NO. 7 - THE RICHEST PEOPLE IN HIP HOP

DR. DRE (Andre Young)
Dollar status - $150 Million (R1.1 billion)
Portfolio – Death Row catalogue, Aftermath Entertainment, 50 Cent & Eminem

By Kopano Marumo

The Grammy Award-winning uber-beatmaker is credited with instigating two whole movements in the West Coast, starting with the gangsta rap era in the 80’s and continuing with the G-Funk era as led by his protégé, Snoop Dogg in the 90’s.

The former club DJ was part of N.W.A (Niggaz Wit’ Attitude), alongside Ice Cube and eventual AIDS fatality, Eazy-E. The convicted felon’s 1993 solo debut The Chronic, which featured mega-hits such as “Ain’t nothing but a g-thang” and “Fuck wit’ Dre Day (and Everybody’s Celebrating)", launched him into superstardom.

Dr. Dre is unequivocally regarded by his peers, critics and hip hop fans as one of the greatest producers of all time. Furthermore many of today's superstars such as Snoop Dogg, Eminem, step-brother Warren G and The Game,owe their careers to Dre.

Every time any of these protégés make money, Dre gets paid as well! After leaving NWA in 1992, Dre established Death Row Records, with Suge Knight. He later left the label to pursue his Aftermath Entertainment in partnership with one of the biggest record labels in the world, Interscope.

Rolling Stone magazine reported that he earned $2 million for his work on the Mary J. Blige hit song "A Family Affair" in 2001, and that he earns roughly $250,000 per track for co-production on songs such as Gwen Stefani's "Rich Girl".

Dre has further flexed his creative muscle by acting in and directing a couple of films and music video; he has consequently established a start-up film production company, which is scheduled to bring a number of scripts to life.

He is scheduled to release the long-anticipated Detox album early next year.