Our list of the top 30 richest rappers in the world reflects how lucrative the world of hip hop is, provided you have the talent to stand out among your peers.
Many aspiring rappers try their luck to no avail. However, the ones that have made it big are worth some mind-numbing figures.
1. Kanye West
Total assets: $3.2 billion:
Kanye West is one of the most influential musicians of the past few decades. He is one of the best-selling musicians in the world, having sold over 20 million albums. He is also an entrepreneur and owner of a content company DONDA, a multimillion sneaker company Yeezy, and is all set to launch a fashion apparel line in 2021. It’s safe to say that the Grammy-winning artist’s net worth is likely to grow in the coming years.
2. Jay Z
Total assets: $1 billion
Jay Z is one of the most critically acclaimed rappers in the world. However, the interesting thing is that the American born rapper did not amass this money through music alone. He made smart investments in sports teams, clothing lines, record labels, music production, and more.
3. P Diddy
Total assets: $885 million
The New York-born rapper has quite a few feathers in his cap. He has a seven times platinum album under his belt, along with multiple Grammy and MTV music awards and several successful albums. He is also an entrepreneur and has his own clothing line, vodka brand, fragrance line, and even an umbrella company.
4. Dr. Dre
Total assets: $820 million
With six Grammy’s under his belt and multiple other successful ventures and collaborations on his portfolio, Dr. Dre is undoubtedly one of the best (and wealthiest) rappers in the world. He is also CEO of Beats Electronics and was the co-founder of Death Row Records.
5. Eminem
Total assets: $230 million
He is undoubtedly one of the most successful artists of the 21st century. Eminem has won ten Grammys, has ten no.1 albums on the Billboard 200, and has sold over 150 million records. Unlike other rappers on this list, however, he has amassed almost all of his wealth from his music and acting career alone.
6. Master P
Total assets: $200 million
Actor and Rap Mogul Master P has over 15 studio albums, most of which are multi-platinum. He is the founder of No limit records and was one of the richest figures of 2009, and holds the sixth position in our list of the top 30 richest rappers of the world.
7. Drake
Total assets: $180 million
The Canadian-born star is known for his successful career as a rapper, producer, singer, and actor. His debut studio album went platinum, and several singles topping the Billboard charts, with ‘One Dance’ being the most famous and popular one.
8. Usher
Total assets: $180 million
Usher’s portfolio, too, is very diverse. He has amassed his wealth through his successful career as a rapper, singer, producer, dancer, actor, and songwriter. He has won eight Grammys and sold over 75 million records worldwide.
9. Ice Cube
Total assets: $160million
Known as one of the best rappers of his time, Ice Cube is more than just a rapper. He also has a successful acting career and a successful clothing line ‘Solo’ by Cube that diversifies his revenue stream.
10. Pharell Williams
Total assets: $150 million
Best known for his 7X platinum single Happy, Pharell is a successful rapper, singer, music producer, and entrepreneur. He is a vocalist and drummer for the band N.E.R.D. and is the owner of two clothing lines as well.
11. Lil Wayne
Total assets: $150 million
Lil Wayne started his career at the age of 13, and his first solo album went platinum, earning him much recognition in the industry. His early success is a testament to his talent. He has released 13 albums and sold over 100 million records globally to date.
12. Snoop Dogg
Total assets: $150 million
Rapper, entrepreneur, singer, producer, actor, and director Snoop Dogg is worth a whopping $150 million. He has recorded and released 14 albums, several of which have gone platinum and charted at no. 1. He is one of the most famous rappers from the 90s, and his success as a host also amounts to his fame and wealth.
13. LL Cool J
Total assets: $120 million
The rapper and actor began his music career at the age of 16. He dropped out of high school to record his debut album after his single sold over 100,000 copies. His debut album was just as well-received, going platinum. He is also a successful actor starring in the NCIS: Los Angeles, for which he earns $350,000 per episode.
14. Swizz Beatz
Total assets: $100 million
Dubbed the greatest rap producer of all times by Kanye West, Swizz boasts a successful and critically acclaimed career and a musician and producer. He has produced multiple successful hits for several artists, including Jay Z, allowing him to earn a spot in the top 30 richest rappers in the world.
15. Birdman
Total assets: $100 million
Birdman is a successful rapper and co-founder of the record label Cash Money Records, which is the most successful hip hop label company that has sold over 50 million records. He is also a multi-platinum artist with multiple Grammy nominations under his belt.
16. Mike Diamond
Total assets: $90 million
Mike Diamond is the co-founder, and rapper of the 7x platinum status earner boy band Beastie Boys, which is a three time Grammy award winning band. To date, the band has sold more than 40 million records globally.
17. Pitbull
Total assets: $90 million
We all know Mr. Worldwide, who hails from Miami. He began his career in 2001 and has released over 11 albums, several of which are certified platinum and have topped the Billboard charts, earning him recognition and fame globally.
18. Ad-Rock
Total assets: $90 million
Ad-Rock is also a member of the boy band Beastie Boys, where he performed as a fellow rapper and guitarist.
19. Timbaland
Total assets: $85 million
Rapper, songwriter, singer, and producer Timbaland is the owner of his own record label, Beat Club. Much of his fame and success comes from his music production career, having produced hit tracks for several artists, including Justin Timberlake, Snoop Dog, and Missy Elliot.
20. Migos
Total assets: $80 million
Migos is an American hip-hop trio that gained prominence with its hit single, Versace. Their album Rich Nigga Timeline was also dubbed the best rap album of 2014, further increasing the trio’s net worth.
21. Akon
Total assets: $80 million
Akon started his career in 2004 and has since then reached the billboard charts twice at No.1 and No.2.He is also a successful R&B singer, producer, entrepreneur with his own clothing line called Konvict Clothing and is also co-founder of the record label Konvict Muzik.
22. Nicki Minaj
Total assets: $80 million
Nicki Minaj has several successful singles under her portfolio. Her debut album sold over 4 million copies globally, and her second and third albums went platinum, further increasing her net worth. She also has a successful line of fragrances and is the only female rapper to make it to the top 30 richest rappers in the world.
23. Will.I.Am
Total assets: $75 million
Actor, singer, rapper, songwriter, Will.I.Am is best known as a member of the group Black Eyed Peas. He also has four solo albums, is the winner of seven Grammy awards, and is currently a judge on the Voice UK since 2012.
24. Kendrick Lamar
Total assets: $75 million
Kendrick Lamar started his career at the age of 16 and released his first studio album in 2012, which sold over 1.1 million copies globally. To date, he has 37 Grammy nominations and 13 awards to boast.
25. Nas
Total assets: $70 million
Nas is a singer, songwriter, entrepreneur, investor, and rapper. He gained popularity with his debut album and has since then gone on to release 11 albums and receive 13 Grammy nominations.
26. Rev Rev
Total assets: $70 million
Rev Rev is best known as the founding member of the group Run DMC. Many of the band’s albums went platinum, contributing to the rapper’s success.
27. DJ Khaled
Total assets: $65 million
Khaled gained popularity as a radio host and soon gained a mass social media following, skyrocketing him to fame. He has released 11 albums so many of which have topped Billboard charts and gone platinum.
28. PSY
Total assets: $60 million
PSY’s song ‘Gangnam Style’ was one of the very first songs to surpass 1 billion views on YouTube, skyrocketing him to fame within the United States. He continues to produce hits and earn success worldwide.
29. Wiz Khalifa
Total assets: $60 million
Wiz Khalifa has had a long journey and slow career growth. However, in 2011 and onwards, he started gaining recognition for his work and is one of the richest rappers in the world.
30. J Cole
Total assets: $60 million
J. Cole was one of the first artists to sign with Jay-Z’s record label and is one of the highest-paid rappers today and is one of the top 30 richest rappers in the world.
This list of the top 30 richest rappers in the world goes to show that the world of hip hop and rap is incredibly lucrative if you’re able to make it big. However, it’s not just the music that has made these rappers rich. Along with their careers, a lot of them were smart with their money and invested well, and that’s the main lesson here. Invest well, and reap the rewards for a long time!
