Hip-hop mogul Jay-Z has been named the richest rapper-turned-businessman on Forbes’ 2023 World’s Billionaires list with a net worth of $2.5 billion.

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Jay-Z has just solidified his position as the richest rapper-turned-businessman in the world, according to Forbes’ 2023 World’s Billionaires list. The Roc Nation co-founder’s net worth has increased from $1.5 billion last fall to a whopping $2.5 billion, making him the only rapper featured on the prestigious list.

The hip-hop billionaire is now higher net-wise than some of the world’s most influential icons, including Oprah Winfrey, Tom Ford, and Michael Jordan, with his fortune mostly coming from his profitable liquor businesses. LVMH, the spirits giant, purchased a 50% stake in Jay’s champagne empire, Armand de Brignac, also known as Ace of Spades, in 2021. The Brooklyn rapper also sold a majority of his stake in his cognac brand D’Usse to Bacardi in February 2023.

Jay-Z has a diversified portfolio of assets that includes his music catalog, his fine art collection, valuable artwork by Jean-Michel Basquiat, and holding shares in service companies like car-sharing service Uber and finance company Block. The rapper’s success is a testament to his business acumen and his ability to navigate the world of entrepreneurship.

Meanwhile, Kanye West, who was previously featured on the Billionaires list, has fallen off completely due to his problematic behavior within Adidas, leading to the company severing their partnership with the Chicago rapper-producer. Additionally, Kanye’s anti-Semitic tirades on social media and in interviews have also been a factor in his net worth dropping to $400 million.

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Despite Kanye’s fall from the list, his ex-wife, Kim Kardashian, is still a billionaire with a net worth of $1.2 billion, down from $1.9 billion last year. Another notable billionaire on the list is Rihanna, who has a net worth of $1.4 billion, mostly coming from her fashion brand Fenty and her sneaker/apparel partnership with Puma.

Jay-Z’s ascent to the top of the Billionaires list showcases the impact of hip-hop culture on the world of entrepreneurship and business. His success story is a testament to the resilience and tenacity of the human spirit, and his legacy as a cultural icon will continue to inspire generations to come.