Jay-Z topples Diddy on Forbes’ hip hop’s wealthiest list, now worth $900m

Diddy, who has topped US magazine Forbes’ Hip-Hop’s Wealthiest Acts list since it launched in 2011, has been toppled by Jay-Z.

Estimating fortunes in 2017, Forbes put Jay-Z’s empire as climbing to US$900 million from $810 million in 2016.

These are mainly to his investments in Armand de Brignac Champagne and D’Ussé cognac, the Roc Nation entertainment empire and the Tidal streaming service.

Little wonder that he and wife Beyoncé could pay cash for a $28 million for an estate in East Hampton and $88 million for one in Bel Air in Los Angeles.

Diddy’s fortune climbed by $5 million to $825 million in 2017, through the lucrative Ciroc vodka line, DeLeon tequila and to a less extent on his Revolt cable network.

Dr. Dre, at #3 with $770 million (up from $740 million) is still reaping the benefits of the 2014 sale of Beats by Apple.

Apart from the $3 billion price tag, Dre also receives a substantial share of Apple stock.

This summer it’ll will be $100 million, which could see him top next year’s list.

According to Forbes, Jay-Z, Diddy and Dre are not only the wealthiest hip-hop acts on the planet, but the richest American musicians of any genre

Drake and Eminem round out the Top 5, tied for fourth place with an estimated net worth of $100 million each.

The youngest on the list at 31 years old, Drake has earned more than $250 million since 2010, before taxes.

He’s invested in Virginia Black whiskey and massive property deals in Toronto, Canada, and Hidden Hills, California.

Eminem’s business investments are not known but he remains the world’s best selling rappers of all time.