$1bn race: Dr. Dre overtakes Jay Z on hip-hop rich list

American rapper and record producer, Dr. Dre, has overtaken fellow rapper and record producer, Jay Z, on Forbes’ list of the Five Wealthiest Hip-Hop Artists.

The publication said Jay Z’s assets jumped from $475m (about N81bn) to $520m (about N88bn) in the past year alone. The report said the figure was boosted by his $150m (about N26bn) partnership with Live Nation, his Budweiser Made In America Tour and his Roc Nation Sports agency.

However, this wasn’t enough for him to maintain second place on the list. He has now been overtaken by Dr. Dre, whose Beats by Dre company made $1.2bn (N204bn) last year, earning him $200m (N34bn) and leaving him with a total of $550m (about N85bn).

Top of the list again was Puff Daddy, who is worth an estimated $700m (N119bn), thanks mostly to his non-musical ventures such as Revolt TV.

Cash Money Records founder, Birdman, is in fourth place on the list, worth an estimated $160m (about N27bn), while 50 Cent comes in fifth place with an estimated worth of $140m (N23.8bn), thanks mostly to his $100m (N17bn) haul from the sale of VitaminWater in 2007.

Who is Dr. Dre?

Andre Romelle Young, better known by his stage name, Dr. Dre, is an eminent American rapper and producer, who attained prominence with his solo album, The Chronic, and rap record label, Death Row Records.

The rapper, who also produced some albums for Snoop Dogg and Eminem, pioneered gangsta hip-hop and delivered a number of tplatinum-selling albums.

Also known for his inflammatory lyrics and the unique variation of his sound during gigs, the extremely confident Grammy awards winner, claims that he can make a record hit even with a three-year- old. This can be considered true considering the immense potential the record producer has.

Born on February 18, 1965 in Los Angeles, Dr. Dre started his early career performing gigs as a hip-hop deejay at night parties in the south-central district.

He founded the group ‘Niggaz with Attitude’ with fellow rappers, Ice Cube and Eazy-E, which brought a revolution in the gangsta rap movement. The group’s second album ‘Straight Outta Compton’ had a criminal theme based on violence, featuring overt descriptions of street violence and drug trade.

With Suge Knight, he founded Death Row Records, which later became one of the most triumphant rap record labels. His solo album, ‘The Chronic’, featuring the Grammy-winning single ‘Let Me Ride’, went multi-platinum.

After the success of his solo album, the rapper entered into producing other artists’ works, collaborating with Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg and Eminem.

A respected musical artist in the industry, Dr. Dre makes lots of money and lives a lavish lifestyle. The musician rubs shoulders with some of the most elite people in the world of entertainment as he attends the town’s most exclusive parties.

On the personal front, the rapper is married to Nicole Threatt and has five children, out of which one of his sons, Andre Young Jr, passed away in 2008.

Woodland Hills mansion and car

Dr. Dre’s house in the Hollywood Hills cost $13m (about N2.2bn), and features massive columns, a ridiculously large backyard, and stunning views of the surrounding city from just about everywhere.

The home also sports rooftop decks, multiple balconies, a wrap-around pool, and a stunning entry courtyard.

The house is three storeys in some sections, and two in others and is as impressive from the back as it is from the front. The multi-unit compound also features a number of large guesthouses, and wooded areas that allow for privacy.

Dr. Dre’s house is a visual testament to his level of success, and to the amount of power he wields in the hip-hop community.

The rapper cruises around in a Hummer H2, a military styled SUV from General Motors, featuring some common and unique characteristics.

Equipped with a 6.2-litre V8 engine, the H2 delivers 393-hp and high ranges of torque. Its U.S. military Humvee-inspired styling and bulky size makes it a sweaty heavyweight prizefighter.

The spacious cabin features a beautifully designed dash, comfy seats, switch gear and multiple electronics interfaces. The incorporated advanced features include a driver-selectable rear differential locker and a DVD-based navigation system.

The H2 is a superb performer in off-road situations, as it can roll over almost any type of terrain without getting jammed or damaged, thanks to the 10 inch ground clearance, protected underbody and a generous wheel travel.