Forbes Magazine released the
Top-5 Richest Rappers Of 2012 with Diddy on top the list for the second year, Jay-Z dropped down to second after coming first in 2010.
Many of these rappers rose from rags to riches by tirelessly working
simultaneously as producers, writers,musicians and businessmen. However,
their hard work has quite literally paid off and has made them
millions, according to Forbes.
Take a look below......
FORBES 2012 Top Five Wealthiest Rappers :
1. Sean “Diddy” Combs
Net Worth: $550 million – As of April 2012
Earnings according to Forbes: 2011: $35 million
, 2010: $30 million
Diddy’s business ventures, along with his career as a rapper, made
him the richest rapper on the planet, built fortune chiefly through
clothing line Sean John, record label Bad Boy and Ciroc vodka. Acting
gigs, television shows and guest appearances add to coffers. He told
Forbes in 1999: “I’m gonna be bigger than David Geffen.” Not there yet.
2. Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter
Net Worth:
$460 million – As of April 2012
Earnings according to Forbes: 2011: $37 million,
2010: $63 million
The ’99 Problems’ rapper and Beyonce’s husband sold Rocawear clothing
label for $204 million in 2007; signed 10-year $150 million Live Nation
deal in 2008. Now boasts an impressive portfolio, including shares in
the New Jersey Nets as well as his input in fashion, music and
restaurant businesses.For more on the business of hip-hop, check out
Zack O’Malley Greenburg’s new Jay-Z biography, Empire State of Mind
3. Andre “Dr. Dre” Young
Net Worth:
$260 million – As of April 2012
Earnings according to Forbes: 2011: $14 million
, 2010: $17 million
Superproducer/rapper,Dr. Dre may not have put out a new album in the
last 10 years,but the rapper and producer has reaped the rewards from
his business. He helped launch careers of Snoop Dogg, Eminem, 50 Cent.
Expanded wealth with Aftermath record label, Beats headphones and HP
laptop line. On 11th August 2011, Dr Dre reportedly sold 50% stake in
Beats Electronics, the headphone company to Taiwanese smartphone maker
HTC for £191 million ($310m).
4. Bryan “Birdman” Williams
Net Worth:
$125 million – As of April 2012
May 2010 to May 2011 Earnings according to Forbes: $15 million
Bryan ‘Birdman’ Williams,Cofounded Cash Money
Records with brother Ronald and inked $30 million distribution deal with
Universal in 1998; affiliated Young Money lineup now includes rappers
Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj. Lyrical boasts (“Richer than the richest!”)
are simply not true. Bird has an estimated net worth of $110 million as
of September 2011.
5. Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson
Net Worth:
$110 million – As of April 2012
Earnings according to Forbes: 2010: $6 million,
2009:
$8 million
50 cent has made it to the top five particularly for his
business-savvy, as the rapper got a neat nine-figure payout from the
sales of Vitamin Water, when it was sold to Coca Cola; spent freely on
cars, renovations to the mansion formerly owned by Mike Tyson. Cushion
remains from catalog, acting gigs and 50 Cent-themed videogames, books,
clothes and headphones. Future billionaire? He told Forbes in 2008:
“It’s probably going to take me 10 years.”