Rappers in the hip-hop genre frequently talk about their opulent lifestyles in their lyrics. Rappers have a history of showing off their riches, whether it is through ostentatious lyrics about financial victories or visuals of expensive automobiles and jewelry in their music videos. The astounding wealth that musicians like Jay-Z, Drake, and other prominent hip-hop figures have amassed via their music and other commercial endeavors is evident in their net worth. Here is a list of the wealthiest rappers worldwide.
Amid the recent rap feud involving Drake and Kendrick Lamar, the two artists were pitted against each other on several parameters. Beyond their rap styles and songs, fans also compared the fortunes they have amassed so far in their musical careers. While there is a significant difference between Drake and Kendrick Lamar’s net worths, it’s also worth noting that the duo’s assets pale in comparison to senior artists like Jay-Z, Dr. Dre and more.
From selling out arenas to releasing era-defining albums and owning record labels, let’s look at who the richest rappers in the world are.
Richest rappers in the world: Jay-Z, Kanye West and more
Jay-Z – The billionaire rapper
Net worth: USD 2.5 billion
Most streamed song on Spotify: Ni**as In Paris
Shawn Corey Carter, popularly known by his stage name Jay-Z became hip-hop’s first billionaire in 2019. However, it is worth noting that much of Jay-Z’s financial success comes from his multiple business ventures besides his music. His liquor businesses have played a crucial role in amping up his fortune and bringing him the billionaire status. As of 2024, with a staggering net worth of USD 2.5 billion, the rapper stands fifth among the world’s celebrity billionaires and is preceded by legends like George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, Michael Jordan and Oprah Winfrey. He is the only musician among the top five celebrity billionaires named by Forbes.
Jay-Z’s clever business sense is reflected in the massive liquor deals he has struck in the past. In 2021, he sold a 50% stake in his champagne brand, Armand de Brignac, to luxury goods giant LVMH for reportedly USD 300 million (yes, the same price for which Taylor Swift’s masters were sold by Scooter Braun). Also, last year, he sold a majority stake in his cognac label D’Usse for a reported USD 750 million to Bacardi.
Besides earning huge sums from both these liquor deals, Jay-Z also owns stakes in mega-successful companies like Uber that add to his massive fortune. The amazing trajectory of Jay-Z’s wealth which jumped from USD 1.4 billion in 2022 to USD. 2.5 billion in the following years attests to his strong business acumen.
Not to mention the jaw-dropping value of his enormous music catalogue which is reported to be worth upwards of USD 95 million. In addition, he also owns Roc Nation Entertainment and a sports management agency which is estimated to be worth USD 75 million. From this massive fortune, Jay-Z has invested heavily in real estate as well as art. His art collection consisting of works from Jean-Michel Basquiat and other contemporary artists is worth USD 70 million. The rapper along with his soon-to-be billionaire wife Beyoncé also owns properties worth USD 50 million.
Dr. Dre
Net worth: USD 500 million
Most streamed song on Spotify: Still D.R.E
Known to be one of the most significant figures in hip-hop, Dr. Dre (born Andre Romell Young) popularised gangsta rap and is also the man who launched the careers of several famous rappers we know today. His artistic influence and contribution as a producer in the American rap scene has been massive and it dates back to his historic role of being a member of the Californian hip-hop group N.W. A. Known as one of the greatest and most influential groups in the history of hip hop music, it also consisted of other popular names such as Ice Cube and Eazy-E.
In terms of making a mark as a businessman in the music industry, Dr. Dre’s staggering 2014 deal worth USD 3 billion selling his headphones company Beats Electronics and streaming music service Beats Music to Apple provided a major boost to his net worth. Following the same, he also launched his own record company Aftermath Entertainment under which he helped launch the careers of Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg and 50 Cent.
Most popular songs produced by Dr. Dre
- The Real Slim Shady by Eminem
- Family Affair by Mary J. Blige
- In Da Club by 50 Cent
- Straight Outta Compton by N.W.A.
- Gin and Juice by Snoop Dogg
Last year, Variety reported that Dr. Dre reportedly sold his music catalog including music income streams and other assets in a deal that was pitched for USD 250 million. The rapper reportedly signed the deal with Shamrock Holdings and Universal Music Group and the news came on the heels of reports regarding his health concerns. The record producer and musician suffered three strokes in 2021 when he was hospitalised for a brain aneurysm. Following his recovery, he has been active again and has stepped out for events including the 2023 Met Gala and Grammy Awards.
On the personal front, in a widely publicised divorce, Dr. Dre’s ex-wife Nicole Young received a settlement of a whopping USD 100 million of his fortune and half of his liquid assets as the couple parted ways after 24 years in 2021. In the divorce settlement, while Dre earned the properties and rights to his music and stock options, Nicole scored other luxury assets such as Rolls Royce, Cadillac limo escalade, motorcycle and Range Rover.
Diddy aka Sean Combs
Net worth: USD 1 billion (As per Forbes’ 2022 list)
Most streamed song on Spotify: I’ll Be Missing You
Sean “Diddy” Combs is currently in the headlines after being hit with sexual assault allegations. In recent months, multiple women have come forward to share allegations of misconduct by the rap mogul, including an individual lawsuit filed by his ex-girlfriend Cassie whom he dated on and off from 2007 to 2018. Amid the ongoing legal proceedings of the disgraced rapper, his massive fortune and big-ticket assets have received attention.
After breaking into the music scene in the ’90s, the rapper also founded Bad Boy Records which signed numerous artists including Craig Mack, The Notorious B.I.G. and Faith Evans. Through the Bad Boy Records catalogue, the rapper earned a significant amount of wealth and his other business ventures helped multiply the same. Diddy’s beverage businesses including DeLeón tequila and Aquahydrate alkaline water further secured his wealth and also earned him the billionaire status in 2022. Apart from investing heavily in real estate, the rapper is known to have splurged ample of his fortune on a private jet, a fleet of luxury cars and yachts.
Kanye West
Net worth: USD 400 million
Most streamed song on Spotify: Heartless
One of the most popular and controversial rappers of his time, Kanye West has earned his place among the richest rappers in the world via his music and fashion businesses. However, his net worth has seen a major drop following the breakdown of the lucrative multi-year deal between his sneaker brand Yeezy and Adidas. In the wake of his antisemitic and offensive comments on social media, Adidas along with several brands including Gap and Balenciaga cut ties with the rapper two years ago. As of 2024, Kanye’s net worth is USD 400 million which includes real estate and the value of his music catalog. Additionally, he also owns a 5% stake in his ex-wife Kim Kardashian West’s impressively successful shapewear brand Skims.
West’s turbulent personal life has had a massive impact on his musical career and businesses. At its peak, the rapper was earning a huge sum from his sneaker brand Yeezy and Forbes had also estimated the Adidas deal at USD 1.5 billion which was a major contributor to his wealth. Furthermore, despite ending their partnership with West, Adidas may still owe the rapper royalties for everything that’s been sold since the last royalty payment they made to him. Kanye’s groundbreaking deal with Adidas gave him a 15% royalty on wholesale Yeezy products which was huge compared to Michael Jordan’s Nike royalties placed at around 5% as per Forbes.
In terms of music, according to Billboard, the songs in West’s collection generate an estimated USD 13.25 million in publishing royalties of which he earns nearly USD 5 million each year.
Eminem
Net worth: USD 250 million
Most streamed song on Spotify: Lose Yourself
One of Eminem’s most famous interviews saw him casually exploring his hometown Detroit alongside American broadcaster Anderson Cooper. A viral moment from their interaction was the rapper’s response to being hesitant about spending money. He even told Cooper how he consulted his manager about whether or not he could afford to buy an expensive watch even after selling millions of albums.
On yet another occasion, he showed his frugal nature when he spoke to the New York Times about his spending habits and said, “I try to treat all the money I’m making like it’s the last time I’m going to make it.”
Well, fortunately for him, it’s nearly impossible for him to ever run out of money given that he boasts a net worth of USD 250 million and is easily among the richest rappers in the world. His highest-selling rap album to date is The Marshall Mathers LP, which has been certified a diamond by the RIAA. Being one of the most streamed hip-hop artists on Spotify with over 3.6 billion streams, it has been reported that he earns an estimated USD 11 million and USD 20 million of it.
Besides his music, Eminem also famously starred in 8 Mile, a semi-autobiographical film that grossed USD 242.9 million worldwide, adding significantly to his fortune. Furthermore, since its inception in 1999, Eminem’s label Shady Records has also earned him millions after signing artists such as Slaughterhouse, Yelawolf, Griselda, Westside Gunn and Conway the Machine. As of 2024, Eminem’s net worth puts him in a position to not just buy the most expensive watches in the world but way more extravagant possessions.
Pharrell Williams
Net worth: USD 250 million
Most streamed song on Spotify: Happy
If there’s one rapper you need to take business lessons from, it’s Pharrell Williams. His achievements beyond creating and producing music have earned him a massive fortune. From Britney Spears’ I’m A Slave 4 U, to Justin Timberlake’s Rock Your Body, Williams along with Chad Hugo has produced some of the biggest hits of all time. In terms of his solo successes, the artist’s best-selling album was his second studio album Girl, which includes the popular singles Happy, Marilyn Monroe and Come Get It Bae.
Besides making a mark in the music industry, Williams has successfully diversified his brand into the fashion world and his achievements speak for themselves. In February 2023, he was named Louis Vuitton’s creative director of menswear. More recently, he also teamed up with Tiffany and Co. to create a new jewellery collection called the Tiffany Titan. These brand collaborations have helped boost his net worth significantly apart from the massive earnings he takes home from tours and album sales.
Drake
Net worth: USD 250 million
Most streamed song on Spotify: One Dance
In 2021, Drake became the first artist to surpass 50 billion streams on Spotify across all credits and here’s how it boosts his fortune. According to Variety, the rapper’s music reportedly earns him USD 50 million annually, making a significant contribution to his rising net worth. Taking into account his business ventures and fashion collaborations, his staggering net worth of USD 250 million doesn’t seem surprising. From his tours alone, Drake has earned massive sums including a whopping USD 84 million from his 2016 Summer Sixteen tour.
With eight commercially successful studio albums to his name, the God’s Plan singer has diversified his fortune into several ventures including the record label OVO Sound and streetwear line, OVO. He also struck a lucrative collaboration with Nike that is estimated to be worth USD 450 million, contributing massively to his wealth besides his musical earnings. Hence, it’s no surprise that Drake finds himself on the list of richest rappers in the world.
Berner
Net worth: USD 250 million
Most streamed song on Spotify: 20 Joints
While many may find Berner’s name to be a surprising addition among the richest rappers, the musician’s shocking wealth makes him a worthy addition. Besides his discography, the San Francisco rapper has now built a legal weed business that skyrocketed his net worth. Berner is the founder of Cookies, a cannabis brand with over 70 retail locations which Forbes valued at USD 150 million in 2022. Previously, Berner’s net worth was reported to be USD 410 million in 2022 although as per a recent report by the New York Times it currently stands at USD 250 million.
In terms of his musical career, Berner was signed by Wiz Khalifa to his label, Taylor Gang Entertainment. The most popular album by Berner is El Chivo, although a quick Google search shows that it’s his business that has overtaken his musical fame, given that Berner cookies earn more mentions than his songs or albums.
Lil Wayne
Net worth: USD 170 million
Most steamed song on Spotify: Sucker for Pain
While his USD 170 million net worth puts him on the list of the richest rappers in the world, Lil Wayne claimed in an interview last year, “I don’t have a cent close to that.” Given the rapper’s successful career, it doesn’t seem unusual that he is among the wealthiest hip-hop artists. In fact, it was his label Young Money Entertainment that first signed Canadian rapper Drake before he became a big phenomenon. The same also goes for Nicki Minaj who was under Lil Wayne’s label before.
After Drake and Minaj bid farewell to Young Money Entertainment, Wayne reportedly sold the masters of both artists and also other musicians under his label to Universal Music Group for USD 100 million. The rapper has also dabbled in other business ventures such as his clothing line Trukfit and the sports management agency, Young Money Sports which have served as additional avenues for his fortune.
Snoop Dogg
Net worth: USD 160 million
Most streamed song on Spotify: Young, Wild & Free
Arguably one of the most famous rappers in the world, Snoop Dogg (born Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr) has been rapping since the early ’90s and has earned a global fan base. Be it in the world of music, movies or other business ventures, the rapper has promised innovation and has carved his success story across all sectors. Putting his artistic talents on display, his impressive discography includes several singles, four soundtrack albums, 25 mixtapes and also promotional singles.
If you are wondering about how streaming earnings work, Snoop addressed the same on a podcast and revealed that he is only receiving USD 45,000 from a billion streams on Spotify. While the artist did not reveal any more details, it must be noted that the distribution of streaming sales doesn’t entirely go to the artist, as other parties including record labels, managers, and credited songwriters as well as Spotify get a cut.
Besides earning through his musical hits, the rapper has also invested in several companies like Dutchie and Eaze. He also expanded his love of cannabis into businesses by starting Merry Jane—a news site about cannabis and founded his weed brand, Leafs by Snoop.
Known to be a savvy businessman, Snoop has also built his fortune through some unlikely projects such as a cooking show with Martha Stewart called Martha & Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Challenge.
Ice Cube
Net worth: USD 160 million
Most streamed song on Spotify: It Was a Good Day
Best known for starting as a member of N.W.A alongside Dr. Dre, Ice Cube (born O’Shea Jackson Sr.) is one of the most famous rappers in the world and is renowned for being a prolific songwriter. Besides his successful musical career, Ice Cube has also amassed a loyal fanbase thanks to his acting projects. Among his most recognised roles in movies is that of Calvin in Barbershop and its sequels. He also famously starred in 21 Jump Street as the fan-favourite character Captain Dickson.
After building his fortune out of music and his acting projects, Ice Cube started his own production house named Cube Vision, which has released several film and television projects. His highest-grossing film as an actor is the 2014 action-comedy 22 Jump Street which earned USD 331 million.
(Main and featured images: Beyonce/Instagram; Champagnepapi/Instagram)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
– Who is the richest rapper in the world?
Jay-Z is the richest rapper in the world with a net worth of USD 2.5 billion. He is the first hip-hop artist to become a billionaire.
– What is Kendrick Lamar’s net worth in 2024?
Kendrick Lamar’s net worth as per Celebrity Net Worth is estimated to be USD 75 million.
– Is Eminem a billionaire?
Eminem is one of the most famous hip-hop artists and also among the richest rappers in the world. He has a net worth of USD 250 million.
– Who are the top 3 richest rappers?
Jay-Z is the richest rapper in the world with a net worth of USD 2.5 billion followed by Diddy (net worth of USD 1 billion) and Dr. Dre (net worth of USD 500 million).
This article was first published in Prestige Malaysia
