His musical catalog dates back to the late ’80s when he was a member of the hip-hop group N.W.A. His claim to fame is attributed to him popularizing the West Coast G-Funk sound. However, today, superproducer, rapper, and businessman Dr. Dre is known as one of the wealthiest hip-hop artists in the world with a net worth of $820 million.
The Compton, CA native’s entrepreneurial journey began after he left N.W.A and began his solo career in 1991. He founded Death Row Records with Suge Knight and had a successful release of his first solo album “The Chronic” the following year. Shortly after he left Death Row Records he started his own label, Aftermath Entertainment.
He’s produced albums for and played a hand in the careers of the music industry’s most successful artists like Snoop Dogg, Eminem, 50 Cent, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar, Anderson Paak, and more.
In 2001, he sold his share of Aftermath Entertainment to Interscope Records for $52 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
While Dr. Dre still receives royalties from his musical catalog, his title as the fourth richest rapper in the world is accredited to founding his Beats By Dre electronics company in 2008 with business partner Jimmy Iovine, according to Wealth Gorilla.
Over the years, the company grew in popularity for its top of the line performance and celebrity endorsements from Gwen Stefani, LeBron James, and more. He sold the company to Apple in 2014 for $3 billion, according to Inc Magazine.
