Forbes released its annual list of the highest hip-hop acts of 2019 and Kanye West has topped the list for the first time ever with a pretax income of $150 million USD. A part of it is expected to be from his apparel brand Yeezy, which brings more than $1.5 billion in sales.

 

West dethroned Jay-Z to become the highest-paid hip-hop act of this year. He jumped from last year’s number 10 spot to take the first place on the list. Jay-Z has stepped down to the second place on the list, with his $81 million USD. With $75 million USD, Drake stepped up from his previous spot to have the third position. 

 

Other notable hip-hop acts include Eminem at number 5 and Kendrick Lamar at number 8 with estimated earnings of $50 million USD and $38.5 million USD, respectively. Nicki Minaj and Cardi B were the two female hip-hop acts to make the list, with an earning of $29 million USD and $28 million USD. 

 

Here’s the complete list of the highest-paid Hip-Hop Acts of 2019, as released by Forbes. 

 

Forbes Highest-Paid Hip-Hop Acts of 2019

 

1. Kanye West ($150 million)

 

2. Jay-Z ($81 million)

 

3. Drake ($75 million)

 

4. Diddy ($70 million)

 

5. Travis Scott ($58 million)

 

6. Eminem ($50 million)

 

7. DJ Khaled ($40 million)

 

8. Kendrick Lamar ($38.5 million)

 

9. Migos ($36 million)

 

10. Childish Gambino ($35 million)

 

11. J. Cole ($31 million)

 

12. Nicki Minaj ($29 million)

 

13. Cardi B ($28 million)

 

14. Swizz Beatz ($23 million)

 

15. Meek Mill ($21 million)

 

16. Birdman ($20 million)

 

17. Future ($19.5 million)

 

18. Nas ($19 million)

 

19. Wiz Khalifa ($18.5 million)

 

20. Pitbull ($18 million)

 

 

 

(Image credits: Flickr)