The 20 Richest Rappers in the World

If you are one of the few that makes it,  being in the world of hip hop can be extremely lucrative.  While a select few rappers make a lot of money and appear as though they love to spend it, remember that it takes work like anything else to stand out among the rest.  

Many rappers’ careers have helped them purchase huge mansions, vacation homes, fancy cars, and a whole lot of bling that you see in videos. Some in the hip hop genre make more money than others because they have ventured out and done more than just rap. 

What’s become an increasing trend over the years is how rappers at the top of their games have become extremely successful entrepreneurs who have opened up new companies in areas like fashion, wine and spirits, production companies, and many, many more.

Here are 20 of the richest rappers of all-time:

20. Nicki Minaj Net Worth – $100 million)

Nicki Minaj is a Trinidadian-American rapper, singer, and songwriter and one of the richest rappers in the industry. She was born in Saint James, Trinidad and Tobago, and moved to the United States at the age of five. Nicki Minaj rose to prominence with her 2010 debut album Pink Friday, which peaked at number two on the US Billboard 200 as pop rap. Nicki Minaj is also still creating music and is frequently seen appearing in commercials and in promotional spots for music events and and on television shows.

According to The Teal Mango, she is a talented rapper and has been described as one of the most influential female rappers of all time. Minaj has also won several awards, including six American Music Awards, eleven BET Awards, and three MTV Video Music Awards. Nicki Minaj’s net worth is estimated to be $100 million.

19. Michael Diamond (Mike D) Net Worth – $100 Million

As one of the founding members of the legendary hip hop group the Beastie Boys, Mike D has earned his place among the richest rappers in the world. Mike D’s net worth is currently $100 million, and he is definitely one of the richest rappers around. He has made hit songs that have sold millions of copies and won awards in the hip hop industry.

18. Ad-Rock Net Worth – $100 million

Adam Horovitz, better known as Ad-Rock, or King Ad Rock is an American musician, rapper, songwriter, and actor. According to Wealthy Gorilla, he was a founding member of the hip-hop group known as the Beastie Boys.

Having been born and raised on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, New York City, he loved hip hop music. His father, Israel Horovitz, is a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and his mother, Doris Horowitz, was a television actress. He has a net worth of $100 million as of 2022.

17. LL Cool J Net Worth – $120 million

LL Cool J, whose real name is James Todd Smith, was born on January 14, 1968, in Queens, New York. He is an American rapper, actor, author, and entrepreneur.

LL Cool J has a net worth of $120 million. He has made 13 studio albums which are great and make the blueprint of his success. He has also appeared in numerous films and television shows, including In the House, Any Given Sunday, NCIS: Los Angeles, and Hawaii Five-0.

16. Swizz Beatz Net Worth – $150 million

Swizz Beatz, whose real name is Kasseem Dean, is an American producer, rapper, and entrepreneur. He began his music career as a child when he started DJing at local block parties. He later rose to prominence as a producer for Jay-Z’s Roc-A-Fella Records.

According to Techie Gamers, he has produced for several other artists, including Busta Rhymes, DMX, and Alicia Keys. In addition to his music career, Swizz Beatz has also pursued several business ventures. He is the co-founder of the fashion label Puma SE and the co-founder of the headphone company Beats Electronics. His net worth is estimated to be $150 million.

15. Snoop Dogg Net Worth – $150 million

Snoop Dogg, whose real name is Calvin Cordozar, is a legendary rapper who is still a favorite of music lovers to this day. He began his music career in 1992 when he was discovered by Dr. Dre and featured on Dre’s debut solo album, The Chronic.

Snoop has since sold over 23 million albums in the United States and thirty five million albums worldwide, and twenty three million albums in the United States, to become one of the most influential rappers ever. He currently has a net worth estimated to be $150 million as of 2022, making him one of the richest rappers in the world.

Today, he’s not just a rapper, but a spokesperson for several national brands. He also has his own record label Doggy Style Records. This record label is currently working with some of the brightest up and coming artists in the business.

14. Ronald Slim Williams Net Worth – $150 million

Ronald “Slim” Williams is an American record producer and co-founder of Cash Money Records. He has produced records for and signed some of the biggest names in rap, including Lil Wayne, Drake, and . Williams has a net worth of $150 million.

13. Birdman Net Worth – $150 million

Birdman’s net worth is $150 million, and Birdman makes it on the list of the 20 richest rappers in the world in 2022. The American rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur is best known for his work with Cash Money Records. He is also the co-founder of the record label Young Money Entertainment. Much of his success can be attributed to his work with, as well as his own solo albums.

12. Ice Cube Net Worth – $160 million

Ice Cube, born O’Shea Jackson, is an American rapper, record producer, actor, director, and screenwriter. He began his career as a member of the hip-hop group C.I.A. and later joined the seminal gangsta rap group N.W.A.

After leaving N.W.A in December 1989, he built a successful solo career in music and movies, with his album AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted becoming one of the best-selling rap albums of all time. He has a net worth of $160 million as of 2019.

11. Lil Wayne Net Worth – $170 million

Lil Wayne, whose real name is Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., is an American rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur. He was born on September 27, 1982, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Lil Wayne started his career in 1996, at the age of 14, with Cash Money Records as a member of the rap group Hot Boys. Lil Wayne’s net worth is approximately $170 million dollars.

His solo debut album Tha Block Is Hot was released in 1999 through Cash Money Records and went platinum. He has won five Grammy Awards, four of which were for Best Rap Solo Performance. He has a net worth of $170 million as of 2022. Much of the success Lil Wayne has comes from his music sales, as well as touring and merchandise. Lil Wayne is one of the most recognized rappers in the world today.

10. Usher Net Worth – $180 million

Usher is a rapper, singer, songwriter, producer, and actor with an estimated net worth of $180 million dollars. He has a long history in many fields of entertainment. His debut studio album was a success. He also sold over 500,000 copies of his second album, titled “My Way”, while he was still in high school.

Additionally, he’s sold approximately 75 million records in hip hop, including the album “Confessions”, which sold over 10 million copies to achieve Diamond status. His acting career is also very successful and he’s been featured in sitcoms, movies, and had a position as a judge on the hit show “The Voice.” He won a Grammy for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for his his song “U Remind Me.” The next year he won the same award again for the song “U Don’t Have to Call.”

9. Master P Net Worth – $200 million

Percy Robert Miller, aka Master P, is a rapper who commands lots of respect and has achieved a lot of success in the rap industry. Miller began his career in the early 1990s when he founded the record label No Limit Records.

In 1998, he released his album MP Da Last Don, which went on to be certified diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America, making it one of the best-selling rap albums of all time. As of 2021, Master P’s net worth is $200 million, making him the eighth richest rapper in the world.

8. Eminem Net Worth – $230 million

Eminem, whose real name is Marshall Bruce Mathers III, is an American rapper, record producer, actor, and songwriter. He was born on October 17, 1972, in St. Joseph, Missouri. According to The 360 Report, Eminem is considered one of the greatest rappers of all time and he has sold more than 172 million albums.

He has also won 15 Grammy Awards and an Academy Award. In 2002, he starred in the semi-autobiographical film “Eight Mile”, which was a commercial success, making him one of the most famous artists in the industry. Eminem has also been in other films, such as “The Wash” (2001) and “Funny People” (2009). He is one of the most respected people in the Rap game. Eminem’s net worth is $230 million.

7. Pharrell Williams Net Worth – $250 million

Pharrell Williams is an American rapper, singer, record producer, and fashion designer. He has a net worth of $250 million. Williams is best known for his work with the group N.E.R.D, and his solo albums In My Mind (2006) and Girl (2014). He has also produced and written for other artists, including Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, and Madonna.

In 2013, he was featured on the track “Blurred Lines” by Robin Thicke, which became the number-one song in the US. He has won multiple Grammy Awards, and in 2014 he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song.

6. Drake Net Worth – $260 Million

Another rapper who is extremely rich is Drake. He has a net worth that is estimated to be $250 million. He was born on October 24, 1986, in Toronto, Canada. Drake’s music career began in 2006 with the release of his debut mixtape, Room for Improvement.

He has since released five studio albums, the most recent being Scorpion (2018). He has also won four Grammy Awards and has been nominated for an Academy Award. In addition to his music career, Drake has also appeared in films.

5. Russell Simmons Net Worth – $340 million

With a net worth of $340 million, Russell Simmons is one of the richest rappers in the world. He is also one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the music industry, with several businesses to his name. Simmons is the co-founder of Def Jam Recordings, a springboard for other famous artists, and he has also founded the clothing lines Phat Farm and Argyleculture.

He has gained a lot of success from his work in the music industry, but he has also been involved in several controversies. In recent years, Simmons has been accused of sexual assault by some women. He has denied these claims, but they have nevertheless tarnished his reputation.

4. Dr. Dre Net Worth – $850 million

Dr. Dre is one of the richest rappers in the world, with Dre’s net worth of around $850 million. He is best known for his work as a producer and rapper, and he has also had great success as an entrepreneur. Early in his career, he was signed to Death Row Records and is known for his collaborations with Ice Cube.

In 2014, he sold his headphone company Beats Electronics to Apple for $ Beats headphones are now some of the most popular in the world, and they have helped Dre amass his fortune. According to Black Buzz he is also a founding partner of Aftermath Entertainment and a former CEO of Beats Music.

Dre has released several solo albums, the most recent being “Compton” in 2015. He has also produced albums for many other artists, including Snoop Dogg, Eminem, and 50 Cent. In addition to his music career, Dre has also appeared in films such as “Training Day” and “Set It Off.” He is currently working on a film about his life, which is set to be released in 2020.

3. Sean Combs / Diddy – Net Worth $950 million

Sean Combs, also known as Diddy, is a well-known rapper, businessman, and record producer. Diddy’s net worth is $900 million. Combs was born in Harlem.

He started his career as director of talent at the legendary uptown records and then made his own label, Bad Boy Entertainment, in 1993. He has produced and executive produced several successful albums and singles in the hip hop industry, including those by Mariah Carey, Usher, and The Notorious B.I.G. In addition to his work in the music industry, Combs has also ventured into the business world.

He has some businesses, including his Sean John clothing line, a record label, and a television network. Combs’ net worth is only going to grow in the years to come.

2. Kanye West – Net Worth $1 billion

Kanye West is a top selling rap artist globally, and he is also one of the world’s richest rappers. His net worth is estimated to be around $1 billion. He has been involved in several businesses, and he has also released many hit albums.

Kanye West has seen his music hit record sales, and he has also won many awards, including 24 Grammy Awards. In addition to his music career, Kanye is also involved in fashion and he has his own clothing line. He also has many other businesses, and his net worth is only going to grow in the years to come.

1. Jay Z Net Worth – $1.3 billion

Jay Z is the richest rapper right now, and one of the most popular and successful rappers in the world. He has released hit albums such as Reasonable Doubt, The Blueprint, and The Black Album. Jay Z is also the owner of Roc-A-Fella Records and Roc Nation. In addition to his hip hop and rap career, Jay Z has also made a name for himself in the business world, and even has his own record label. His estimated net worth from his solo career is approximately $1.3 billion dollars, putting Jay Z at the top spot for hip hop artists or richest rapper.

According to Victor Mochere, he has investments in companies such as Uber, Armand de Brignac, and D’Ussé. Jay Z also has a clothing line, called Rocawear. Jay-Z’s net worth is estimated to be $1.3 billion. Jay Z is definitely one of the best in the rap industry and that has resulted in increased wealth.

Conclusion

There you have it, a list of the top 20 highest paid rappers in the world. As you can see, there is a wide range of net worth among these artists. Some are self-made billionaires, while others have earned their fortunes through a combination of investments, business ventures, and music sales. No matter how they made their money, one thing is for sure, these rappers are all extremely wealthy.

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