The more you learn, the more you earn. ― Frank Clark
And we’re not speaking about school. We’re speaking about the heroes who went to hell and back to succeed in the heavy waters of the music industry, becoming the richest rappers and true entrepreneurs of today. We can’t guarantee you a brand new yacht and a bar stocked with the finest, most luxurious champagne, but you will definitely find yourself motivated and inspired after reading about these 5 highest paid rappers.
5. Eminem
Eminem net worth & age: $210M – 44 years
I’ve got to formulate a plot or I end up in jail or shot
Success is my only motherf**king option, failure’s not – “Lose Yourself”
Eminem is the epitome of the struggling rapper who overcame his condition. By his real name Marshal Matters, the artist experienced the abandonment of his father when he was still a child. He described this period in many songs such as “Lose Yourself” or “Cleaning Out My Closet“. He frequently tried to reach out to him during his teen years, until he found comfort in music. Eminem first encountered fame in the mid-90s with the hip-hop group D12… becoming the lead singer of his band.
Furthermore, he stood up due to his violent, often tragic lyrics, which he attributed to an alter-ego named Slim Shady. However, he is also praised for his humour (“Without Me”,” Just Lose It”) and his ability to connect with his audience. In the course of 2 decades, he released 8 albums (6 Platinum and 1 Diamond) and 45 singles.
He raised a beautiful daughter who is the light of his eyes. (“Mockingbird”, “When I’m Gone”), while dealing with his dramatic, on and off marriage. (“Puke”, “Love The Way You Lie”). See where we’re getting at? Eminem is a master of transferring his feelings into music, creating complex and heart-bending pieces.
Photo source: MTV
4. Master P
Master P net worth & age: $350M – 50 years
Steppin on toes, break a niggas nose
In the projects niggas, anything goes – “Make ‘Em Say Uhh”
This is a metaphor of course. Don’t resort to violence! But, as Master P said, you have to stand your ground. Fight for what you want to achieve.
Percy Robert Miller, known professionally as Master P, is an American rapper, actor, businessman, investor, author, filmmaker, record producer, philanthropist, and former basketball player. Let’s just say he definitely doesn’t have to spice up his curriculum vitae.
Master P founded No Limit Records, currently No Limit Forever Records and is the CEO of P. Miller Enterprises. As a rapper, he rose to stardom in the mid-90s, reaching his highest peak in 1998 with the 4x Platinum-certified album “MP Da Last Don”. He is best known for his storytelling ability and his deep voice. Additionally, he made it into VH1’s “50 Greatest Hip Hop Artists”, peaking at number 36.
Photo source: Frostsnow
3. Jay Z
Jay Z net worth & age: $550M – 47 years
I bought my whole family whips; no Volvos / Next time I’m in church: please, no photos/
Police escorts, everybody passports / This the life that everybody ask for – “Run This Town”
Shawn Corey Cartel, known by his stage name Jay Z, is a Grammy Awarded rapper and businessman, having co-founded Roc-A-Fella Records. Rolling Stone named him the 88th greatest artist of all time. Moreover, he owns a sports bar and has created a clothing line.
He released 13 number 1 albums and holds the record for most number 1 albums by a solo artist. Furthermore, every single one of them gained Platinum certifications. Jay Z grew up listening to soul artists like Marvin Gaye and developed a rich musical culture which helped him a lot throughout his career. The NY-based rapper went from a “Hard Knock Life” to living more than comfortably in the “concrete jungle where dreams are made of “.
It’s safe to say he is one of the highest paid rappers of 2017 and will probably hold onto this title. And let’s not forget, he found himself a lovely wife… none other than Beyonce, whom he married in 2008. He may have “99 Problems” but a gorgeous wife ain’t one!
Photo source: WeGotThisCovered
2. Sean Combs – “Why is P Diddy the richest rapper?”
P Diddy net worth & age: $750M – 47 years
We still here, you rockin’ with the best/ Don’t worry if I write rhymes, I write checks (Ha!)
Who’s the boss? Dudes is lost/ Don’t think cause I’m iced out, I’mma cool off – “Bad Boy For Life“
This is the question on everyone’s lips or internet searches. Well.. PLOT TWIST! He’s not anymore. The big boss of Bad Boy Entertainment, however, landed the second spot on our list of highest paid rappers. However, a part of that money came from rapping, as Diddy released 4 top albums, and his fifth one is due for the summer of 2017. Additionally, he won 3 Grammy Awards and numerous other prizes.
This entrepreneur started from the very bottom, as an intern for Uptown Records before being fired, which determined him to take a chance and create his own label. In the present day, he is the CEO of Enterprises and the producer of MTV’s Making the Band.
So what should you learn from P Diddy? You needn’t worry that the road ahead of is bumpy and seemingly impossible. So what if he was fired and most people doubted him? With faith and ambition, he rose to the top and so can you!
Photo source: Arizonadream
1. Dr. Dre
Dr Dre net worth & age: $830M – 52 years
Still, I stay close to the heat
And even when I was close to defeat, I rose to my feet
My life’s like a soundtrack I wrote to the beat – “Still D.R.E.”
Now let’s find out how Dr. Dre managed to surpass the former number 1. What’s really ironic is the fact that the two have always been fighting for the #1 spot ever since the early days of Dre’s Death Row Records vs. Diddy’s Bad Boy Entertainment.
Dr. Dre, born Andre Romelle Young, is currently the founder and CEO or Aftermath Entertainment and Beats Electronics. Can the commercial boom of Beats by Dre be behind this chart switch?
Andre began his music career in the early 90s, as part of the hip-hop ensemble N.W.A. These crucial years have been depicted in the 2015 blockbuster “Straight Outta Compton”, for which Dr Dre served as a producer. The film grossed $201.6 million, which also might explain how Dre’s fortune expanded considerably, making him 2017’s richest rapper.
More than a rapper, Dr. Dre is a father figure for many rappers whom he helped and produced for. He worked with the likes of 2Pac, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, 50 Cent, Kendrick Lamar and many, many others. He won Producer of the Year, only one of his six Grammy Awards. Furthermore, Rolling Stone placed him at number 56 on its list of “100 Greatest Artists of All-Time”.
Photo source: Biography
In the end, it all goes down to ambition… and talent. Telling stories that people can relate to and keeping up with the trends. And who knows, in 10 years we might just find Lil Wayne, who’s current net worth is $150M, on top of this list. Or let’s think even further. In 20 years, maybe his protege, IceJJFish, signed to his label, will become the world’s highest paid rapper. If the English language goes extinct, that is.
Shawty want a thug
Bottles in the club
Shawty wanna hump
You know I love to touch ya lovely lady lumps – “Lollipop”
Main Photo Source: PopSugar
