Forbes magazine put out its annual Forbes Five list of hip hop's wealthiest artists on Thursday, March 1, and there are a couple of changes since last year that signifies progression for some and regression for others.
Thanks mainly to his return from a four-year hiatus, and a little help from Birdman, who bows out of this year's list of top most earners due to liquidity issues, Eminem enters the fold to share a tie between the fourth and fifth spots with net worths of $100 million. Drake's cash flow can, of course, be credited to his continual output from OVO Sound, in addition to a fairly successful run in the spirits game with his Virginia Black whiskey label.
Rounding out the top three is a mainstay Dr. Dre, who maintains a $770 million fortune, according to Forbes. And most notable with this year's list is the fact that for the first time in its seven-year existence, P. Diddy does not overlook the game from the number one spot. While the Ciroc mogul continued to execute newer lanes with the continued growth of his budding Revolt media empire, he stalled at $825 million. That is a whole $75 million less than approaching billionaire JAY-Z has got to his name.
In one year Jay reportedly accelerated to the pinnacle of the game on the strength of a $90 million increase that the value of his Armand de Brignac and D'Usse investments have brought in, in addition to his Roc Nation and Tidal money.
1. JAY-Z $900M
2. Diddy $825M
3. Dr. Dre $770M
4. Drake $100M
5. Eminem $100M
