Rappers dominate the stage they walk across, every…single…time. When they rap, the world listens, and fans are captivated by every lyric they drop on the mic. Very much known to be a powerful “bad boy club”, the rap world is filled with controversy, internal politics, and the relentless drive to shatter records and mesmerize audiences around the world. Rappers are constantly touring to generate income and maintain their footprint in the industry. These heavyweights are known not only to produce incredible lyrics and music, but to also to generate a massive income. Their earning potential is limitless. As long as the world still wants to hear their music, they will forever be paid. Let’s take a look at The 10 Highest Paid Rappers To Date.
Dr Dre
Dr. Dre is a force to be reckoned with, both on and off the stage. Worth a staggering $850 million according to Forbes Magazine, he is arguably one of the highest paid rappers of all-time. One of the largest figures in the hip hop and rap scene, Dr. Dre has been esteemed as a rapper, producer, and entrepreneur. His recent founding of the most iconic headphone company, Beats, is yet another example of his tenacity to remain a current and vibrant entrepreneur, proving that he has no intentions of slowing down anytime soon. Not only is he a successful rapper in his own right, but Dr.Dre is also credited for being the founder of the careers of many other successful artists, namely Eminem and 50 Cent. Nothing can stop this powerhouse!
Drake
Drake’s net worth has been stated as being $150 million as of 2019, and he’s ranked as one of the highest paid hip hop and rap artists of all time. He’s no stranger to the spotlight on stage – in fact- he seems to relish in the attention he receives everywhere he goes. He’s accumulated quite an empire that is based on his music career, but has certainly encompassed many other business ventures. Born and raised in Toronto, Canada, he remains an icon to the city with his OVO fan base and his dedication to being the global ambassador for the Toronto Raptors basketball team. He owns an impressive amount of real estate around the world, as well as a whiskey label by the name of Virginia Black Whiskey. His residency at the XS Nightclub in Vegas will net him even more income, as he continues to add to his wealth.
Eminem
Eminem is one of the richest rappers in the world, and his success is a direct result of his incredible tenacity and true hunger to make it to the top. Coming from a troubled past and being no stranger to poverty, Eminem roared to success after being discovered by Dr.Dre. His troubled past became his voice of expression and Eminem has continued to shock audiences with his political standpoints and wildly controversial points of view. He’s not afraid to take risks, and it seems every one of them has paid off. His net worth is well over $210 million, yet he continues to produce music and remain dedicated to his art. He is unarguably one of the most talented lyricists and rappers of all-time. When Eminem speaks, the world takes notice, and audiences across the globe continue to crave more of his unmistakable music.
Ice Cube
Ice Cube is considered to be one of the original founders of rap and very much a success story as he rose to the top from very humble beginnings. He is estimated to be worth more than $160 million today, and is easily recognized as one of the richest rappers of all time. He not only raps, but he writes most of his own content and has become a highly esteemed producer and director throughout his career. Former member of the hip hop group C.I.A. and then the group N.W.A. with Dr. Dre and Eazy E, his career took off and he eventually began dabbling in film as well. Ice Cube remains widely connected in the rap world and continues to create, produce, and perform today.
Jay Z
Jay Z is a self-made billion-dollar man. This rapper-turned-mogul has a massive empire, and credits his rap career for launching his successful rise to the top. His hip hop and rap life gained him worldwide notoriety, and he’s spun that success into an opportunity to do even more. In addition to his undeniable take-over of the rap world, Jay-Z also has several other business ventures under his belt, inclusive of his entertainment company called Roc Nation, which alone is worth over $7.5 million. He’s the proud owner of his own clothing line, entertainment label, alcohol brand, and streaming service. He is one of the wealthiest musicians in the world, and his combined income with wife, Beyonce, makes them an absolute power-couple.
Master P
Master P is a master indeed. He dominated the rap stages at a very young age, and has remained current in the rap scene over the span of over 3 decades. He was the founder of No Limit Records, and was the CEO of a short-lived television network. His hop hop music group TRU and his fifth solo rap album “Ice Cream Man” were the main experiences that launched him to the top of his rap fame. He has also starred in a number of movies and has made several television appearances. His skills don’t stop there; he was also signed to 2 separate NBA contracts in the late 1990’s. Clearly his star was meant to shine, and he continues to be a creative force within the industry with a net worth of $210 million.
Nas
Ask any major entertainment news source, and they will tell you that Nas is poised to become a millionaire if he stays along the successful path he has traveled thus far. He has sold over 25 million records worldwide, and has a current net worth of $60 million, earning him the respectful title of being one of the richest rappers in the world. Nas connects his experience with street-life with his impeccable lyrics, and the result is sheer talent. He continues to be in high demand and has a global presence and undeniably recognized name.
P.Diddy
Whether you call him Sean Combs, Puff Daddy, Puffy or P.Diddy – the name causes no confusion and we all know who you’re referencing. P.Diddy is known to continuously change his stage names, but his incredible success has remained untouched. Born in New York City, this rap genius has established his fame through his rap performances and maintained his fame with fans over the span of over 30 years. He has a following that spans across various generations and is a household name across the globe. Diddy’s net worth is a staggering $820 million today, and Forbes predicts he will become a billionaire in the very near future.
Kanye West
Whether you love him or hate him, his fame and his status as being one of the highest paid rappers is undeniable. Kanye West is worth an astonishing $250 million dollars and ranks as one of the world’s wealthiest music artists. This rapper turned entrepreneur is set to become a billionaire within the next few years if he continues following this upward path of growth. His clothing company, Yeezy, is a huge contributing factor to his wealth and success, but his original roots were grounded in the rap game and he has continued to dominate the rap scene with hit after hit that blend his unique voice with his signature sounding music.
Snoop Dogg
One of the most highly paid rappers of all time is also one of the most original looking and sounding rappers of all-time. Known to bring a chill vibe with him everywhere he goes, Snoop Dogg is a signature artist in the rap world. His name is synonymous with rap success and despite being one of the older members of the rap world, he continues to be one of the most in-demand artists across the globe. His laid back personality has made him iconic and his power in the rap scene is undeniable. His net worth of $135 million can be largely credited to his success as a rapper, and has been enhanced with his entrepreneurial skills and movie and television appearances. Snoop Dogg is one of the original artists to mark his territory in the rap world, and continues to demand high wages while selling out every tour he embarks on.