rapper!
U guys are forgetting one thing. If U want these so-called Real rappers to be on the list……….BUY THEIR ALBUMS.
U keep supporting these commercial guys & when they get money, y’all act suprised.
diddy is my man…he has been up there for so many times…he’s an old king that has put on the crown before many and will do it again and again and again..Jay-z has just borrowed it!
10 yrs he’ll still be on top!!!diddy is my man…he has been there longer than anyone…he’e an old king that has put on the crown before many and will do it again and again and again…jay-z is also my man but he just borrowed diddy’s position…that guy is just meant to be rich cos he’s smart…
Annually, our staff does research to compile information for the “Richest People In Hip-Hop List.” This year, there wasn’t a significant change in income from last year’s list with the exception of the top three. Therefore, we present to you, “The Three Richest Men In Hip-Hop for 2007.”
With a power move that would make Bill Gates blush, rap mogul Jay-Z has returned to the number one spot for 2007 after losing the number one spot to P. Diddy in 2006.
Sean “Diddy” Combs presides over a media empire that includes the record label Bad Boy Records, the clothing lines Sean John and Sean by Sean Combs, a movie production company, and two restaurants. He has taken the roles of recording executive, performer, producer of MTV’s “Making the Band,” writer, arranger, clothing designer, and Broadway actor and he has made a fortune in the process.
HONORABLE MENTION:
*Since it was recently revealed that 50 Cent actually made $100 million and “NOT” $400 million dollars off his widely reported vitamin water deal, he moves to our honorable mention category and Russell Simmons moves into third place.
Just last week it was reported, 50 Cent, who has 10% ownership “glaceau,” is expected to make $100 million (before taxes) after Coca Cola purchased glacéau for $4.1 billion.
In case you wanna know more click the link
http://panachereport.com/channels/coverstories/jennifer.htm
what the heck about x to the z x-zibit?!!
man if tupac was still alive hed be there to
I dey feel youuuuuuuuuuuuuu.
people, listen. Yall are tlakin about great rappers who aren’t on the list. this isn’t a greatest rappers list it’s the list for who makes the most money. so chill. ure getting pissed because u misunderstand the point of the list.
man…………….
Funny the guy talkin bout Ice Cube seems 2 neglect the fact that he himself has over $145 million dollars and i would like to re-iterate that this is their 2006 income. And yes to the guy that said ludacris has near $100 million it makes sense 12 million records sold in the US alone and he made 16 million dollars of sellin 1 million in 2006 do the math. Finally to any who asks why ne1 bothers with this,it’s because im interested in who is doing well and like to see people who put a positive image out there (big up luda, pharell, kanye, timbaland jay-z and a few others) doin well
i knew jay-z would be up there but i thought diddy would be at the top.
either way american gangster is sick
Hey 50 Cent is still gonna sell records he has a new album planning for April in 2008, it maybe changed again due to the fact that the Curtis CD did. I’m a huge fan of 50 Cent so i usually find things out about him before any body else.
yeeeeeeeeeeee……i appriciate 50cent the guy is genius u just imagine from coin to dollars.i hope one day he will on the top.G uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuunit.
I was in doubt before that 50 have earned so high like this in just a couple of years as one of hip hop finest.who knows maybe he will a 100 million dollar mark in 2 or 3 years coming.
Jay z earned it!!He is both creative nd verstile.Bow down yal!!!
Lil Wayne should be somewere up dere
wtf lil wayne is the most overrated rapper of southside
yeah boiiiiiiiiiiiiii aint party like pacs ganster party,ryde or die for him….millitary mind gat him be a millionare before and after his death…now that straight pimpin…
50 will eventually be the richest rapper and the king of new york. hes just too fast and furious 50 fan 4 life
Ma Favourite Rapperz List;Eminem,DMX,The Game,Dr Dre,Jay Z & Luda.They all Mek top 20. Am only missing “X”
J will stay 4 eva bt fity jst makes me happy.
why no one here talk about tpain? i think his also a good rapper. just a suggestion plz dont kill me
cum on pps. luk at luda cris,hs da best and dnt thnk jay z deserve to b there. u suck jay z
50 go boy u stl doing it thnk ul b on top sooner than u thnk, coming to u kanye kip on dreaming dreams budy
what happend to our hard core rappers like nas,dmx,fat joe,jadakiss,master p and others. ths niggars are not economically minded
50!! Dont worry u’ll get there just let the other rappers shine for now i know u’ll gat there!!!
eminem didnt rap long time if he did he would top da list and i think jay z is a prostitute because i saw him sayind to a woman to have sex with him for fifty dollars
Im a big T.I fan from S.A and I speak for my home town: JAY-Z needs to find the exit! He was good in his prime, but he seems more like Whitney Houston on speed. OH!! and 50cent is a crack head!!!!
stop hatinqq on 5O ; he is talentedd &* shidd he qettinqq $$$$$ so everybody sayinqq neqativee thinqqs aree simply HATERS ! he doinq it biqqq .
&* so what if i didnt listen to public enemy &* biqq daddy kanee ; they arent around noww so i dont really karee .
im just statinqq my opinion thouqhh . i qet loose to somee PAC thouqh . : ]
yo ya stop lyin t.i. have more then $16 million. t.i. get the paper man
t.i. is best
where the hell is Weezy???
you are all stupid. when we talk about the richest rapper, you guys just think about how much money the made in the single years. you are supposed the sum all the money they got in all. i am not a big fan of his but i got to accept the truth, Jay-Z is the richest rapper alive. because 50 made more money this year does make him the richest. beside without the sale of his share he would gotten that 150 millions. therefore, open your eyes
50 i my real pal. i know 50 is gonna sell out Kanye west as he said.
I Read Someones Commnet Bout “Lil Wayne” He Should Be On The List??
Na I Dont Think So He Only Makes Music Unlike These Guys They Got Clothing Lines Clubs Shoes Vitamin Water Movies.. Lil Wayne Only Got Songs
And I Dont Know How Yung Joc Made The List..
But Joc Did Make The List I’m Guessing Wayne Should Of Been On There [Not Dick-Riding]
Because Wayne Does More Than Joc I See Others Like “Timbaland And Swizz-Beats” On There Because Of Producing Ludacris And T.I. Of Course Being Big Sellers And Here N There Movie Deals.. The Game Of Course Selling..
And Some People Say “Jermaine” Shouldn’t Be On The List Yea He Went Bankrupt But Dude Still Got Artists Under His Belt Selling Also He Still Produces..Chamillionaire..Yea He Did Alot I Do Give It To Him..With That Single “Ridin-Dirty” Hitting It Up Still Selling I Can See Why..Other Than That The Only Problem I See Is Yung Joc But Whyy???? Really?? I Don’t Like Wayne That Much But Joc?? Wayne Should Of Took Joc’s Part Wayne Does More..Or At Least Baby Since He Like Owns Wayne..
Each of these rappers come with a different background so they get in the game with a different visions….some want to be femous,others want the paper,others want to be remembered as legends…so its all upto to you….these people on this list have shown us that they are in it to make money….And they are getting it.
Big up
Muz.
my comment goez on 50cent A.k.A the rich man .
i lyk de way the guy is committed to the game n dis showz dat soon or later hewill be on top of
Jay-z and holla at ya 50cent.
yeah i cantsee ma men young jeezy i think he is suppose 2 b there
I lov jayz,but cant trade my real 1’s-nas,pac,ice cube,guru and a couple of ‘em.they real.these day hommes like 50 aint real,just bout money,he changed frm what brt him to limelight.they release albums to stay famous on the screens.take away their extra deals and u find a skinny fifty selling cracks on da streetz.
Where LIL WAYNE!!!!!!!!!!
Will Smith? Where’s he as far as the richest ‘rappers’?
jigga rocks!!! 50 gt e boot….