Curtis Jackson aka 50 Cent

50 Cent has come a long way from his early days dealing drugs in Queens, N.Y., and getting shot nine times. The reigning king of hip-hop wealth banked $100 million after taxes last summer when his stake in VitaminWater’s parent, Glacéau, was bought by Coca-Cola as part of a $4.1 billion deal. His portfolio also includes the popular G-Unit clothing line and record label, plus films, videogames and a slew of platinum albums, including last year’s Curtis.

Hip-Hop’s Cash Kings 2008

01. 50 Cent – $150 million
02. Jay-Z – $82 million
03. P. Diddy – $35 million
04. Kanye West – $30 million
05. Timbaland – $22 million
06. Pharrell Williams – $20 million
07. Swizz Beatz – $17 million
08. Snoop Dogg – $16 million
09. Dr. Dre – $15 million
10. Ludacris – $14 million
11. T.I. – $13 million
12. Lil’ Wayne – $13 million
13. Eminem – $12 million
14. Common – $12 million
15. Akon – $12 million
16. Jermaine Dupri – $11 million
17. Lil’ Jon – $11 million
18. OutKast – $10 million
19. Chamillionaire – $10 million
20. The Game – $10 million

[Credit: Forbes]