Forbes have just released their annual list of hip hop’s highest paid artists and, while Dr. Dre’s earnings have returned to more normal figures after his landmark 2014 payday, there have been some interesting movements slightly lower down.
Inevitably, Dr. Dre has been knocked off the top spot — his monster 2014 figure of $620 million, made by selling Beats to Apple, has returned to a more usual $33 million. Diddy and Jay Z are back to tussling for the top spots and this year pole position goes to the Puffy one, with $60 million raked in from sales of his Ciroc vodka, fashion brand Sean John and TV network Revolt.
Interestingly, Drake has now climbed into third place with $39.5 million, up one place (and $6.9 million) on last year and a whopping eight places up from 2013. Wiz Khalifa is also on the climb, moving up four places into 8th and increasing his earnings by $8.5 million. Nicki Minaj is still the only woman on the list, climbing two places to rank 9th, with an impressive year on year income increase, from $14 million to $21 million.
Credits
Photography Prince Campbell