In just over 30 years, the rap, or hip-hop, has transformed from an underground audio movement into one of the world's most popular forms of music. Every year, millions of rap albums are sold, earning the most popular artists vast fortunes. Many of these artists rose from rags to riches and are now worth millions of dollars.In the number one spot is Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter. As of 2010, the rapper
. had an estimated worth of 63 million dollars. His latest album produced several hit singles and went platinum within just a few weeks. Carter is known as one of the music industries best businessmen. He owns his own music label, talent agency, promotional agency, as well as a successful clothing line and part of the New Jersey Nets professional basketball team.Sean "Diddy" Combs earns the second spot on the list, earning approximately 30 million dollars last year. Throughout the years, he has gone by the names P. Diddy, Puff Daddy and just Sean, but he has proven himself as a formidable businessman. He was one of the first rappers to own their own music label and has continued to make entrepreneurial home-runs. Multiple clothing labels, the Ciroc vodka line and a proposed business school in New York round out his investments.Third on the list is Aliuane "Akon" Thiam. This Senegalese-American was raised in Senegal, but made his permanent home in Newark, New Jersey during high school. Here, he was exposed to the hip-hop culture and decided to make his mark on the industry. He grossed 21 million dollars last year, and his Konvict Muzik label is home to some of today's most popular acts, including Lady Gaga.Rounding out the rest of the list are many more familiar names. In the fourth position is Lil Wayne with 20 million dollars in income. Fifth is Dr. Dre, grossing 17 million dollars, and sixth is Ludacris with 16 million dollars of profits. Seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth belong to Snoop Dogg, Timbaland, Pharrell Williams and Kanye West, respectively.
