Top Artists On The Forbes List See Who Ranked

Forbes has released their list of the top earning hip hop artists for 2011, and once again mogul Jay-Z snags the #1 spot for bringing in $37 million in the past twelve months. This is Jay’s 4th time in the last 5 years that he’s taken top billing.

Jay’s high earnings are attributed to his ongoing deal with Live Nation, high partnership with the New Jersey Nets and his 40/40 Club. Of course, profits from his label Roc Nation and his clothing line Rocawear are nothing to snub, either. Plus, his music continues to sell at astronomical figures, with his latest collaboration with Kanye West, ‘Watch The Throne,’ is predicted to bring in half a million sales, with it already taking the #1 spot in 23 countries on the iTunes charts.
While Jay sits pretty in the #1 spot on Forbes, Kanye comes in at #3 with $16 million, following P. Diddy who takes #2 at $35 million. The top ten includes Lil Wayne and Birdman who tie at #4; Eminem, Dr. Dre, and Snoop Dogg who all share #6; Akon comes in at #9 while Ludacris closes out the top ten with $12 million.
Beyond the top ten, rappers Wiz Khalifa and Drake share the #11 spot at $11 million, while Nicki Minaj and Swizz Beatz tie at #15 with $6.5 million. Nicki is the first female rapper to ever make the Forbes Cash ‘Kings’ list.
Check out the top ten list below:
1. Jay-Z – $37 million
2. P. Diddy – $35 million
3. Kanye West – $16 million
4. Lil Wayne (tie) – $15 million
4. Birdman (tie) – $15 million
6. Eminem (tie) – $14 million
6. Dr. Dre (tie) – $14 million
6. Snoop Dogg (tie) – $14 million
9. Akon – $13 million
10. Ludacris – $12 million
Via Forbes