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Forbes' newly released list, "Cash Kings 2012: Hip-Hop's Top 20 Earners", has a new king. After reigning for three consecutive years, Jay-Z has been dethroned by superproducer Dr. Dre. He tops the list at $110 million, thanks to his popular headphones endeavor, Beats By Dre.
As pointed out by Forbes.com, the idea came six years ago, when the producer was walking along the beach with Interscope Records head Jimmy Iovine, pondering whether or not he should launch his own shoe line. "[Forget] sneakers," Iovine told him. "Let's sell speakers!"
That idea came to fruition in 2008, when he, Iovine, and other partners launched Beats By Dr. Dre. Then, about three years later, Dre collected $100 million by selling a 51% stake in the company to handset maker HTC. Now, Dr. Dre is the 2012 Hip-Hop Cash King.
Diddy lands at #2 with $45 million this year, thanks mostly to his share of profits from Diageo's Ciroc vodka; Jay-Z ranks third with $38 million, pulling in more than half his annual earnings from various business ventures, including ownership stakes in cosmetics company Carol's Daughter, the Brookyln Nets, and a joint venture with battery maker Duracell.
In at #4 is Kanye West with $35 million. His revenues were fueled by his Watch the Throne album with Jay-Z and its accompanying tour.
Weezy rounds out things at #5 with $27 million, thanks to sales of his latest album, Tha Carter IV; a new clothing line called Trukfitl and a partnership with Pepsi's Mountain Dew, the first major product endorsement in his career. Later in the rankings, Weezy's YMCMB family are present as well -- Drake at #6, Birdman at #7, and Nicki Minaj at #8.
Below is the rundown (via Forbes.com):
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. Birdman - $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 Dogg - $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)
17. Mac Miller - $6.5 million.
20. Akon - $6 million. (tie)
20. Timbaland - $6 million. (tie)
20. Tech N9ne - $6 million. (tie)
As pointed out by Forbes.com, the idea came six years ago, when the producer was walking along the beach with Interscope Records head Jimmy Iovine, pondering whether or not he should launch his own shoe line. "[Forget] sneakers," Iovine told him. "Let's sell speakers!"
That idea came to fruition in 2008, when he, Iovine, and other partners launched Beats By Dr. Dre. Then, about three years later, Dre collected $100 million by selling a 51% stake in the company to handset maker HTC. Now, Dr. Dre is the 2012 Hip-Hop Cash King.
Diddy lands at #2 with $45 million this year, thanks mostly to his share of profits from Diageo's Ciroc vodka; Jay-Z ranks third with $38 million, pulling in more than half his annual earnings from various business ventures, including ownership stakes in cosmetics company Carol's Daughter, the Brookyln Nets, and a joint venture with battery maker Duracell.
In at #4 is Kanye West with $35 million. His revenues were fueled by his Watch the Throne album with Jay-Z and its accompanying tour.
Weezy rounds out things at #5 with $27 million, thanks to sales of his latest album, Tha Carter IV; a new clothing line called Trukfitl and a partnership with Pepsi's Mountain Dew, the first major product endorsement in his career. Later in the rankings, Weezy's YMCMB family are present as well -- Drake at #6, Birdman at #7, and Nicki Minaj at #8.
Below is the rundown (via Forbes.com):
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. Birdman - $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 Dogg - $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)
17. Mac Miller - $6.5 million.
20. Akon - $6 million. (tie)
20. Timbaland - $6 million. (tie)
20. Tech N9ne - $6 million. (tie)
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