Richest Rappers in the World 2021
Well, do you know how much money do all these rappers make in total? More than $8 Billion. Let's compare that with the whole yearly revenue of a 4-million city in the U.S., I bet you've heard of it: Los Angeles :) That's only $6.3 billion. Enough talking, let's dive right into...
The richest rappers in the world list
We've compiled it from many web sources that deal with celebrity net worths, such as Forbes, Celebritynetworth, and Wikipedia.
#20. Akon
Net worth: $80M
Akon is one of the highest-paid rappers in the US, his net worth reaching approximately $80,000,000 as of 2021. He is a Senegalese-American rapper, and record producer from New Jersey who rose to fame in 2004 with the singles "Locked Up", and "Lonely."
"I always feel like 'as long as I'm doin' what I love to do, the money's naturally gonna come.' When you start thinkin' business and you start thinkin' 'What's hot? What's the wave? Who is hot? Let's get at that person,' it becomes a point where you're tryin' to strategize to make money. And that's always a gamble." - Akon
His is really complicated for an American or a European 
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He is the founder of record labels Konvict Muzik and KonLive Distribution, which helped artists such as Lady Gaga, T-Pain, R. City, Kardinal Offishall, Jeffree Star, and Red Café. He also produced music for other artists, like Michael Jackson, Snoop Dogg, Lionel Richie, Leona Lewis, Sean Paul, and Whitney Houston.
#19. Swizz Beatz
Net worth: $80M
Swizz Beatz is one of the reachest rappers out there, amassing a net worth that's around $80 million dollars. He is an American rapper, record producer, DJ, and businessman who rose to fame at the age of 18 due to his friendship with rapper DMX.
He was also helped by his family, who owns the record label Ruff Ryders Entertainment.
It's not a secret that Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys form a beautiful and wealthy couple, many sources listing the couple's net worth at $150 M. Swizz is not as famous as Alicia but is quite successful in music and business. Besides rapping, he is a record producer, working with huge artists such as Kanye West, Beyoncé, Lil Wayne, and Jay-Z.
He is collecting also African-American art and partnered in 2010 with Reebok for the launch of a sneaker line.
#18. Nicki Minaj
Net worth: $85M
Besides music, Nicki Minaj makes money from endorsement deals (for example Pink 4 Friday from MAC Cosmetics, Nokia, Pepsi, Roberto Cavalli, H&M), her $85M net worth making her one of the world's richest female rappers.
Nicki is a Trinidad and Tobago-born rapper, singer, and songwriter who became popular after releasing the mixtapes Playtime Is Over (2007), Sucka Free (2008), and Beam Me Up Scotty (2009).
“You have to be a beast. That’s the only way they respect you. I came up under Wayne, and Wayne has his way of doing things. When Wayne walks on the set and say, “Don’t talk to me. “Have my music ready. “Get the up out of my face, “and I’ma blow this “in your face all day,” it’s cool.” - Nicki Minaj
Her first studio album, Pink Friday (2010), was a huge success, it peaked at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart and was certified triple platinum.
Minaj has sold more than 100 million records worldwide.
#17. Timbaland
Net worth: $85M
Timbaland's net worth as of 2021 ($85 million) includes him on the list of the highest-paid rappers in the world. He is an American rapper, record producer, and record executive who is famous for his rhythmic style.
He contributed to the success of many R&B and hip hop artists such as Ludacris, Bubba Sparxxx, Madonna, Rihanna, Ginuwine, Aaliyah, Missy Elliott, Justin Timberlake, Nelly Furtado, Jay-Z, Nas, OneRepublic, Brandy, Björk, Drake, Rick Ross, and Swizz Beatz.
The source of his income: you can easily make the difference between a hardworking guy and a spoiled one, that inherited it from his mama, papa, grandma, and grandpa. Yes, our four-time Grammy Award winner is definitely part of the first group. As a teenager, he dreamed of becoming a DJ. And look what dreaming and working hard can lead to.
#16. Mike D
Net worth: $90M
Mike D is an American rapper who became famous as a founding member of the hip hop band the Beastie Boys. His $90 million estimated net worth makes him one of the wealthiest rappers in America and in the entire world.
Besides rapping, he also plays drums and sings.
"Most interviewers basically just want us to rephrase the bio. You already know us - why do you need to interview us?" - Mike D
His real name is Michael Louis Diamond.
He supported the Tibetan Freedom movement, as well as his bandmates, making people aware of how Tibetan people are treated by China and raising money for this cause.
#15. Pitbull
Net worth: $100M
Pitbull is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and businessman whose real name is Armando Christian Pérez. Sites such as WealthyGenius estimate Pitbull's net worth at $100 Million.
He is one of the most prolific rappers-collaborators He rapped with famous artists like Fat Joe, Frankie J, Akon, Afrojack, T-Pain, Marc Anthony, Chris Brown, Shakira, Christina Aguilera, Kesha, Jennifer Lopez, Claudia Leitte, Gente de Zona, Enrique Iglesias, Jason Derulo, Juicy J, Flo Rida, Robin Thicke, and many many others.
Royalties, tours, fragrance lines (Pitbull Man and Pitbull Woman), endorsements (Kodak, Dr. Pepper, Playboy, and Bud Light), cameo appearances in TV shows such as Dancing With The Stars, producing music in collaboration with huge stars like Diddy, businesses (Voli Vodka) are just some of Pitbull's income sources.
#14. Birdman
Net worth: $100M
Birdman’s net worth is estimated at $100 million as of 2021. He is an American rapper, record executive, and entrepreneur, co-founder of Cash Money Records along with his older brother Ronald "Slim" Williams (back in 1992).
He founded the supergroup Rich Gang. This one includes big names such as Nicki Minaj, Soulja Boy, Lil' Wayne, Tyga, Bow Wow, and Chief Keef. So, the guys from Rich Gang and many other rappers that he represents helped Birdman pile up that huge net worth we're talking about here. No wonder he's one of the richest rappers in the whole wide world.
Other ventures: the clothing line "Respek", launched in 2016, and the oil and gas exploration company, Bronald Oil and Gas, LLC, a joint venture founded by him with Slim.
#13. LL Cool J
Net worth: $120M
LL Cool J's net worth as of 2021 is evaluated at $120M by popular websites such as Celebrity NetWorth. There were the singles "I Need a Beat" and the Radio LP, that brought LL Cool J to people's attention.
His net worth comes mainly from producing music (Boomdizzle record label), but also from acting, and entrepreneurship (launched the Todd Smith clothing line).
"I am what I am, I'm doing very well in my life, and I'm thankful to God for that." - LL Cool J
These are some of his hits: "I Can't Live Without My Radio", "I'm Bad", "The Boomin' System", "Rock The Bells" and "Mama Said Knock You Out", as well as romantic ballads such as "Doin' It", "I Need Love", "Around the Way Girl" and "Hey Lover".
#12. Lil Wayne
Net worth: $150M
Lil Wayne’s net worth is approximately $150 Million as of 2021. He is a record-breaker - in 2012, Lil became the man with the most entries on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, with 109 songs, overtaking Elvis.
He got popular worldwide with the album Guerrilla Warfare (1999 - that went platinum) and the 1999 single "Bling Bling".
“I’m blessed and I thank God for every day for everything that happens for me.” – Lil Wayne
Own label - Lil was not only part of Cash Money Records, but also CEO of Young Money Entertainment, founded by him in 2005. He is also co-owner at Tidal Records.
His huge value of assets comes also from his collaboration with brands such as American Eagle, selling recreational ca*nabis, commercials, tours, or collaborations with big artists like Drake, Eminem, Snoop Dogg, and Nicki Minaj.
#11. Snoop Dogg
Net worth: $150M
Snoop Dogg's net worth is estimated at a staggering $150M value. His previous nick was Snoop Doggy Dogg, while his real name is Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr.
He is an American rapper and media star.
"If you stop at general math, you're only going to make general math money." - Snoop Dogg
He became really famous in 1992, after being featured on Dr. Dre's debut solo single, "Deep Cover", and on his debut album, The Chronic.
Most rappers like bragging and Snoop makes no exception Besides jewelry, he invested in a 25 classic car collection, out of which we just name a few: a V8 Pontiac Virizion convertible from 1967, a Polaris Slingshot, a Rolls-Royce Ghost, a Cadillac Snoop DeVille Lowrider from 1974, and a Chrysler 300CCadillac.
And, of course, big houses could not miss from this list. For instance, he had a 6,500 square foot house in Claremont, California that he sold in 2007. It had "only" eight bedrooms.
#10. Ice Cube
Net worth: $160M
Ice Cube's net worth reaches $160M as of 2021. He is one of the richest rappers in the world.
His real name is O'Shea Jackson, and he is an American rapper, actor, and filmmaker.
He rose to fame with his 1998 album Straight Outta Compton that made the gangsta rap genre very popular. It was his political rap albums from the 90s that brought him a lot of money and success.
"I'm not the type of actor who is trying to do a whole bunch of different shit, you know what I mean?" - Ice Cube
I bet you did not know this: besides acting, Ice Cube is a film director - he made his debut as a film director in the 1998 film The Player's Club. By 2020, his acting roles included about 40 films, among them the 1999 war comedy Three Kings, family comedies like the Barbershop series, and buddy cop comedies 21 Jump Street, 22 Jump Street, and Ride Along. He was the executive producer of many of these.
Ice Cube's net worth includes expensive houses: for example, a 2.3M house in Encino, California, a $7.25 million house in Marina Del Rey, California, a $6 million mansion that he bought from Van Damme, and the list could easily go on.
He once bid for buying 21 of Fox's regional networks for $10B, along with a rich investor.
#9. Drake
Net worth: $180M
Drake's net worth is roughly $180 million as of 2021, according to the specialized website CelebrityNetworth.com.
“Haters will broadcast your failures, but whisper your success.” – Drake
Drake is a Canadian rapper, producer, songwriter, actor, and most important, award winner & record-breaker He has won four Grammy Awards, six American Music Awards, a record 27 Billboard Music Awards, two Brit Awards, and three Juno Awards. He has the most top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, the most charted songs (209) of any artists ever on the Billboard Hot 100, the most simultaneously charted Hot 100 songs in a single week (27), the most continuous time on the Hot 100 (431 weeks), and the most Hot 100 debuts in a week (22). He also has the most number-one singles on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, Hot Rap Songs, and Rhythmic Airplay charts.
Source of wealth: branding for various products, his own record label - OVO Sound, whiskey business (Virginia Black).
#8. Usher
Net worth: $180M
Usher's net worth is roughly $180 million as of 2021, according to the site Celebrity Net Worth.
He has sold 23.8 million albums and 38.2 million digital songs in the US and 80 million records in the entire world. In 2010, Usher was listed 6th on Billboard's Top 50 R&B/Hip-Hop Artists of the Past 25 Years and in 2019, the 14th on their "Greatest of All Time Hot 100 Artists" list. He has 9 number-one hits.
In 2006, he made his Broadway acting debut, in the role of lawyer Billy Flynn. He made his television acting debut much earlier, in 1997, in the sitcom Moesha.
Other roles: 1998's The Faculty, romantic comedy She's All That, Light It Up, Texas Rangers, Twilight Zone.
Usher's wealth comes from endorsements too: MasterCard, Yoobi, Belvedere Vodka, Coca-Cola, Mercedes Benz, and Samsung.
He owns the record label Raymond-Braun Media Group (RBMG), representing artists such as Justin Bieber, Rico Love, One Chance band, and Rayan. He is also co-owner of the NBA team Cleveland Cavaliers.
#7. Master P
Net worth: $200M
Master P may not be a very familiar name, but he's one of the richest rappers in the world, with an estimated net worth that reaches $200M as of 2021. Besides rapping, he is a businessman and record producer. He also played basketball.
"I think my thing is I grew up in the ghetto, and I was able to get a second chance. That's what I'm trying to tell kids.” - Master P
Producing music - He founded the label No Limit Records, currently called No Limit Forever Records.
Television - He had a TV network called Better Black Television.
Acting - He is known for his roles in the sitcom Romeo! on Nickelodeon (it stars his son also), I Got the Hook Up, Toxic, Soccer Mom, and Gone in 60 Seconds.
Basketball - In the 90s, Miller played for the Charlotte Hornets and Toronto Raptors and owns now the basketball league Global Mixed Gender Basketball (GMGB).
Various investments - his tremendous net worth comes from various investments: travel agency, retail outlets, real estate (PM Properties in New Orleans), stocks, film, toy making, clothing, energy drinks (Make 'Em Say Ughh!), jewelry line, gas stations, and more.
#6. Pharrell Williams
Net worth: $200M
One of the wealthiest figures in the American & worldwide hip-hop scene, Pharrell Williams has a net worth that's estimated at $200M.
He is a singer, songwriter, rapper, fashion designer, and record producer. He rose to fame in 2013, when he was featured on "Blurred Lines" with Robin Thicke and T.I.; the hit "Happy" made him even more popular worldwide; it was the lead single for Despicable Me 2's soundtrack.
“Wealth is of the heart and mind, not the pocket.”– Pharrell Williams
As you probably know, Pharrell's net worth comes not only from music but from many other business ventures: glasses and jewelry design, clothing lines, stores, producing films (Dope - 2015), footwear partnering (the "human race" collection, launched with Adidas).
He has won 13 Grammy Awards, including three for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical (one as a member of The Neptunes). He is also a two-time Academy Award nominee: in 2014 for Best Original Song, for "Happy" (from Despicable Me 2); and in 2017 for Best Picture, as a producer of Hidden Figures.
#5. Eminem
Net worth: $230M
Eminem's net worth in 2021: $230M. He is an American rapper, record producer, and actor who rose to fame with The Slim Shady LP from 1999. The success continued, with his next two albums: The Marshall Mathers LP (2000) and The Eminem Show (2002) - they were both nominated for the Grammy Award for Album of the Year.
"Hip-hop saved my life, man. It's the only thing I've ever been even decent at. I don't know how to do anything else." - Eminem
His huge fortune comes from selling records (more than 220 million records worldwide), from Shady Records, and acting - he debuted in the film 8 Mile (2002); its soundtrack "Lose Yourself" won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. He had cameo appearances in The Wash (2001), Funny People (2009), and The Interview (2014).
Collaborations made him more and more famous and added a lot to his net worth: Dr. Dre, 50 Cent, DMX, Lil Wayne, Missy Elliott, Jay Z, Drake, Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, Xzibit, Method Man, Young Jeezy, Jadakiss, Fat Joe, Sticky Fingaz, and T.I.
#4. Dr. Dre
Net worth: $800M
Meet one of the richest doctors in the world 
, not just any doctor, but a doctor in music: Dr. Dre's net worth reaches $800M according to Forbes.
Dre is a rapper, producer, songwriter, businessman, and big collector ... of Grammies: he's got 6 of them so far.
"The only two things that scare me are God and the IRS." - Dr. Dre
He was co-owner and President of Death Row Records and later he founded Aftermath Entertainment and Beats Electronics. He signed Eminem and 50Cent, and produced music for Snoop, Kendrick Lamar, and many others. He sold Beats by Dre to Apple in 2014 for $3billion.
#3. P. Diddy (Sean Combs)
Net worth: $885M
P Diddy's net worth is estimated at $885M as of 2021. He is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, actor, record producer, and businessman.
He is a top producer, helping Mary J. Blige and The Notorious B.I.G. launch their careers. He is also the producer of MTV's Making the Band. He won three Grammy Awards and two MTV Video Music Awards.
“God is on your side. We already at the finish line. Anything you put your mind to, anything you want to accomplish, you put your faith in God’s hands you can do it.” – P Diddy
His fortune comes from his own label, Bad Boy Entertainment, clothing lines (Sean John - which was nominated for the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) award for Menswear Designer of the Year in 2000, and won in 2004), a men's perfume line called "I Am King", restaurants, TV networks, beverage for athletes (Aquahydrate, which he shares with actor Mark Wahlberg and investor Ronald Burkle), and gaming.
Like every rich man out there, he spends it on throwing expensive parties, cars (a $360k Maybach, a $300k Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder, a $443k Rolls), and real estate ($7M house in New Jersey, and $39M property in L.A.).
#2. Jay-Z
Net worth: $1B
According to Forbes, Jay-Z became the first hip-hop billionaire, with a $1B estimated net worth as of 2021, being ranked 2nd in our list. He is an American rapper, songwriter, businessman, record producer & executive.
There's no other rapper in the world who has won as many Grammy Awards as Jay-Z, 22 as of March 2021. He also holds the record for the most number-one albums by a solo artist on the Billboard 200, with 14.
The Rolling Stone magazine and Billboard listed him among the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. In 2017, he became the first rapper to be included in the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Jay-Z's net worth came from music first, but it exploded due to various investments: in clothing & beauty lines, entertainment companies, beverages, streaming services, and sports teams. Product endorsements helped him grow even richer, reaching the massive amount of $1B as of 2021.
#1. Kanye West
Net worth: $3B
Kanye West tops our list, with a net worth that reaches 3.3B (according to West himself), even though Forbes estimates it at only $1.3B.
Music does not represent the biggest slice in the pie, as you would expect, but Yeezy - the popular footwear and apparel brand, a collaboration between Kanye and Adidas. He has also collaborated with Nike and Louis Vuitton.
"It’s not a billion. It’s $3.3 billion since no one at Forbes knows how to count." - Kanye West [related to his net worth]
He founded his own record label, GOOD Music, in conjunction with Sony BMG (2004). It includes artists such Big Sean, Pusha T, Teyana Taylor, and John Legend, and it has released ten albums certified gold or higher.
Other ventures that added to Kanye's wealth are the Fatburger restaurants in the Chicago area, fashion lines, creative content companies, and acting (Runaway (2010), The Love Guru (2008), We Were Once a Fairytale (2009)). Kanye West started his own production company called Half Beast, LLC in 2018.
Conclusion
So, this is the fabulous list with the richest rappers in the entire world:
#1. Kanye West - $3.3 Billion
#2. Jay-Z - $1 Billion
#3. P Diddy - 885 Million
#4. Dr. Dre - 800 Million
#5. Eminem - $230 Million
#6. Pharrell Williams - $200 Million
#7 Master P - $200 Million
#8. Usher - $180 Million
#9. Drake - $180 Million
#10. Ice Cube - $160 Million
#11. Snoop Dogg - $150 Million
#12. Lil Wayne - $150 Million
#13. LL Cool J - $120 million
#14. Birdman - $100 Million
#15. Pitbull - $100 Million
#16. Mike D - $90 Million
#17. Timbaland - $85 Million
#18. Nicki Minaj - $85 Million
#19. Swizz Beatz - $80 Million
#20. Akon - $80 Million
Photo sources: Instagram, social media accounts.
