While it may seem like male artists dominated the rap industry during the 80s and 90s, female rappers like MC Lyte (original name, Lana Michele Moorer) and Dana Elaine Owens aka Queen Latifah have been gradually changing the game early on. Today, several successful female artists in the rap genre have not only carved out successful careers for themselves, but have also amassed massive fortunes through the same. Looking at the massive net worth of artists like Nicki Minaj, Cardi B and more, here are the richest female rappers of all time.
With great fame and fortune also comes stiff competition. The Drake vs Kendrick Lamar rap beef has left fans of the genre curious about drama; interestingly, rap beef is not merely confined to men rappers. Some time ago, two female rappers also indulged in a diss-track face-off — yes, we are talking about Nicki Minaj and Megan Thee Stallion. What started as a supposed dig at Minaj’s husband, Kenneth Petty, (a registered sex offender) in Stallion’s track Hiss, soon escalated into a full-blown feud. In response, Nicki then released Big Foot where she threw punches at Megan by referring to the July 2020 incident where Canadian rapper Tory Lanez shot Megan in the foot.
Rap beefs and collaborations
Notably, Minaj is not new to the whole rap feud game, as she has also had a long-running beef with fellow female rapper Cardi B. In fact, their infamous fight had also culminated in Cardi B throwing her red Elie Saab platform heel at Minaj during a New York Fashion Week party in 2018.
However, rap battles are just a staple element of the genre, and besides that, several female rappers have also collaborated to release some of the most iconic hip-hop tracks of our time. Among these are Princess Diana by Ice Spice and Nicki Minaj, Put It On Da Floor Again by Latto and Cardi B among others. As solo artists, each of them has emerged as a major force in the rap industry. Here’s a look at the most famous female rappers with massive net worths.
Richest female rappers with a staggering net worth: Nicki Minaj, Cardi B and other artists
Nicki Minaj
Net worth: USD 150 million
Most streamed song on Spotify: Tusa
Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty, popularly known as Nicki Minaj is undoubtedly one of the most famous female artists in the hip-hop industry. She has earned the badge of being the “Queen of rap” thanks to her immense versatility. Achieving global stardom is no easy feat and for Minaj, it didn’t happen overnight. After moving to the United States, the Trinidadian-born rapper started writing rap songs at the age of 12. From dealing with an unexpected pregnancy and abortion while still in high school to eventually finding her footing in the music industry, the rapper’s rise to fame has been an inspirational tale. Yet, controversies have been a mainstay throughout her career, including her recent arrest in Amsterdam on suspicion of exporting narcotics.
In terms of her impressive career trajectory Minaj dropped her debut studio album Pink Friday in 2010 after releasing three mixtapes. With that she topped the US Billboard 200 chart, making her the first female solo rapper to have her debut album reach number one. Last December, she achieved the same feat with her album Pink Friday 2 and is now the only female rapper with the most No. 1 albums.
As of 2024, Nicki Minaj has a net worth of USD 150 million. Forbes had previously listed her among the highest-paid rappers in the world in 2019 with earnings of USD 29 million. Besides her earnings from her solo music, Audacy estimates place her guest verse charges at USD 250,000. Furthermore, the Super Bass singer has also added to her wealth through other projects, previously receiving a hefty paycheck of USD 12 million for her American Idol judging stint in 2013. Her concert tours have also greatly contributed to her fortune, having earned over USD 2 million in ticket sales in the past. Her USD 150 million net worth is also composed of huge earnings from endorsement deals with brands such as MAC Cosmetics, Pepsi, and Adidas.
Cardi B
Net worth: USD 80 million
Most streamed song on Spotify: I Like It
Belcalis Marlenis Almanzar Cephus, better known by her stage name Cardi B, is among the most famous female rappers in the world. With a global fanbase and over 18 billion streams on Spotify, she has released some of the most famous hip-hop tracks like WAP (ft. Meghan Thee Stallion), Bodak Yellow, and more. Among many of her career achievements, 2019 saw a defining moment as she became the first solo female artist to win the Best Rap Album Grammy for Invasion of Privacy. However, long before dropping her debut album and her big win, Cardi B starred in the VH1 reality show, Love & Hip Hop. Interestingly, the New York-born rapper was an exotic dancer before becoming a singer and has never shied away from talking about her past.
As of 2024, Cardi B is one of the richest female rappers in the world with a net worth of USD 80 million, with the staggering fortune mainly built atop her musical career. Her level of success is reflected in the astonishing offers she receives for performances. In an interview with The Rolling Stone, the rapper confirmed that she received offers of over USD 1.5 – 2 million per performance. Reports have also suggested that she earns between an estimated USD 70,000 to over USD 200,000 to feature in collaborations. In terms of how she spends her millions, the rapper revealed that while she supports her extended family, it is difficult it is to reject. She shared, “I gotta say no and I’m buying Birkins.”
