How 8 Hip Hop Artists Make Their Money

The Beastie Boys may have the “skills to pay the bills,” but how many times have we seen rappers blow their advances and then go broke? Here’s how 8 rappers stay on top of the money game.

Dr. Dre

Dr. Dre hasn't released an album with his name on it in more than a decade, but producing fees and merchandising have kept Dre’s income in the eight figure range.

50 Cent

50 Cent is perhaps a better businessman than he is a rapper. Take a look at his feud with Game. Thanks to record label rights, when you buy a Game record, you’re actually putting money in 50’s pocket.

Lil B

Lil B is not the richest rapper by any means, and in fact boasts of his duct-taped shoes saying “I’ll buy a new pair when I make my first million,” but the media-savvy young rapper has become a success entirely through self-promotion.

Sean Combs

Combs is arguably not a great artist, but he knows a great artist when he sees them. An ear for success has kept him on top.

RZA

Not all of the Wu Tang Clan have managed to remain successful. Through licensing, acting and movie scores, RZA maintains a strong income regardless of whether or not he has a hot single on the charts at the moment.

Chamillionaire

He may only have one big single, but through tireless promotion of his own record label, Chamillionaire has maintained power and success in his career.

Akon

How do you stay rich with only two albums in release? Producing movies, designing fashion, selling certified non-conflict diamonds, and owning your own record label, for starters.

Chuck D

Public Enemy aren’t a big part of the hip hop world anymore, but Chuck’s company, Chuck D Mobile, was acquired by VeriSign for a quarter billion dollars.

Slim Thug

Wonder why Slim Thug seems so laid back? He never had anything to prove, haven been a successful real estate mogul before he ever picked up a mic.