Music:
Member Since: 5/28/2005
Band Members:----------------------------------------------------
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[CelebCentralLA]
..No. 2
50 Cent (a.k.a. Curtis Jackson)
$32 millionThe former crack dealer from Queens now presides over G-Unit, an entertainment empire that includes a record label (Lloyd Banks, Mobb Deep), apparel, ringtones, videogames, and even a line of street fiction books. In 2004, he agreed to plug VitaminWater in exchange for a small stake; in May, Coca-Cola said it would buy VitaminWater for $4.2 billion. Fifty's estimated take: $100 million. The 50-room Greenwich mansion he bought for $4 million in 2003 is on the market for $20 million. "Curtis," his third studio album, drops in SeptemberNo. 3
Diddy (a.k.a. Sean Combs, formerly Puff Daddy and P. Diddy)
$28 millionHis Bad Boy Worldwide Entertainment portfolio includes the Warner-backed Bad Boy Records, which last year released albums by Danity Kane, Cassie and Yung Joc. (Last year Diddy released Press Play, his first album in four years.) A tastemaker, he earns income from Sean John clothing and Unforgivable, a cologne he licensed to Estée Lauder. He is the executive producer of several MTV series, including the Making the Band franchise, and he owns the New York and Atlanta locations of his Justin's restaurants. Note: Diddy's camp insists we have undervalued his 2006 income.
No. 4
Timbaland (a.k.a. Timothy Mosley)
$21 millionThe reigning hitmaker in both pop and hip-hop. Runs Mosley Music Group, the Interscope-backed label responsible for some of last year's biggest albums, including Nelly Furtado's Loose and Justin Timberlake's FutureSex/LoveSounds. In 2006, Timbaland produced or performed on seven chart-topping singles. Got his start writing and producing with Missy Elliot, then later produced hits for Bubba Sparxxx and Ludacris. Released his second solo album, Shock Therapy, in April, and recently worked with Madonna and 50 Cent on their upcoming releases.
No. 5
Dr. Dre (a.k.a. Andre Young)
$20 millionFounding member of the seminal rap group NWA, the Compton, Calif., native has worked on iconic contemporary albums like Snoop Dogg's Doggystyle and Eminem's The Slim Shady LP. Runs Aftermath Entertainment, one of Interscope's most lucrative labels. Last year, he produced tracks for Nas and Jay-Z, among others. Though it's been seven years since he himself released an album, Dre's classics (including his landmark solo debut, The Chronic) still sell briskly, some 250,000 units last year alone.No. 6
Eminem (a.ka. Marshall Mathers, "Slim Shady")
$18 millionThough said to be on hiatus from the business, "Em" released a platinum-selling compilation album last year on his Interscope-distributed Shady imprint. He also appeared on the Akon hit single, "Smack That." Earlier in the year he made headlines for remarrying--then re-divorcing--Kim Mathers, mother of his daughter Hailie. Word is he's at work on a new album; and he'll return to the big screen (following his acclaimed performance in 2002's 8 Mile) in Paramount Pictures' Have Gun, Will Travel, a Western remake.No. 7
Snoop Dogg (a.k.a. Calvin Broadus)
$17 millionOne of West Coast rap's favorite sons. Made a name for himself on Dr. Dre's landmark album, The Chronic (1992), then catapulted to stardom when his freshman solo effort Doggystyle topped the Billboard charts. Last November the Grammy nominee dropped his eighth solo album, Tha Blue Carpet Treatment, which sold some 700,000 units by year's end. Runs his own imprint, called Doggystyle, under Universal Music. Made appearances on two of last year's biggest singles, "Buttons," by the Pussycat Dolls, and Mariah Carey's "Say Somethin'."
No. 8
Kanye West
$17 millionThe Grammy-winning rapper-producer hit the road with U2 for a leg of its world tour last year. Not one for modesty, he posed for a Rolling Stone cover as a crucified Jesus last year; in November, he rushed the stage at the MTV Europe Awards after he lost out for the Best Video award. Produced tracks for John Legend, Jay-Z and Nas last year. His Sony-backed label, GOOD Music, features artists Common and Consequence. In September, he'll take on 50 Cent--both drop their new albums the same day.
No. 9
Pharrell Williams
$17 millionHip-hop's new Quincy Jones. A prolific producer, he is half of the ultra-successful production team The Neptunes, which has masterminded beats for Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg and Justin Timberlake. (The Neptunes run the Star Trak label, a subsidiary of Interscope and Universal Music.) Williams also fronts the alterna-rock group N.E.R.D. Last year he released his first solo hip-hop album, In My Mind, which also features Kanye West and Gwen Stefani. Always fashionable, Pharrell founded the Ice Cream sneaker line, a hit among skateboarders (Pharrell is one himself), in addition to the Billionaire Boys Club clothing label.
10 Scott Storch$17 millionThe former keyboardist for The Roots is today one of hip-hop and pop music's most prolific hitmakers, penning and producing tracks for 50 Cent ("Candy Shop"), Beyoncé ("Naughty Boy"), Justin Timberlake ("Cry Me a River"), among many others. His producing fee hovers around $85,000 a track--that doesn't include his publishing royalties. Last year he produced some 75 tracks, including Paris Hilton's "Stars are Blind". Runs his own label. Next up: Storch is said to be working on Paris Hilton's sophomore album.
11
Ludacris (a.k.a. Christopher Bridges)
$16 millionReleased his fifth studio album, Release Therapy, under Def Jam last year. The record, which sold 1.1 million units, nabbed a Grammy for Best Rap Album. Runs the Disturbing The Peace imprint at Def Jam, and has his own sneaker line with Puma. Recently rapped on Fergie's smash single "Fabulous Life." (His going rate for such appearances is said to be upwards of $750,000). Add serious actor to the resume. Among his film credits: Oscar winners Crash and Hustle & Flow. Next up: Fred Clause, starring Vince Vaughn.
12
T.I. (a.k.a. Clifford Harris)
$16 millionThe self-proclaimed "King of the South" co-founded Grand Hustle Records in 2001 to distribute his mixtapes. Was the executive producer on 2005's Oscar-winning Hustle & Flow soundtrack. King, his fourth studio album, was one of last year's best-selling rap albums, with some 1.8 million copies sold to date. Earned a Grammy (his second) for his collaboration with Justin Timberlake on the single "My Love." Starred in a Chevy ad, plus the the low-budget drama ATL, co-produced by Will Smith. Look for him in American Gangster, starring Denzel Washington, out later this year.
13
Outkast (a.k.a. Antwan "Big Boi" Patton and Andre "Andre 3000" Benjamin)
$14 millionThe Georgia natives, credited with pioneering a distinct southern hip-hop sound, are one of the most avant garde, yet commercially successful hip-hop acts in history. Their six studio albums, under SonyBMG and LaFace Records, have collectively sold over 20 million units. The pair reunited last year after a three-year hiatus to co-star in Idlewild, a Universal Pictures musical. Big Boi co-starred in this summer's Who's Your Caddy?, while Benjamin appears in the drama Battle in Seattle, due out in December.
14
Lil Jon (a.k.a. Jonathan Smith)
$14 millionPioneered "crunk," the bass-heavy, club-ready subgenre of Southern-style rap. The former radio DJ turned rapper-producer became a radio sensation himself in 2004 with Usher's smash single "Yeah!," which was punctuated by the rapper's trademark growls. That year he partnered with liquor baron Sidney Frank (now deceased) to create Crunk Juice energy drink. Will release his first solo effort, Crunk Rock, later this year. In March, Guinness gave his 12-pound, 73-carat "Crunk Ain't Dead" medallion the record for "largest diamond pendant." Note: Lil Jon's camp maintains that we have underestimated his income.
15
Ice Cube (a.k.a. O'Shea Jackson)
$13 millionCo-founder of the seminal West Coast rap group NWA, whose groundbreaking 1988 album, Straight Outta Compton, introduced gangsta rap to the nation. Went solo two years later. Also active in Hollywood, with acting credits in Three Kings, Barbershop and the family-friendly Are We There Yet? Last year he self-financed the production of his eighth album, Laugh Now, Cry Later, released on his independent label, Lench Mob Records. Up next: another indie album, plus a TV series in development with A&E.
16
Jermaine Dupri
$12 millionRapper turned super-producer masterminded Usher's chart-topper Confessions in 2004 followed by Mariah Carey's blockbuster comeback album, The Emancipation of Mimi. Joined Virgin Music as head of its Urban Music division in 2005, taking with him his So So Def Records imprint, which released the debut efforts of Bow Wow and Kriss Kross. He resigned a year later following the release of girlfriend Janet Jackson's most recent album, 20 Y.O. This year he joined Island Def Jam Records. Dupri made cameos in singles by Chingy and Carey. His fourth album (Y'all Know What This Iz?) drops later this year. Some talks JD and Janet just got married..but I'm not quite sure yet.17
Swizz Beatz(a.k.a. Kasseem Dean)$12 million
Swizz Beatz--the name was inspired by the K-Swiss sneakers he wore in his youth--has produced hits for the industry's biggest acts, both hip-hop and pop, including Jay-Z, Gwen Stefani, and DMX. Among his dozens of producer credits last year: Beyoncé's monster album, B'Day. The native New Yorker heads up Full Surface, an Interscope imprint. Owns his own club in Arizona, as well as two exotic car dealerships. Look for a solo album this summer featuring collaborations with R. Kelly and Coldplay.----------------------------
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Influences:R&B:Chaka Kahn, Emotions, Marvin Gaye, Bob Marley, Anita Baker, Barry White, Earth,Wind & Fire, Patty LaBelle, Isley Brothers, Commadors, The Jacksons, Stevie Wonder, Prince, Ray Charles,Hip-Hop-R&B-Other: Faith Evans, Mary J. Blige, Lauryn Hill, Mariah Carey, The Avila Brothers, Usher, Neyo, Fantasia, Ciara, John Legend, Ruben Studder, Jon B., Queen Latifah, Jill Scott, Alicia Keys, R Kelly, Sade, TQ, Missy Elliot, Eric Benet, Beyonce, Tyrese, Jodeci, Luther Vandros, New Edition, Selena(RIP), Juan Gabriell ////
Pop: Gwen Steffani, Kelly Clarkson, ////Rap: Kool Herc, Marley Marl, UTFO, Whodini,Gandmaster Caz, Sugar Hill Gang, Donald "D", Kurtis Blow, Grandmaster Flash, Cold Crush Brothers, Run DMC, Snoop Dogg, Ice T, Kool Keith, Scorpio & Meli Mel, Prince Whipper Whip, Kool Mo Dee, MC Shan, Krumb Snatcher, TI, Jay Z, Dr. Dre, Lloyd,
Lil Wayne, Pharrell, Kanye West, Lil Jon, Gangstarr, Fat Joe, Jadakiss, Warren G, Dj Quik, 50Cent, Rick Rock, Fabolous, Ludacris, Rick Ross, Camron, Omar Cruz, Neptunes, Game, Ice Cube, Notorious BIG, Mac10, WC, Rick Ross, Mims, Common, Nate Dog, Nelly, E-40, Puffy, Slick Rick, LLCool J, Funkmaster Flex, Method Man, Redman, KRS1, Tribe Called Quest, Special Ed, Daddy Yankee, Ying Yangs Twins, Boo Ya Tribe, Nas, Mobb Deep, Lil Kim ////
Also..
Antonio Villaraigosa, Jessie Jackson, Halle Barry, Angela Bassett, Nia Long, Terrance Howard, Magic Johnson, Venus Williams, Nascar's ..24 Jeff Gordon, Morris Chestnut, Jillian Barbarie, Bernard Parks and Tom Bradley, Johnnie Cochran, Oprah, Tom Criuse, Shamar Moore, John Singleton, Big Boy, Steve Harvey, Good Fellas, 93.5 The Baka Boyz ////
Also..Dj Kid Capri, Dj Dense, Dj Clue, Dj General Lee, Choc, BizMarky,
Richard Pryor, Monique, Eddie Murphy, Tyler Perry, Red Grant, Jim Carey, Martin Lawrence, Cedric the Entertainer, ////
Kolbe Bryant, Nick Van Excel, Michael Finley, Sam Cassell, Eldon Campbell, Shaq, Tiger Woods, Don King, Muhammad Ali, Oscar De La Hoya, and Nascar's Jeff Gordon ..24, Dale Ernheardt Jr., Michael Whaltrip
Mom & Dad.....
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