Rap used to be my favorite genre of music until I shifted to trance and heavy metal and from then on I have never looked back. That is not the case with most of you out there, of that I am sure. Loads of our readers are hardcore rap and hip hop fans and this particular list goes out to you. Check out how much your favorite rap artist made in the year 2011. The list is ranked based on the annual earnings for the year 2011. Enjoy the read!
10. LUDACRIS
He earned $12 million in the year 2011.
Christopher Brian Bridges was born on the 11th September of year 1977. He is an actor and a rapper from the States. He is also the co-founder of Disturbing the Peace. He has won a Screen Actors Guild, Critic’s Choice, MTV and three Grammy Awards. He was born in Champaign, Illinois at then moved to Atlanta Georgia. His career started in the year 1997. His latest record was released in the year 2010 called Battle of the Sexes. Interestingly, he started his career as a disc jockey.
9. AKON
He earned $13 million in the year 2011.
His real name is Aliaune Damala Badara Akon Thiam and he was born on the 16th April of 1973. He is a songwriter, record producer, rapper and also a businessman. He rose to fame in the year 2004 with the first single of his debut album Trouble. The single was called Locked Up. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri in United States and his career started in the year 1996. He originates from Dakar in Senegal. I loved his song by the name of ‘yeah’. That’s when I discovered him.
8. DR DRE
He earned $14 million in the year 2011.
He was born on the 18th February of 1965 and his birth name is Andre Romelle Young. He is an entrepreneur, rapper, record producer and record executive. He founded and is currently the CEO of Aftermath Entertainment. He has produced albums for many acclaimed rappers such as Snoop Dogg, Eminem, 50 Cent and Game. He was born in Compton, California and his origins lie in Los Angeles, California. His career started in the year 1983 and he is known for this trademark ‘beats’ audio.
7. SNOOP DOGG
He earned $14 million in the year 2011.
His actual name is Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. and he was born on the 20th October of year 1971. I personally do not like his work. He is an actor, rapper and record producer based in America. His career started in the year 1992 and is into Hip hop, reggae and dub. Due to many reasons he is also known as Snoop Lion now instead of Snoop Dogg. His debut album was released in 1993 by the name of ‘doggystyle’. It ranked number one on Billboard 200 and R&B charts.
6. EMINEM
He earned $14 million in the year 2011.
He was born on the 17th October of 1972 in Saint Joseph, Missouri, United States. His career started in 1992. His birth name is Marshall Bruce Mathers III and he was originally known as Slim Shady. He is a rapper, record producer, actor and songwriter based in America. Eminem rose to popularity in the year 1999. He is one of the rappers I do not really like as well.
5. BIRDMAN
He earned $15 million in the year 2011.
His birth name is Bryan Williams and he was born on the 15th February of 1969. He is commonly known as Birdman or Baby. He is a businessman, record producer and a rapper. He is into hip hop and rap and his career started in 1989. Birdman is the co-founder of Cash Money Records. You should know that Lil Wayne happens to be his son. He adopted Lil Wayne. His net worth is around $ 110 million. He also formed an oil and gas exploration company in early 2010. It was called Bronald Oil and Gas. It was a joint venture with his brother Slim.
4. LIL WAYNE
He earned $15 million in the year 2011.
He was born on the 27th September of 1982 and is an American rapper. His actual name is Dwanye Michael Carter, Jr. He is a rapper and a songwriter and his career began in 1992. He joined Cash Money Records when he was nine years old. In the year 1997 he joined a group called Hot Boys and they debuted with the album called Get It How U Live! in the same year. He gained most of his popularity from the album Guerrilla Warfare that was released in 1999.
3. KANYE WEST
He earned $16 million in the year 2011.
Kanye Omari West was born on the 8th June of 1977. He is an American musician, fashion designer and film director. He actually rose to fame as a producer. He gained popularity with his work on the Jay-Z’s album called The Blueprint. He released his own debut album in the year 2004 and it was called The College Dropout. He was born in Atlanta, Georgia, United States and his career started in the year 1996. He also happens to be a music video director.
2. DIDDY
He earned $35 million in the year 2011.
Known as P. Diddy, Diddy and Puff Daddy, Sean John Combs was born on the 4th November of year 1969 in the New York City. He happens to be a rapper, singer, actor, entrepreneur and a record producer based in America. He founded Bad Boy Records in 1993 and released his debut album in 1997 which was called No Way Out. He has won three Grammy Awards and two MTV Video Music Awards. He is also the producer of Making the Band. His career started in the year 1988.
1. JAY Z
He earned $37 million in the year 2011.
He is an American rapper, songwriter, record producer and entrepreneur. His birth name is Shawn Corey Carter and he was born on the 4th December of 1969. He happens to be one of the most financially successful hip hop entrepreneurs. He is the creator of Rocawear and the former CEO of Def Jam Recordings. His career started in the year 1989. According to Rolling Stone, he is ranked as the 88th greatest artist of all time.