Published: Friday - June 15, 2007
Words by Allen Starbury
Jay-Z (Photo: AP)
Forbes recently revealed their annual Celebrity 100 list, naming the most wealthy celebrities of the year and for the first time, the magazine introduced a new category called Hip-Hop Impresarios.
Among the hip-hop alumni who made the list, Jay-Z was the man at the top of the totem pole, ranking in at no. 9 on the Power Rank chart, beating out the likes of Donald Trump, Howard Stern, Kobe Bryant and even Diddy and 50 Cent.
The mag reported that Jay-Z earned a whopping $83 million in 2006, thanks to the sale of his Rocawear clothing line for a reported $204 million to Iconix. Other business ventures in his portfolio includes a small stake in NBA team, the New Jersey Nets, and two locations for this 40/40 nightclubs.
Jay-Z also ranked at no. 7 in Pay Rank.
50 Cent slided in at no. 32, with reported earnings of $33 million from his vast empire that includes a record label, clothing line, books, ringtones and videogames. His stake in Glaceau was also mentioned, but will count toward next year's rankings.
The rapper owned a 10% stake in the company, which was recently bought by Coca-Cola for a reported $4.1 billion, earning the rapper an estimated $100 million in the deal.
50 Cent also ranked at no. 26 in Pay Rank.
Bad Boy Records co-founder, Sean "Diddy" Combs, was positioned at no. 43, as Forbes reported his earnings in 2006 at $23 million, due to his Warner-backed Bad Boy Records, Sean John clothing line and Unforgivable cologne label. He landed at no. 55 in the Pay Rank list.
Others on the list included Will Smith at no. 57 with earnings of $31 million, Kobe Bryant at no. 23 with earnings of $33 million, Shaquille O'Neal at no. 25 with earnings of $32 million, Lebron James at no. 48 with earnings of $27 million, and Tyra Banks at no. 61 with earnings of $18 million among others.
Oprah Winfrey topped the list though with Tiger Woods right behind her. They had reported earnings of $260 million and $100 million respectively.
In addition to taking second, Woods also set a record, becoming the first athlete in history to earn $100 million in one year, thanks in part to a raise given by longtime endorser Nike, according to Forbes.
The power rankings were based on each celebrity's rankings in pay, presence on the web, press and TV.
Features Joe Budden: I Do It For Hip-Hop It's 2008, and guess what, Joe Budden is still here. Normally when a rapper endures personal tragedies, and label disputes, ... full story
Beyond Hip-Hop Game Review: Far Cry 2 Gone are Jack Carver, his Hawaiian shirt, and the trigens from the first installment of "Far Cry," but in comes spine ... full story
Digg It
Del.icio.us
