1. Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Gail Winfrey is the Chairwoman and CEO of Harpo Productions and Chairwoman, CEO, and CCO of the Oprah Winfrey Network. She is widely known as an American media proprietor, talk show host, actress, producer, and philanthropist. She is best known for her talk show The Oprah Winfrey Show, which was the highest-rated program of its kind in history and was nationally syndicated from 1986 to 2011. Dubbed the “Queen of All Media”, she has been ranked the richest African-American of the 20th century, the greatest black philanthropist in American history, and is currently (2015) North America’s only black billionaire. Several assessments regard her as the most influential woman in the world
2. Jay Z
In the business world, Jay Z has also established himself as a successful entrepreneur like his fellow hip hop moguls and friends, Russell Simmons, Dr. Dre and Sean “Diddy” Combs, who also have business holdings such as record companies and clothing lines. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America. In 2014, Forbes estimated Jay Z’s net worth at nearly $520 million.In March 2015, Jay Z completed the $56 million purchase of Aspiro, a Norwegian company that operates the subscription-based music streaming service, Tidal, which has been in operation since October 2014
3. Dr Dre
Dr Dre is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and Beats Electronics. . In 2014, Dr. Dre was ranked as the second richest figure in the American hip hop scene by Forbes with a net worth of $550 million; he is at the top of the 2015 Forbes list, with an estimated pre-tax take of $620 million in 2014
4. Diddy
In 1998, Combs started a clothing line, Sean John. It was nominated for the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) award for Menswear Designer of the Year in 2000, and won in 2004. In 2015 Forbes estimated Combs’ net worth at $735 million. In addition to his clothing line, Combs owned two restaurants called Justin’s, named after his son. The original New York location closed in September 2007; the Atlanta location closed in June 2012. He is the designer of the Dallas Mavericks alternate jersey. In October 2007 Combs agreed to help develop the Cîroc vodka brand for a 50 percent share of the profits.[103] Combs acquired the Enyce clothing line from Liz Claiborne for $20 million on October 21, 2008. Combs has a major equity stake in Revolt TV, a television network that also has a film production branch. It began broadcasting in 2014
5. 50 Cent
Jackson has had a successful business career, founding G-Unit Records in 2003. In November 2003, he signed a five-year deal with Reebok to distribute a G-Unit Sneakers line for his G-Unit Clothing Company. One of Jackson’s first business ventures was being a beverage investor with Glacéau to create an enhanced water drink called Formula 50. . In 2007, Coca-Cola purchased Glacéau for $4.1 billion and, according to Forbes, Jackson, who was a minority shareholder, earned $100 million from the deal after taxes. He also joined Right Guard to introduce a body spray (Pure 50 RGX) and endorsed Magic Stick condoms, planning to donate part of their proceeds to increasing HIV awareness. Jackson signed a multi-year deal with Steiner Sports to sell his memorabilia, and announced plans for a dietary-supplement company in conjunction with his film Spectacular Regret in August 2007. Jackson also has founded two film-production companies: G-Unit Films in 2003 and Cheetah Vision in 2008. When G-Unit Films folded he focused on Cheetah Vision, and in 2010 the company obtained $200 million in funding.In July 2011 Jackson launched a philanthropic initiative to provide food for one billion starving people in Africa by 2016, joining Pure Growth Partners to introduce Street King. A portion of the proceeds from each Street King purchase would be used to provide a daily meal to an underprivileged child. In 2011 he founded SMS Audio, a consumer-electronics company selling Street by 50 headphones, pledging to donate a portion of their sales to charity. In 2014 Jackson became a part-owner in the Effen Vodka brand and currently endorses the product via his live performances and social media.
