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In a tradition that is becoming as anticipated among hip-hop fans as December album of the year picks or XXL‘s freshman cover, Forbes has released their annual list of the wealthiest artists in hip-hop. The list hasn’t changed much over the last decade with the recently retired Diddy leading the way with a net worth of $750 Million. Dr. Dre and Jay-Z are right on his heels in the high nine-figure club as usual. What’s most interesting are the fourth and fifth members of this financial fab five.
Birdman jumps from five to four on the list, despite an almost 20% drop in his net worth that Forbes attributes to the fractured relationship between the Cash Money Records executive and his star artist Lil’ Wayne. Is the drop in net worth evidence of a trend for Birdman, or just a momentary monetary bump in the road? Given his still intact business relationship with the fifth person on this list, I think Baby will likely still be in the money next year.
Drake joins the top five for the first time in his career with a net worth that Forbes estimates at $60 Million. Drake famously said that all he cares about is money and the city that he’s from, and he’s done a great job over the past few years making sure both are covered. Besides helping break now well-known acts like The Weeknd, PartyNextDoor, and Majid Jordan; and shouting out local stars on the rise like Top 5 and *ahem* former associate Mo-G, Drake spent the last two years establishing a sound, an anthem, and a vision of modern Toronto. Along the way, he got bigger and bigger, picking up endorsements and bags of money along the way.
Even though, according to Forbes, he’s fallen a bit short of his goal to reach $250 Million by age 29, I don’t think we’ll hear the Toronto superstar complaining anytime soon.
Forbes Top 5 Wealthiest Rappers
1. Sean “Diddy” Combs: $750 M
2. Andre “Dr. Dre” Young: $710 M
3. Shawn “Jay Z” Carter: $610 M
4. Bryan “Birdman” Williams: $110 M
5. Aubrey “Drake” Graham: $60 M
(Via Forbes)