Forbes Top 20 Hip Hop Cash Kings

I’m still wondering when our music industry will ever get to the pointwhere local Hip Hop artists like ProKid, HHP and groups such as Jozi  can openly declare their earnings in a public platform like Forbes, but than again Hip Hop artists out here aren’t seeing any gwap whatsoever, so maybe it’s still a pipe dream. What isn’t a pipe dream though is the Forbes Top 20 Hip Hop Cash Kings.

The top 20 earners on this year's Cash Kings list racked up about $300 million (R2,1 Billion) in earnings, an average of $15 million(R108 million) per artist. Remarkably, the total is roughly the same as last year, despite a troubled economy and a music industry thrown into flux by new technology.

Here is what you’ve been waiting for:

20. Lil Jon
The crunk rock rapper is still riding high on the success of his Crunk movement coming in at $5 million. He's also most recently been working  with pop Hip-Hop group LMFAO whose hit single “Shots” helped him make the cut for Forbes' list.

18. T Pain (Tie)
T Pain made the list at $6 million. The autotuned Floridian's “I Am T-Pain” app and various hit singles can be linked to his growing pockets despite Jay-Z's calls for a close to his career.

18. Soulja Boy (Tie)
Soulja Boy, the 20-year-old rap sensation like his upcoming book was indeed a “Teenage Millionaire.” The “Crank That” emcee comes in at number 18 with earnings of $6 million this year. Linked to his seven weeks on top of the Billboard charts with his debut single and various SODMG ventures.

17. Common
Chicago emcee Common, netted an estimated $7 million. His moves outside of rap including various acting roles have all added to his wealth. Add in sponsorship deals with Zune and Lincoln Navigator and Common's income continues to rise.

14. Young Jeezy (Tie)
Atlanta emcee and CTE head Young Jeezy is taking his place on the list despite his ongoing drama with fellow Def Jam resident Rick Ross. The trap rapper made $8 million after various albums and mixtapes and reportedly earned $5 million off touring with Jay-Z and Rihanna alone.

14. 50 Cent (Tie)
50 Cent's G-Unit empire runs deep with a reported earnings of $8 million. The Queens rapper earned $100 million off the sales of his Vitamin Water in 2008 and moved 500,000 copies of his Before I Self Destruct album this year. He continues to serve over his G-Unit brand which boasts clothing and a foundation.

14. Eminem (Tie)
With the chart topping success of his Recovery album, Eminem ties with his Jeezy and his stablemate 50 cent, for the number 14 spot with $8 million earned. In total he's sold over 32 million records and moved 741,000 units of his latest project in the first week.

12. Swizz Beatz (Tie)
Alicia Keys' hubby is a top earner despite his reported $650,000 owed to the IRS. His extensive list of production credentials have moved him to the number 12 spot with reported earnings of $9 million.

12. T.I. (Tie)
A stint in jail for felony weapon possession isn't enough to hold the King down. His role as head of Grand Hustle records and recent deal with Remy Martin have both added to his $9 million success. Add in various acting roles including his most recent gig in the film Takers and you've got T.I. in the number 12 spot.

11. DrakeArguably the hottest rapper to break out in years, Aubrey Drake Graham made an estimated $10 million. Drizzy's signing to Young Money, plus a highly anticipated hit album Thank Me Later, a heavy tour schedule  and deals with Sprite and Virgin America have added to his success. What other rapper do you know with their face on a plane? It's Drizzy baby….

10. Kanye West
Despite a tumultuous year and cries of controversy, Kanye can boast earnings of $12 million. The G.O.O.D. music head is expected to earn $25 million by the end of the year with his various production credits and release of his still untitled album.

9.  Pharrell Williams
Although a Pharrell, song has yet to top the charts in years, his work with his band N.E.R.D. and various outside ventures in furniture, clothing and art have accumulated to $13 million in earnings. Additionally Pharell's work on the soundtrack for animated film “Despicable Me” helped him come in at the #9 spot, well deserved for the hit producer, rapper and writer.

8. Timbaland
Timbaland's self admitted recluse of Hip-Hop has obviously done well for himself with the producer earning $14 million. His pop solo album Shock Value II dwindled in sales but his work with Shakira, Jay-Z and Drake have kept the checks coming in. Add in a gig with DJ Hero 2 and Timbo's at #8.

7. Snoop Dogg
Cali's O.G. earned an estimated $15 million making him worthy of the #7 spot. His Malice In Wonderland tour earned him an estimated $10 million, despite dwindling album sales. His recorded earnings can also be traced to an appearance on soap opera, One Life To Live and his role in the movie Bruno.

6. Ludacris
Mr. Conjure Cognac himself is continues to do well for himself with a reported earnings of $16 million. With the success of his liquor, Atlanta tapas restaurant Straits, deals with Trojan Magnum condoms and Tag Body Spray, Christopher “Ludacris” Bridges is a top earner indeed.

5. Dr. Dre
As the head of Aftermath Records, the label that houses both Eminem and 50 cent. The prolific beat maker, made his money endorsing Dr. Pepper as well as a deal with Hewlett Packard, which sees their notebooks infused with his Beats sound card, which is an expansion of his collaboration with Monster on the creation of his Beats By Dre headphones. He takes the number 5 spot with a cool, $17 milliom earned

4. Lil Wayne
Despite incarceration, Lil Wayne comes in at the number four spot. His pre-jail touring earned him an estimated $500,000 per show and his Rebirth album garnered him millions. Add in his executive position at Young Money and you've got $20 million to be divvied up between Wayne and his baby mamas growing family.

3. Akon
Akon hit a gold mine when he discovered pop singing sensation Lady Gaga. Signed to the African exec's imprint at Interscope, Gaga has helped him earn $21 million. Add in his clothing line and deal with Pepsi and it's safe to say this Konvict isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

2. Diddy
The Bad Boy music head is continuing to rake in millions despite a string of failed groups. (Da Band, Danity Kane and Day 26 to name a few) His Ciroc vodka is immensely popular and continues to expand, along with his Sean John clothing line and acting career. With estimated earnings of of $30 million, why else do you think Diddy's not worried about releasing his Last Train To Paris, album with Dawn and Kaleena of Dirty Money. Hello, good morning!

1. Jay-Z
Beyonce's man Roc Nation head Jay-Z is the top earner in Hip-Hop. If you're surprised, you shouldn't be. His Blueprint III tour earned him an estimated $1 million per show.  Additionally Jigga's work as a producer of hit Broadway play Fela!, ties to the New Jersey Nets, Rocawear clothing line and 40/40 night clubs have added to his reported earnings $63 million.

Didn't he tell you he was a business, maaaaan….