In turbulent times stability often constitutes success–and that’s the case in hip-hop this year. The top 20 earners on this year’s Cash Kings list racked up $300 million in earnings, the same as last year, despite a troubled world economy and a music industry thrown into flux by new technology.
Top 20 list…
1) Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter – $63 Million
2) Sean “Diddy” Combs – $30 Million
3) Aliuane “Akon” Thiam – $21 Million
4) D’Wayne “Lil’ Wayne” Carter – $20 Million
5) Andre “Dr. Dre” Young – $17 Million
6) Christopher “Ludacris” Bridges – $16 Million
7) Calvin “Snoop Dogg” Broadus – $15 Million
8 ) Timothy “Timbaland” Mosley – $14 Million
9) Pharrell Williams – $13 Million
10) Kanye West – $12 Million
11) Aubrey “Drake” Graham – $10 Million
12) Clifford “T.I.” Harris – $9 Million (tie)
12) Kasseem “Swizz Beatz” Dean – $9 Million (tie)
14) Marshall “Eminem” Mathers – $8 Million (tie)
14) Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson – $8 Million (tie)
14) Jay “Young Jeezy” Jenkins – $8 Million (tie)
17) Lonnie “Common” Lynn Jr. – $7 Million
18) DeAndre “Soulja Boy” Way – $6 Million (tie)
18) Faheem “T-Pain” Najm – $6 Million (tie)
20) Jonathan “Lil’ Jon” Smith – $5 Million (tie)
20) Radric “Gucci Mane” Davis – $5 Million (tie)
20) William “Rick Ross” Roberts – $5 Million (tie)