Richest Hip-Hop Stars List: Forbes Names Top 25 Earners in Hip-Hop Music Industry
A new Forbes list of the hip-hop game's highest earners shows that 2014 brought in major stacks for these musicians and moguls.
The 25 named celebrities were arranged by their pre-tax incomes in Forbes' 2014 Hip-Hop Cash Kings list.
The highest-paid hip-hop mogul has had an enormous year financially, making his total earnings more than the trailing 24 rappers' income combined. When Apple forked over $3 billion to purchase Beats, a company created by Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine, the former became hip-hop's first billionaire.
However, this seven-figure price tag was not directly given to Dre, but he did earn $620 million this year alone. The iconic headphones and music subscription company was purchased by Apple over the summer.
"It's safe to say headphones is a good business," DJ Khaled joked to Forbes. Khaled debuted on the Cash Kings list at No. 20, with his earnings nearing $7 million.
The gap between first and first runner-up is a wide divide, but behind Dr. Dre there is a tie for the No. 2 spot between entrepreneurs Jay Z and Diddy, who each earned $60 million.
Hov's income is his personal highest since 2010, which was a combination of ventures including his latest platinum-selling album, 68 concert performances, his Roc Nation line and D'Ussé cognac. Diddy's deal with Diageo's Ciroc vodka contributed the majority of his paycheck, but also included his Sean John clothing, Revolt TV, DeLeon tequila and Blue Flame marketing.
"I love going where the hustle is," Diddy told Forbes in early 2014. "I love going where like-minded people are."
The magazine said the totals were calculated from June 2013 to June 2014, taking into account touring, record sales, endorsements and merchandise sales. Fees from things like management and agents were not deducted.
Other major players were included in the top 25: Nicki Minaj was the highest female rapper included on the list at No. 11. Drake, Wiz Khalifa, Pitbull, Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West and J. Cole were also featured.
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