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Even MCs on the Forbes list aren't recession-proof
By: hiphopblog.comPosted On: 07/09/2009 4:04 P
Think the recession's hitting your pockets hard? You ain't seen nuthin' yet. Forbes' annual list of the top money makers in rap, Hip-Hop Cash Kings, has just been released, and while the likes of Hove and Diddy are still making more money than we'll ever see, their $750 belts are definitely tightening.
Last year, the top 20 on the list made $500 million; this year that number dropped a whopping 40% to $300 million. (The Dow Jones Industrial average "only" fell 30% in the same June 1, 2008-to-June 1, 2009 time frame.)
Jay-Z is this year's top dog, pulling in an estimated $35 million over the last 12 months. Jigga scored $82 million on '08's tally, mostly of the strength of his Live Nation deal. 50 Cent, last' year's head man, dropped to fourth place with $20 million, down from the staggering $150 million a year back.
"The timing of Jay's deal couldn't have been more perfect," says singer/producer Akon, tied fourth on this year's list. "Those numbers aren't going to be flying around anymore."
The top five are rounded out with Diddy's $35 million windfall and Kanye West's $25 million take.
The list was put together by adding the artists' album sales, digital downloads, touring profits, endorsements and other entertainment revenue.
Here's the bottom line on Forbes' Hip-Hop Cash Kings list:
1. Jay-Z- $35 million
2. Diddy- $30 million
3. Kanye West- $25 million
4. Akon- $20 million
5. 50 Cent- $20 million
6. Lil Wayne $18 million
7. Timbaland- $17 million
8. Pharrell Williams- $16 million
9. T-Pain- $15 million
10. Eminem- $14 million
11. Dr. Dre- $13 million
12. Snoop Dogg- $11 million
13. Ludacris- $10 million
14. Swizz Beatz/T.I./Will.i.am/Common- $8 million
15. Andre 3000/Big Boi- $7 million
16. FloRida/Rick Ross/Young Jeezy/The Game- $6 million
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