Jay-Z can confidently claim the bragging rights of hip-hop's highest earner. The Def Jam president holds the No. 1 spot on the recently unveiled "Hip Hop Cash Kings" list by Forbes.com.
Jay (born Sean Carter) raked in $34 million in '06, all thanks to the release of his latest albumKingdom Come, his 40/40 Club sports bar franchise and his stake in the NBA's New Jersey Nets. Hov also earned additional bread from his deals with Coca-Cola , General Motors, Hewlett-Packard and Budweiser.
50 Cent came in second with $32 million. The G-Unit honcho made his dough through his G-Unit clothing and sneakers , ringtones, video games and his book company.
Bad Boy mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs landed at No. 3 raking in $28 million from his MTV series 'Making the Band', the Sean John clothing line, Unforgivable cologne and his pair of restaurants called Justin's, named after his son. The success of albums from Cassie, Danity Kane, Yung Joc and his own, Press Play, also helped fatten his bankroll.
Super producer Timbaland drummed in at No. 4 with $21 million. Timbo made his cake from his production and appearances on albums from Nelly Furtado , Pussycat Dolls and Justin Timberlake.
Dr. Dre and Eminem stood at No. 5 and 6 with earnings of $20 million and $18 million, respectively. Dre made his guap from his production on albums from Nas and Jay-Z while Em got his gouda from his compilation The Re-Up and his collabo with Akon on "Smack That."
Snoop Dogg grabbed the No. 7 spot with $17 million. The Doggfather netted his green from his latest album Tha Blue Carpet Treatment and his numerous appearances on other projects including his cameos on Mariah Carey's "Say Something" and "Buttons" by the Pussycat Dolls.
Kanye West and Pharrell Williams seated in at No. 8 and No. 9. Both producers turn rappers pulled in $17 million. West made his money from his production and his tour with rock group U2 while Pharrell got his dollars from his solo album, beat making, his Ice Cream sneaker line and Billionaire Boys Club clothing company .
Su Scott Storch came in at No. 10 with $17million. Other mentions on the "Hip Hop Cash Kings" list include T.I. , Jermaine Dupri , Swizz Beatz , Ludacris , Outkast , Ice Cube , Chamillionaire and The Game, among others.
The estimates are based solely on 2006 income. In March, Jay sold his Rocawear clothing line to the Iconix Brand Group Inc for $204 million in cash and in May, vitamin water company Glaceau, which 50 Cent owns a minor stake in, was bought by Coca Cola for $4.1 billion.'
Forbes estimates Hov pocketed a quarter of the $204 million after taxes and other payable commitments while 50 will walk away with $100 million.