No, not really. At all. We compared rappers’ alleged wealth as heard in their lyrics to their actual wealth. SOURCE
Listening to these rappers’ lyrics was inspired by Businessweek’s Jay-Z Is Right: Most Rappers Are Lying About Their Money. Our methodology was slightly different: instead of using net worth and earnings in a specific year interchangeably, we used net worth exclusively. (In Lil Wayne’s case, we used earnings to be consistent with his lyrics.) This approach allowed for more accurate comparisons. Data was provided by Celebrity Net Worth and Forbes.
Pitbull
Song: Feel This Moment, 2012
“I see the future but live for the moment, make sense don’t it. Now make dollar, I mean billions, I’m a genius, I mean brilliant.”
Actual net worth: $20 million
Rick Ross
Song: Ashamed, 2012
“Until this day I’m slain, the commission remains. Net worth over a billion, I’m ashamed to say.”
Actual net worth: $28 million
You’re ashamed for the wrong reason.
Nicki Minaj
Song: Up In Flames, 2012
“I’m in Saint-Tropez, on a big boat. Go my way to make a billi like a big goat.”
Actual net worth: $45 million
Only $955 million shy of your goal Nicki, keep up the good work.
Diddy
Song: Shot Caller Remix, 2012
“Dippin in a Gatti, billboards in Toyko. Worth about a billi and I still run the city.”
Actual net worth: $580 million
“About” is a stretch Diddy, but hey, why not round up?
Jay-Z
Song: HAM, 2011
“I’m like ‘Really: half a bill…,really?’ you got baby money.”
Actual net worth: $500 million
On that scale, you’ve got “baby money” too, Hova.
Nas
Song: No Introduction, 2012
“Elevators was out of order yeah. Worth two hundred million now.”
Actual net worth: $17 million
Lil Wayne
Song: Ballin, 2011
“Last year I made a hundred million dollars flat.”
2010 Earnings: $20 million
Maybe sell your teeth for some extra cash?
Ludacris
Song: Future, 2012
“Took two years on just to raise my cup. Worth a 100 fucking mill.”
Actual net worth: $75 million
Soulja Boy
Song: All Black, 2013
“Everybody know that Soulja Boy is worth 30 mill.”
Actual net worth: $23 million
You tell ‘em, Soulja Boy.
Drake
Song: The Motto, 2012
“How you feel how you feel how you feel? 25, sitting on 25 mill.”
Actual net worth: $30 million
That’s some real motto-sty.
Gucci Mane
Song: Pistol In The Party, 2013
“I’m worth 20 mil on Ebay.”
Actual net worth: $15 million
Why the 33.33% markup? You don’t even come with real teeth!
Wiz Khalifa
Song: Rowland, 2012
“I made eleven million…without any endorsements.”
Actual net worth: $11 million
Right on the money, literally.
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