There’s no questioning Hip Hop’s earning power, and this was demonstrated even more with the release of Billboard‘s 2009 Music Money Makers List.
Surprisingly though, only two Hip Hop artists made their way onto the list: Lil Wayne and Kanye West. On top of that, they appear late on the list, with Lil Wayne securing the Number 12 spot and Kanye West at Number 20.
With a revenue of about $57,441,334, Lil Wayne‘s 2008 profits can be attributed to his highly successful album Tha Carter 3 [click to read], while other artists on the list generated most of their revenue from concert sales. West, who headlined one of Hip Hop’s top-earning tours with his Glow in the Dark set, brought in $42,552,402.
The Music Money Makers List was created by combining artists’ revenue from concert tickets, albums, and digital downloads. This would account for the absence of Hip Hop artists and businessmen such as Jay-Z and 50 Cent, despite Jay-Z signing a $150 million deal with Live Nation [click to read]. Endorsements, licensing money and appearance fees were also not factored into the list.
Songstress Mary J. Blige also made it onto the list with earnings of $43,472,850, making her the only R&B artist to be included. The Music Money Makers List was topped by Madonna, who made $242,176,466. Other artists in the top five bracket included Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, The Police, and Celine Dion.
The complete 2009 Music Money Makers List is as follows:
1. Madonna: $242,176,466
2. Bon Jovi: $157,177,766
3. Bruce Springsteen: $156,327,964
4. The Police: $109,976,894
5. Celine Dion: $99,171,237
6. Kenny Chesney: $90,823,990
7. Neil Diamond: $82,174,000
8. Rascall Flatts: $63,522,160
9. Jonas Brothers: $62,638,814
10. Coldplay: $62,175,555
11. The Eagles: $61,132,213
12. Lil Wayne: $57,441,334
13. AC/DC: $56,505,296
14. Michael Buble: $50,257,364
15. Miley Cyrus: $48,920,806
16. Taylor Swift: $45,588,730
17. Journey: $44,787,328
18. Billy Joel: $44,581,010
19. Mary J. Blige: $43,472,850
20. Kanye West: $42,552,402
Do your homework !! Read up on the history of HIP HOP & THE FOUR ELEMENTS THAT IT “USE” TO HAVE (EMCEEING, DEJAYING , GRAFITTI & BREAKDANCING. Then ask yourself should LIL DUMBASS a.k.a LIL WAYNE be considered a HIP HOP artist. If you know anything about Hip Hop then your answer should be helllll no !!!! I understand that everything evolves but holy crap ! really ?! Lil Wayne is the complete opposite of what “real music” , “hip hip” is. Listen to his lyrics if you can understand what he says & compare them to the real hip hop artist. Dear LIL WAYNE the crackhead down the street called & wants his clothes back.