Diddy, Jay-Z, Drake Top Forbes’ ‘Hip-Hop Kings’ List
Forbes released its annual list of rap’s highest-paid entertainers, and the top 10 feature the usual A-list suspects working behind the scenes and belting out tunes on the radio.
In 2014, Dr. Dre ruled the charts after raking in $620 million from the sale of Beats to Apple, but this year, he gave up the throne to Diddy, who continues to reap the benefits of his highly profitable deal with Ciroc and his new TV network, Revolt. Jay-Z enters at the second spot with an impressive $56 million, due in great part to his tour with wife/singer Beyoncé and the expansion of Roc Nation.
Riding the success of his surprise LP If You’re Reading This You’re Too Late and sold-out performances, Drake pulled in an impressive $39.5 million and took the number 3 spot. Dre came in 4th with $33 million, thanks to his new position at Apple and the surprise success of the NWA biopic Straight Outta Compton. Pharrell earned $32 million and the number 5 spot. Although he performed only six shows with Rihanna, Eminem pocketed $31 million.
Rounding out the top 10 were Kanye West ($22 million), Wiz Khalifa ($21.5 million), the lone female Nicki Minaj ($21 million) and Birdman ($18 million).
Pitbull continues to surprise with his newfound knack for international hits; he pulled in $17 million. And Lil Wayne didn’t let his contentious split with long-time recording label Cash Money stop him from hitting the road and earning $15 million. Likewise, Luda’s fading rap career hasn’t stopped him from pulling in green; the southern performer earned $8 million from his role in Furious 7 and other ventures.
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Diddy, Jay-Z, Drake Top Forbes’ ‘Hip-Hop Kings’ List
Forbes released its annual list of rap’s highest-paid entertainers, and the top 10 feature the usual A-list suspects working behind the scenes and belting out tunes on the radio.
In 2014, Dr. Dre ruled the charts after raking in $620 million from the sale of Beats to Apple, but this year, he gave up the throne to Diddy, who continues to reap the benefits of his highly profitable deal with Ciroc and his new TV network, Revolt. Jay-Z enters at the second spot with an impressive $56 million, due in great part to his tour with wife/singer Beyoncé and the expansion of Roc Nation.
Riding the success of his surprise LP If You’re Reading This You’re Too Late and sold-out performances, Drake pulled in an impressive $39.5 million and took the number 3 spot. Dre came in 4th with $33 million, thanks to his new position at Apple and the surprise success of the NWA biopic Straight Outta Compton. Pharrell earned $32 million and the number 5 spot. Although he performed only six shows with Rihanna, Eminem pocketed $31 million.
Rounding out the top 10 were Kanye West ($22 million), Wiz Khalifa ($21.5 million), the lone female Nicki Minaj ($21 million) and Birdman ($18 million).
Pitbull continues to surprise with his newfound knack for international hits; he pulled in $17 million. And Lil Wayne didn’t let his contentious split with long-time recording label Cash Money stop him from hitting the road and earning $15 million. Likewise, Luda’s fading rap career hasn’t stopped him from pulling in green; the southern performer earned $8 million from his role in Furious 7 and other ventures.