Here Are The Highest-Paid Hip Hop Artists Of 2021, According To Forbes
Eye-watering.
Music
Words by Tom Disalvo March 2, 2022

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Drake, Eminem and DJ Khaled make for some of 2021’s lengthiest paychecks.

Forbes has compiled a new list of the top ten highest-paid hip-hop musicians of 2021. The report, which was compiled by analyst Zack O’Malley this morning, counts some of the biggest names in the music industry, whose collective total earnings have amassed nearly $1 billion over the past year. 

Former rap collaborators Jay-Z and Kanye West topped the list, reportedly earning $470 million and $250 million respectively. While Ye’s income was boosted by the release of DONDA in late August, O’Malley’s report suggests that he, along with almost every other top ten entrant, earned the majority of profits through related sponsorships and businesses, from Yeezy sneaker sales to Jay-Z’s Tidal and Armand de Brignac champagne deals.

For his part, hip-hop mainstay Sean Diddy rounded-out the top three, earning some $75 million in 2021 on account of his vodka line. In a three-way tie for tenth place, Tech N9ne, Birdman and Doja Cat each brought in around $25 million, with the latter comprising the only woman included Forbes’ list. Rappers who’d had a mammoth 2021, from Travis Scott to Drake, also make an appearance within the ranks. Scroll down for the complete list of 2021’s highest-paid hip-hop artists. 


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No. 10 (tie): Birdman – $25 million
No. 10 (tie): Doja Cat – $25 million
No. 10 (tie): Tech N9ne – $25 million
No. 9: J Cole – $27 million
No. 8: Eminem – $28 million
No. 7: DJ Khaled – $35 million
No. 6: Travis Scott – $38 million
No. 5: Wiz Khalifa – $45 million
No. 4: Drake – $50 million
No. 3:  Diddy – $75 million
No. 2: Kanye West – $250 million
No. 1:  Jay-Z – $470 million

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