1.
Diddy -
$580 million: The bulk of the Bad Boy Records founder’s
wealth comes from non-musical ventures, namely his deal with Diageo’s Ciroc. The
agreement entitles him to eight-figure annual payouts and a nine-figure windfall
if the brand is ever sold—and Ciroc’s value has never been higher
2.
Jay Z -
$475 million: He’s still rolling in cash from megadeals
like his $204 million Rocawear sale in 2007 and his $150 million pact with Live
Nation the following year. He continues to hold stakes in Roc Nation, Carol’s
Daughter, the Brooklyn Nets and, more significantly, the Barclays Center itself,
while adding new partnerships with the likes of Duracell, Budweiser and
Bacardi’s D’ussé Cognac
3.
Dr Dre - $350 million: It's thanks mostly to his Beats
by Dr. Dre headphones. A year after selling 51% of the company to handset
maker HTC for $300 million in August 2011, Dre and his partners bought back half
of the half they sold in 2012—and their investment continues to soar in value
due to Beats’ whopping 65% market share of the premium ($99 and up) headphone
market.
4.
Bryan “Birdman” Williams - $150 million: Riding
from his Cash Money/Young Money empire. His roster includes Drake, Nicki Minaj
and Lil Wayne (the latter crossed the $100 million threshold for the first time
this year, by our estimates, but remains just outside the top five). Birdman
also recently launched a YMCMB clothing line and a spirit called GT
Vodka.
5.
50 Cent - $125 million: The bulk of his fortune came
from heavy sales of his music, merchandise, video games and books in the wake of
his smash debut
Get Rich or Die Tryin’- and particularly from his payout
for the sale of his stake in VitaminWater parent Glacéau to Coca-Cola in
2007.
Source:
Forbes
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