Earlier this year Forbes released their annual list of hip hop’s wealthiest artists, and JAY-Z lead them all with a net worth hovering at an estimated $900 million. Forbes has now shared their annual report of the world’s highest-paid hip hop acts of 2018, with Jay once again leading the pack.
However, there are some newer faces on the list as well. Names like Russ, the Migos, Lil Uzi Vert, Travis Scott are to be expected, but the biggest surprise of the group would have to be Nas, as he makes the list for the very first time in his near-three decade long career. God’s Son debuts at No. 6, thanks to some timely investments:
A few years back, Nas kindled a friendship with venture capitalist Ben Horowitz at a dinner party and has since snagged stakes in Silicon Valley darlings (Lyft, Coinbase) and online media (Genius, Mass Appeal).
His interest in these startups is only natural, he says. “[Hip-hop artists] are always advancing technology–from one turntable to two turntables and a fader.” He has already enjoyed some exits, including the reported $1.1 billion sale of doorbell startup Ring to Amazon in February. “There wasn’t a time when [rappers] didn’t think about investing. It just so happens that the world is opening up.”
The list can be seen below.
20. Swizz Beatz
20. Russ
20. Meek Mill
19. Logic
18. Lil Wayne
17. Lil Uzi Vert
16. Birdman
15. Travis Scott
14. Chance The Rapper
13. Eminem
12. Migos
11. DJ Khaled
10. Kanye West
9. Future
8. Pitbull
6. Nas
6. Dr. Dre
5. J. Cole
4. Drake
3. Kendrick Lamar
2. Diddy
1. JAY-Z
