Dr Dre named world's richest hip-hop artiste after Beats buyout

Dr Dre named world's richest hip-hop artiste after Beats buyout

Hip-hop artiste Dr Dre has topped Billionaire.com's list of the top 10 wealthiest hip-hop artists with an estimated net worth of US$790 million (S$990.3 million).

The 49-year-old knocked Puff Daddy, also known as P. Diddy and Diddy, to second spot following the US$3-billion sale of his music streaming and audio equipment maker Beats to tech giant Apple.

Beyonce's husband Jay-Z is third on the list with an estimated net worth of US$500 million.

Billionaire.com based the ranking on data compiled by intelligence provider Wealth-X.

The website noted that many of those in the list are also major philanthropists, with the main givers being Jay-Z, Puff Daddy and Eminem.

Said editor-at-large Tara Loader Wilkinson: "Huge fan followings, vast wealth and eminent marketability means that these high profile individuals make ideal philanthropists."

"Many are using their position to launch foundations and charities that they feel passionate about, and becoming philanthropic role models as well as hip-hop idols."

Here are the top 10 richest hip-hop artistes in the world:

1. Andre Romelle Young, aka Dr Dre

Net worth: US$790 million

Age: 49

Sideline business: Co-founder of extremely valuable headphones company Beats Electronics.

Philanthropy: With business partner Jimmy Iovine, Young donated US$70 million to establish The Jimmy Iovine and Andre Young Academy for Arts, Technology and the Business of Innovation at the University of Southern California.

2. Sean John Combs, aka Puff Daddy and P. Diddy

Net worth: US$630 million

Age: 44

Sideline businesses: Owns cable TV network Revolt and lifestyle fashion brand Sean John; stakeholder in Ciroc Vodka.

Philanthropy: Donated US$250,000 to the Howard University's School of Business (which gave him an honorary degree after he dropped out); ran the New York City Marathon, raising US$2 million for charities, including New York's public schools, children suffering from AIDS, and his own charity to promote social programmes; on the board of the Hip Hop Summit Action Network not-for-profit organisation for education advocacy and youth empowerment.

3. Shawn Corey Carter, aka Jay-Z

Net worth: US$500 million

Age: 44

Sideline businesses: Owns sports-bar chain 40/40 Club; an investor in Israeli wireless tech company Duracell Powermat; and a stakeholder in fragrance firm Perfumania.

Philanthropy: Owns the Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation, which has awarded scholarships worth US$1.1 million to 750 students; pledged US$1 million to the American Red Cross relief effort post Hurricane Katrina; pledged US$5,000 each to six schools in New York and New Jersey, and US$5,000 to The 100 Mile Man Foundation; and supports a host of other community and educational charities.

4. Curtis James Jackson III, aka 50 Cent

Net worth: US$240 million

Age: 38

Sideline businesses: Owns G-Unit Clothing; has released several PlayStation games; and has appeared in films, including the semi-autobiographical movie Get Rich or Die Tryin'.

Philanthropy: Founder of the G-Unity Foundation; supports Shriners Hospital for Children and the New York Restoration Project.

5. Bryan Williams, aka Birdman

Net worth: US$230 million

Age: 45

Sideline businesses: Has signed a publishing venture, Cash Money Content, with Simon & Schuster to produce books; claimed to have purchased an oil rig (although this was reportedly disproven); and has a clothing line called YMCMB (Young Money Cash Money Billionaires).

Philanthropy: Reportedly pledged to donate US$50,000 to a school charity last year.

6. Marshall Bruce Mathers III, aka Eminem and Slim Shady

Net worth: US$190 million

Age: 41

Sideline businesses: Starred in movie 8 Mile and has made cameo appearances in television and film; has his own radio channel, Shade 45 on Sirius XM Radio.

Philanthropy: Runs the Marshall Mathers Foundation and the Eight Mile Boulevard Foundation; supports ninemillion.org and Small Steps Project; has donated more than US$200,000 to Detroit children's charity Wolverine Human Services.

7. Percy Robert Miller, aka Master P

Net worth: US$170 million

Age: 44

Sideline businesses: Of all the hip-hop moguls, Miller is the most entrepreneurial; has released a self-help book called Guaranteed Success; contracted as an NBA player on two teams; bought a real-estate company and a gas station; set up the No Limit clothing line; bought a phone-sex company; invested in car rims, fast-food franchises and book publishing and launched a sports management firm.

Philanthropy: Set up P Miller Youth Centers and his P Miller Food Foundation for the Homeless; has co-hosted an event with Michelle Obama for anti-obesity.

8. Kanye Omari West, aka Yeezus

Net worth: US$110 million

Age: 36

Sideline businesses: West's other ventures are mainly fashion lines, including collaborations with Nike, Adidas and Louis Vuitton.

Philanthropy: The Kanye West Foundation closed in 2011, reportedly due to lack of actual donations; has appeared at fundraisers and done community work for Hurricane Katrina relief and other foundations.

9. Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr, aka Snoop Dogg

Net worth: US$110 million

Age: 42

Sideline businesses: Launched film production company Snoopadelic Films; has appeared in many films, including The Wash and Bones; also starred in many television shows.

Philanthropy: Runs the Snoop Youth Football League to bring the game of American football to underprivileged inner-city children.

10. Dwayne Michael Carter Jr, aka Lil Wayne

Net worth: US$100 million

Age: 31

Sideline businesses: Carter has launched a clothing line, Trukfit, and dabbled in acting; he signed his first big endorsement with Pepsi's Mountain Dew in 2012, although this was withdrawn last year after his lyrics compared a brutal racist murder to sex.

Philanthropy: Carter founded and is president of the One Family Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to youth empowerment, which paid at least US$150,000 to rebuild Harrell Park, after it was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, and US$200,000 to rebuild the local community centre; in 2011, Carter gave away approximately 500 turkeys to hungry families for Thanksgiving.

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