American rapper, entrepreneur, and music mogul Jay-Z has officially been crowned the richest musician in the world, according to the Forbes Billionaire List 2025.
According to Forbes, the rapper’s net worth has been estimated at a staggering KSh 325 billion ($2.5 billion), cementing his status as not just a hip-hop legend but also one of the most successful business figures in global entertainment.
The list, released earlier this week, places Jay-Z ahead of global superstars Taylor Swift (KSh 204 billion / $1.6 billion), Rihanna (KSh 179 billion / $1.4 billion), and Bruce Springsteen.
The leap also marks a historic moment, as Jay-Z dethrones longtime chart-topper Sean “Diddy” Combs, who has dominated the position since 2018 with an estimated KSh 105 billion ($820 million) fortune.
Forbes credits Jay-Z’s meteoric wealth to his diverse business empire. Beyond music, he owns Roc Nation, a powerhouse in entertainment and sports management, as well as luxury beverage brands Armand de Brignac champagne and D’Ussé cognac.
His portfolio also includes lucrative real estate ventures and tech investments, turning him into a self-made billionaire who has successfully transcended music to dominate multiple industries.
Jay-Z’s story is a blueprint for reinvention. Born Shawn Carter, he rose from Brooklyn’s rap battles to mainstream success, scoring his first Billboard 200 No. 1 album with “Vol. 2… Hard Knock Life” (1998), which also earned him his first Grammy Award. His critically acclaimed “The Blueprint” (2001) further solidified his legacy as one of hip-hop’s most defining voices.
Although he announced a temporary retirement in 2003, Jay-Z never completely stepped away from music. Over the years, he has released select projects and collaborations, including a recent contribution to the soundtrack of the 2024 film “The Book of Clarence.”
Forbes, which has been documenting billionaires globally since 1987, hailed Jay-Z’s rise as a prime example of how cultural icons can transition into business tycoons.