
For the second year in a row, S. Dot Carter tops the Forbes rankings. See what estimated sum your favorite star brought in.
Despite the rocky economy of this past year, Hip Hop’s elite have still found a way to keep their earnings piling in.
Forbes has put out their 2010 Forbes “Hip Hop Cash Kings” list, which includes many returners as well as some rookies. For the second year in a row, Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter tops the list with estimated gross earnings of $63 million, while second- ranked Sean “Diddy” Combs pulled in $30 million.
Mr. Carter’s earnings stemmed from the release of his album Blueprint 3, the launch of his worldwide tour, his 40/40 nightclub chain, as well as his partial ownership of the New Jersey Nets. Diddy’s role in Get Him To The Greek, Diago vodka, Ciroc, Diddybeats ear-buds, and other miscellaneous roles in television and film, helped him cash in his $30 million.
Lady Gaga, the Konvict Clothing label, and a World Cup soccer ad campaign with Pepsi, assisted Aliuane “Akon” Thiam in his first top five appearance on Hip Hop Cash Kings. Akon ranks number three with $21 million, and right behind him Dwayne “Lil Wayne” Carter lands himself a spot at number four with $20 million. Andre “Dr. Dre” Young rounds out the top five with $17 million from his Beats by Dr. Dre headphone line.
Check out the rest of the list, and the estimated earning of the 2010 Forbes “Hip Hop Cash Kings” here:
Drake No. 11 on Forbes list of highest-earning rappers

TORONTO — Toronto rapper Drake is already among the world’s richest rappers.
According to Forbes Magazine, the 23-year-old — whose real name is Aubrey Graham — made US$10 million over the past year to place as the 11th highest-earning hip-hop artist.
The two-time Grammy nominee topped such industry veterans as Eminem, T.I. and 50 Cent. He was also the highest-earning newcomer on the list.
The magazine attributed Drake’s earning prowess to his record deal and advertising agreements with Sprite and Virgin America.
His debut, “Thank Me Later,” has been certified platinum in Canada and the U.S. since dropping in June.
Jay-Z unsurprisingly topped the list with a $63-million haul, followed by Sean (Diddy) Combs, Akon, Lil Wayne and Dr. Dre.