How Jay Z Made Half A Billion Dollars In The Last Decade

• Jay Z made $53.5m in the last year despite not headlining any major shows or releasing a new album in that period.

In his words, ‘I’m not a businessman, I’m a business man!’

Already assured a place in hip-hop’s – and pop culture’s – hall of fame as one of the greatest, it seems Jay Z is also assured of a place on the annual Forbes Cash Kings list.

Second only to Diddy, Jay Z made $53.5m over the last year despite not headlining major shows or releasing a new album in that time period.

His business ventures – Roc Nation and TIDAL along with stakes in Armand de Brignac champagne and D’usse – ensure that the self-titled ‘Best Rapper Alive’ never falls short. Being married to the biggest R&B star in the world also helps.

Here are the figures that make up his earnings in the last decade.

2007: $34m

2008: $82m

2009: $35m

2010: $63m

2011: $37m

2012: $38m

2013: $43m

2014: $60m

2015: $56m

2016: $53.5m