Jay-Z is the richest rapper in the world as of October 2026, with an estimated net worth of $2.8 billion. This top 10 ranks rappers by what they are worth today, counting music, labels, brands and investments. Dr. Dre sits second at around $1 billion, and the rest of the list runs down to $160 million.
| Rank | Rapper | Net worth |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jay-Z | $2.8 billion |
| 2 | Dr. Dre | $1 billion |
| 3 | Ye (Kanye West) | $400 million |
| 4 | Eminem | $300 million |
| 5 | Drake | $250 million |
| 6 | Pharrell Williams | $220 million |
| 7 | Snoop Dogg | $200 million |
| 8 | Travis Scott | $190 million |
| 9 | Lil Wayne | $170 million |
| 10 | Ice Cube | $160 million |
1. Jay-Z: Net worth $2.8 billion
Shawn Carter was the first hip-hop billionaire, crossing the line in 2019, and he has kept pulling away. He started with Roc-A-Fella Records in the 1990s, then turned his name into clothes, drinks and sports management. More on the numbers in our Jay-Z net worth breakdown.
The big checks came from outside music. He sold the Rocawear brand rights to Iconix for $204 million in 2007, bought the Armand de Brignac champagne brand in 2014, and later sold Tidal to Block (formerly Square). Roc Nation, his entertainment and sports agency, adds a steady income stream.
The number rests on the Rocawear sale price, the champagne and cognac brands, and the Tidal and Roc Nation stakes valued at deal prices.
2. Dr. Dre: Net worth $1 billion
Andre Young produced the records that defined West Coast rap, then got paid far more for headphones. Apple bought Beats in 2014 for $3.4 billion, and Dre, a co-founder with Jimmy Iovine, took a large cut of it.
He still runs Aftermath Entertainment, the label behind Kendrick Lamar and Eminem, and co-produced Eminem’s 2024 album and Snoop Dogg’s 2024 album Missionary. In 2025 he opened a performing arts center at his old high school in Compton.
Our figure starts from the Beats sale price and his reported share, then adds label income and real estate.
3. Ye (Kanye West): Net worth $400 million
Ye lost his biggest paycheck in October 2022, when Adidas ended the Yeezy partnership that had made him a billionaire on paper. His 10-year Gap deal ended in 2022 too. Our Kanye West net worth page covers the earlier peak.
He still sells records and tickets. His album Bully came out in March 2026, and two Los Angeles stadium shows in April 2026 reportedly sold about $33 million in tickets.
We built the figure from the Yeezy sneaker line’s past royalties, music catalog earnings and real estate, then marked down for the end of both retail deals. Estimates for him vary widely.
4. Eminem: Net worth $300 million
Marshall Mathers has sold over 220 million records and holds 11 number-one albums on the Billboard 200. “Lose Yourself” won the Oscar for best original song after 8 Mile in 2002.
His 2024 album The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce) kept the catalog earning, and he co-owns Shady Records with manager Paul Rosenberg. Music publishing and touring do most of the work now.
Our model leans on album and streaming totals plus publishing rights. Public estimates for him run from $250 million upward.
5. Drake: Net worth $250 million
Aubrey Graham has more Billboard Hot 100 entries than any other artist, and the streaming era paid him accordingly. His OVO brand covers clothing, a record label and the Virginia Black whisky line, and he has a Nike line called NOCTA.
He is also the Toronto Raptors’ global ambassador. Touring and catalog income remain the base, with endorsements and brand deals on top.
The estimate is built from his reported label deal, tour grosses and his equity in the brands he co-owns.
6. Pharrell Williams: Net worth $220 million
Pharrell broke through as half of the Neptunes production team and the voice of N.E.R.D. before “Happy” became a global hit in 2013. He founded Billionaire Boys Club in 2005 with Nigo.
In 2023 he took over as men’s creative director at Louis Vuitton, succeeding Virgil Abloh. He also runs the Something in the Water festival, and in late 2025 he reportedly paid around €62.5 million for a Paris property.
We started with production credits and songwriting royalties, then added his brands and the fashion salary we think a creative director earns.
7. Snoop Dogg: Net worth $200 million
Calvin Broadus has been releasing music since Doggystyle in 1993. His real money now comes from business: he bought the Death Row Records brand in 2022 and invests through his venture firm, Casa Verde Capital.
Television and endorsements round it out, from cooking shows to the Paris 2024 Olympics, where he became a regular on NBC’s coverage. Missionary, his 2024 album, was mostly produced by Dr. Dre.
The figure is our estimate from catalog value, the Death Row purchase, and his fund and endorsement income.
8. Travis Scott: Net worth $190 million
Jacques Webster, from Houston, topped the charts with Astroworld (2018) and Utopia (2023). His Cactus Jack label and merchandise brand turned out to be a bigger business than the records.
Brand partnerships, including Nike and Jordan sneakers and a 2020 McDonald’s meal, keep his name selling. His Utopia tour was among the biggest hip-hop tours of 2023 and 2024.
We estimate his worth from reported tour revenue, sneaker royalties and label income. He is the newest name on this list.
9. Lil Wayne: Net worth $170 million
Dwayne Carter signed with Cash Money as a preteen and founded Young Money Entertainment in 2005. That label discovered Drake and Nicki Minaj. His 2008 album Tha Carter III sold over a million copies in its first week.
He has won five Grammys, and the Young Money catalog and touring still carry his income.
The estimate comes from Young Money’s artist deals, album sales and the concert circuit.
10. Ice Cube: Net worth $160 million
O’Shea Jackson started in N.W.A and switched into film with Friday (1995) and the Barbershop series. He co-founded the Big3 three-on-three basketball league in 2017.
He earns from movie franchises, music publishing and the league, which gives him the most diversified income of anyone near the bottom of this list.
Our number stacks the franchise payouts, music royalties and a share of the league’s value.
Watch on Alux
Watch: 10 Richest Rappers with Impressive Businesses
The habits that let people afford this
Short audio lessons on money, mindset and discipline, in the Alux app.
Get the Alux app →FAQ
Who is the richest rapper in the world in 2026?
Jay-Z, with an estimated net worth of $2.8 billion as of October 2026.
Is Jay-Z a billionaire?
Yes. He became the first hip-hop billionaire in 2019, mainly through champagne and cognac brands, the Rocawear sale and stakes in Tidal and Roc Nation.
Who is the second richest rapper?
Dr. Dre, at around $1 billion, mostly from Apple’s $3.4 billion Beats purchase in 2014.
Who moved up or dropped out compared with older lists?
Drake, Travis Scott and Pharrell Williams now rank. 50 Cent, Timbaland, Nelly and Sean Combs are no longer in the top 10 on our figures.
Which rapper made the most from business rather than music?
Jay-Z and Dr. Dre. Both earned far more from selling brands than from albums.
How are rapper net worths calculated?
We combine deal prices, catalog and touring income, and brand stakes. The numbers are estimates and rounded.
How we estimate net worth
Our estimates are based on public reporting, company valuations, and deal and earnings figures all compiled in an internal valuation model. They are approximate, and figures change over time as new information emerges.
For this list we leaned on brand sale prices, label and catalog earnings, and tour revenue. Where estimates conflicted we used the higher realistic one.
Last updated: October 2026.
