Top 10 Richest Rappers in the World and their Net Worth (2024)

From Kanye West to Jay-Z to P. Diddy, some rappers have pushed the boundaries and solidified their place as not only the richest rappers but the richest artists to date. “From rags to riches” is not only a common phrase for some of these names as their net worth speaks volumes.

While rappers earn a substantial amount from their music, they also rake in millions from other investments and endeavors, usually real estate or brand companies. You might be familiar with their music, but here’s a look at the top 10 richest rappers in the world and their estimated net worth in 2022.

1. Kanye West – $6.6B

Kanye West does what Kanye wants. He’s one of the most successful and controversial rappers in the world, and he’s also one of the richest!

His debut album “College Dropout” became certified platinum four times in 2020. His music made him a Grammy-winning artist. However, music is not the only thing he’s good at, he is also a fashion designer and businessman.

He owns assets in real estate, a creative company, and has a partnership with Gap. His portfolio of real estate properties is valued at around $160 million. His companies, G.O.O.D. Music, DONDA, and KW Foods LLC are all valued at around $1 billion. Yeezy alone brought in $5 billion. He has all the bragging rights when it comes to being the richest rapper in the world.

2. Jay-Z – $1.3B

In New York, there’s nothing you can’t do and that’s what Jay-Z embodies. He’s a rapper, songwriter, record producer, entrepreneur, music executive, and one of the most iconic figures in rap history.

He has been in the rap game for over two decades and has released 13 solo albums, all of which have been certified platinum or higher.

In addition to his successful music career, Jay-Z is also a very successful businessman. His most successful business, Roc Nation, is an entertainment company that includes sports. Other than that, he owns Tidal, a music streaming platform. Not only does he own Armand de Brignac and D’Ussé cognac, but he also has investments in real estate.

3. P. Diddy – $900M

P. Diddy AKA “Puff Daddy” has all the money in the world, but he didn’t always have it. He was born in Harlem and raised in Mount Vernon, New York. He started out as a DJ and then became a rapper. In 1994, he founded Bad Boy Records and produced some of the biggest hits in rap history. His net worth is $900 million and he shows no signs of taking a break.

His album, “No Way Out” has been certified platinum seven times. In addition to his musical success, he’s also a very successful entrepreneur. He owns the Sean John clothing line, which has annual revenues worth $525 million. He also has a minority stake in Ciroc, an alcoholic beverage company.

4. Dr. Dre – $500 M

You can’t act like you forgot about Dre, because he’s one of the richest rappers in the world. Dr. Dre has been in the rap game since the 80s and is regarded as one of the best rappers and producers of all time. He’s responsible for producing some of the biggest hits in Hip Hop history, such as “Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ Thang” and “California Love”.

Aside from his successful music career, he has also built a solid reputation for himself as a businessman. He’s the founder of Aftermath Entertainment and electronics company “Beats By Dre,” which he sold to Apple for $3 billion. Dr. Dre’s real estate portfolio is worth at least $80 million.

5. Drake – $250M

Drake being a millionaire may all have been God’s Plan, but it was also his. The Toronto-born rapper got his start on “Degrassi: The Next Generation” before becoming one of the biggest names in rap. He has over 170 million records sold and is known as one of the best-selling music artists in the world.

His success in the music industry has led to other business opportunities. He’s the co-owner of Virginia Black whiskey and has brand endorsements with Sprite, Burger King, Whataburger, Nike, and Apple. He founded OVO Sound, a record label, in 2012 and has since signed artists such as PartyNextDoor and Majid Jordan. He also has his own clothing line called October’s Very Own.

6. Eminem – $230M

The raps-to-riches story of Eminem is one that has inspired many. He was born in Missouri and raised in Detroit.

Eminem struggled for many years to find success in the music industry but eventually became one of the biggest names in rap. He makes around $20 million every year and if he tours, he can make about 30-50 million, making him one of the top paid entertainers in the world.

In addition to his successful music career, Eminem has also entered the business world. He is a part-owner of Shady Records and has endorsements with companies such as Chrysler and Brisk.

7. Usher – $180M

Having sold more than 75 million records globally, Usher is no doubt one of the most successful R&B artists of all time. The multi-talented entertainer is not only a singer but also a songwriter, dancer, and actor. He’s won numerous awards throughout his career, including eight Grammy Awards.

In addition to his musical success, Usher has also been successfully venturing into the business world. Usher, with the help of his talent agent John Braun, established RBMG (Raymond Braun Media Group). This group was responsible for producing Justin Bieber. He also has a large ownership stake in the Cleveland Cavaliers as well as Tidal.

8. Lil Wayne – $170M

Hip-hop and rapping have been Lil Wayne’s scene since he was a child. At the age of twelve, he started his rap career with Cash Money Records. He’s gone on to have a very successful career, with over 120 million records sold worldwide. He has won five Grammy Awards and is considered one of the best rappers of all time because of his music.

In addition to his music career, Lil Wayne has also been a successful businessman. As the CEO of Young Money Entertainment, he has signed artists such as Drake and Nicki Minaj who are now successful musicians of their own. He’s also had endorsement deals with companies such as Sprint and Beats. He also co-owns Tidal, along with Jay-Z and other artists.

9. Ice Cube – $160M

Gangsta rapper to Hollywood, Ice Cube has catapulted himself to the top over the years. The American rapper, actor, producer, and director got his start in the rap group N.W.A. before embarking on a successful solo career. Starring in various movies has also contributed to his wealth.

Endorsements and business ventures helped Ice Cube amass his fortune. He has a clothing line called Solo by Cube and has endorsement deals with St. Ides malt liquor and Coors Light. He’s also a co-owner of the BIG3 basketball league.

10. Snoop Dogg – $150M

Snoop Dogg is a legend. The American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, television personality, and entrepreneur got his start in the early 1990s when he was discovered by Dr. Dre. He’s gone on to have a very successful career in the rap scene.

Snoop Dogg acquired Death Row Records this year, the record label founded by Dr. Dre, hoping to restore its glory. Besides music, he has been publicly open with his interest in the weed business. He has his own line of cannabis products called Leafs By Snoop.

In 2015, he launched his own app called Merry Jane, which is a platform for all things cannabis. Making him the first artist to legally sell marijuana.

Conclusion

Rappers in the music industry have been on the rise in recent years. Some of their successes include endorsements, clothing lines, and even their own record labels. This demonstrates that they are not only talented musicians but also smart businessmen.

It just goes to show that rags-to-riches stories are still possible with a lot of dedication and effort. After all, this list of the richest rappers in the world is proof that hard work pays off.

Net worth sources: https://www.celebritynetworth.com/

Jay-Z Featured Image (Top-Right) by: Jay-Z_@Shawn’Jay-Z’_Carter_Foundation_Carnival_02.jpg: Joella Marano from Manhattan, NYJay-Z_2011.jpg: Joella Maranoderivative work: Jorgebarrios, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Sean Combs Featured Image (Bottom-Left) by: Reckless Dream Photography, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Dr. Dre Featured Image (Bottom-Right) by: Commondr3ads, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Drake Image by: The Come Up Show, CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons
Eminem Image by: DoD News Features, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Usher Image by: Georges Biard, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Lil Wayne Image by: Chris Allmeid, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Ice-Cube Image by: Adam Bielawski, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Snoop Dogg Image by: Toglenn, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons