Dr Dre Tops Richest Hip Hop Artists List

People keep claiming there’s no money left in music; well maybe that’s because it’s all taken up by this elite list of high-earning hip hop artists. Forbes has produced a list of what it estimates to be the richest rappers in the world in regards to income made during the most recent financial year.

Taking out the number one spot is none other then Dr Dre who, as noted by NME, rakes in the big bucks thanks to his headphone (I’m wearing a set right now, you’re welcome Dre) and speaker line. According to Forbes Dre, whose earnings of $110 million put him way out in front, now sells North America half of its high-end headphones, from at least $100 a pop.

Coming in at 2nd place is Diddy aka Puff Daddy, who apparently makes a decent amount of his loot from profits gained via Diageo’s Ciroc Vodka. At 3rd it’s the one and only Jay-Z, whose $38 million doesn’t account for the money coming in from his mega rich wife Beyonce. Jay-Z’s partner in rhyme Kanye West is just behind on $35 million, while Nicki Minaj is the only female on the top 20 list, making a cool $15.5 mil

Forbes Richest Hip Hop Artists List:

1. Dr. Dre — $110 million

2. Diddy — $45 million

3. Jay-Z — $38 million

4. Kanye West — $35 million

5. Lil Wayne — $27 million

6. Drake — $20.5 million

7. Bryan “Birdman” Williams — $20 million

8. Nicki Minaj — $15.5 million

9. Eminem — $15 million

10. Ludacris — $12 million

11. Pitbull — $9.5 million

12. Rick Ross — $9 million (tie)

12. Wiz Khalifa — $9 million (tie)

14. Snoop Lion — $8.5 million

15. 50 Cent — $7.5 million

16. Swizz Beatz — $7 million (tie)

16. Pharrell Williams — $7 million (tie)

16. Young Jeezy — $7 million (tie)

19. Mac Miller — $6.5 million

20. Akon — $6 million (tie)

20. Timbaland — $6 million (tie)

20. Tech N9ne — $6 million (tie)

Watch: Forbes – Forbes Hip Hop Cash Kings 2012: Inside the List

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