Last year, Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter pulled within a hair of beating out Diddy as the wealthiest man in hip-hop. The rapper’s net worth amounted to $810 million, according to Forbes—just $10 million short of Diddy’s total worth. But with a series of massive business contracts, lofty real estate purchases and a successful album release and tour, 2018 may be the year Jay-Z’s net worth makes him the king of hip-hop. Here are all the ways Jay-Z has made, and is currently making, his money. Jay-Z Albums Albums aren’t really the way musicians make money nowadays—but Jay-Z started out as an entertainer, and his music is what put him on the map and paved the way for his future success.