
The annual hip-hop top earning artists have been measured once again. The Forbes Five, a short list of hip-hop’s wealthiest moguls — topping the list at number one is the BadBoy records CEO, Sean “Diddy” Combs, followed by Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter, Andre “Dr. Dre” Young, Bryan “Birdman” Williams, and the “Street King” 50cent closing the top5 list at no5.
Forbes say Diddy is the closest to becoming a billionaire, leading the pack with a net worth of $550 million. Diddy’s major earning from dealing Ciroc vodka; recently launched Ciroc Crowling. Sean John and Enyce clothing, Diddy also boasts stakes in clothing lines, marketing firm Blue Flame, record label Bad Boy — Diddy recently launched his cable network “REVOLT”.
Jay-Z standing strong at $460 million. He holds stakes in the New Jersey Nets, earns from his music, tour, his 40/40 Club. Jay-z sold his Roca Wear clothing label for $204 million in 2007 and signed 10-year $150 million deal with Live Nation in 2008, cosmetics company Carol’s Daughter and other businesses.
Dr. Dre ranks third with $270 million. In August, handset maker HTC paid $300 million to buy a 51% stake in Beats Electronics. Interscope label, Dre’s cut at $85 million after
taxes.
YMCMBillionaire, Birdman ranks at No. 4 with $125 million. His Cash Money record label co-founded with his brother “Slim” made a whooping sum of $30 million distribution deal
with Universal in 1998. But the revenue went sky-rocket since the branching into YMCMB and signing new artists like Drake, Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne (who shares ownership of sub-label Young
Money).
Lastly, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson at $110 million. Earned $100 million on the sale of his Vitamin water, energy shot called Street King, themed videogames, shoes and books, movies, new headphone line SMS.
1. Sean “Diddy” Combs – $550 Million
2. Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter – $460 Million
3. Andre “Dr. Dre” Young – $270 Million
4. Bryan “Birdman” Williams – $125 Million
5. Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson -$100 Million