Top 20 richest rappers in the world: Their net worth & early life, struggles and more

The top 20 richest rappers in the world, from Akon to Drake, are listed here. Continue reading to learn about the highest-paid rappers and their estimated net worth.

Hip-hop music, often known as rap music, began in the Bronx, New York City, in the 1970s. DJ Kool Herc (also known as DJ and the founding father of rap) is widely credited for popularising rap music in the United States. In their building, he and his sister Cindy began holding school parties. Nobody could have predicted that these events would usher in a new culture known as rap music or hip-hop. Rap music has changed significantly since its inception in the 1970s, and some well-known rappers have become quite wealthy over time. Rappers are notorious for their flashy automobiles, large luxury homes, and expensive lifestyles. The Hip-Hop industry is worth billions of dollars and is rising every year.

So it’s no surprise that a few well-known rappers are wealthy, and the names on Forbes’ list of the richest rappers changes every year. Here is a list of the wealthiest rappers, ranked by their net worth, from Jay Z to Pitbull.

Top 20 richest rappers in the world, their net worth & early life

• Akon

Akon is a well-known rapper, songwriter, singer, actor, record producer, and businessman from the United States. He has a long list of great songs under his belt, and his album “Locked Up,” published in 2004, catapulted him to fame. He never looked back after that and continued to hit back-to-back. In 2006, he released his second album, Konvicted, which became an instant hit. The song “Smack That” garnered three Grammy nominations for Best Rap Collaboration, “I Wanna Love You,” and Best Contemporary R&B Album. Both singles charted in the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100, with “Sorry, Don’t Blame It on Me” and “Don’t Matter” following closely behind. Akon’s third studio album, Freedom, was released in 2008, with the track “Right Now (Na Na Na)” as the lead single.

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Akon is the only solo artist to ever hold both the number one and two slots on the Billboard Hot 100 charts at the same time. His name is also listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s best-selling master ringtones artist. He is one of the wealthiest rappers in the world, having won multiple honors for his songs.

Akon has also appeared in films such as Tanked, Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping, Black November, Miracles Across 125th Street, and many others. He has appeared as a guest on a variety of shows, including Home & Family, Free Radio, Chelsea Lately, The Andy Milonakis Show and others. He is a gifted musician whose music is calming to the ears.

Akon’s  life so far:

Aliaune Damala Badara Akon Thiam is Akon’s full name. Akon’s birthday is April 16th, and he was born in 1973 in St. Louis, Missouri. He spent the majority of his childhood in Senegal, where he learnt to play the guitar, djembe, and drums. The family eventually relocated to New Jersey, where he attended William L. Dickinson High School.

• Timbaland:

Net Worth: $85 Million

Timbaland, whose real name is Timothy Zachery Mosley, is one of the most well-known rappers in the world. He is a singer, rapper, DJ, record producer, and composer from the United States. Ginuwine’s debut studio album Ginuwine..the Bachelor, released in 1996, was his first full-credit production work.

He went on to become a well-known figure in hip-hop music, with hits including The Way I Am, Give It To Me, If We Ever Meet Again (with Katy Perry), Morning After Dark (starring Nelly Furtado & SoShy), Bounce, and others. Timbaland is noted for his unusual “stuttering” rhythmic approach.

In 2006, he launched Mosley Music Group (MMG), a record label that featured singers such as Nelly Furtado, One Republic, and others. He has written a number of hit songs in the United States and the United Kingdom, and in 2020, he will co-host the webcast series Verzuz with Swizz Beatz.

Timbaland has won four Grammy Awards out of 21 nominations, including Best R&B Song for “Drunk in Love” (2016), Best R&B Song for “Pusher Love Girl” (2016), Best Dance Recording for “LoveStoned/I Think She Knows” (2009), and Best Dance Recording for “Sexy Back” (2009). (2008). He has been nominated for 25 awards and has won eight of them.

Timbaland is one of the wealthiest rappers in the world, with a net worth of $85 million.

Timbaland’s  life so far:

Timothy Zachery Mosley was born in Norfolk, Virginia, on March 10, 1972, to Latice and Garland Mosley. Timothy has a younger brother and sister, and he graduated from Virginia Beach’s Salem High School. Pharell Williams, his cousin, is a well-known American singer and rapper.

• Adam Horovitz

Net Worth: $90 Million

Adam Horovitz, also known as King Ad-Rock, is one of the wealthiest rappers in the world, with a net worth of $90 million. He is not only a rapper, but also a producer, guitarist, actor, and musician from the United States. Ad-Rock is most known for being a member of the Beastie Boys, a well-known hip-hop group. After the group broke in 2012 (after Adam Yauch’s untimely death), Adam worked on several Beastie Boys-related projects, including as a producer, remixer, and guest musician for other artists.

Ad-Rock has appeared in films and television shows such as Godspeed, Roadside Prophets, and Lost Angels.

Adam Horovitz’s life so far:

Adam Horovitz was born in New York City on October 31, 1966, to Israel Horovitz and Doris Keefe. He was born and reared in Manhattan, and his family is Jewish. Adam Horovitz has an estimated net worth of $90 million.

• Michael Diamond

Net Worth: $90 Million

With a net worth of $90 million, Michael Diamond, often known as Mike D, is one of the most well-known and wealthy rappers in the world. He created the Beasties Boys (a well-known hip-hop group) in 1992 and is a well-known American musician, rapper, and music producer. He not only sings, but he also plays drums in the band. He’s also worked on remixes and albums for a variety of artists.

Licensed to Ill (1986), Check Your Head (1992), Hello Nasty (1998), The Mix-Up (2007), and others are among his most popular tracks.

Early life of Michael Diamond:

Michael Diamond was born on November 20, 1965, in New York City, New York. In 1993, he married Tamra Davis, a music and television video director, and they have two children, Skyler Diamond and Davis Diamond. Their children founded the group Very Nice Person after they divorced legally. He can play the drums and keyboards, and he is one of the best rappers on the planet.

• Pitbull

Net Worth: $100 Million

Pitbull, whose real name is Armando Christian Pérez, is a well-known rapper and performer. He began his career by recording reggaeton and Latin hip-hop. When he entered the pop world, he became famous. M.I.A.M. is his debut album. It was released on TVT Records in 2004 and became an instant hit. It reached number 14 on the Billboard 200 albums list in the United States.

Give Me Everything, I Like It, I Know You Want Me, On The Floor, Hotel Room Service, and other Pitbull songs are popular. Over 100 million singles and 25 million albums have been sold worldwide. He is not only a musician and rapper, but also a businessman who owns a radio station, a vodka company, and a NASCAR racing team. He has a net worth of around $100 million and is one of the highest-paid rappers.

Early Life of Pitbull

Amando Christian Pérez was born on January 15, 1981, in Miami, Florida, to Cuban immigrant parents. He adopted the stage name “Pitbull” because he claims the dog is “too foolish to lose” and “bite to lock.”

• Birdman

Net Worth: $100 Million

Bryan Williams, better known as Birdman, has a net worth of $100 million, making him one of the wealthiest rappers in the world in 2022. He is well known for co-founding Cash Money Records and is a well-known American record producer, rapper, and entrepreneur. Young Money Entertainment, of which he is a co-founder, was founded by him.

He has done a lot of solo work with the Big Tymers before teaming up with fellow rapper Lil Wayne and becoming hugely popular. Baller Blockin’ with Cash Money Millionaires (2000), Rich Gang with Rich Gang (2013), Lost at Sea 2 with Jacquees (2018), Just Another Gangsta with Juvenile (2019), and so on are some of Birdman’s most popular tracks. He is a superb rapper who has received numerous honors.

Early Life of Birdman:

Birdman was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Johnnie Williams and Gladys Brooks on February 15, 1969. In 2016, he married Toni Braxton, with whom he had two children.

• LL Cool J

Net worth: $120 Million

LL Cool J is a well-known actor, rapper, novelist, and entrepreneur who goes by the stage name James Todd Smith. He is regarded as one of the forefathers of pop-rap, having recorded 13 studio albums. His record “I Need a Beat” was a huge hit, and he became an overnight sensation as a result of it. In Too Deep, S.W.A.T., Any Given Sunday, Halloween H20, Mindhunters, NCIS: Los Angeles, and other films and TV shows have included him.

He is also the host of the Paramount Network’s Lip Sync Battle. “I’m Bad,” “All I Have,” “Hey Lover,” “I Need Love,” “Rock the Bells,” and “Around the Way Girl” are some of his best-known tunes. He is the first rapper to receive the Kennedy Center Honors and has won two Grammys.

The early years of LL Cool J

James Todd Smith (LL Cool J) was born in Bay Shore, New York, on January 14, 1968. He grew up in Queens with his parents, James Louis Smith and Ondrea Griffthi. He began rapping at the age of ten and is now one of the world’s wealthiest rappers.

• Snoop Dog

Net Worth: $150 Million

Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr, as Snoop Doggy Dogg or Snoop Lion, is an American songwriter, media personality, rapper, actor, and businessman with a net worth of $150 million. He has sold over 35 million albums globally, has appeared in numerous films and television series, and is noted for his melodic and ultra-smooth flow. Doggystyle, his first studio album, was released in 1993 by Interscope Records and Death Row Records.

Doggystyle (1993), No Limit Top Dogg (1999), R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece (2004), Malice n Wonderland (2009), Bush (2015), Bible of Love (2018), From tha Streets 2 tha Suites (2021), and so on are some of Snoop Dog’s most well-known albums. Half Baked (1998), Hot Boyz (1999), Pauly Shore Is Dead (2003), The L.A. Riot Spectacular (2004), Singh Is Kinng (2008), Mac & Devin Go to High School (2012), The House Next Door: Meet the Blacks 2 (2021), and others are among his cinematic credits.

Snoop Dog has been nominated for 17 Grammy Honors but has never won one, despite winning numerous other important awards.

Early Life of Snoop Dog:

Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr., alias Snoop Dog, was born in Long Beach, California, to Vernell Varnado and Beverly Tate on October 20, 1971. He began singing and playing the piano at the Golgotha Trinity Baptist Church when he was very young, then rapping in sixth school. Snoop Dog will always be on the list when someone asks, “Who is the wealthiest rapper?” today since he is wealthy and influential.

• Swiss Beatz:

Net Worth: $150 Million

Swizz Beatz, whose real name is Kasseem Daoud Dean, is a well-known American rapper, businessman, record producer, and record executive. He can play the drums, the turntables, and the keyboards. He began his musical career as a DJ when he was 18 years old, and his family’s record label, Ruff Ryders, helped him get fame in the rap music industry.

He has created approximately 160 albums, including soundtracks, mixtapes, compilations, and studio projects, during the course of his three-decade career. As a producer, he has 81 hits to his credit, with a couple of his solo songs earning gold or platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

He has been nominated for a Grammy eight times and won one in 2009 for “On To The Next One” at the 53rd GRAMMY Awards for Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group. He’s also appeared in films such as Dumb and Dumber To (2014), Empire (2015), and others. He is one of the world’s wealthiest rappers, with a net worth of $150 million.

Swizz Beatz’s Early Life:

Kasseem Daoud Dean was born in New York City on September 13, 1978. Dean grew up in the North East Bronx, and it was there that he first heard hip-hop music. In 2010, he married Alicia Keys, with whom he has been happily married since.

• Ice Cube:

Net Worth: $160 Million

Ice Cube, born O’Shea Jackson Sr., is a well-known American actor, filmmaker, and rapper. He is one of the wealthiest rappers in the world, with a net worth of $160 million. Jackson began his career as a member of C.I.A, a well-known hip-hop group, before joining N.W.A. He quit N.W.A in 1989 to pursue a solo music and acting career.

He began his career as a member of the C.I.A. hip-hop group before joining the N.W.A. War & Peace Vol. 1: The War Disc (1998), I Am The West (2010), Kill At Will (1990), Raw Footage (2008), and others are among his most well-known albums. Boyz n the Hood, Dangerous Ground, I Got the Hook-Up, Barbershop 2: Back in Business, and a slew of additional films have included him.

Ice Cube has been nominated for and won accolades for a variety of films and songs, including Ice Cube has been nominated for a number of awards in the past. He has won two awards to date, including the Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Action Team (for Three Kings) in 2000, the MECCA Movie Award for Acting Award (2002), the VH1 Hip Hop Honors 2006, and others.

Early Life of Ice Cube:

O’Shea Jackson was born in Los Angeles, California, on June 15, 1969. He attended William Howard Taft Charter High School and excelled in his studies, but he has always enjoyed music. In 1992, he married Kimberly Woodruff, and they had four children together.

• Ronald Slim Williams

Net Worth: $170 Million

Ronald Slim Williams is a well-known rapper, entrepreneur, and record producer. He and his younger brother Bryan Williams (Birdman) co-founded the record label Cash Money Records, and he is the executive producer on practically all of the label’s recordings. He has a net worth of $100 million and is known as “The Godfather” or “Slim Tha Don.”

Early years of Ronald Slim William’s life

He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Johnnie Williams and Gladys Brooks on November 11, 1964.

• Lil Wayne

Net Worth: $175 Million

Lil Wayne is one of the world’s wealthiest rappers, as well as a well-known record producer and entrepreneur. Lil Wayne began his career as a member of the rap group Hot Boys when he was 16 years old. Lil Wayne’s first solo album, Tha Block Is Hot, was released in 1999. Lil Wayne’s net worth is $170 million, with the majority of his fortune coming from merchandise, song sales, and touring.

Tha Block Is Hot (1999), 500 Degreez (2002), Rebirth (2010), Tha Carter IV (2011), Free Weezy Album (2015), Funeral (2020), and others are among Lil Wayne’s most popular albums. He’s also appeared in films such as Who’s Your Caddy?, Freaknik: The Movie, and others. He is one of the top rappers in the world, having won five Grammy Awards.

Early life of Lil Wayne

Lil Wayne’s real name is Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., and he was born on September 27, 1982, in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. He attended the University of Phoenix and has always been interested in music. In the year 2020, he married Denise Bidot.

• Drake

Net Worth: $180-200 Million

Drake is one of the highest-paid rappers in the world, and his debut smash record “Best I Ever Had” catapulted him to fame. He is a songwriter, actor, rapper, singer, and producer from Canada. He is also known for his role in the television series Degrassi: The Next Generation, for which he received international acclaim. He owns a clothing line as well as a booze company. He is a brand ambassador for the Toronto Raptors and has appeared in advertisements for Apple and Nike. Drake is a co-founder of 100 Thieves and DreamCrew.

Drake’s net worth is reported to be between $180 and $200 million, and he is well-known for living a lavish lifestyle.

Drake’s early years

Aubrey Drake Graham, his true name, was born on October 24, 1986, in Toronto, Canada, to Dennis and Sandra Graham.

• Master P

Net Worth: $200 Million

Percy Robert Miller is an entrepreneur, rapper, actor, philanthropist, author, and former basketball player from the United States. Master P is his stage name, and he is one of the wealthiest rappers in the world, with a net worth of $200 million, according to the Forbes list of rappers. He is the CEO of P. Miller Enterprises and owns a slew of businesses that have made him a multi-millionaire rapper.

The early years of Master P’s life

Percy Robert Miller was born in Central City, Louisiana, on April 29, 1970. He went to Warren Easton High School and Booker T. Washington High School.

• Pharrel Williams

Net worth: $200 Million

Pharrell Williams is a rapper, songwriter, record producer, performer, and entrepreneur from the United States. His music career began in 1990 with The Neptunes, a production firm. He is the lead vocalist of the hip-hop group N.E.R.D., as well as a producer for artists like as Britney Spears, Jay Z, and Gwen Stefani. He also owns a clothing line and a show under his name. For reputable brands such as Louis Vuitton and Adidas, he makes jewellery, sunglasses, and footwear.

He is one of the wealthiest rappers in the world, according to Forbes, with a net worth of $200 million.

Early years of Pharrel Williams

He was born on April 5, 1973, in Virginia Beach, Virginia, United States of America. In 2013, he married Helen Lasichanh, and the pair had four children together.

• Eminem

Net Worth: $230 Million

Eminem requires no introduction, as his songs and quick rap style have earned him worldwide acclaim. He is one of the most well-known white rappers, and all music fans adore him. Eminem began his career in 1996 and gained popularity in 1999 with the support of Dr. Dre. He has won 15 Grammy Awards and has acted in a number of films in addition to producing music. In the early 2000s, he was the world’s best-selling rap artist. He operates a record company and is a spokesperson for companies such as Chrysler and Lipton.

Eminem’s Life so far:

Marshall Bruce Mathers III is his true name, and he was born on October 17, 1972, in St. Joseph, Missouri, United States. Marshall Bruce Mathers Jr. and Deborah Rae raised him as their only child.

As a child, he was ridiculed at school and moved around frequently, making it difficult for him to make friends. He faced a lot of racial backlash when he first started his career because he was the only white rapper performing at his gigs. However, his incredible talent enabled him to overcome all of these obstacles, and he is now one of the world’s wealthiest rappers.

• Dr Dre

Net Worth: $800 Million

Dr. Dre is one of the wealthiest rappers in the world, with a net worth of $800 million. He is also a producer and an entrepreneur, having sold his headphone company, Beats Electronics, to Apple in 2014. He has a number of solo albums to his credit, as well as producing albums for other well-known musicians like as Eminem, Snoop Dogg, and 50 Cent.

Dr. Dre has also appeared in movies including “Set It Off,” “Training Day,” and others.

Dr. Dre’s Early Life:

Andre Romelle Young, better known by his stage name Dr. Dre, was born on February 18th, 1965, in Compton, California, to Theodore and Verna Young.

• Sean Combs

Net Worth: $900 Million

Sean Combs, better known by his stage name Diddy, is a well-known rapper, record producer, and businessman. He founded Bad Boy Entertainment in 1993 and has since released a number of popular singles and albums. He is a successful entrepreneur who owns a record company, a clothing brand, and a television network in addition to his musical career. Sean Combs’ net worth will continue to rise each year as a result of his various enterprises and his music career. He is one of the wealthiest rappers in the world, with a net worth of $900 million as of 2022.

Early years of Sean Combs:

Sean John Combs was born in New York City on November 4, 1969, and reared in Mount Vernon. His mother Janice Combs worked as a teacher’s aide and model, and his father Melvin Combs served in the United States Air Force.

• Jay Z

Net Worth: $1.3 Billion

Jay Z is one of the world’s richest rappers, with a net worth of $1.3 billion. He has a string of hit albums under his belt, including The Blueprint, Reasonable Doubt, The Black Album, and others. Roc Nation and Roc-A-Fella Records are owned by Jay Z. He is also involved in a number of commercial initiatives and has made investments in firms like Armand de Brignac, Uber, and D’Ussé. He is the owner of the Rocawear apparel line.

Jay-childhood Z’s and adolescence

Jay Z’s real name is Shawn Corey Carter, and he was born on December 4, 1969, in New York City, New York. His mother, Gloria Carter, raised him and his brothers after his father abandoned his family.

• Kanye West

Net Worth: $6.6 Billion

Kanye West is one of the wealthiest rappers in the world as of June 2022. He began his career as a producer and even wrote songs for well-known artists such as Jay-Z. However, he desired to accomplish something significant, so he chose to pursue a career in rap. In the year 2000, he rose to prominence after joining the hip-hop label Roc-A-Fella Records as a producer for well-known performers.

He is a well-known figure in the music industry, having won 22 Grammy awards. He is involved in several enterprises and has cooperated with brands such as Louis Vuitton in addition to his music career. Kanye West is one of the richest rappers in the world, with a net worth of $6.6 billion.

Early life of Kanye West

Kanye Omari West was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on June 8, 1977. After his parents divorced, he was raised by his mother in Chicago. The rap industry puts a lot of money into the music industry, and these rappers are well-off thanks to their records and commercial enterprises. Listen to their songs and dance to the beats. This was the list of the world’s wealthiest rappers.

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