Rapper Jay-Z (Beyonce’s husband) has topped a Forbes magazine hip-hop rich list, earning $37 million dollars during a 12-month period. This is the 4th time in 5 years he has topped the list.
Sean “Diddy” Combs (aka Puffy) finished in second place earning $35 million with Kanye West, who has collaborated with Jay-Z earning $16 million.
Rapper/Producer Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg and Eminem tied for the sixth spot at $14 million.
Female rapper Nicki Minaj debuts on the list in the 15th spot, earning $6.5 million. Minaj tied with record producer Swizz Beatz (Alicia Keyes’ husband).
According to Forbes, top earner Jay-Z made his cash from his Blueprint 3 World Tour and other business interests.
The top 20 on the hip-hop list earned a combined $271 million.
Thirteen different artists earned $10 million or more, taking home money from live shows, recorded music, endorsements and other businesses.
Earnings were calculated between May 2010 to May 2011 and based on data from Pollstar, Nielsen SoundScan, the Recording Industry Association of America and individual record labels.
The Top 20 Forbes Hip-Hop “Cash Kings” are:
Jay-Z – $37 million
Diddy – $35 million
Kanye West – $16 million
Lil Wayne – $15 million
Birdman – $15 million
Dr. Dre – $14 million
Snoop Dogg – $14 million
Eminem – $14 million
Akon – $13 million
Ludacris – $12 million
Wiz Khalifa – $11 million
Drake – $11 million
Pharrell Williams – $10 million
Timbaland – $7 million
Swizz Beatz – $6.5 million
Nicki Minaj – $6.5 million
Rick Ross – $6 million
50 Cent – $6 million
Pitbull – $6 million
T-Pain – $5 million
B.o.B – $5 million