DR. DRE TOPS FORBES ’HIP-HOP CASH KINGS LIST

Dr. Dre has not released an album in over 10 years, but that hasn’t stopped him from topping the list of hip-hop’s top earners. The West Coast rap icon ranks No.1 on Forbes‘ annual Hip-Hop Cash Kings list.

The rapper-producer, whose oft delayed album Detox still remains without a release date, pulls in $110 million in pre-tax earnings thanks to his successful Beats by Dr. Dre headphones line.

Handset maker HTC bought a 51% stake ($300
million) in the company last year.

Sean “Diddy” Combs follows a distant second with $45 million, thanks to his stake in
 Ciroc vodka, while last year’s top earner Jay-Z comes in third with $38 million, his lowest rank to date.

The Roc Nation mogul can attribute his earnings to his successful Watch the Throne album and tour with Kanye West and ownership stakes in the Brooky ln Nets, Carol’s Daughter, and a joint venture with Duracell.

Kanye West and Lil Wayne round out the top5. See the full list below.

Cash Kings 2012: Hip-Hop’s Top 20 Earners

1. Dr. Dre – $110million

2. Diddy – $45million

3. Jay-Z – $38million

4. Kanye West – $35million

5. Lil Wayne – $27million

6. Drake – $20.5million

7. Birdman – $20million

8. NickiMinaj – $15.5million

9. Eminem – $15million

10. Ludacris – $12million

11. Pitbull – $9.5million

12. Rick Ross – $9million (tie)

12. Wiz Khalifa – $9million (tie)

14. Snoop Dogg – $8.5 million

15. 50 Cent – $7.5million

16. Swizz Beatz – $7million (tie)

16. Pharrell – $7million (tie)

16. Young Jeezy – $7million (tie)

19. Mac Miller – $6.5 million

20. Akon – $6million

20. Timbaland – $6million

20. TechN9ne – $6million