Kanye West Tops The Forbes List Of “Highest-Paid Hip Hop Acts” For 2019

Donald Glover and Cardi B are newcomers in the Top 20.

(AllHipHop News) Kanye West made over $150 million in pretax income from June 2018 to June 2019, according to Forbes. That total puts the Adidas Yeezy brand architect in the #1 spot on the business magazine’s list of “Highest-Paid Hip Hop Acts” for the first time.

Roc Nation boss Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter came in second with $81 million. OVO Sound megastar Drake (#3, $75 million), Revolt founder Sean “Diddy” Combs (#4, $70 million), and AstroWorld album creator Travis Scott (#5, $58 million) round out the Top 5.

Migos’ $36 million haul was enough for the Atlanta trio to be the only group on the Forbes list at #9. Musician/actor Donald Glover (#10, $35 million) made his first appearance this year.

Nicki Minaj was the highest-ranking female rapper (#12, $29 million). The Queens, New York native was followed closely by “Bodak Yellow” hitmaker Cardi B (#13, $28 million). Cardi, 26, is the youngest artist in the 2019 rankings.

The ‘Forbes’ Highest-Paid Hip Hop Acts 2019

20. Pitbull ($18 million)

19. Wiz Khalifa ($18.5 million)

18. Nas ($19 million)

17. Future ($19.5 million)

16. Birdman ($20 million)

15. Meek Mill ($21 million)

14. Swizz Beatz ($23 million)

13. Cardi B ($28 million)

12. Nicki Minaj ($29 million)

11. J. Cole ($31 million)

10. Childish Gambino ($35 million)

9. Migos ($36 million)

8. Kendrick Lamar ($38.5 million)

7. DJ Khaled ($40 million)

6. Eminem ($50 million)

5. Travis Scott ($58 million)

4. Diddy ($70 million)

3. Drake ($75 million)

2. Jay-Z ($81 million)

1. Kanye West ($150 million)