The 25 Richest Rappers in the World

Rappers continuously use their platforms and skills to brag about how much money they make. Have you ever wondered who the richest rappers in the world are?

Well, I’m here to show you. Hopefully, this will motivate you or inspire you. Especially as you’ll notice, many of these rappers came from incredibly humble beginnings. Once successful, they are notorious for their flashy cars, expensive houses, and crazy events.

A side note: Keep reading if you want to learn about the 25 richest rappers in the world. Forbes, Wikipedia, and The Richest have reported all the figures below. These are all for 2023, and so are subject to change in the future.

Without further ado, let’s dive right in.

25. Joseph Simmons AKA Rev Run

Net Worth: $60 million

Sitting above Nas is Rev Run, born as Joseph Simmons. He’s famously known as one of the founding members of the incredible hip hop group Run – D.M.C. Surprisingly, he is also a practicing minister – hence his nickname, Reverend Run.

In 2023, his net worth reached $60 million, which is mainly accredited to his incredible musical success and his creation of cable series for HGTV and Cooking Channel. These ventures have arguably placed him on this enviable list.

24. Akon

Net Worth: $60 million

Also sitting at $60 million is the world-famous Akon. A rapper, singer, businessman, actor, songwriter, and record producer – he certainly has his hands full.

His big break came in 2004 with the release of Locked Up – a trendy album that arguably gained his the position that he is in today.

Akon has used his money for good, just like many other rappers. He started a project called Akon Lighting Africa in 2014. This provides electricity to 15 African countries, which has benefited the community greatly.

He has also launched his own charity called Konfidence Foundation, which helps underprivileged children in Africa.

It’s not been smooth sailing for the rapper, though. He has been involved with legal difficulties from theft, sexual assault, misogyny, endangering a minor’s welfare, and religious insensitivity.

Love him or hate him, he sits at 24.

23. Nicki Minaj

Net Worth: $100 million

Nicki Minaj is surprisingly the only female on this list and is seen as an icon for many for surpassing in such a male-dominated industry.

Minaj is a rapper, singer, actress, songwriter, and model born in Trinidad. Of course, as a solo artist, she has exceeded incredibly well, but she’s also worked with some of the best-selling artists, including Drake, Meek Mill, Tyga, and Beyonce, to name a few.

At a net worth of $100 million, Nicki Minaj has come a long way in her rapper career despite many obstacles and hurdles.

22. Pitbull

Net Worth: $100 million

He is on every song and every radio station at the moment. It’s no surprise that he’s sitting comfortably on this reputable list.

Pitbull has topped the Billboard charts countless times in over 20 countries – an impressive statistic that very few rappers can share. He now has a net worth of $100 million and has become one of the most well-recognized rappers of this century.

In recent years, Pitbull has participated in various campaigns and endorsements – most famously, the “So Kodak” campaign with Rihanna and Drake. He’s also been involved with Walmart Jacavi and even opened his radio channel.

Pitbull has been using his platform and money for good, too. With a determination to help his Latino community, Pitbull has been trying to close the poverty gap in his hometown through educational practices. For instance, he began a tuition-free public charter.

21. Adam Horovitz

Net Worth: $100 million

Adam Horovitz sits alongside his band members with the same net worth. He’s better known as AD-Rock and is also a member of the Beastie Boys.

He’s a guitarist, producer, rapper, and actor – and still sits as the 21st richest rapper in the world. This is incredibly impressive, considering the band rose to fame in the 80s. It proves how influential the band was and how their legacy continues to live on.

20. Mike D

Net Worth: $100 million

This one might come as a surprise, but Mike D is a member of the Beastie Boys. This famous hip-hop band has been credited with revolutionizing rap music. They formed in the ’80s, and still, to this day, Mike D is one of the wealthiest rappers.

Currently, he releases remixes of songs and produces various albums.

19. Timbaland

Net Worth: $85 million

As a rapper, songwriter, singer, DJ, and record producer, Timbaland has always had a strong ear for music. He first began his success story in 1996, when he became the go-to producer for many hip-hop artists and R&B singers.

Timbaland’s legacy is perhaps the most admirable aspect. He was influential in creating the “stuttering kick-drums template,” which became especially popular in UK garage and rave culture.

Timbaland created a unique sound that captivated listeners and other artists alike. He pioneered the “bootleg” technique, which was essential in the rise of UK garage.

18. Will.I.Am

Net Worth: $70 million

Will.I.Am is known as one of the most innovative and revolutionary artists of the 21st century. For those who don’t know, he started his musical career in the famous band Black Eyed Peas, which became a massive success. To this day, people still listen to and admire this influential band.

Later, he decided to venture into a solo career – again, a successful move benefiting him well.

However, Will.I.Am also invests his money wisely and also works on side projects. As you’ll see from all the rappers on this list, they rarely stayed in just their rapping career. Instead, they have ventured into other opportunities to increase their cash flow.

The affluent rapper has ventured into acting, the Voice UK and Australia (an upbeat talent show), fashion, and also became the director of creative innovation at Intel Corp. Alongside other projects, Will.I.Am often invests heavily in technology and helps working-class children get opportunities similar to his.

Will.I.Am had a very humble upbringing, and his current financial state is the opposite of what he used to.

17. Nas

Net Worth: $70 million

At number 17 sits the American rapper Nas. He’s released eight consecutive platinum albums, selling over 35 million records worldwide. Nas is also an entrepreneur, which is the factor that pushed him to sit on the top 25 list.

With a net worth of $70 million, Nas is (obviously) incredibly successful and has truly made a fantastic life for himself.

With musical influence from his father, who was a jazz and blues musician, Nas was always into music. His mum and dad divorced as a teenager, and Nad dropped out of school after the eighth grade. Though this might have been a controversial move then, he always knew music was his passion.

As a teenager, Nas and his friend started underground – a common theme for most rappers in the 80s. They would rap and record their own music, but it has yet to be released. It was in 1994 when Nas’s first album, Illmatic, was released; it went on to win the Best Album of the Year by The Source.

It has been a challenging path in the hip-hop world, however. Nas has reported feuds with big stars—notably, Jay Z, Young Jeezy, and Cam’ron.

In terms of business ventures, Nas has been incredibly productive. He has always invested and used his money wisely, which is exactly why he has made this list. For example, he invested in Mass Appeal Magazine, opened his sneaker store, invested in Proven (a technology startup), and partnered with Hennessy.

He gives back to the community too. In 2014, Nas partnered with Koru to fund ten college graduates’ scholarships.

Nas continues to invest heavily in technology startups and is even the co-owner of a cloud-based service called LANDR. He’s even dabbled in the catering industry.

He’s obviously not only worked hard but also been wise with his money and has made fantastic decisions.

16. Ronald “Slim” Williams

Net Worth: $150 million

Though arguably not a household name, Ronald “Slim” Williams earned most of his money differently. He founded the Cash Money Records label with the help of Birdman (his brother).

Slim has since worked with prominent names such as Drake, Lil Wayne, and Nicki Minaj.

15. LL Cool J

Net Worth: $120 million

Breaking us into the hundred million zones is LL Cool J. Born in Queens, New York, LL Cool J had an incredibly rough upbringing – on one occasion, his father shot both his mother and grandfather. He began rapping at 9, arguably as a coping mechanism.

LL Cool J had his first breakthrough in 1987 and has been incredibly prominent in the rap world since then.

Like many rappers, he has also invested and spent the money he earned very smartly. For instance, he worked behind the scenes on a hip-hop sportswear line and even started his own business in the music industry.

LL Cool J is known as one of the first hip-hop artists to achieve mainstream success and holds the title of the first hip-hop act on American Bandstand. He’s also received the Kennedy Center Honors. It’s fair to say that he’s the American Dream personified.

14. Snoop Dogg

Net Worth: $160 million

It’s easier to think about legendary rappers with your mind jumping to Snoop Dogg. His music career started in 1992 after Dr. Dre discovered him – he even featured on Dre’s first-ever solo album. Now, Snoop Dogg is a legend in his own right and has a net worth of $160 million.

As of 2023, Snoop Dogg has sold over 12.5 million albums in the United States and 37 million albums worldwide, an absolutely surreal statistic highlighting his success.

It wasn’t always smooth sailing; Snoop Dogg was released shortly after graduating high school.

Snoop Dogg has invested and ventured into many other businesses, including the controversial cannabis industry. Though it gains some criticism, it’s extremely on-brand for Snoop. Snoop Dogg also owns an app, and it was reported that he purchased a soul food restaurant.

13. Ice Cube

Net Worth: $160 million

Ice Cube is a legendary name and has earned every right to sit on this list. He began his career as a member of C.I.A, and later joined N.W.A.

After leaving the group in 1989, he created a successful solo career in music and has since dived into acting. Depending on the age range of the person you ask, he’ll be known as either a rapper or an actor. 

12. Birdman

Net Worth: $160 million

Neck and Neck with pitbull is Birdman, still one of the most recognizable and well-known rappers to date.

As an American rapper, record producer, executive producer, and entrepreneur, Birdman has multiple streams of income that put him comfortably on this list.

As well as an impressive discography, Birdman helped found the Cash Money Records label with his brother, who is responsible for many of the greatest hits you listen to today.

Birdman famously said, “If I work hard, I should get paid for it.” That’s been his motto, and it’s obviously worked well for him over the years.

11. Lil Wayne

Net Worth: $170 million

Again, he is another rapper with a highly rough upbringing, making his success all the more impressive.

Lil Wayne is an American rapper/recording artist who became incredibly popular in mainstream music.

At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records, becoming the youngest member of the label. Since then, he has sold millions of records and worked with some of the biggest names in the industry.

10. Master P

Net Worth: $210 million

A rapper, actor, author, record producer, former basketball player, entrepreneur, and philanthropist – Master P has tried it all.

These numerous ventures have made him one of the wealthiest rappers in the world. 

9. Drake

Net Worth: $250 million

It’s pretty impressive that Drake finds himself on this list, considering how new and young he is in the rapping world. He’s a rapper, songwriter, singer, and record producer and gained some recognition in the early 2000s.

Drake’s parents divorced when he was very young, and his father often found himself in and out of jail for drug-related charges. Drake also found that he was bullied often in school due to his race and religious background and dropped out.

He started his acting career at 15, rather than graduating. He then began making mixtapes in 2006, inspired by various other rappers.

He released his debut album in 2010, which proved immensely successful and topped the Rap Songs chart.

A minor personal achievement for Drake is that he’s credited with popularising the phrase “YOLO.”

8. Pharrell Williams

Net Worth: $250 million

Pharrell Williams sits at number 8, with an impressive net worth of $250 million. Alongside a rapper, he is also a singer-songwriter, record producer, and film producer. He’s often praised for his creative outlook and impressive creations.

Williams also owns a media venture, an umbrella company covering everything from entertainment, music, art, and fashion. This highlights his creative and innovative side. 

7. Eminem

Net Worth: $250 million

We’ve mentioned many rough childhood stories throughout this, and Eminem knows a lot about this. Not only did he go through a lot with his family, but he was bullied immensely as a child.

When he first began rapping in Detroit, he was also subject to much hate – mainly because he is white.

Now, Eminem is the most successful and richest white hip-hop artist of all time, and his success story is really quite incredible. He is credited with changing the rap game, and his net worth is $250 million.

6. Russell Simmons

Net Worth: $350 million

Widely known as the man who co-founded Def Jam, Russel Simmons now enjoys an excellent net worth of $350 million.

Simmons has since decided to step down and allow younger creatives to take over his business.

5. Will Smith

Net Worth: $350 million

Will Smith is now a household name, an actor, rapper, and songwriter. At 55, he is among the world’s wealthiest rappers and actors.

Admirably, Will Smith will incorporate his two passions: acting and rapping. He has showcased his rapping abilities in most of his films and series. Most notably, Fresh Prince of Bell Air (1990) and Men in Black (1997).

4. Kanye West

Net Worth: $500 million

Though this statistic is up for debate as he has revealed that he is in a lot of debt, Kanye West’s success and influence cannot be undermined.

He is known for his rapping. However, Kanye West is an incredibly talented fashion designer. It’s also worth noting that Kim Kardashian, Kanye West’s wife, is worth $1.7 billion. That’s quite the power couple.

Do you think Kanye West is claiming to be broke when, in reality, he’s incredibly privileged? Regardless of the controversy, West is an incredibly successful rapper.

3. Diddy

Net Worth: $900 million

You’ll notice that it’s quite the money jump from Simmons to Diddy. He’s putting in the hard work and effort.

Formerly known as Puff Daddy, Diddy last released new music four years ago. However, his investments and abundance of crazy businesses keep him afloat.

One of the most notable investments is in Ciroc. Diddy has a 50/50 profit deal with the vodka brand.

2. Dr. Dre

Net Worth: $950 million

This one won’t shock many people. Dr. Dre has always been incredibly smart with his money. As a rapper, he worked with some of the most influential and famous artists ever.

In the mid-2000s, Dr.Dre made most of his fortune with the Beats boom – the headphone company became a hit for millennials everywhere.

With $950 million, Dr. Dre could buy about 5,588,564 pairs of Beats headphones. 

1. Jay-Z

Net Worth: $2.5 billion

Of course, sitting at number one would be Jay-Z. His business ventures have helped push him to number one despite not releasing any new music. 

His ownership of Tidal, stakes in Roc Nation, and Armand de Brignac – he’s really been making an obscene amount of profit this past year.

Pair this with Beyonce’s wealth, $540 million, and you have an absolute power couple – one that only dreams can make up. Beyonce also helped push Tidal to what it is today – most notably with her Lemonade album.

We can’t imagine what else Beyonce and Jay-Z can create as a duo, but we’re excited to find out. What would you spend $3 billion on? Do you think Jay-Z has the complete right idea?

Well, there you have it. The richest rappers in the world – regardless of whether they boast or spend their money wisely, it’s wholly agreed that these rappers have used their creative talents and passion to achieve amazing things.

It’s also worth noting that despite hardships and hurdles, most of these artists have soldiered through to become something extraordinary. With incredible skills, intelligent investments, and innovative business plans – these rappers have made millions and will continue to in the future.

If you take anything away from this, it should be to think outside of the box, use your money wisely, and never give up on your dreams. Imagine if Jay-Z had done that.

Here’s a recap of the 25 richest rappers in the world:

25. Joseph Simmons AKA Rev Run
24. Akon
23. Nicki Minaj
22. Pitbull
21. Michael D
20. Adam Horovitz
19. Timbaland
18. Will.I.Am
17. Nas
16. Ronald “Slim” Williams
15. LL Cool J
14. Birdman
13. Ice Cube
12. Snoop Dogg
11. Lil Wayne
10. Master P
9. Drake
8. Pharrell Williams
7. Eminem
6. Kanye West
5. Will Smith
4. Russell Simmons
3. Diddy
2. Dr. Dre
1. Jay-Z

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