Rocio Mateos
The American business magazine Forbes just released the list for 2017 Hip-Hop’s Wealthiest Artists. The biggest names of hip-hop are here, with net worths of more than $800 million each. Yes, the hip-hop life may be tough, but it definitely pays off.
Forbes compiled the list following the same procedures they use to calculate their list of the world’s billionaires: “looking at past earnings, valuing current holdings, leafing through financial documents and talking to analysts, attorneys, managers, other industry players and even some of the moguls themselves to find the details.”
This year’s list includes the same five names of 2016’s list, only with a small change in the order. Usually, these names repeat themselves, I mean, becoming a world-acclaimed millionaire hip-hop star doesn’t seem that easy. Except for Drake. The Canadian rapper debuted at the Forbes list just last year. Not bad for a 29-year old artist who is also one of the most emo rappers out there.
On year’s list, Drake keeps the fifth position, while Diddy remains the unbeatable richest hip-hop artist alive.
Diddy is the richest hip-hop artist, soon heading to become a billionaire
As usual, Sean “Diddy” Combs holds the first place on the list, with a $820 million wealth. Less than $200 million away from the 10-digit wealth, the rapper also known as Puff Daddy, Puffy, and P. Diddy, may soon add “billionaire” to his list of nicknames.
His lucrative deal with Diageo’s Cîroc vodka, as well as his stakes in TV network Revolt, alkaline water brand Aquahydrate and tequila DeLeon may help him to achieve the new title.
Jay Z is richer than last year, but still not rich enough
Only $10 million away from Diddy, Mr. Carter leveled up to second place on the list with a whopping $810 million wealth. In the past year, Jay Z’s fortune saw an increase of 30% after a $200 million investment from Sprint in January. Now the platform reportedly values at $600 million – that’s over 10 times more what he paid for it two years ago.
That, along with the continued growth of his Roc Nation entertainment company and his champagne brand, Armand de Brignac, had meant the inevitable growth of his bank account.
Dr. Dre’s Apple deal has got him laid back
In 2014, Andre Young, better known by his stage name, Dr. Dre, sold Beats to Apple for $3 billion – he even announced it in the most #goals video you’ll ever see. Days after the deal he spent a generous amount of $40 million in a 14,000 square foot mansion in Los Angeles.
He claimed himself the first billionaire in hip-hop, and although he hasn’t achieved said status yet, the cut gave him the record for the largest single-year payday by a living musician. Since then, his fortune has swelled to $740 million, thanks also to his smart investments. Now he just has to sit, lay back and watch his wealth grow.
The gap is big, but Birdman is still a multi-millionaire
There’s a considerable drop-off between the top three and the other two spots, with co-owner of Cash Money Records, Bryan “Birdman” Williams, coming in fourth with $110 million. The label, founded with his brother Ronald “Slim” Williams houses some of the biggest names in hip-hop right now, including Drake, Nicki Minaj, and Lil Wayne, among others.
In an interview with Forbes some years ago, the record producer said, “As a child, I always felt if I could make $1 million, I could make $100 million. If I could get $100 million, I’m just nine steps away from being a billionaire. And that’s the goal.” We hope to hear from you soon, Birdman.
Drake could be the son of any of the above
At 30, Drake is by far the youngest person on the list. Aubrey Graham occupies the fifth place at $90 million. That comes as no surprise from the artist who has broken a few records. His 2016 album ‘Views’ became the first album to top 1 billion spins on Apple Music, and with this year’s ‘More Life’ he surpassed himself, hitting 505,000 total albums sold, just in the first week.
His world tour also helped him hold his spot in the list, grossing $1 million per night along the way. And just in case, he keeps his deals with Apple, Nike, and Sprite.
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