5 RICHEST RAPPER / RAPPER WATANO MATAJIRI

 

 Net Worth: $475 million – (as of March 2011)

May 2010 to May 2011 Earnings according to Forbes: $35 million

May 2009 to May 2010 Earnings according to Forbes: $30 million

Formerly known as Puff Daddy.Diddy’s business ventures, along with his career as a rapper, made him the richest rapper on the planet,built fortune chiefly through clothing line Sean John, record label Bad Boy and Ciroc vodka. Acting gigs, television shows and guest appearances add to coffers. He told Forbes in 1999: “I’m gonna be bigger than David Geffen.” Not there yet.

 Net Worth: $450 million – (as of March 2011)

May 2010 to May 2011 Earnings according to Forbes: $37 million

May 2009 to May 2010 Earnings according to Forbes: $63 million

’99 Problems’ rapper and Beyonce’s husband sold Rocawear clothing label for $204 million in 2007; signed 10-year $150 million Live Nation deal in 2008. Now boasts an impressive portfolio, including shares in the New Jersey Nets as well as his input in fashion, music and restaurant businesses.For more on the business of hip-hop, check out Zack’s new Jay-Z biography, Empire State of Mind http://jayzbook.com

 Net Worth: $125 million – (as of March 2011)

May 2009 to May 2010 Earnings according to Forbes: $17 million

Superproducer/rapper,Dr. Dre may not have put out a new album in the last 10 years,but the rapper and producer has reaped the rewards from his business. Helped launch careers of Snoop Dogg, Eminem, 50 Cent. Expanded wealth with Aftermath record label, Beats headphones and HP laptop line.

Net Worth: $100 million – (as of March 2011)

Bryan ‘Birdman’ Williams,Cofounded Cash Money Records with brother Ronald and inked $30 million distribution deal with Universal in 1998; affiliated Young Money lineup now includes rappers Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj. Lyrical boasts (“Richer than the richest!”) are simply not true.Bird is tie with 50 cent according Forbes,both estimated to be worth $100 million.

Net Worth: $100 million – (as of March 2011)

May 2009 to May 2010 Earnings according to Forbes: $8 million

50 cent has made it to the top five particularly for his business-savvy, as the rapper got a neat nine-figure payout from the sales of Vitamin Water, when it was sold to Coca Cola; spent freely on cars, renovations to the mansion formerly owned by Mike Tyson. Cushion remains from catalog, acting gigs and 50 Cent-themed videogames, books, clothes and headphones. Future billionaire? He told Forbes in 2008: “It’s probably going to take me 10 years