Diddy Tops Forbes Cash King List

It’s that time of the year and Forbes has released this year’s Cash King’s top 20 list. Dr. Dre cashes in at numero uno.

UPDATE: Diddy’s back on this year’s Forbes list and reigns supreme. Peep the updated video breakdown above.

1. Diddy ($50 million)
2. Jay Z ($43 million)
3. Dr. Dre ($40 million)
4. Nicki Minaj ($29 million)
5. Birdman ($21 million)
6. Kanye West ($20 million)
7. Lil Wayne ($16 million)
8. Wiz Khalifa ($14 million)
9. Ludacris ($12 million)
10. Drake ($10.5 million)
11. Snoop Lion ($10 million, tie)
12. Eminem ($10 million, tie)
14. Kendrick Lamar ($9 million, tie)
14. Pharrell Williams ($9 million, tie)
14. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis ($9 million, tie)
17. Swizz Beatz ($8.5 million)
18. Tech N9ne ($7.5 million)
19. 50 Cent ($7 million)
20. Lil Jon ($6 million, tie)

Sidebar: 7 Years of Cash Kings

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  1. Your mother's "friend" says:

    I find it hard to believe Wiz kahlifa made more than 50, where do forbes get their numbers from ??

  2. Real Talk. says:

    I’m guessing this was based on their income from the past year. Had it been networth, it would’ve been different. But damn 5 mf’s from YMCMB made the list though and 4 of them made top 10

  3. Damn says:

    YMCMB Winning like hell 4 artist in the top 10 under 1 label…

  4. The_Man says:

    Why do people care so much about who has the most money

  5. Real Talk. says:

    Your mother’s friend, it doesn’t mean Wiz is richer than 50, he just made more in whatever period they recorded their data from. 50 is def richer than Wiz and Ross, they just made more money than 50 since Fif is yet to put an album out for sale. Wiz has had albums and been on tours amongst others, so has Rozay…makes sense

  6. asdfjlkasdf says:

    rozay always talkin about money, dat mafucker tied with wiz khalifa

  7. Your mother's "friend" says:

    All that work Swizz did for Reebok, Lotus, Aston Martin , Christian Louboutin & he only made $7 mill ? what about royalties from his extensive back catalogue ?? i don’t know these numbers are looking funny to me

  8. Bo Nation says:

    Only the top 5 seem believeable…the rest seem as if they just threw names in to make it look good

  9. Cinsere says:

    The top 3 spells “ASS.” #illuminati

  10. @Artise1 says:

    50 hasn’t had a album out since 2009 and he still getting caked up. Ross got a whole stable of n*ggas and only made 9. Wale made 5. I see Ross not a Birdman type dude.

  11. B.Dot says:

    LOL ok ROZAYYY! “the biggest boss that we’ve seen thus far” pitbull made more money than u last year. LMAO. This guy is a joke

  12. michelle michelle says:

    I’m surprised 50 made as much as he did. He’s not selling music or touring so he made that from headphones and his energy drink, neither of which I thought were all that successful.

    I assumed it would have thought it would have been less. Good for him.

  13. Hops says:

    Damn Slaugterhouse first week sales were so bad it couldnt even get its own post lool

  14. Inside I'm Ice!, Outside I'm Lava! says:

    @ cinsere I think that flew over their heads! LOL! Good one, anyway I gotta feeling Jay or Ye is gonna use my tag name in a song! Wait! Stop! Did Pusha already used something like my tag name? “A hot temper, mixed with a cold killer” (New God Flow). guess what ya’ll those rappers read our comments!

  15. @Artise1 says:

    You have to take half of Wayne’s earnings and kick it back up to Birdman, same goes for Drake, Nicki and Tyga.

  16. dickridasucka says:

    ok forbes u needa get ur numbers right

    get wat nicki and drake did and divide that by 5( and thats jus being generous ) and you might be closer to wat they got paid

    Source: Pusha T ” You signed to one nigga that signed to another nigga
    That’s signed to three niggas, now that’s bad luck”

  17. IamRealTalk ( Rick Ross' GFID 738K FW is Approaching PLATINUM Status - Jeezy Where u At LMAO ) says:

    RICKY ROZAY THE BAWSE

    ALBUM APPROACHING PLATINUM STATUS SOON !!!

    HE’S RICHER THAN ALL THEM MUTHUFUCKAS ON THAT LIST !!!

    I TOLD YOU !!!

    HE KILLED 50 AND JEEZY’S CAREERS !!!

    MAFIA MUSIC KILLED 50S CAREER

    SUMMER’S MINE KILLED JEEZY’S CAREER !!!

  18. @ONEMANBEATS says:

    50 CENT ONLY MADE 7 MILL? U sure?

  19. Keith says:

    Dr. Dre crushed this year.

  20. ***CROMER BEATS*** says:

    …The funny part is niggas commenting are teasing dudes for making ONLY A COUPLE MILLION THIS YEAR…say that to yourself 5 times over and you will see the hilarity in that. Thatisall…LOL

    BTW Hard ass beats—-> http://www.youtube.com/user/cromerbeats?feature=guide

  21. ceaze says:

    dr dre ripped us off with dat wack ass beats……but it aint easy to rip people off though…thumbs up.how did eminem place that high???? He aint got no big businesses and he has no album out.

  22. Nathaniel says:

    the reality is, everybody on that list is a millionaire. so to say “hahahah ______ always talking about money and he…” and he what, niggas? he doesn’t have as many million as somebody else on the list?

    some of y’all are clowns. i applaud all these niggas working hard for whatever portion they get.

  23. Donn says:

    Lol at niggas hating on niggas making millions, any kinda million is still a lot so congrats to every body on this list. Inspiring to see that many black ppl with that much bread

  24. Black Shady says:

    shouts to Fif…making money off music. but his time at the top of this list is probably over. Nigga got hundreds of millions so who cares

    SHOUTS TO MY NIGGA COLE on his 5milli!!!!!! COLE WORLD!

  25. dee says:

    niggas fail to realize half the people on this list didnt have albums in the last year birdman,luda,eminem,ross,wiz,snoop etc all got money with out having albums out in that time period RESPECT

  26. LuckyAmir says:

    All I see is a bunch of black millionaires. Niggas on here clownin MILLIONAIRES. REALLY? Lol…kudos to all that made the list. Shoutout to you niggas struggling to keep the lights on. Now THAT’S black excellence. Lmao….smh.

  27. brollya says:

    damn mac miller makin 6.5. independently wit no help or no bum ass record labels…. no thats my hero

  28. Cruel Thing says:

    Damn, I’m surprised Lupe made this list at all

  29. brl says:

    This list is a “who’s who?” for Hip Hop gold diggers, ladies.

  30. Tim Lee VA Stand Up says:

    HAHAHAHAHA Look at Rick Ross, that bitch aint no fuckin Boss – Lindsey Lohan makes more than him.

  31. Mostfacekillah says:

    300,000 in a year would change your life. Stop acting like you know what real money is. Fuck rich lets get wealthy.

  32. brl says:

    @ Tim Lee VA Stand Up,

    * D E A D * SO true! Wait until he gets that Krispy Kreme endorsement though! It’ll be a wrap.

  33. Siy@ says:

    Uh i dont believe these numbers … theres no way 50 can make almost as much money (1.5mill diffrence as) Rick Ross while 50 was sitting on his ass and Ross had his best year ever in hip hop.

    Where on earth did 50 get 7.5mill ?! the only thing that came out of 50/G-unit in the period 1 March 2011 – 1 March 2012 was THE BIG 10 mixtape.

    f*ck outta here how can 50 make as much as Ross at Rossz peak.

  34. onenutned says:

    these niggas ballin…fuck the hate.

  35. Evil says:

    EM at nr 9,racked in 15mill$ without releasing shit.EM stay WINNING

  36. V.S says:

    for those interested in how they compiled these numbers, i found this off the website that’s linked in the post..

    “Methodology
    To compile the Cash Kings list, which charts pretax earnings for all living artists whose work is primarily classified as hip-hop or rap, we looked at income from touring, record sales, publishing, films, merchandise sales, endorsements and other ventures. Management, agent and attorney fees are not deducted; earnings are tabulated from May 2011 to May 2012 and based on data from Pollstar, the Recording Industry Association of America and Nielsen SoundScan, and from interviews with numerous managers, lawyers, record executives and some of the artists themselves. Full coverage: The Forbes Hip-Hop Cash Kings”

  37. Keith says:

    Now I’m worried Detox will never come out. Why release an album when you can just plaster your name onto some overpriced-ass headphones and make hundred of millions from it? Not hatin. Go Dre.

  38. @Artise1 says:

    Detox. March 24, 2028

  39. HJOOD says:

    fuck Dr. Dre, tell that She Thang to retire already

  40. tj says:

    that shit say snoop lion

  41. ess says:

    Surprised to see mac on there. Show money addin up nice for him.

  42. TiCaL says:

    SO HAPPY THAT JAY AIN’T #1. TIRED OF HIS WEAK ASS SONGS BOASTIN HOW MUCH MONEY HE GOT. #BORINGASSOLDCAMEL

  43. Unknown says:

    How the fuck did Em earn 15 mill? He hasn’t done shit for the past 2 years .. Smh he stays winning.

  44. phillyway says:

    So in all actuality baby made 10 becuz he shares that label with his Brother

  45. Dconstrukt says:

    Curtis Jackson said he was going to fuck up Rick Ross’s life for fun…Am still waiting for that to happen…

  46. the ripper says:

    @Unknown,

    You have to understand that Em’s albums r still selling worldwide. He is also able to command when he tours around the world. These dudes r caked up over Interscope. Remember Em did not sign no 360 deal like most these rapping fools nor did he sign with Cash Money – Baby be raping his artists like a mofo…lol My reason for saying that is because Lil Wayne should’ve made wayyyyyyyy more than 27 million. You telling me Drake m

  47. REALEST says:

    ROSS WINS AGAIN 9 MILL LAST YEAR WITH NO ALBUM OUT AND HE SIGNED WALE WHO MADE 5MILL ..ROSS EATING AND HE MAKING HIS NIGGAS EAT

  48. haaaaaaaaa says:

    think about it some of there dudes grinding to make what they make but 50 n em has no album n still competing with the best whos winning?????? they doing something right

  49. bcro28 says:

    damn, 50 cent made 7.5 mil with no album out in three years. luda came out of no where. so did em.

  50. M.T says:

    rappers dont make that much off album sales. its mostly endorsements, touring, business ventures etc. the list seems about right. shout out to cole. next year im expecting him to be in the top 20.

  51. Angelo says:

    Congrats to all these guys…now hopefully they can go make some dope music, b/c nobody on the list is making dope music right now! Hustle has become more important than Quality of Product in Hip Hop.

  52. DRU says:

    I GUESS 50 CHANGED HIS MIND N GAVE THE DEATH BLOW TO BANKS AND YAYO INSTEAD BECAUSE ROSS STILL GETTIN THT PAPER

  53. kayandgee says:

    niggaz eating yo! love it, haters are dissing but even the crumbs from these winners will change their lives for good

  54. AfricaZK says:

    Eminem = 15 milli $ without album or business
    if eminem has business like clothes line beats movies will be number 1

  55. SWAG SO MEAN ON THEM FUCKIN HOES says:

    ROC WINS HAHA !! Y’ALL THINKIN YMCMBITCHES WON?!?! HELL NAW. BIRDMAN AND WAYNE BEEN TALKIN SHIT THAT THEY HAD MO MONEY THAN JAY!
    WAYNE DEER AND SEX PARTNER LIL BIRDY BIRD FLYING HIGH WITH THAT BABY MONEY!

    jay-z quote ” I’m like “Really: half a billi nigga, really?” you got baby money
    Keep it real with niggas, niggas ain’t got my lady’s money”

    THEM DUMMIES MAY HAVE GOTTEN TO THE FORBES LIST BUT THEY AIN’T FUCKIN WITH THAT BOY JAY.

    I SEE U MAC MILLY! I don’t dudes’ music but real talk this dude made shit real though. SELF PROMOTION ! HIS OWN BOSS ! LOOK AT HIM NOW! FUCK A DEAL SON !

    TRUTH BE TOLD CONGRATS TO ALL OF THEM NONTHELESS

  56. TRUE TALK says:

    DR DRE NUMBERS LOOK LIKE THAT BECAUSE HTC BOUGHT DRE BEATS FOR 300 MIL he GOT 1/3 OF IT THATS ALL OFF ONE DEAL..CONSISTENTLY IS ALL ABOUT DIDDY AND HOV

  57. TRUE TALK says:

    eminem does have many businesses his own radio show clothing line etc

  58. jam b says:

    dr. dre damn. fuck ymcmb and that fat fuck cop ross..

  59. Gayke says:

    Why does Drake’s worthless ass has more money than me?

  60. J says:

    Moros barely speak English & will make more money than most of us. I love this country.

  61. Joe Anderson says:

    You mean to tell me Rick Ross and Wale made respectively $9 million and $5 million, and Tony Yayo and Lloyd didn’t make the list!? Something’s wrong with this list

  62. The original lucci says:

    Rozay will be top next year I guarantee it!! Timbo still on the list aint did shit since documetary

  63. Mar-tian says:

    RR y’all need to stop linking these old posts to the new ones. it makes navigating the comments so much more difficult

  64. Reginald says:

    KENNY THOMAS IS COMING!!!

  65. brollya says:

    hope ya know its only for this year tho…. not overall

  66. KillaTesh says:

    Damn, I’m of Young Money but they still make big bucks. The hell did Nicki do this past year to get 29 mill? Endorsements? Modeling?

  67. brollya says:

    damn wer ross at….. 50 winning on some quiet shit…..
    all dat money they talk
    niggaz is hood rich, not forbe list rich

  68. Darryl says:

    How much had The Game maked????

  69. luxuryrap says:

    where’s Maybach Music???

  70. CellaDwella says:

    Shout to ZoomZoom for predicting the end of MMG. Fat Boy is nowhere on this list lmao. Im surprised Game or T.I. are not on this list.

  71. Goat says:

    Diddy still crushing the game.

  72. Facts says:

    The original lucci says:
    Friday, September 14 2012 at 2:48 AM EST
    Rozay will be top next year I guarantee it!! Timbo still on the list aint did shit since documetary

    ^ no cop in sight on this years’ list….

  73. Crewz Control says:

    K.Dot not bad bruva … HiiiPower Biiitch

  74. Gddhxj says:

    I think they cut off at 20 on purpose. Lol. How the hell did jeezy make the same amount as officer Ricky. Jeezy a silent hustler.

  75. Dashing says:

    Yeah, once again I see absolutely no value to not creating a new post for this rather than updating and then linking to the previous post. So now we have to scroll thru comments from a year ago to see the new comments?

    What is the point of that? Really?

    Shout out to Lil Jon, still making millions…who knew?

  76. Dtubdh says:

    Ross is on the list and so is jeezy. Rr didn’t post the full list. Another l for mmg.

  77. Marvin dakid says:

    Rozaaayyyy ahahahahha. Lil jon but no rozay. Fake nigga

  78. Hip Pop Is Alive! says:

    Niggers love to “COMMENT” on another man’s money. GO MAKE YOUR OWN!

  79. watchthethrone says:

    Nicki on the come up!

  80. brollya says:

    damn i see no mmg dick riders in here now
    ya used to be takin over wen some shit happened to g unit
    how mmg aint even in the top 20 and they on tv lik almost everyday

  81. Black Shady says:

    It’s crazy when you see how much these niggas make every year. Ridiculous!!!

  82. eastpointvet says:

    i really hate when they recycle post and update them instead of making a new post. i can see for something like an update on an album going platinum but this is a new year new list it should be a new post.

  83. mackfree says:

    Lil jons making money equivlent to fif. when?

  84. Hewh says:

    who cares what they bank? we’ve got more important issues than what the fuck bullshit rappers make

  85. Facts says:

    Lil Jon is on tour ALL THE TIME. literally. since you stopped hearing from him he has been touring. He gets more than 20k a show OUTSIDE the US. Plus he tours the most famous clubs across the U.S. and is djing on NYE and all that stuff. The hustle is real. Instead of trying a desperate comeback he’s just doing his thing and I respect that

    On another note, remember when Jon had the clubs on lock and started dozens of fights haha… better than this soft gay ass shit you see these days in the clubs… guys reciting singing ass drake smh WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT

  86. Earl says:

    Damn Fiddy ….. Tech N9ne? made more than you?

  87. stoner says:

    Imagine If Eminem Does 50 Shows A Year….!!! Respect To Everyone On That List And All Hard Workers Around The Globe…..

  88. novakaine says:

    lil jon still eatin tho

  89. Corporate Thug says:

    I can tell so of yal are still driving old wips. LMAO Because you would know that Em is getting that Shade 45 XM radio paper. I thought he would place higher if you ask me. XD

  90. sean says:

    MMG going have to cool down with the money rap the number are matching up

  91. kallywood says:

    wiz bankin over drake,that boy good.

    Tech n9ne must be sittin on a pile of money too..

  92. Tec1Nyc says:

    Am i the only one who is wondering why the F Lil Jon on that list?
    Tech N9ne caking out of nowhere? Idk man, sounds fishy…

  93. windycityg72 says:

    50 a hustler he don’t need rap money and the list shows that, dude has a business mind like diddy and hov.

    Em is on the list cause he probably get half a mill. a show over seas maybe more….plus he got yella and slaughter house grinding out there

  94. nutzz says:

    I’m not hatin but how in the great FUCK did LIL JOHN end up on the list?!?!?!

  95. Stoner says:

    ^^Lil John Is A Very Good And Expensive DJ… Global…That’s How..

  96. RECK says:

    DON’T SLEEP on TECH N9NE. #1 Selling Independent artist of ALL TIME! #1 Selling Independent hip-hop label Strange Music!

  97. flo says:

    Kendrick only made 1.5m less than Drake? I think Drake is feeling the heat now, putting down Kendrick whenever he can. That control verse caught some feelings.

  98. mag says:

    these cats made all that money and the police with still tazer the hell out of them, i bet neither of these artist have their own garden. run of the mills

  99. Leon Sandcastle says:

    These niggas made stupid money. I aint buying NO MORE CD’s. They’ll be fine

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