Hip Hop’s Top 20 Earners in 2011
It’s that time again when Forbes releases their annual Cash Kings of Hip Hop list. For the third year in a row, Jay-Z tops the list with an estimated revenue of $37 million in the last year. Jay-Z who unveiled his long-awaited collaboration with Kanye West - Watch the Throne this week, continues to reap the benefits of a 10-year $150 million Live Nation deal, as well as stakes in the New Jersey Nets, the 40/40 Club chain, ad firm Translation and others. This year marked the first time he out-earned wife Beyonce since their marriage in 2008. In last year’s list, his earnings were estimated at $63 million.
Touring was one of the many revenue streams they looked at to come up with the Cash Kings list, which charts pretax earnings for all living artists whose work is primarily classified as hip-hop or rap. The estimates also include income from record sales, digital downloads, films, merchandise sales, endorsements, books and other ventures; management, agent and attorney fees are not deducted. Earnings were calculated for the period from May 2010 to May 2011 and based on data from Pollstar, Nielsen SoundScan, the RIAA and individual record labels, as well as interviews with numerous lawyers, media buyers, managers and many of the artists themselves.
Check out who else made the list after the break. (more…)
Nate Dogg Dead at 41
Sad news. Nathaniel D. Hale, best known in the music industry as Nate Dogg, has passed away… As of this post, the cause of his death hasn’t been revealed. However, Hale had suffered two strokes in previous years… one in 2007 and another in 2008. The news was initially reported by Long Beach, Calif. newspaper the Press-Telegram.
The Long Beach native made a name for himself in the rap game on Dr. Dre’s classic album The Chronic followed by a breakthrough performance alongside Warren G on the smash record “Regulate.” Nate went on to release numerous solo albums including G-Funk Classics Vol. 1 & 2 followed up in late 2001 with Music & Me and the latest self-titled solo album Nate Dogg.My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and fans. His peers in the industry expressed their shock at his untimely demise on Twitter: (more…)
What It's Like Being Married To Snoop
I’ve always wondered what kind of woman could put up with Snoop. He just seems like a man who never grows up. Shante Broadus, Snoop’s wife of 13 years is featured in the July 2010 issue of Sister 2 Sister Magazine. She speaks on how things have changed since Snoop almost divorced her 5 years ago. I had no idea that even went down! Note to all jump offs: the wife will always be the mainest! Somehow they usually come crawling back. Although, for me, it would be very hard to be the bigger person and forgive a man who leaves me, and even accept him back.
Jamie: There was a tough a time for you all – and I think Snoop got lost – when you all were talking about the divorce. It was so much coming at him. And he even asked you what he should do.
Shante: Yeah [laughs] Girl, he didn’t know. You’re trying to leave me and you’re asking me what you should do? So he didn’t know, it was just a lot. And you know I understand. It’s hard for me and I’m just his wife. He’s actually the star. (more…)
