Jay-Z the top earner among hip hop stars

US RAPPER Jay-Z is the highest earner in a list of the wealthiest hip hop stars, according to Forbes.com.

Also known as Shawn Carter, he is number one on the site’s list of Hip-Hop Cash Kings, based solely on 2006 income.

He banked an estimated $34 million (€25m), Forbes.com said yesterday.

Jay-Z, president and chief executive of Def Jam Recordings, recently released his 11th studio album, Kingdom Come, which sold about two million copies.

Jay-Z, 37, is also part owner of the basketball team, New Jersey Nets, and has endorsement deals with Budweiser, Hewlett-Packard and General Motors.

Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson ranks second with an estimated $32m.

The 31-year-old rapper-businessman oversees his record label, clothing line, ringtones and other enterprises, and has sold more than 11 million albums.

His latest album, Curtis, is out on September 11.

Diddy, aka Sean Combs, came third with an estimated $28m.

He has a clothing line, Sean John, and heads Bad Boy Worldwide Entertainment and its record label.

Rounding out the top five are Timbaland with $21m and Dr Dre on $20m.