Forbes 5 Wealthiest Hip Hop Artists (2014)

 Forbes has released their list of the top five wealthiest hiphop stars. Check out the list below :

Sean “Diddy” Combs -$700 Million

Andre “Dr. Dre” Young” – $550 Million

Shawn “Jay Z” Carter -$ 520 Million

Bryan “Birdman” Williams-  $160 million

Curtis “50 Cent”Jackson -$140 Million

1. 

Sean Combs, 44, has made a large chunk of his estimated $700 million net worth through the "successful" launch of Revolt TV, of which he is a majority owner, Greenburg said. He adds, Revolt TV is "Diddy's answer to MTV."

"He wants to create an MTV for the next generation," with content that translates smoothly on cable, iPad, and other devices, Greenburg said.

Despite success in business, Combs isn't hanging up his music hat yet. He just debuted a single "Big Homie" two weeks ago, using his stage name Puff Daddy.

2. 

Andre "Dr. Dre" Young, 49, is a producer and rapper whose most recent successes relate to his headphone company. Beats by Dr. Dre is only around five years old, but the company's annual sales reportedly exceed $1 billion and covers two-thirds of the headphone market, Forbes reports.

"He transformed something that plays audio into a fashion accessory," Greenburg said. The recent addition in January of subscription service Beats Music and, before that, Beats Pill wireless speakers have contributed to the company's transformation into a lifestyle brand, Greenburg adds.

3

The estimated $520 million net worth of Shawn "Jay Z" Carter, 44, (a.k.a. Mr. Beyonce Knowles) came from the $204 million sale of his clothing brand Rocawear back in 2007 and the $150 million deal with Live Nation in 2008, Forbes reported.

Greenburg said Jay Z is the most successful recording artist out of the people in Forbes' list.

"That enables him to tour a lot and make a ton of money on the road," Greenburg said.

4

Bryan "Birdman" Williams, 45, would have a higher net worth if he wasn't splitting his fortune with his brother, Ronald "Slim" Williams, after the two co-founded Cash Money Records two decades ago, Forbes reports.

The record label represents a slew of hip hop and R&B artists including Nicki Minaj, Drake, Bow Wow, Lil Wayne, Jay Sean, Busta Rhymes and Paris Hilton.

5

Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson III, 38, is the youngest in Forbes' list. The estimated $140 million net worth of the Queens, N.Y., native may have come from the $100 million or so he earned from the sale of VitaminWater in 2007. He hopes to repeat his success with ventures like SK Energy drinks and SMS Audio headphone company.

Jackson will release a new album, Animal Ambition, on June 3.