Top 5 rap moguls unveiled

Back in 2007, The popular song by 50 cents “I Get Money” was remixed in conjuction with Jay Z and Diddy to celebrate their inclusion atop the first-ever Forbes Hip-Hop cash kings list.

This year, the trio also made it to ForbeS Five, a short list of hip-hop’s wealthiest mogul. Indeed, the original trio boasts a combined net worth well over a billion dollars. They’re joined by Dr. Dre, flush with cash from his Beats headphone line, and Cash Money Records cofounder Bryan “Birdman” Williams.

1.  Diddy: •

 Diddy founded Bad Boy Records and it has remained in the mainstream for 15 years. Diddy is the master of self promotion.

•   Diddy is receiving double-digit millions annually as a share of profits from the sales of the Diageo-backed Ciroc vodka and might be entitled to nine-figure chunk of cash if the brand is ever sold.

•   Diddy own Sean John and Enyce clothing lines, Blue Flame and couples of tech startups. He’s currently working out the deal with Comcast to launch cable channel ‘Revolt’ in 2013 and this will land him straight to the billionaire’s list.

•  Diddy is absolutely doing fine and we hope to see him in the billionaire’s list soon.

2. Jay Z:

•   Unlike his fellow Forbes Five members, Jay-Z still churns out music and goes on tour—most recently with pal Kanye West—adding to his considerable war chest

•  Jay Z sold his Rocawear clothing label for $204 million in 2007.

•  He signed 10-year $150 million deal with Live Nation in 2008.

• Jay Z holds stakes in the New Jersey Nets, his 40/40 Club chain, ad firm Translation, cosmetics company Carol’s Daughter and other businesses.

•  Jay Z is really up, tight and running.

3. Dr Dre.

•   In August, handset maker HTC paid $300 million to buy a 51% stake in Beats Electronics, the company founded by Dr. Dre and Interscope chief Jimmy Iovine in 2008.

•  Sources say each owned a third of the company before the deal, placing Dre’s cut at $85 million after taxes. The agreement also values Dre’s remaining stake at $100 million, which could increase rapidly as the company continues to expand.

4. Birdman

•   He cofounded Cash Money Records with brother Ronald “Slim” Williams two decades ago, inking very favorable $30 million distribution deal with Universal in 1998

•   The label’s value is increasing with the success of rappers Drake, Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne (who shares ownership of sub-label Young Money)

•  Cash Money’s deal with Universal is up this summer, raising the prospect of a bidding war for the right to distribute the label’s releases.

5. 50 cent

•  The Queens-born rapper earned $100 million on the sale of his Vitaminwater stake in 2007.

•  50 cent also earning tens of millions more from touring, record sales and clothing—but spent freely on cars and renovations to his mansion, formerly owned by Mike Tyson.

•  He’s as well, make income from acting gigs and 50 Cent-themed videogames, shoes and books, as well as his new headphone line SMS. Next up: an energy shot called Street King, which promises to feed hungry children—and 50’s bank account.

Still, there’s no guarantee that hip-hop’s first billionaire will come from this group of five.