1. Diddy ($50 million)
Hip-hop’s net worth king claims his first annual earnings crown thanks mostly to the success of Ciroc vodka. Other ingredients in his cash cocktail: record label Bad Boy, clothing line Sean John and, soon, cable channel Revolt.
2.Jay Z ($43 million)
Lost his hyphen but gained double-digit millions from lucrative live shows, Armand de Brignac champagne, D’Ussé cognac, Roc Nation label/management firm and other ventures. New album Magna Carta … Holy Grail went platinum before its July launch thanks to a $5 million investment from Samsung that fell just outside our scoring period.
3. Dr. Dre ($40 million)
Last year’s Cash King slips two spots, no longer boosted by a nine-figure payout for selling part of Beats by Dr. Dre in 2011. But he’s still cashing in on the ubiquitous headphones, expanding the company he founded with Interscope chief Jimmy Iovine to include a long-awaited streaming music service.
4. Nicki Minaj ($29 million)
Two years after becoming the first female artist to make the Hip-Hop Cash Kings list, Minaj is nearing the top thanks to income from touring, steady music sales, a lucrative American Idol gig and endorsements with Pepsi and others.
5. Birdman ($21 million)
The Cash Money chief continues to live up to the name of his record label, whose lineup boasts three other artists on this list: Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne and Drake. Birdman’s empire also includes clothing, vodka and publishing.
6. Kanye West ($20 million)
He may be one of rap’s biggest names, but he falls just short of the top five this year. New album Yeezus was released shortly after the end of our scoring period, though, and a lucrative tour this fall should vault him back toward the top of next year’s list.
7. Lil Wayne ($16 million)
The diminutive rapper played only a handful of shows this year and made headlines for health scares, but still cashed in on his new album I Am Not A Human Being II, clothing line Trukfit and his Young Money label.
8. Wiz Khalifa ($14 million)
The Pittsburgh native has been raking in cash ever since bursting onto the mainstream scene with his hometown ode “Black and Yellow,” the top single from his album Rolling Papers. His follow-up, O.N.I.F.C.—and more than 75 shows over the past year—keep him on the list.
9. Ludacris ($12 million)
Though his new album Ludaversal was delayed once again, the self proclaimed “Mouth of the South” continues to cash in on live shows, Soul by Ludacris headphones, Conjure cognac and roles in films like Fast & Furious 6.
10. Pitbull ($11 million)
Not even a brief exile to Alaska—the result of a fan vote to send Pitbull to any Wal-Mart in the U.S.—could stop Mr. International from earning double-digit millions. He cashed in on new album Global Warming, constant touring and endorsements with the likes of Kodak and Dr. Pepper.
11. Drake ($10.5 million)
With relatively little touring and no new album last year, the former Degrassi star falls from the top ten—but with his third studio album Nothing Was the Same out this month, Drake looks poised to move up on next year’s list.
12. Snoop Lion ($10 million, tie)
The artist formerly known as Snoop Dogg has been cashing in on his rebirth as a reggae artists, playing over 85 shows during our scoring period to go with a handful of endorsements and healthy back catalogue sales.
12. Eminem ($10 million, tie)
Though he rarely tours and doesn’t have an entrepreneurial résumé that stacks up with most of his peers, Eminem continues to earn big from his lengthy list of hits—he sold more albums last decade than any artist in any genre.
14. Kendrick Lamar ($9 million, tie)
Dr. Dre’s latest protégé makes his Cash Kings debut after releasing smash hit Good Kid, m.A.A.d City and playing over 100 shows in the past year. For more, see “Compton’s Next Cash King.”
14. Pharrell Williams ($9 million, tie)
The singer-producer returned to the top of the charts on “Get Lucky,” his smash collaboration with electronic duo Daft Punk; he also boasts clothing lines, a YouTube show and an extensive production catalogue.
14. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis ($9 million, tie)
The Seattle rapper-producer combo appears on the Cash Kings list for the first time thanks to The Heist, which has sold over 1 million copies in the U.S. and spawned hit singles including frugality anthem “Thrift Shop” and marriage equality ode “Same Love.”
17. Swizz Beatz ($8.5 million)
The superproducer may not be quite as well known as his wife, Alicia Keys, but the Cash Kings mainstay returns to the list on the strength of a hefty production catalogue and deals with Reebok, Monster and Lotus.
18. Tech N9ne ($7.5 million)
Kansas City isn’t known for hip-hop, but Tech N9ne is putting the Midwest on the rap map. His empire includes label Strange Music as well as his own recording studio, merch company and touring infrastructure. For more, see “Tech N9ne: Hip-Hop’s Secret Mogul.”
19. 50 Cent ($7 million)
The sale of his VitaminWater stake made him hip-hop’s top earner in 2008, along with proceeds from clothing, video games, books and records. These days, his entrepreneurial focus is on his SMS headphone line and SK Energy beverage. For more, see “Rapper’s Delight: Inside 50 Cent’s Car Collection.”
20. Lil Jon, Rick Ross, Mac Miller, Young Jeezy, Questlove, ($6 million, tie)
Near Misses
There were plenty of big names who fell just short of our list this year. Some of the near misses: Nas, Timbaland, Akon, 2 Chainz, Questlove, J. Cole and A$AP Rocky.
Damn, Em is eatin good without even trying
