Despite what purists like to tell you, Hip-Hop has been about money for a lot longer than it hasn't been about music.
And rappers can charge a hell of a lot of money to book them for a show or a festival, because a hell of a lot of people want to see them. Also, the majority of musicians don't make money through making music anymore, they make a lot of it through touring, so it makes sense to charge an extortionate account.
There are a few surprises thrown up in the list (published by Complex in 2014) too. Remember when 50 went head-to-head with Kanye over sales, and then embarrassingly lost? Well, Ye is raking in much more per show these days.
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So, which rappers are really making as much money as they say they are?
This list should help you out, here are the top seven earners from live shows:
50 Cent
Quote: $150,000+
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To be quite honest, that's a lot of money for a rapper that no-one's listened to since 2007. The man is now more famous for being petty on Instagram so to still be racking up that much dough is a real achievement.
Nicki Minaj
Quote: $250,000+
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You hate Nicki Minaj? No-one cares, she's a superstar and she can charge what she wants, also she still deserves maximum respect for her verse on 'Monster'.
Lil Wayne
Quote: $300,000+
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Lil Wayne has been at the top of the rap game for nearly a decade now, even if his output has been extremely inconsistent. The man is getting money even if you think he fell off.
Drake
Quote: $350,000-$600,000
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'25 sitting on 25 mil.' Given that since this was published Drizzy has put out IYRTITL and WATTBA, and is mid Views From The 6 album roll-out you can bet that this figure has grown since then.
Macklemore
Quote: $350,000-$700,000
Wow, that's a lot. Let's move on.
Kanye West
Quote: $500,000+
Say what you want about his live shows, but his Glastonbury performance was the most talked about Glastonbury performance ever, as was his BRITs one. In 2013 his Yeezus tour was the second best-selling tour of the year, topped only by his new friend Paul McCartney, demand for Ye is through the roof.
Jay Z
Quote: $1,000,000+
Hov is married to, and tours with Beyonce, of course he's pulling in stacks. There were some reports that the two of them had personally been raking in as much as $4 million a night combined during their 'On the Run' tour. 'Numbers don't lie check the scoreboards.'
As a note it's worth mentioning that Kendrick will probably be near the top of this list now, as he continues to climb his way to the top of the rap throne.
Words by Matthew Cooper
Lead Image Credit: PA
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Hip-Hop, rap, Drake, Kanye West, Jay Z, 50 Cent