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With the state of the music industry in transition and TV Contest Shows like American Idol, The Voice and X Factor becoming talent finding staples for the industry, it's good to know that some of Hip-Hop's biggest stars and companies are earning major bank!
P. Diddy has been making "Bad Boy" money for a long time (S/O to Craig Mack) and his other business ventures over the years has made him a big time player in several different industries such as fashion, resturants and alcohol.
When you start talking about Jay-Z and 50 Cent, you are talking about two (2) of the best street hustlers to transform into major hip-hop/pop stars and businessmen. I salute you my brothers!
Dr. Dre is the greatest hip-hop producer of all-time in my book, and when he partnered with Jimmy Iovine (head honcho at Interscope) to produce the headphones Beats By Dre, he hit the money bell for real!
I have to show love to Birdman and Slim of Cash Money Records! These fellas not only secured one of the best deals in hip-hop history with Universal, they lived up to expectations out the gate with Juvenile (1st Major Label Release) and are still kill'em the game with Lil Wayne, Drake amd Nikki Minaj ... Young Money!!!
New Artists coming into the game must realize that all the above mentioned invested in themselves and worked hard and smart first and foremost to attract additional money and bigger companies that wanted to go into business with them.
Read the article below and see you believe will be Hip-Hop's 1st Billionaire!
One Love!!!
Who will be hip-hop's first billionaire?
Sept. 23, 2011, 12:28 PM EST
By Zack O'Malley Greenburg
Forbes.com
This week marked the launch of the Forbes 400, our annual list of America's richest citizens. Headed by Bill Gates, Warren Buffett and Larry Ellison, the group doesn't include any hip-hop artists -- yet.
There are five artists on our watch list: Sean "Diddy" Combs (featured in this year's issue), Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter (who appeared on the cover of last year's, alongside Warren Buffett), Andre "Dr. Dre" Young, Bryan "Birdman" Williams and Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson.
Forbes.com
This week marked the launch of the Forbes 400, our annual list of America's richest citizens. Headed by Bill Gates, Warren Buffett and Larry Ellison, the group doesn't include any hip-hop artists -- yet.
There are five artists on our watch list: Sean "Diddy" Combs (featured in this year's issue), Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter (who appeared on the cover of last year's, alongside Warren Buffett), Andre "Dr. Dre" Young, Bryan "Birdman" Williams and Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson.
All
five already boast nine-figure fortunes, and in honor of the Forbes 400, we've
updated our estimates. The big question: Who will be the first to a billion?
"I think Young Money Cash Money would be the first billion-dollar brand in hip-hop," said Birdman in an email message, referring to his record label. "We strong and growing every day as a brand and fast. Within the next few years we will be billionaires."
More on Forbes.com: In Pictures: Hip-Hop's Future Billionaires
To be sure, there are differing opinions on the matter. By Forbes latest count, Diddy is currently the closest, with an estimated net worth of $500 million. He's taken to calling himself "Ciroc Obama," and with good reason: His vodka deal with beverage-giant Diageo could soon land him in some very exclusive company.
"I think Young Money Cash Money would be the first billion-dollar brand in hip-hop," said Birdman in an email message, referring to his record label. "We strong and growing every day as a brand and fast. Within the next few years we will be billionaires."
More on Forbes.com: In Pictures: Hip-Hop's Future Billionaires
To be sure, there are differing opinions on the matter. By Forbes latest count, Diddy is currently the closest, with an estimated net worth of $500 million. He's taken to calling himself "Ciroc Obama," and with good reason: His vodka deal with beverage-giant Diageo could soon land him in some very exclusive company.
Diddy
receives an annual cut of profits, and will get a big chunk of cash if Ciroc is
ever sold. With the spirit's value speeding toward $1 billion -- on top of
stakes in clothing lines Sean John and Enyce, marketing firm Blue Flame and
record label Bad Boy -- Diddy may be beat buddy Jay-Z to the Forbes 400.
Also: Country music's highest-paid stars
Jay-Z, however, is close behind with an estimated fortune of $450 million. Beyoncé's husband sold his Rocawear clothing label for $204 million in 2007 and signed 10-year $150 million Live Nation deal in 2008.
He still holds stakes in a wide range of businesses, including the soon-to-be Brooklyn Nets, the 40/40 Club chain, ad firm Translation, cosmetics company Carol's Daughter and other ventures. His lyrical boasts ("I'm like really half a billie") appear accurate, at least if you round up.
Perhaps more than any other hip-hop artist, Dr. Dre's financial star has been on the rise this year. The bulk of his $250 million fortune comes from Beats Electronics, the headphone maker Dr. Dre founded with Interscope chief Jimmy Iovine in 2008.
In early August, handset maker HTC paid $300 million to buy a 51 percent stake in Beats. Sources say Iovine and Dre each owned a third of the company before the deal; Forbes estimates that Dre will take home $85 million after taxes. The agreement also values his remaining stake at $100 million, which could increase rapidly as the company continues to expand.
Unlike the somewhat reclusive Dr. Dre, Birdman makes no secret about his billion dollar dreams. The New Orleans-born rapper-turned-mogul co-founded Cash Money Records with brother Ronald two decades ago, and inked a very favorable $30 million distribution deal with Universal in 1998.
Jay-Z, however, is close behind with an estimated fortune of $450 million. Beyoncé's husband sold his Rocawear clothing label for $204 million in 2007 and signed 10-year $150 million Live Nation deal in 2008.
He still holds stakes in a wide range of businesses, including the soon-to-be Brooklyn Nets, the 40/40 Club chain, ad firm Translation, cosmetics company Carol's Daughter and other ventures. His lyrical boasts ("I'm like really half a billie") appear accurate, at least if you round up.
Perhaps more than any other hip-hop artist, Dr. Dre's financial star has been on the rise this year. The bulk of his $250 million fortune comes from Beats Electronics, the headphone maker Dr. Dre founded with Interscope chief Jimmy Iovine in 2008.
In early August, handset maker HTC paid $300 million to buy a 51 percent stake in Beats. Sources say Iovine and Dre each owned a third of the company before the deal; Forbes estimates that Dre will take home $85 million after taxes. The agreement also values his remaining stake at $100 million, which could increase rapidly as the company continues to expand.
Unlike the somewhat reclusive Dr. Dre, Birdman makes no secret about his billion dollar dreams. The New Orleans-born rapper-turned-mogul co-founded Cash Money Records with brother Ronald two decades ago, and inked a very favorable $30 million distribution deal with Universal in 1998.
50 Cent rounds out the "Forbes Five" at $100 million. After receiving nine figures for his Vitaminwater stake in 2007, 50 Cent spent freely on cars and renovations to mansion formerly owned by Mike Tyson.
But a nice cushion remains from his back catalog, acting gigs and 50 Cent-themed videogames, books, clothes and headphones. Next up: an energy shot called Street King, which promises to feed hungry children -- and 50's bank account.
Though his nearest competitor is Birdman, 50 Cent sees Jay-Z as his most significant business rival, insinuating that the two have historically played up their differences to create new financial opportunities.
"We use each other," he explained to me at the Street King launch last week. "If you're in a category, you have to find someone you respect enough to consider a competitor. And then you use each other in positive ways. They make a good move, you make a good move. If there's nobody for that, then there's no inspiration."
Of course, soon-to-be-father Jay-Z has a certain advantage, thanks to his partner in the family business.
"He cheated," 50 said, grinning. "See, he hired this girl ..."
