Jay-Z Tops 2009 Forbes Hip-Hop Cash Kings List

[G-Unit Promotions]

Forbes dropped their annual Hip-Hop Cash Kings list of rap’s biggest earners today.

The past year has been even crueler to rap than it's been to Wall Street. Over the past 12 months, hip-hop's top 20 earners banked $300 million, down 40% from a year ago. The culprit: declining record sales and the disappearance of the mega-deals that once enriched hip-hop stars and corporate executives alike. Still, rising stars like Akon and T-Pain continue to brighten the hip-hop firmament, finding ever more creative ways to make money.

How Forbes Get the Numbers

The Forbes Hip-Hop Cash Kings list includes male recording artists whose work is primarily classified as hip-hop or rap. Earnings estimates, which include income from record sales, digital downloads, touring, films, TV shows, endorsements, books and other entertainment ventures, are calculated between June 2008 and June 2009. Management, agent and attorney fees are not deducted.

In order to determine otheir list, Forbes interviewed numerous sources within the music industry--including lawyers, media buyers and many of the artists themselves. We also conducted research via Billboard, Pollstar, Nielsen SoundScan and the Recording Industry Association of America, among others.


The Complete List:
1. Jay-Z - 35 Million
2. Diddy - 30 Million
3. Kanye West - 25 Million
4. 50 Cent - 20 Million
5. Akon - 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 Dogg - 11 Million
13. Ludacris - 10 Million
14. Common - 8 Million
15. Will.I.Am - 8 Million
16. T.I. - 8 Million
17. Swizz Beatz - 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

[Jordan305]

wow fif made $20 mill and he only ame out with a g unit album thats something.Doing 1/3 of the worka nd still banked he made $150 mill last year so he still on top jay only make $35 mill i think hes lies on the papers cuz hes been making that for the past 3 years.Ross owes over his budget hahaha

[Sean]

50 cent give me 6 mixtapes the listen to,, what the fuck did the rest of those niggas did for Us....... Fuck them all, but not my nigga jeezy

[Kevin "KJ" Johnsn]

Even if 50 did put an album out he wouldn't be above Kanye!!!! G-Unit may be over unless they do a overhaul of their talent. This list isnt just based on having an album out. These cats get money 100 different ways.

[Rick Pommells]

lol

[ErrY D]

i cant believe it main., niggas in here laughin at people main 6 mill a year main. goddamn main., i put my life on the line main., and i get like 1 percent of it main., goddamn ya'll main., ya'll some fuck ups main, go fuckin kill urselfs

[mike lauderdale]

http://www.myspace.com/mikelauderdale01

[Dionna King]

Saw Jay @ mohegan last night, yeah I can c how that can happen..."what's his MF name?? Jigga!! lol =)

[EA$YMONEY]

MY NIGGA JEEZY SO PAST CUCCI MANE AND HO JUICE MANE THAT MY NIGGA MAKIN MOVE STREET NIGGA IN FORBES YOU KILLIN THEM YOUNG

[pimpinhos]

anything over 2 million is huge money, you can live 50 years without workin wit tat kinda money. those artsts are lucky to be alive

[LARRYKUMA]

This message is personal to 50,fif the pic above tells that Jay have one love for u,pls dont beef with him