Forbes: Jay-Z is highest-paid rapper

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 18 (UPI) -- Rapper and producer Jay-Z is the top earner in the U.S. hip-hop world, taking in $63 million during the past 12 months, Forbes reported.

Coming in at No. 2 is Sean "Diddy" Combs with $30 million, followed by Aliuane "Akon" Thiam at No. 3 with $21 million, Dwayne "Lil Wayne" Carter at No. 4 with $20 million and Andre "Dr. Dre" Young at No. 5 with $17 million.

Rounding out the top tier are Christopher "Ludacris" Bridges with $16 million, Calvin "Snoop Dogg" Broadus with $15 million, Timothy "Timbaland" Mosley with $14 million, Pharrell Williams with $13 million and Kanye West with $12 million, Forbes said.