For years, money, cars and clothes have been some of the most popular topics in Hip Hop music. Some artists pretend to live the lavish lifestyle described in their songs, but there are some artists who are actually about that life.
Last week, Forbes released The Forbes Five, a list of the wealthiest Hip-Hop artists of 2013. Based on the list, the top dogs of Hip Hop are becoming richer and have remained in the same spots from last year’s list.
1. Sean “P. Diddy” Combs
P.Diddy-Puff Daddy-Diddy-whatever you choose to call him has a current net worth of $580 million, $30 million more than 2012. Diddy has been a successful music mogul since the 90s with the founding of Bad Boy Records and the many artists he has produced and worked with.
Like most of the artists on the list, Diddy has ventured beyond music to overtake the fashion industry with Sean John Clothing and ENYCE Clothing and the spirit industry with his prosperous Ciroc deal.
2. Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter
HOVA not only has wife Beyoncé on his arm, but $475 million in his pocket. This mogul holds stakes in Roc Nation, Carol’s Daughter, the Brooklyn Nets, the Barclays Center and partnerships with Duracell, Budweiser and Bacardi’s D’ussé Cognac. Not to mention the $204 million he received from selling his clothing line, Rocawear, to Iconix Brand Group in 2007.
3. Andre “Dr. Dre” Young
Dr. Dre continues to hold the third spot on the list with a net worth of $350 million, a $90 million dollar increase, mostly from the success of Beats by Dre headphones. Dre, founder of Aftermath Entertainment and co-owner of Death Row Records, has produced records for numerous artists. In addition to his musical success, Dr. Dre is quite the entrepreneur. After selling 51 percent of the Beats Electronics, LLC to HTC for a grand $300 million in 2011, Dre and his partners bought back half of that percentage a year later.
4. Bryan “Birdman” Williams
The Cash Money/Young Money musical empire shot Birdman to the fourth spot in The Forbes Five with $150 million. Birdman has released several albums and collaborated with numerous artists since the 90s. He also launched the YMCMB (Young Money Cash Money Billionaires) clothing line and GT Vodka.
5. Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson
50 Cent is last but certainly not least on the list. From movies to merchandise to video games, 50 Cent is definitely one for brands. His funds grew with his stakes in VitaminWater, however, the rumored cashout of between $60 million and $100 million for 50’s sale of that stake in 2007 left him with a healthy bank account. When Forbes asked him about his net worth, the rapper turned entrepreneur grinned and said, “Oh, you want me to tell you an exact number? I’ve got way more.”
Currently, 50 Cent is sending competition to Dr. Dre with SMS Audio and also working with SK Energy.
Moral of the story? These five moguls have been in the business building their empire for several years, so success takes time and creativity, not just the middle school girls loving Sosa.