The world of Rap and Hip Hop is dominated by mega giants that have been able to stand the test of time. Unlike the pop genre, this is not an all-embracing category of music. There is equal focus put on both skill and street cred, and the stakes are very, very high. As many know, the rap world knows no boundaries, and this can become a territorial game that artists are willing to sacrifice their lives for. Putting it all on the line, the world of rap is a loyalty-driven one, and there is always a nod given to those who have been at the top of their game from way back in the past, also referred to as the OG's. These rappers are influential not only due to their enormous wealth, but also for their notoriety.
Whatever they touch turns to gold, their status is never questioned, and when it comes to launching the career of another artist, they can do so with ease.
Rate Your Music, along with other reputable sources, have always honored those who have contributed, and still do contribute to the culture, and whose names are synonymous with being the top when it comes to power and influence.
Tupac Shakur
There is no name more highly revered in the world of rap than that of Tupac Shakur. He has reached iconic heights and is credited as being among the most, if not the most influential rapper of all time. This is an especially huge honor when noting that his life was cut short prematurely, when the young artist was just 25 years old.
The impact he has had on the rap community is greater than can be described, and he is regarded as an icon whose lyrics and rhythms spoke to not only his generation, but to many already established artists that rose to fame before him, and of course, to so many that came after him.
When Tupac was murdered while sitting in a car in 1996, the entire world of music came to a standstill and respect was paid to the young man that changed the very landscape of the industry at such a young age. During the year of his death, he had generated $60 million in album sales alone, and Celebrity Net Worth declares that his estate continues to earn tens of millions off the posthumous release of Tupac albums, merchandise sales and various other forms of image licensing."
Ice Cube
Ice Cube first rose to fame in the late 1980s as part of the rap group N.W.A. He went on to become a true trailblazer, and is most highly regarded for creating what many deem as the "greatest hip hop album of all time", Amerikkas Most Wanted. His contributions to hip hop have always been politically-charged, and Ice Cube has continued the same plight, decades after he first began with this messaging.
Political hip hop defined his career, and now fully embodies his cause. He has created the Contract With Black America and continues to push forward for waves of change by fighting for the rights of Black citizens in America, and around the world. Ice Cube maintains a strong connection with his fan base on Twitter and Instagram, leading his followers to chime in to the political and social peace keeping conversations he first sang about so long ago. His net worth of $160 million continues to grow exponentially each year.
Dr. Dre
Dr. Dre is viewed as being the father of rap and carries more influence in today's rap music scene than anyone else in the game. His keen ear and innate ability to scout and cultivate talent is unprecedented.
Due to his guidance, and investment, he has single-handedly launched the careers of multiple rappers, who incidentally, have also made the list as being among the most influential. Eminem, 50 Cent, Kedrick Lamar, The Game, Snoop Dogg, Easy-E and Ice Cube can all credit Dr. Dre for not only launching their careers, but continuing to be a pillar of inspiration to them every step of the way. Dr. Dre's current net worth stands at $820 million.
Eminem
The self-proclaimed Rap God runs circles around any other artist on the rap scene. His jaw-dropping ability to rap 10.65 syllables per second, which equates to 7.23 words per second, makes him a sheer talent. The fact that those lyrics are fully-loaded, incredibly genius and powerfully penned makes him untouchable. Eminem's rags to riches story is the sort of thing everyone wants to believe in, and with the help of Dr. Dre and his unwavering commitment to produce unique, consistently strong music, Eminem's career has stood the test of time, and he remains the undisputed leader in the rap world.
Overcoming poverty and racism, Eminem continues to elevate new artists and donates millions of dollars to charities very quietly, without the buzz of the press or the desire for credit. He is an inspiration for people across the world who are facing adversity, and has been credited for inspiring artists he's never even met. Eminem's net worth stands at $230 million.
Jay-Z
Jay Z is a heavyweight that has continued to see success in the world of music and beyond. He founded ROC Nation in 2008, and has gone on to sign artists such as Rihanna, Alicia Cole, J Keys and Meek Mill. With offices in Los Angeles, Nashville, London, and New York, his full blown talent agency represents the broader realm of entertainment, not just musical artists alone. He has expanded to include a talent agency, apparel, and a touring and concert production company as well. Many artists credit Jay-Z as being their inspiration. His current net worth is a jaw dropping $1.3 billion.
The Notorious BIG
The Notorious BIG is forever commemorated as a legend, an icon, and one of the biggest influencers of rap to have ever graced the stage. His work is referenced by some of the biggest names in today's rap community, and he is revered as someone who would have continued to produce, enlighten, and inspire his fans, had he been given the opportunity to do so. When he was murdered in a drive by shooting in 1997, the entire world came to a standstill. Even people who were not fans of rap music took pause to recognize that the world had just lost a legend.
Many credit his name and his talent as forming and shaping the sounds of rap music, and being the inspiration for other artists that continue to pursue their musical careers. Worth just $10 million at the time of his death, the enormity of his contribution to the world of music can only be fully understood now. Decades after the world lost this icon, Celebrity Net Worth reports that; "Today Biggie's estate has ballooned to be worth an estimated $160 million thanks to posthumous album releases, re-releases, licensing deals and more."
Sources: Rate Your Music, Playback, Celebrity Net Worth