NEW YORK (RPRN) 7/13/2009–The recession in America has effected everyone even hip-hop’s royalty according to Forbes Magazine, who recently released Hip-Hop’s Cash Kings of 2009. The names on the list were familiar but they amount of money they made in the last 12 months is dramatically different from the previous year’s list.
Jay-Z topped the list this year but he do so while bringing in less than half of the $82 million he made last year. This year, Jigga only needed $35 million to top the list that 50 Cent ruled last year. In 2008, fueled by his sale of Vitamin Water, 50 brought in $150 million, this year the Queens MC dropped to fourth place in a tie with Akon after bringing in $20 million dollars in the last year. In second place is Diddy who made $30 million followed by Kanye West who brought in $25 million.
In all the top 20 Cash Kings of Hip-Hop made $300 million this year which is down from the $500 million they made last year. 50 Cent’s Vitamin Water deal was responsible for 1/5 of last year’s total but not including down the Cash Kings still brought in $100 million less than last year. Blame it on the recession.
1. Jay-Z $35 million
2. P. Diddy $30 million
3. Kanye West $25 million
4. Akon $20 million
5. 50 Cent $20 million
6. Lil Wayne $18 million
7. Timbaland $17 million
8. Pharrell $16 million
9. T-Pain $15 million
10. Eminem $14 million
11. Dr. Dre $13 million
12. Snoop $11 million
13. Ludacris $10 million
14. Common $8 million
15. will.i.am $8 million
16. Swizz Beatz $8 million
17. T.I. $8 million
18. Andre 3000 $7 million
19. Big Boi $7 million
20. Flo Rida $6 million
21. Rick Ross $6 million
22. The Game $6 million
23. Young Jeezy $6 million
Source: Yo! Raps Magazine