Diddy Tops Forbes Five List of Wealthiest Hip-Hop Artists
With an estimated net worth of $550 million, Sean "Diddy" Combs has come out on a top in a new Forbes list — the Forbes Five — which ranks the top earners in the genre.
And while it was certainly music which earned him his initial fortune, in recent years it's been ancillary endeavors like stake in Ciroc Vodka, his Sean John clothing line and his marketing company Blue Flame which have helped Puff rake in the dough. A deal with Comcast that will see him launch his own TV network — Revolt — next year, may eventually inch him closer to billionaire status.
Jay-Z came in at No. 2 with a total net worth of $460 million, much of it culled from selling his clothing brand Rocawear for $204 million back in 2007, and a $150 million deal he struck with concert promoter Live Nation in 2008.
Following his appearance at Coachella, where he performed with a hologram of the late Tupac Shakur, Dr. Dre came in at No. 3 with a net of $270 million. A large chunk of that comes from HTC spending $300 million to buy a stake in Beats Electronics, which makes the popular Beats By Dr. Dre headphone line.
Cash Money Records co-founder Bryan "Birdman" Williams came in No. 4 on the list with a total of $125 million. Perhaps the hottest record label in all of music, Cash Money counts Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj and Drake, among its roster of artists. Additionally, Williams has found himself launching a book publishing imprint and an oil business in recent years.
And closing out the list is 50 Cent, with $110 million. Fif is still riding the wave of the $100 million he earned through the sale of Vitaminwater back in 2007. Plus he's got a valuable music publishing catalog and still brings in sizable fees for performing around the world. He has a new headphone line, Sync by 50 Cent, and energy shot called Street King, not to mention G-Unit Records, books and Cheetah Vision, and a film production company.