NEW YORK - Jay-Z wins all around, says Forbes.com. He's got Beyonce on his arm and more millions than 50 Cent and Diddy.

The rap icon, aka Shawn Carter, is No. 1 on the site's list of "Hip-Hop Cash Kings," based solely on 2006 income. He banked an estimated $34 million, Forbes.com said Thursday.

Jay-Z, president and CEO of Def Jam Recordings, released his 11th studio album, "Kingdom Come," which sold around 2 million copies. Jay-Z, 37, is also part owner of the New Jersey Nets and has endorsement deals with Budweiser, Hewlett-Packard and General Motors.

Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson ranks second with an estimated $32 million. The 31-year-old rapper-businessman oversees his G-Unit record label, clothing line, ring tones and other enterprises, and has sold more than 11 million albums. His latest record, "Curtis," is due out Sept. 11.

Diddy (real name: Sean Combs) placed third with an estimated $28 million. A fashion plate, he has a clothing line, Sean John, and heads Bad Boy Worldwide Entertainment and its record label. Diddy, 37, is also host of MTV's "Making the Band" series.

Rounding out the top five are Timbaland ($21 million) and Dr. Dre ($20 million). They're followed by Eminem ($18 million); Snoop Dogg, Kanye West, Pharrell Williams and Scott Storch (all $17 million); Ludacris and T.I. (both $16 million); Outkast and Lil Jon (both $14 million); Ice Cube ($13 million); Jermaine Dupri and Swizz Beatz (both $12 million); Chamillionaire and The Game (both $11 million); and Young Joc ($10 million).

http://news.yahoo.com/s/a..._hop_kings

diddy only made 28 million? Sean John is fallin' off huh....

based on 2006 income, not entire assets and cash

Cinnie said:

oh...i didn't really read the article..

Jay-z looks like the tip of a penis.....

Honestly if you look at most of them on the list the thing that pulls them all, are Endorsements, magazines,Clothing lines, I wouldnt be surprised if most/all of them were making almost nothing ($) on the music end.

lastdecember said:

A large portion of Jay-Z's would be his salary as president/CEO of Def Jam, not so much the 2 million copies that Kingdom Come (and I suppose older albums) sold.

Cinnie said:

Yeah its funny they dont bring down the money, they make it seem like its a MUSIC PAYDAY. I can almost guarantee that 95% of 50 cents income is from the G-Unit clothing line, and the other 5% is from the Vitamin Water. A very large portion of Jay Z's is def from his clothing line the same for Puffy. I would like to see a straight up music earning list from forbes, that leaves out endorsements and all that stuff, soemthing that ranks according to tour $$ and publishing and record sales, i think people would be shocked at just who is getting paid in the industry, very few of them are the chart toppers.