The number crunchers over at Forbes have put together their list of hip hop’s most cashed-up characters, dubbed Cash Kings 2013: The World’s 20 Highest-Paid Hip-Hop Artists – and it’s full of surprises.
Forbes had their work cut out for them this year, assessing the multiple finance streams hip hop moguls often have but they’ve but managed to wade through all the alcohol endorsements, fashion labels, TV deals, headphone brands and – oh, yeah! – music sales to determine who is really as rich as they claim they are.
Judging from the figures produced by the musicians over the past 12 months, there’s something of a triumvirate forming between P. Diddy who won with $50 million, Jay-Z who came a close second with $43 Million and Dr. Dre, $40 million. These three stand head and shoulders above the remaining 17 artists.
Coming in at number 4 is Nicki Minaj, marking a milestone for this list as the first female rapper to ever be included. Raking in $29 million, Minaj falls a fair bit short of being included in the power trio at the head of the list. For now.
Kanye West isn’t going to be too pleased with his placing, placing after Birdman (and, seriously, who the fuck is Birdman?!) and despite being in the game for, like, ever, Ludacris came in with a lousy $9 million. Looks like he’ll be sticking around until Fast And The Furious 16 then.
Eminem had a surprisingly slow year, making just $10 million – mind you, he’d done SFA until last month. On the other hand, rising star Kendrick Lamar has done just about everything, racing up the list but still only pulling a lousy $9 million.
Despite featuring in just about every song released in the past 12 months, Pharrell Williams must be working with some pretty tight contracts, earning just $9 million also. 50 Cent is well on his way out, laying claim to $7 million. I mean, you could probably only by 5 Ferrari’s with that, pfft.
Perhaps the most interesting finalist is Tech N9ne who, despite being totally independent and underground, managed to earn a cheeky $7.5 mill over 12 months, no doubt helped by the merchandise and touring companies he owns.
Several big name artists only just missed out on making the list including Nas, Timbaland, Akon, 2 Chainz, J. Cole and A$AP Rocky. So when you hear a song from them talking about smashing bottles of Chandon, or living the life, they’re probably bullshitting you. Just saying.
Cash Kings 2013: The World’s 20 Highest-Paid Hip-Hop Artists – The Top 10
And the rest…
11. Drake ($10.5 million)
12. Snoop Lion ($10 million, tie)
12. Eminem ($10 million, tie)
14. Kendrick Lamar ($9 million, tie)
14. Pharrell Williams ($9 million, tie)
14. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis ($9 million, tie)
17. Swizz Beatz ($8.5 million)
18. Tech N9ne ($7.5 million)
19. 50 Cent ($7 million)
20. Lil Jon ($6 million, tie)
20. Rick Ross ($6 million, tie)
20. Mac Miller ($6 million, tie)
20. Young Jeezy ($6 million, tie)
20. Questlove ($6 million, tie)
(Via Forbes)
Hip Hop Richest 2013
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P. Diddy
1. P. Diddy ($50 million) - How can this be? P. Diddy hasn't been popular since he changed his name to be more child friendly. Ciroc vodka. That's how. The rapper can attribute most of this cash to the success of the brand as well as his record label Bad Boy as well as his Sean John clothing label and probably the odd sale from 1997's No Way Out. -
Jay Z
2. Jay Z ($43 million) - He may not be #1 but $43,000,000 is still some serious cheese. A natural born business man, Jay-Z is always scheming something. The cool $5 million deal with Samsung surely didn't hurt this net figure leaving the other $38 million to come from Armand De Brignac alcohol sales. -
dr dre 050410
3. Dr. Dre ($40 million) - This one's easy to explain. Create an average quality headphone set, mark up the price 800%, get enough famous people to wear them so the unwashed masses feel they want, nay, need a pair and viola, $40 million. -
Nicki Minaj Sexy Free Hd Booty Wallpaper 2013
4. Nicki Minaj ($29 million) - Narrowing in on a radio friendly, yet kinda gangsta niche, say what you will about Minaj but she's doing something different and it's working. Penning a cash-heavy deal with American Idol doesn't hurt either. -
Birdman
5. Birdman ($21 million) - One of the Cash Money Records tycoons, Birdman is probably struggling to get out of the way of the money. Once again, Vodka sales played a role in this figure. -
Kanye West
6. Kanye West ($20 million) - Leather jogging pants, snowman outfits and Maybach vehicles. $20 Million may seem like a lot but not if you're this much of a douche. Fail, Kanye. I believed in you. Hmph. -
Lil Wayne
7. Lil Wayne ($16 million) - Lil Wayne is also another puppet master of Cash Money Records, though didn't tie with counterpart Birdman as Wayne probably blew most of it on legal bills. Legal bills and codine. Wayne also earns passive income from his own record label Young Money. -
Wiz Khalifa Hd 54942
8. Wiz Khalifa ($14 million) - Wiz Khalife is doing suprisingly well for a newbie to the game. Life shows and a killer follow up album saw Wiz make it to the list. Mind you he better keep it up as $14 mill isn't enough to keep Amber Rose happy. -
Ludacris
9. Ludacris ($12 million - With his new album still yet to be released, Luda is relying on the cash from Soul heaphone sales, live shows, his mad acting skills and that sweet, sweet 'fuck you' Conjure Congac money. -
Pitbull7906566656
10. Pitbull ($11 million) - Unfortunately, there are people out there who like this dude. Sales of his latest album Global Warming saw Mr. Worldwide's bank account soar. Touring played it's part as did sponsors with Kodak and Dr. Pepper so kids, remember, you can make double-digit millions by scrapping the barrel.
