Jay-Z, Diddy and Kanye West topped Forbes’s annual list of hip-hop’s top earners. Dubbed Hip-Hop Cash Kings, the list, which was announced today, names the top 20 most financially successful rap artists over the last year, beginning in June 2008.
Topping the list, and stealing 50 Cent’s title from last year, is Brooklyn rap business mogul, who Forbes believes to have raked in $35 million since last June. Although down from last year’s reputed $82 million in earnings, Jay still managed to pull in millions in profits from his relentless world tour.
One notch down is fellow New York-bred entrepreneur Diddy with $30 million in estimated income. Along with his Sean John clothing line, Puff has been seeing returns from his partnership with Ciroc Vodka and MTV reality shows.
Entering the top three for the first time is Mr. Kanye West. The Chicago-bred superstar earned approximately $25 million over the last 12 months, due in large part to the success of his last album, 808s and Heartbreak, and subsequent Glow in the Dark tour. He also kept his bank account growing with his Nike and Louis Vuitton sneakers.
Tied at no. 4 is G-Unit general 50 Cent and hip-hop hookman Akon, both predicted to have made $20 million. ‘Kon was one of the only artists to make more money than last year, thanks to his Konvict Music label, home to pop princess Lady Gaga and hit maker T-Pain. Fif, on the other hand made a sharp decline in profits. Last year he was believed to pull in an unprecedented $100 million from his stake in Vitamin Water’s sale to Coco Cola.
Rounding out the top five is New Orleans rap giant, Lil Wayne. The Young Money CEO is believed to have pocketed $18 million, also earning most of it on the road.
Super producers Timbaland - who is projected to have taken home $17 million - and Pharrell ($16 million) also made the list. Auto-Tune trendsetter T-Pain followed at no. 9 with $15 million. Comeback kid Eminem generated $14 million with the excitement surrounding his Relapse project, with co-conspirator Dr. Dre also benefiting, bagging up $12 million.
Other artists to weigh in included Snoop Dogg ($11 million), Ludacris ($10 million), Common ($8 million), will.i.am ($8 million), T.I. ($8 million), Swizz Beatz ($8 million), Andre 3000 ($7 million), Big Boi ($7 million), Flo Rida ($6 million), Rick Ross ($6 million), The Game ($6 million) and Young Jeezy ($6 million).
Despite the recession, Forbes says that the top 20 earners were still able to generate $300 million, albeit still down $200 million from last year. In order to calculate the artists’s worth, the business authority took into account income from record sales, digital downloads, touring, films, TV shows, endorsements, books and other entertainment ventures.Forbes did not take into account management, agent or attorney fees. – Elan Mancini
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July 9th, 2009
at 11:32 am
Pierzy says:
Producers are eating…that’s a much better career move.
Reply
July 9th, 2009
at 11:47 am
G-UNOT KILLA says:
WHAT THIS REPORT DOESN’T SAY IS HOW MUCH I MAMKE EXTORTING BITCH ASS NIGGAZ LIKE J.PRINCE AND JIMMY HENCHMEN! I PERSONALLY CLEARED $500 IN HIP HOP EXTORION MONEY! I EVEN SAY KANGAY WEST @ THE CRIP LOUIS VITTON FASHON SHOW! I WAS EATING SOME BLU CUP CAKES WHEN I SEE THIS BITCH LOOKIN @ MY THEN GIRLFRIEND GABRIELLE UNION! I TAKE THE PIRU CAKES AND MUSHED THE RED FROSTING ALL OVER HIS BITCH ASS FACE! HE LITERALLY IS SCARED SHITLESS OF ME! AND I STEPPED TO JAY-Z @ THE “WHO U WIT” VIDEO SHOOT AND HE WAS SHAKIN LIKE A LEAF! DAME REMEMBERED WHEN I BEAT HIS ASS OVER MY PAPA JOHN’S PIZZA AND IMMEDIATLY SMACCED THE SHIT OUTTA HIMSELF! i THEM TAKE COME CARMEX RUB IT ON MY HAND AND SMACC THE SHIT OUTTA JAY-Z ASHY ASS LIPS! I LATER JUMP RASHEED WALLECE INTO THE FRONTHOOD CRIPS!
Reply
July 9th, 2009
at 12:15 pm
Tony Grand$ says:
tonygrands.blogspot.com
Good looking Fed. Commission!
1) They should rename this list “Which Stars To Target For Robbery”.
2) I’d be much more interested in the top 10 brokest entertainers.
3) Pierzy lite is the lamest commentor since diet tony. I know he’s in high school, notice when the semester ended, he began. Must live in Cali, where summer school’s been cancelled.
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July 9th, 2009
at 12:21 pm
Jamal7Mile says:
What’s up Grand$?
I was just telling Pee-lite how the board was gonna give him a new name real soon… over on Bol’s last post.
Reply here
July 9th, 2009
at 1:52 pm
joe p says:
flo-rida doesnt deserve 200k
Reply
July 9th, 2009
at 3:08 pm
EmCDL says:
@ Pierzy
And you know this….MANNNNNN! LOL
Reply
July 9th, 2009
at 3:34 pm
mo says:
fuck their money where’s the good music at? rap/hip hop is so fake these days it’s all about money and album sales and most of these niggas music is garbage. Realness is what’s missing these days.
Reply
July 9th, 2009
at 11:32 am
Jamal7Mile says:
Ross at $6M? Not hating but… how?
Reply
July 9th, 2009
at 12:24 pm
Tony Grand$ says:
@7Mile
Sup’r!?
Is my shit bugging, or is the site still under construction?
Reply
July 9th, 2009
at 12:29 pm
Jamal7Mile says:
Hmm… don’t know.
Try this link. If it don’t work then I must have a lock on it or something (I’ll fix it).
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Reply here
July 9th, 2009
at 12:26 pm
murK says:
Forbes did not take into account management, agent or attorney fees.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
didn’t he owe money? this dude couldn’t even pay child support.
Reply
July 9th, 2009
at 11:45 am
Federal Ranga says:
Co-Sign… Even I’m scratching my head at that Ross shit… but it’s a long ways from that $20 Million he was screaming out regardless…
What up, P? Ya know ya boy got that YouTube page now… I’ll start doing my weekly XXL Commission Vlogs next week. Grand$ got blogspot, Fed got YouTube. COMMISSION!
Reply
July 9th, 2009
at 11:50 am
the best says:
Flo rida mad 6 mill last year
Reply
July 9th, 2009
at 3:36 pm
lolo says:
flo was making that ringtone money.
Reply
July 9th, 2009
at 11:50 am
Bobo D says:
Ya’ll wondering about Ross, but I’m confused by Flo rida. Not to hate but who buys his albums or goes to a show to see him perform?
Reply
July 9th, 2009
at 12:28 pm
biggamike says:
Flo rida makes all his money from his singles. Right round was number 1 for at least a month. And as far as who goes to his shows…rich white girls.
Reply
July 9th, 2009
at 4:54 pm
Bobo D says:
@biggamike, I heard about the number 1 “digital download”, but like Bol said a couple of months ago, “who has actually heard the song?”. I mean I’ve heard it but I did’nt sit around to listen to the song in full.
Hey if the dudes are making money great for them, but some things just don’t add up for me.
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Reply here
July 9th, 2009
at 12:36 pm
Jamal7Mile says:
It must be the women. The ladies be packing the arenas of rappers who make songs for them.
Reply
July 9th, 2009
at 11:53 am
Pierzy says:
I’m sure that will be a flop
Reply
July 9th, 2009
at 11:54 am
Pierzy says:
That was in reference to Fed Ranga
COMMISSION 09
I love ness
Reply
July 9th, 2009
at 11:58 am
Pierzy says:
That wasn’t me that posted that. I do love Ness though
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July 9th, 2009
at 12:04 pm
Jamal7Mile says:
@fake Pierzy. Where is your link?
In other word, why doesn’t your screen name change colors when I try to click on it, huh???
You ain’t fooling nobody, but I do enjoy laughing at you!!
Posers are WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK!! lol
July 9th, 2009
at 1:12 pm
Pierzy says:
Thank you as I myself enjoy laughing at your horribly predictable manner of posting in which you agree with everything that I say
Reply here
July 9th, 2009
at 12:02 pm
Pierzy says:
I see fake Pierzy has made his return. What up clone?
What’s poppin’ Fed? How you feel? Ignore the clown above me…just someone dying for attention that couldn’t get any under his own name.
You know my comments have much more substance [and much fewer grammatical mistakes] than that. I do enjoy reading what my “other self” writes, however…
Reply
July 9th, 2009
at 12:07 pm
Pierzy says:
I pride myself in the use of the Queen’s english when I write. However, I find that most of what I have to say is usually self-serving with a hint of desperation to be noticed by the staff of XXL for which I apologize to all.
Reply
July 9th, 2009
at 12:13 pm
123 says:
LOL.
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July 9th, 2009
at 4:40 pm
Detroit P says:
Lol…for what its worth this dude is goin hard on yall niggas..yall need to start firing back with somethin better than your other responses..although I don’t condone the fake name thing..it’s funny..and thats what counts the most…damn I leave XXL for a week and this shit starts happening…good times…
Reply here
July 9th, 2009
at 12:26 pm
Pierzy says:
Now I know what Ma$e feels like when he hears Loon…
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Reply here
July 9th, 2009
at 12:10 pm
Max Profit says:
I love to see rap money feeding these guys and all of their peoples.
Black Wealth is on the rise!!!!!
Reply
July 9th, 2009
at 1:29 pm
DetroitDr***r says:
Im feelin that!!!. Now lets hope they dont blow it all on coke and fleets of cars Scott Storch style. Maybe they will marry a black female and spread the wealth and widen positive influence…Maybe
Reply
July 9th, 2009
at 12:12 pm
LA Reversed says:
It’s a good look to see Game still earning millions without Dre or 50 Cent. That should shut y’all player haters up. Can’t wait to see him crush old-ass Jay with 500 Bars of Death.
Reply
July 9th, 2009
at 12:19 pm
tk says:
lol at Ross…..i hope he’s gonna top the list nextime!
Reply
July 9th, 2009
at 12:24 pm
Federal Ranga says:
You know what they say, P?
“Imitation is the HIGHEST form of flattery”
COMMISSION!!!
Reply
July 9th, 2009
at 12:27 pm
Pierzy says:
Oh I know it. Just wait until somebody starts posting dumbass shit under your name. Haha!
Reply
July 9th, 2009
at 12:56 pm
El Tico Loco says:
What up Fed, P, TG
Preshade ya’ll clearing that up for me, I was confuzzled for a minute. I was thinkin multi personalities @ first.
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Reply here
July 9th, 2009
at 12:25 pm
Federal Ranga says:
Anybody peep out that XXL first round? I’m not liking it so far and Yawka must didn’t make the bracket…
Let’s see how the rest of this shit goes.
Reply
July 9th, 2009
at 12:39 pm
Jamal7Mile says:
What’s up Fed?
I’m waaay behind on this but where is the link for the battle??? I missed the whole thing and I LOVE battles!!
Where are ya’ll at?!!!!
Reply
July 9th, 2009
at 1:18 pm
Federal Ranga says:
We’re all at yo mama’s house so you might not want to stop until we get her cleaned up
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July 9th, 2009
at 1:45 pm
Jamal7Mile says:
What’s up pee-stain? pee-lite? 3rd Testicle?
I thought I told you your name was 3rd Testicle. Again, where is your link?
Bye nigga
July 9th, 2009
at 2:08 pm
Jamal7Mile says:
Wow. I sure got him with that one. I had to sit up all nite to think of a name, but when my mom dropped me off for preschool my friends had the genious idea of Pee-Lite or Pee-Stain, or 3rd Testicle, of course I had to clear it with Tony and Pierzy first to see if they were fine with that.
July 9th, 2009
at 3:40 pm
Jamal7Mile says:
I thought I told you your name is 3rd Testicle. You trolls never learn, LOL!
Bye nigga
Reply here
July 9th, 2009
at 12:43 pm
KING says:
OOPS WRONG LINK
http://tinyurl.com/n8amp9
Reply
July 9th, 2009
at 12:45 pm
vhingrhamesonyo'momma says:
blacks gettin money, ain’t nuttin wrong wit’ dat….sorry gotta do it….
(sit’s back and turns “Movin on up” way,way ,way,way the fuck up!! or least loud as a youtube player goes)
Reply
July 9th, 2009
at 12:47 pm
El Tico Loco says:
Producing, touring and investing that’s where the money is obviously, no wonder the label heads want those 360 deals.
Reply
July 9th, 2009
at 1:33 pm
DetroitDr***r says:
Yea but you have to be a Desperate fool to sign a 360 deal. They takin away your biggest money maker. Touring. Without touring most artist would be broke as hell. Cd’s are’nt selling. And everyone isnt as pretty as Drake or a good enough actor to be in movies and tv.
Reply
July 9th, 2009
at 2:05 pm
El Tico Loco says:
That’s what I was sayin, and I bet they be trying to get the artists to re up on a 360 to protect their own bottom lines, without the 360 the T.i’s are hurtin.
*notice my 1st use of the word t.i.*
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Reply here
July 9th, 2009
at 1:41 pm
DaBigBoy says:
Where the fuck that retard Officer Ricky at ooooooooo he made 6 mil more than me yea.. but it aint but me and him, he say he making way more money than fif where fif at??? O snap he dropped to 20 mil……….. WAIT 20 mil nuh more than 6 mil??????????????? Fucking retarded Officer Ross, bout you making more money than 50 cent shut the fuck up!!!!!!!!!!
Reply
July 9th, 2009
at 1:55 pm
gkid12345 says:
360 deals are NO GOOD, you are becoming a slave
Reply
July 9th, 2009
at 2:10 pm
vhingrhamesonyo'momma says:
no tour dough = no money.
ya’ advance or “bonus” = bogus as hell.
360 = Toby
Reply
July 9th, 2009
at 2:13 pm
Federal Ranga says:
Wow…. Pierzy called it…. looks lije we got a fake Federal Ranga on the loose now… Yo, Jamal7, pay no attention to the ass clown up there, my man. There’s only one Federal Ranga. COMMISSION!!!
Reply
July 9th, 2009
at 2:20 pm
Jamal7Mile says:
Your an idiot too. Why would anyone who raps call themselves a federal ranga??? Is this Rick Ross???
Reply
July 9th, 2009
at 3:42 pm
Jamal7Mile says:
^^^3rd Testicle^^^
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Reply here
July 9th, 2009
at 3:09 pm
SOUTHSIDE A-TOWN says:
dats wassup. im proud 2 see all these black men doing they thing. but i got a question.
are they putting any of this wealth back into the communities that they came from? thats what i would like to see. & i aint talking bout giving $$$ to the united negro college fund. but, the actual communities that you & I are a part of.
i know jay-z set up that college fund for Sean Bell’s kids. & we all know jeezy supports the single mothers/strippers.
who really doing some good in the hood with all this money?
Reply
July 9th, 2009
at 3:21 pm
DetroitDr***r says:
Thats exactly what I meant with my comment above.
Reply
July 9th, 2009
at 3:43 pm
SOUTHSIDE A-TOWN says:
“Maybe they will marry a black female and spread the wealth and widen positive influence…Maybe”
^^^^ so true, man. OUR young black youths need it. DESPERATELY!!! including myself. i just wish… they would come to these inner cities like once a month, & show cats how to better their futures (along w/ some other things). its an ASTONISHING amount of potential in ALL of our communities, in these black youths. WE NEED 2 SEE POSITIVE!!! but all we/they see is the negative, & wanna glorify dat shit. & dats why i fuxed w/ T.I., HARD, for dat Road 2 Redemption show on mtv. dats was some real shit. it needs to be done on a much LARGER scale though.
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Reply here
July 9th, 2009
at 3:31 pm
Federal Ranga says:
Wow… now we gotta fake Jamal, too. This copycat is mad pathetic.
Reply
July 9th, 2009
at 3:38 pm
ko says:
Ross is not broke by a long shot. You niggas only see and hear what the media wants you to. I’m sure Ross has been getting paid well off of show money and who knows what side businesses he might have.
Reply
July 9th, 2009
at 10:34 pm
DaBigBoy says:
My ute pleaseeeeeeeeeee, stop defending him…. he brought all this on himself….talking bout he big and bad going to sell millions of records making tons of money compared to fif, the guy is a fraud and is being exposed simple…
Reply
July 9th, 2009
at 3:48 pm
what is this sh*t says:
Niggas be having orgasims off this fake ass list..this list is so damn fabricated!
Reply
July 9th, 2009
at 4:15 pm
kevin says:
lol, there is no grammatical errors in the poser post. no commas would be required. how the fuck did rick ross make 6 mil? misc. entertainment ventures possibly? slangin them thangs?
Reply
July 9th, 2009
at 4:33 pm
BeerGangsta says:
Everybody who is on this XXL page. Need to get your Million up. You can look at the figures and seee why so many people won’t to get in Music or Movies Bussiness. From me to ya’ll. You need to become a Millionaire. Get Rich to this by Goodie Mobb!
Reply
July 10th, 2009
at 12:16 am
mrsmithers says:
My nigga ross shittin on yall xxl haters!
Reply
July 10th, 2009
at 2:19 am
sean john says:
Oh! That’s great. Thanks for sharing those top 20 results. i enjoyed reading it.keep posting!
-sidney-
Reply
July 10th, 2009
at 3:50 am
thelupend says:
wayne sold a million in his first week,he had hit singles,he had a tour and he still made less than akon .pretty fucked up. And dr dre is still gettin money is great.As usual eminem is the only white guy on the entire list.
Btw, Congrats to jay, kanye and diddy
Reply
July 10th, 2009
at 6:22 pm
XXLmag.com - » 50 Cent Predicts Taking Top Spot on Next Year’s Forbes List says:
[...] After placing fourth on Forbes magazine’s Hip-Hop Cash Kings list, G-Unit leader 50 Cent predicts a return to number one spot next year. [...]
Reply
July 12th, 2009
at 2:14 am
esco600 says:
where is nas in all dis?
Reply