Rap-Up.com || Diddy Tops Forbes Five List of Hip-Hop’s Wealthiest Artists

Sean “Diddy” Combs finds himself in a familiar spot. The Bad Boy mogul reigns at No. 1 on the Forbes Five, a short list of hip-hop’s top-earning artists, edging out his peers including Jay-Z, 50 Cent, and Birdman.

Diddy has a net worth of $550 million, according to Forbes. The bulk of his wealth flows from his share of profits in Ciroc vodka. He also owns clothing lines Sean John and Enyce, marketing firm Blue Flame, record label Bad Boy, and various tech startups. In 2013, he looks to increase his bank roll with the launch of his first cable network Revolt.

In second place is Jay-Z, who earned $460 million. His pockets were fattened by the “Watch the Throne” tour with Kanye West and $150 million deal with Live Nation in 2008. Other lucrative ventures include his stake in the New Jersey Nets, 40/40 Club, ad firm Translation, and cosmetics company Carol’s Daughter.

Although he hasn’t released an album in over a decade, Dr. Dre ranks third with $270 million, doubling his earnings from a year ago thanks to a deal with HTC. In August, the handset maker paid $300 million to buy a 51% stake in Beats Electronics, the company Dre founded with Jimmy Iovine.

Birdman flies in at No. 4 with $125 million. The Cash Money Records founder inked a $30 million distribution deal with Universal in 1998 and continues to profit with a star-studded roster including Lil Wayne, Drake, and Nicki Minaj.

“One of my motivations in life is to be a billionaire,” Birdman told Forbes. “We’re going to keep working hard until we get our brand to be as big as possible. That’s the goal in life, that’s what I live for.”

Rounding out the Forbes Five is 50 Cent with $110 million. The G-Unit mogul earned $100 million after selling his stake in vitaminwater in 2007. Despite his absence from music, he continues to collect checks with his movie roles, books, and new headphone line SMS. He also gives back through his Street King energy drink, which aims to provide a million meals to impoverished nations.

The Forbes Five for 2012

1. Diddy – $550 million
2. Jay-Z – $460 million
3. Dr. Dre – $270 millon
4. Birdman – $125 million
5. 50 Cent – $110 million

Posted in 50 Cent, Birdman, Diddy, Dr. Dre, Jay-Z | Permalink

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51 Comments

I'm a strong boy, never cry. U better hit me with a big stone than U broke my heart
April 17th, 2012 at 7:12 pm
WOW O_o

[Reply]
INCAS Reply:
April 19th, 2012 at 2:20 am
This is how Cassie gets everything! #KOH

[Reply]
andy
April 17th, 2012 at 7:20 pm
Daaamn wasn’t expecting that

[Reply]
Armando
April 17th, 2012 at 7:47 pm
jay-z u need 2 be back on the top #1 list push that fucker back down to #2

[Reply]
HEY RAP-UP
April 17th, 2012 at 8:05 pm
DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMN… JAY AIN’T YOU TOURING MORE THAN PUFF? 90M BETWEEN YA’LL? DAAAAAAAAAAAMN… I SALUTE YOU DIDDY!!!

[Reply]
lyfechanges Reply:
April 17th, 2012 at 8:15 pm
@HEY RAP-UP, one word “Ciroc” thats how Diddy is probably on top…Ciroc is more popular now than its ever been….thats how Diddy is ahead of Jay

[Reply]
Rechee Reply:
April 17th, 2012 at 10:17 pm
@lyfechanges, Diddy has been ahead of Jay for a long time.

[Reply]
mrsotw Reply:
April 18th, 2012 at 3:24 pm
@HEY RAP-UP, all jay has to do is drop another #1 selling album, and boost sales in rocawear and he’ll be on top again

[Reply]
INCAS Reply:
April 19th, 2012 at 2:19 am
@mrsotw, yes but that takes time and by then Diddy would have launched Revolt.

[Reply]
Brandon
April 17th, 2012 at 8:31 pm
All these dudes is gettin money!…Respect to all

[Reply]
Kevin
April 17th, 2012 at 8:45 pm
We’re the ones that made them rich. (Diddy’s Ciroc MUST be the bizness.)

[Reply]
YUUUUUP
April 17th, 2012 at 9:14 pm
where is em? i know he is richer than birdman for a fact

[Reply]
Say word Reply:
May 23rd, 2012 at 10:11 am
@YUUUUUP, How do you know?

[Reply]
TheDreamer
April 17th, 2012 at 11:32 pm
Congrats to them. Would love to see Jay on top!

[Reply]
OOL Uh Uh
April 18th, 2012 at 12:12 am
It’s so funny to hear poor people rally for rich men to become even richer. That’s interesting.

[Reply]
21.22 Reply:
April 18th, 2012 at 4:41 am
@OOL Uh Uh, hahah!

[Reply]
JO MALONE Reply:
April 18th, 2012 at 10:22 am
@21.22, lool was about to say the same damn thing. im like what y’all shaking your pompoms for?? step yo game up. lol

[Reply]
ROMANRELOADED Reply:
April 18th, 2012 at 3:36 pm
@JO MALONE, Lmaoooooooo, So True

[Reply]
Gettem
April 18th, 2012 at 1:23 am
Jay promoted ciroc so now what pass the bucks diddy

[Reply]
BreezyLover
April 18th, 2012 at 4:57 am
yaay Diddy is the king!

[Reply]
From Tokyo
April 18th, 2012 at 5:15 am
Better to “get money” with legit business dealings. That’s what’s up.

[Reply]
Kam
April 18th, 2012 at 5:31 am
Birdman I thought you said you had more money than Jay-Z. “Women lie, Men lie but numbers don’t”.

[Reply]
Hugh
April 18th, 2012 at 5:43 am
Amazing how 3 didnt start as rappers

[Reply]
flawda
April 18th, 2012 at 6:58 am
You have to remember these lists are only guestimations, it’s not based on information that Forbes is privy to (bank account info, stocks,etc).

With that said, hopefully Lil Wayne and Birdman will shut the hell up with all that about Wayne is doing more than Jay-z. Lil Wayne is selling all these albums and getting pimped by Birdman

[Reply]
V4LDRIN
April 18th, 2012 at 7:14 am
LIL WAYNE IS MOST RICH #1

[Reply]
_iamjones Reply:
April 18th, 2012 at 11:58 am
@V4LDRIN, wayne will NEVER EVER be richer than the top 2 diddy and jay

[Reply]
JoJo
April 18th, 2012 at 7:20 am
wtf is birdman there ?

[Reply]
alicia
April 18th, 2012 at 7:24 am
Open your eyas with that motherf iluminatis… I’m killuminati

[Reply]
Brionna
April 18th, 2012 at 7:39 am
All i need is 1 million

[Reply]
cody Banks jr
April 18th, 2012 at 9:06 am
Watch out for 50cent. The next Billionaire

[Reply]
quer
April 18th, 2012 at 9:27 am
diddy know how to play the game weather we like him or not is been successful for 15 year straight now ppl u remember back in 99 they said he worth 250 million are that time and jay.z is not even on the list are that time now he open big gab on jay.z now take that take that

[Reply]
RihannaFAME
April 18th, 2012 at 9:41 am
BIRDMAN? ……damn!

[Reply]
mothafucka
April 18th, 2012 at 12:32 pm
fuck jay-z n as 4 birdman diddy says i remember i was countin 500 milli wen weezy made a milli.rest in peace to 50 n his carteer

[Reply]
mothafucka
April 18th, 2012 at 12:37 pm
i remember i was countin 500 milli wen weezy made a milli-birdman diss as 4 jay z n 50,i aint even like those niggas.puffy deservse the no.1 spot

[Reply]
GottaDamn Luvioe16
April 18th, 2012 at 2:11 pm
damn For diddy guess he been rich for a very longtime

[Reply]
alicia
April 18th, 2012 at 4:18 pm
He’s doing manipulation of a nation to be a rich man, but in the reality he is a poor spirit a rotten illuminati

[Reply]
cutiegurl106
April 18th, 2012 at 5:05 pm
wheres kanye? he should be on that list somewhere

[Reply]
aoh
April 19th, 2012 at 1:40 am
this list is deceiving if you check the actual context of the list you will see that it is more of a guess work but the most accurate of the guess work some lower their income just because of tax

[Reply]
kenya
April 19th, 2012 at 12:18 pm
i love you diddy because he is a nice song

[Reply]
kenya
April 19th, 2012 at 12:18 pm
diddy know how to play the game weather we like him or not is been successful for 15 year straight now ppl u remember back in 99 they said he worth 250 million are that time and jay.z is not even on the list are that time now he open big gab on jay.z now take that take that

[Reply]
kenya Reply:
April 19th, 2012 at 12:22 pm
kenya said you are sexy<3

[Reply]
kenya
April 19th, 2012 at 12:22 pm
you are sexy <3

[Reply]
Phillip Jecty
April 19th, 2012 at 6:48 pm
Congrats Diddy!

[Reply]
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luke the ripper
May 4th, 2012 at 8:27 am
the list is inaccurate man trust me, so u mean to tell me that besides the 100mil 50 made of viamin water,, he only made 10mil through out his whole career? bullshit
1.diddy
2.jay
3.50
4,dre
5,birdmn

[Reply]
Hip-Hop
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