Jay-Z returns to the top of the Forbes‘ list ranking in an estimated $37 million over the past year. Rounding out the top three are Diddy ($35 million) and Kanye West ($16 million).
Hip-hop’s reigning Cash King 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. For more on the business of hip-hop, check out Empire State of Mind: How Jay-Z Went From Street Corner to Corner Office.