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Jay-Z has been making music since 1989. When he couldn’t find a major record label to showcase his work, he created his own instead — an effort that has obviously paid off. Now, his concerts always sell out, his albums fly off the shelves, and he’s married to a woman who rocks the music industry on her own merit: Beyonce. As a couple, the duo is undoubtedly the most influential, well-known celebrity duo.

While it seems that everything Jay-Z touches turns to gold, the legend started his life out with very humble beginnings. Jay-Z, born Shawn Carter, grew up as a poor kid in the Marcy Housing Project in Brooklyn, New York. He made his living selling drugs and hustling until he found a way out of his lifestyle via rap.

But just how far has he come? Is Jay-Z the richest rapper in the world? Here’s what we know.

Is Jay-Z the richest rapper in the world?

According to the most recent information, Jay-Z is the richest rapper in the world with a net worth of approximately $930 million. Yes, Jay-Z’s net worth is just shy of a billion dollars. Following him in the top richest rappers in the world are P. Diddy, with a net worth of $855 million, and Dr. Dre, with a net worth of $820 million.

Are all of Jay-Z’s earnings from music?

No. In fact, most of Jay-Z’s net worth comes from sources other than his music. In addition to 13 full-length albums, numerous collaborations, music events, and concerts, Jay-Z has been incredibly smart with his assets and increased his profits steadily. Instead of simply being happy to sit back and spend the money he made making music, the world’s richest rapper has invested in a number of ventures over the years.

What has Jay-Z invested in to earn his fortune?

So, what has the world’s richest rapper invested in to earn so much money? A lot. Jay-Z is an incredibly successful entrepreneur who has made a lot of very smart decisions — and he did not place all of his money into one investment, either. Diversifying your investments is known to be a very smart strategy, and it has obviously paid off for Jay-Z.

Jay-Z helped co-found the famous clothing line Rocawear. He sold it in 2017 for $204 million. Then, in 2015, he bought the music streaming service, Tidal. The $56 million investment he made proved to be well worth it, because the company is now estimated to be worth $600 million.

The NYC-native rapper also has quite a bit of money tied up in alcohol brands. In 2014, he bought outright champagne brand Armand de Brignac. He is also a part owner in D’Usse, which is a brand of cognac produced by Bacardi.

Of course, Jay-Z also owns the entertainment label, Roc Nation, as well as an upscale club in Manhattan called 40/40. Finally, he’s invested in a startup company called JetSmarter, which allows people to rent private jets in much the same way they’d order an Uber. 

How much are Jay-Z and Beyonce worth together?

Jay-Z is worth a lot on his own, but his wife has amassed quite a considerable fortune herself. Through her singing, acting, dancing, and entrepreneurship, Beyonce has earned an impressive $355 million. Together, the couple are worth nearly $1.3 billion.

Besides the money they reinvest — which has steadily increased their fortune — they spend their money on expensive vacations, private jets, top-of-the-line clothing (plus accessories), and luxury homes. They also reportedly spend a lot of money splurging on their children, including gold cribs for their twins and dresses that cost thousands of dollars for Blue Ivy.

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