“Gold and diamond chains, iced wristwatches, and expensive cars” are the most suitable descriptions to identify the “richest rappers in the world.” It may not be true because many rappers appear richer than their net worth, but they are still rich. Living an extravagant and flashy lifestyle is common to rappers, which is the topic rap fans are most concerned about, aside from lyricism.
As a rap fan, you will be amazed when you Google search ‘who’s the richest rapper in the world.’ You will definitely be surprised because not many rap fans know that rappers are billionaires. Yea, rappers are billionaires, big-time billionaires. After hearing this, you are probably having a ‘squeezed face’ expression that says, ‘i need to check the internet for confirmation.’ That is to tell you, no one is really aware of rappers’ net worth but their luxurious lives and juicy news. Meanwhile, you will be finding out the top 10 richest rappers here. Stay tuned.
Top 10 richest rappers in the world
The rappers on this list are successful in their music careers, but more than half of their current net worth came from other sources. They are entrepreneurs and business tycoons with multiple investments. These rappers became rich by investing in a variety of businesses, such as real estate, clothing, beverages, and many more. Without further ado, let’s dive straight into the surprising list of the richest rappers in the world.
- Kanye West
- Jay Z
- Sean Combs, aka Puff Diddy
- Dr. Dre
- Eminem
- Pharrell Williams
- Master P
- Drake
- Ice Cube
- Lil Wayne
The richest rappers in descending order:
10. Lil Wayne
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Net Worth: $170 million
Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., popularly known as Lil Wayne and musically known as ‘Tuchel,’ is the youngest rapper ever signed to YMCMB. Lil Wayne joined YMCMB, which stands for Young Money Cash Money, at the age of nine in 1991. Lil Wayne is an American rapper, record executive, and author from New Orleans, Louisiana.
PRESHA – https://t.co/P4uDzI8zUT pic.twitter.com/6AK5zip2Jy
— Lil Wayne WEEZY F (@LilTunechi) October 20, 2023
He is regarded as one of the greatest rappers of all time for his unique skills on the mic. He is a successful rapper who made almost all his wealth from the music industry. Tuchel has sold over 150 million records across the globe, and he is among the few rappers that have won the Grammy Award five times.
9. Ice Cube
Net Worth: $160 million
You can not talk about the pioneers of rap music without including former N.W.A and C.I.A star, Ice Cube. Ice Cube is among the greatest rappers that set the path for new and modern-day rappers. O’Shea Jackson, popularly known for his music moniker, Ice Cube, is an American rapper, actor, and filmmaker.
Ice Cube began his music career at the age of fourteen, which was when he started writing music. He is also one of the first rappers to hit the movie industry. Ice Cube is also known for his acting skills which took him thus far in Hollywood. He debuted his acting career in 1991 in the film ‘Boyz N the Hood.’ Since then, he has been called upon for various movies. He starred in movies like ’21 & 22 Jump Street,’ ‘Barbershop,’ ‘Ride Along,’ and many movies. Ice Cube’s success in the music and movie industry generated a net worth of $160 million.
8. Drake
Net worth: $150 million
Aubrey Drake Graham, popularly known as Drake, is a successful Canadian rapper. Drake is also a singer, songwriter, record producer, and actor. Drake’s ‘fame story’ started after he dropped ‘Best I Ever Had, ‘ which was his first hit single, at the age of 24. Now, he is one of the highest-paid entertainers globally.
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There is this ‘Midas touch’ Drake has on anything he does for the first time. The same way his first single shook the world was the same effect his debut album did but was even more. Drake’s debut album ‘Thank Me Later’ was released in 2010. The album ranked number one on various charts and countries. The album was number one in Canada and the United States of America. It was also at the top number one spot in Billboard 100, US Rap Charts, and R&B/Hip Hop.
Drake’s subsequent tracks and albums continued to flourish, and he sold many millions of records. Hence, Drake’s music career is the epitome of success. Although Drake has made millions from music, he has made more from being an entrepreneur and business owner. He has a liquor brand, clothing line, and a huge real estate portfolio. Drake’s success in music, business, endorsements, and being a brand ambassador has made him one of the richest rappers in the world, with an estimated net worth of $150 million
7. Master P
Net Worth: $200 million
Percy Robert Miller, popularly known as Master P, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, actor, and author. He started his music career with the $10,000 he acquired as a settlement after the passing of his grandfather. He used the $10,000 to build his dream by buying a record store in California.
Miller’s record store, ‘No Limit Records,’ was built to be the foundation of his record label. Master P was known for his astounding skills with the pen, and he was recognized for the multiple awards he won. He released fifteen studio albums and won the Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist award, among other awards.
Lastly, Master P was also a professional wrestler and basketball player. He is also the CEO of P. Miller enterprises. Miller’s success as an artist and entrepreneur has fetched him a lot of money, and he is currently worth $200 million.
6. Pharrell Williams
Net Worth: $200 million
Pharrell Williams is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, and film producer. Pharrell made tons of millions as a record producer. He is also an entrepreneur and business owner of a shoe brand and clothing line. He also works with big brands like Adidas and Louis Vuitton, where he helps them in the designing of their sunglasses, sneakers, and jewelry. Pharrell Williams made more wealth outside of rapping but from being a record producer and an entrepreneur, and he is currently worth $200 million.
5. Eminem
Net Worth: $230 million
Marshall Mathers is argued to be the greatest rapper of all time, the G.O.A.T. He is popularly known by his stage name, Eminem, which was a misspelling of ‘M&M.’ Eminem is the most successful white hip-hop artist loved by various races for his skills and lyricism, which are unmatched in the rap industry.
Eminem started his career in 1996 and, with the help of Dr. Dre, started getting recognition in 1999. He has sold more records than any rapper and hip-hop artist that walked the earth. Hence, making him the top-selling hip-hop artist of all time. Eminem has won fifteen Grammy awards, and he is the fifth richest rapper in the world, with a $230 million net worth.
4. Dr. Dre
Net Worth: $780 million
Dr. Dre, aka Andre Young, is undoubtedly the best hip-hop producer of all time. Dr. Dre started his career as a rapper and producer in the famous hip-hop group N.W.A. Andre gained popularity from his solo debut studio album, ‘The Chronic’ in 1992. Dr. Dre made millions from being a rapper, but they are nothing compared to what he made as a producer.
As an entrepreneur, Dr. Dre is the founder of the popular ‘Beats by Dr. Dre’ series. In 2014, he sold his headphones to Apple for a whopping sum of $3 billion and was the richest rapper at the time. Now, Dr. Dre is the fourth richest rapper, with a net worth of $780 million.
3. Puff DiddyÂ
Net Worth: $900 million
Sean Combs, popularly known as Puff Diddy, P. Diddy, or Diddy, is an American rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur. He is a successful American rapper with three Grammy awards to his name. Meanwhile, P. Diddy’s current net worth of $900 million came from being an entrepreneur. He is the owner of Sean John’s clothing line, which alone made him hundreds of millions. He also has other businesses and investments in a variety of fields, such as hotels and resorts, gaming platforms, and beverages, among others.
2. Jay Z
Net Worth: $1.3 billion
Jay Z is an American rapper, often listed among the top ten greatest rappers of all time for his skills, lyricism, and distinct voice. Shawn Corey Carter, popularly known as Jay Z, is the second richest rapper in the world, with a net worth of $1.3 billion. Forbes identified him as the first-ever hip-hop billionaire in 2019.
Jay Z is a successful rapper. He has sold over seventy-five million singles and fifty million albums, and he has won twenty-three Grammy awards. He is also a successful business tycoon with multiple investments, such as real estate, clothing lines, beverages, record companies, nightclubs, etc.
1. Kanye WestÂ
Net Worth: $6.6 billion
The richest rapper in the world
Kanye West is an American rapper, record producer, songwriter, entrepreneur, and fashion designer. He is a successful rapper and has sold over 150 million albums and won twenty-four Grammy awards. Kanye West’s current net worth stemmed from his Yeezy asset. Forbes identified Kanye West as a billionaire in 2020 ($1.3 billion) after confirming his stake in Yeezy. Furthermore, In 2022, Kanye West’s net worth skyrocketed again, and he is currently the world’s richest rapper, with $6.6 billion to his name.
These are the top ten richest rappers in the world. Many of them made their wealth from being entrepreneurs and business people rather than in the rap industry. Are you still surprised about the rappers on this list, or was your speculation correct?
