These are 20 Richest Female Rappers and Their Net Worth

There has been an increase in the number of female rappers in the world, unlike before when there were only a few female superstars in the male-dominated hip-hop industry. This young generation of women in hip-hop have changed the genre with their impressive artistry and are always in the spotlight for making captivating and genre-redefining music. As a result, they have claimed their rightful place on the hip-hop world map and are ranked among the world’s richest female rappers.

Seasoned rappers like Missy Elliott and Nicki Minaj have, however, continued to thrive in the rap game despite the challenge from the younger ladies. They were the first ones to break the proverbial glass ceiling and are considered legends in their own right. Not only have these successful female rhymers released chart-topping singles but, have proved that women can reign supreme as queens in the hip-hop industry.

The Wealthiest Female Rap Artists in the World and Their Net Worths

20. Foxy Brown

• Net Worth: $1.8 Million

Born Inga DeCarlo Fung Marchand, Foxy Brown was one of the reigning hip-hop queens in the late ’90s and early 2000s. She dropped her debut album ‘III Na Na’ in the year 1996 and has moved on to release other albums such as ‘Chyna Doll’ and ‘Broken Silence.’ Her first album debuted at No. 7 on the US Billboard 200 Albums Chart and sold over a million units in the United States, attaining platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Brown also raked in tons of dollars from ‘Chyna Doll’ which debuted atop Billboard 200 in January 1999 and was also platinum certified by the RIAA. Besides releasing successful albums, Foxy Brown has also collaborated with many big names in the music industry, including Jay-Z, Pharrell Williams, P. Diddy, and Nas. Her song “Na Na Be Like” gained a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Solo Performance in 2003 while Brown was nominated for the Best Female Hip-Hip Artist at the 2002 BET Awards.

19. Yo-Yo

• Net Worth: $2 Million

Grammy-nominated rapper Yo-Yo has accumulated an estimated net worth of $2 million from her successful efforts as a hip-hop artist, actress, and entrepreneur. Thus, she is recognized as one of the richest female rappers in the world. Yo-Yo, whose birth name is Yolanda Whitaker, kickstarted her music career in 1989 and has often used her music to advocate for female empowerment.

Following her appearance on Ice Cube‘s first studio album ‘AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted’ in 1990, the talented rap artist released her debut album ‘Make Way for the Motherlode’ in the next year. The album peaked at No. 5 on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart and produced hit singles like “You Can’t Play With My Yo-Yo” which peaked at No. 1 on the US Rap Song Chart and “Stompin’ To Tha 90’s” that clinched the 2nd spot on the music chart.

Yo-Yo further serves as the founder of the Yo-Yo School of Hip-Hop and has appeared in numerous acting projects. They include Sister Act 2: Back In The Habit (1993), Martin (1993-1997), The Breaks (1999), 3 Strikes (2000), and Love & Hip-Hop: Hollywood (2019). In 1995, she gained an MTV Video Music Award nomination for Best Rap Video for “I Wanna Be Down” (Remix). The next year, she was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rhythm & Blues Vocal Performance.

18. Young M.A

• Net Worth: $2 Million

With an estimated net worth of $2 million, Katorah Hortense Marrero, professionally known as Young M.A, is the first member of the new school of female rappers to appear on this richest female rapper list. M.A started rapping at the age of nine before releasing her debut mixtape, ‘M.A The Mixtape’ in 2015. In the same year, she dropped a single titled “Body Bag” which was a YouTube hit.

Following the release of her official debut single “Ooouuu” in 2016, the young rapper garnered mainstream attention as the song peaked at No. 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart and sold over four million copies in the US. The smash song has since been remixed by other rap artists such as Nicki Minaj, French Montana, Jadakiss, and Remy Ma. Some of her other singles that have garnered millions of online streams and views include “I Get The Bag”, “Walk”, and “Who Run It”.

In September 2019, M.A dropped her debut studio album ‘Herstory In The Making’ which clinched the 16th spot on the Billboard 200. The album produced RIAA gold-certified singles such as “PettyWap” and “Big”. The next year, she released her first Extended Play titled ‘Red Flu’. Her work has so far garnered her nominations for BET Awards and MTV Video Music Awards.

17. Kash Doll

• Net Worth: $2 Million

American rapper and model Kash Doll, whose real name is Arkeisha Antoinette Knight, first started as a dancer and was performing in strip clubs during her formative years. She later turned to rap and reportedly made $26,000 in one night for performing at a nightclub. After releasing several short rap videos on social media, Kash Doll became popular. She was invited by Drake to open one of his shows during his Summer Sixteen Tour. She then dropped a music video for the single “Run Me My Money” in 2015, followed by a mixtape titled ‘Keisha vs Kash Doll’.

In 2018, Kash Doll dropped an Extended Play titled ‘The Vault’ on streaming platforms, as well as a mixtape titled ‘Bratz’. Her first studio album ‘Stack’ was released in October 2019 and it peaked at No. 76 on the Billboard 200. One of her most successful music videos is “For Everybody” which has garnered more than 10 million views on YouTube. Thus far in her career, Antoinette has been nominated twice for a Detroit Music Award.

16. Megan Thee Stallion

• Net Worth: $3 Million

Popularly known for releasing the single “Hot Girl Summer”, Megan Thee Stallion is perhaps one of the more famous of the younger generation of hip-hop women who have taken the industry by storm. She released her Extended Play ‘Make It Hot’ in 2017, followed by another EP titled ‘Tina Snow’ which made the 166th spot on the US Billboard 200 chart. Her third EP, ‘Suga’ released in March 2020 has also been commercially successful. It peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard 200 and US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart.

After the release of two mixtapes; ‘Rich Ratchet’ and ‘Megan Mix’, Megan saw more success with the release of a third mixtape titled ‘Fever.’ It peaked at No. 10 on Billboard 200 and sold over 500 thousand units in the United States. She has also dropped multiple RIAA platinum-certified singles throughout her career. They include “Big Ole Freak”, “Hot Girl Summer” featuring Nicki Minaj and Ty Dolla Sign, “All Dat” with Moneybagg, “Captain Hook”, and “Savage” featuring Beyoncé. The latter peaked at No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100 and the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Chart.

After years of mixtapes and EPs, Megan dropped her debut studio album titled ‘Good News’ in November 2020. It has sold over 500 thousand units in the US. The album clinched the No. 2 spot on Billboard 200 and No. 1 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart, as well as the US Rap Albums Chart. She later attained her first number one song with her feature on Cardi B‘s single titled “WAP” which holds the record for the most streamed song in its first week of release in the United States (93 million). For all of her effort, Megan Thee Stallion has received 5 BET Hip Hop Awards, 2 MTV Video Music Awards, 2 BET Awards, 1 Billboard Award, and 4 Grammy Award nominations.

15. Azealia Banks

• Net Worth: $3 Million

Famed rapper, songwriter, and actress, Azealia Banks is one of the richest female rappers in the world with an estimated net worth of $3 million. She first dropped her debut recording ‘Gimme a Chance’ online in November 2008 under the moniker Miss Bank$. She later released the single “212” from her Extended Play ‘1991’ in the year 2011. The song peaked at No. 3 on the UK R&B Singles Chart and was certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) while the EP sold more than 500,000 units in the United States.

Banks released her debut studio album titled ‘Broke with Expensive Taste’ in November 2014. The album peaked at No. 30 on the US Billboard 200 and No. 3 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart. Throughout her career, she has released one studio album, two Extended Plays, three mixtapes, and eighteen singles which includes six as a featured performer. As an actress, Azealia Banks has starred in The American Ruling Class (2005) and Love Beats Rhymes (2017).

14. Remy Ma

• Net Worth: $4 Million

Born Reminisce Mackie, Remy Ma has made incredible achievements since beginning her rap career in 1999. She is best known for her work as a member of Fat Joe’s group, Terror Squad, featuring on the group’s chart-topping single, “Lean Back”. The Grammy-nominated rapper has since released her debut studio album titled ‘There’s Something About Remy: Based on a True Story’. The album which was released in February 2006 had moderate success, peaking at No. 33 on the US Billboard 200 and No. 2 on the US Rap Albums Chart. As of 2007, the album has recorded sales of 160,000 copies in the United States.

In 2017, Remy dropped a collaboration album with Fat Joe titled ‘Plata O Plomo’ which clinched the 12th position on the US Rap Albums Chart. One of the album’s most commercially successful songs was “All the Way Up” which was certified double-platinum by the RIAA. As a result of all her endeavors, Remy is among the six female rappers to have a No. 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100 and one of the only four multiple winners of the BET Award for Best Female Hip-Hop Artist. In addition, she has been nominated for three Grammy Awards and has claimed two Source Awards and two Vibe Awards.

13. Iggy Azalea

• Net Worth: $6 Million

Australian rapper Iggy Azalea emigrated from Sydney, Australia to the United States when she was sixteen years old. She began working as a model and was associated with the Wilhelmina modeling agency before she eventually kicked off her hip-hop career by signing with T.I‘s record label, Grand Hustle. Under the imprint, she dropped her first mixtape ‘Ignorant Art’ in the year 2011. Later in 2014, she released her debut studio album, ‘The New Classic’ which became a top-five charting album on many music charts across the globe, selling over a million units in the United States.

With the album peaking at No. 1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart, Iggy emerged as the first non-American rap artist to top the chart. Her single “Fancy” also debuted atop US Billboard Hot 100 and recorded sales of over 8 million copies in the United States. The single was also certified quadruple-platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), as well as Music Canada. Other of her hit singles include “Black Widow”, “Beg For It”, and “Kream”.

Azalea has so far in her career sold more than 20 million singles in the United States and over 45 million records worldwide. She has also won 4 Teen Choice Awards, 3 Billboard Music Awards, 2 American Music Awards, 1 MTV Video Music Award, and 1 People’s Choice Award, among others.

12. Lil Mama

• Net Worth: $6 Million

Niatia Jessica Kirkland who goes by the stage name Lil Mama has accrued an estimated net worth of $6 million from working as a rapper, actress, and TV personality. At the age of seventeen, she released her debut studio album ‘VYP’ (Voice of the Young) which debuted at No. 25 on the Billboard 200 and sold more than 400,000 copies in the US. The album spawned top-ten charting songs such as “Lip Gloss” which was certified gold by the RIAA and “Shawty Get Loose” feat. Chris Brown and T-Pain which peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.

At the age of nineteen, Lil Mama began working as a judge on MTV’s America Best Dance Crew, taking a long break from music. She appeared on the show for seven seasons, from 2008 to 2012, and became one of the youngest judges on any competitive TV show in history. She has additionally made appearances in films such as CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story (2013), Growing Up Hip Hop: Atlanta (2018), All In (2019), and True to the Game 2: Gena’s Story (2020).

11. Trina

• Net Worth: $6 Million

Following her appearance on Trick Daddy’s single “Nann Nigga” in the year 1998, Trina gathered much popularity. She is now ranked among the richest female rappers as a result of her impressive rap career achievements that have earned her an estimated total wealth of $6 million. In addition to her music career, her work in front of the screen has further contributed to her wealth. They include A Miami Tail (2003) where she appeared as Alica Strada and her performance won her a Golden Trailer Award, The Cookout (2004), The Cookout 2 (2011), and Love & Hip Hop: Miami (2018-present).

Trina dropped her first album ‘Da Baddest Bitch’ in March 2000 and it debuted at No. 33 on Billboard 200, staying on the chart for 39 weeks. The album also stayed on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart for 49 consecutive weeks after debuting at No. 11. The album sold more than 500 thousand units in the United States. Trina has since released five more albums; ‘Diamond Princess’, ‘Glamorest Life’, ‘Still da Baddest’, ‘Amazin’, and ‘The One’. ‘Still da Baddest’ peaked at No. 6 on the US Billboard 200, No. 1 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart, as well as No. 1 on the US Rap Albums Chart. It sold over 800 thousand units worldwide. Trina is a recipient of 2 ASCAP Awards, 2 BMI Awards, 1 EME Award, and 1 All-Star Music Award.

10. MC Lyte

• Net Worth: $8 Million

American rapper and disc jockey MC Lyte is renowned for having a successful career in music. She began rhyming and experimenting with sounds when she was twelve years old and is today regarded as one of the pioneers of female rap. Lyte released her debut studio album ‘Lyte as a Rock’ in 1988 to critical acclaim. Following the release, she became the first solo female rap artist to drop a studio album. This garnered her stardom and she increased her height of fame by becoming the first female solo rap artist to achieve a gold-certified single with her 1993 song “Ruffneck”. She has since gone on to release other RIAA gold-certified songs such as “Keep On, Keepin’ On” and “Cold Rock a Party” feat. Missy Elliott.

Besides music, the sensational rapper has also established herself in the acting industry, as well as in the business sector. She made her acting debut in the 1992 film, Fly by Night, and later had roles in An Alan Smithee Film: Burn Hollywood Burn (1997), For Your Love (1998-2002), Train Ride (2000), Playas Ball (2003), Half & Half (2004-2006), Girls Trip (2017), and Sylvie’s Love (2020). More so, the rapper owns a boutique in Los Angeles called Shaitel. She also opened a global entertainment firm, Sunni Gyri Inc., in 1997. She further serves as the founder of the Hip-Hop Sisters Foundation.

9. Eve

• Net Worth: $10 Million

Eve has an estimated net worth of $10 million. She has been able to achieve this by not only using her rapping skills and artistry but also her acting talent as well. She is widely known for playing Terri Jones in the Barbershop film series (2002-2016), and appearing in other projects like XXX (2002), Eve (2003-2006), The Cookout (2004), Single Ladies (2011-2012), Bounty Killer (2013), Animal (2014), and Daytime Divas (2017).

Eve released her debut studio album, ‘Let There Be Eve…Ruff Ryders First Lady’ in 1999. It debuted atop the US Billboard 200 and the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, selling over two million units in the United States. Her second album ‘Scorpion’ was also a commercial success. It peaked at No. 4 on Billboard 200 and sold more than one million units in the US. The Philadelphia native has since released several top-ten charting singles on the US Rap Songs chart. They include “What Y’all Want”, “Gotta Man”, “Love Is Blind”, “Who’s That Girl?”, “Let Me Blow Your Mind”, and “Gangsta Lovin”. She has additionally released 19 singles as a featured artist of which some singles like “Hot Boyz”, “Rich Girl”, and “Like This” recorded massive success. Her illustrious music career has been decorated with Grammy Award, MTV Video Music Award, two BET Awards, Soul Train Award, four Teen Choice Awards, and VH1 Music Award.

8. DJ Spinderella

• Net Worth: $10 Million

Born Deidra Muriel Roper, DJ Spinderella is an American rapper and disc jockey who is famously known as a former member of the Grammy Award-winning hip-hop group, Salt-N-Pepa. The group was made up of Roper, Cheryl James (Salt), and Sandra Denton (Pepa). The trio were among the first female acts to win a Grammy Award as their song “None of Your Business” won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group in the year 1995.

DJ Spinderella started her disc jockeying career at the age of fourteen before joining the hip hop group when she was sixteen years old. The group is considered one of the best-selling rap acts of all time, having sold more than 15 million records worldwide. Spinderella has further featured in many episodes of The Salt-N-Pepa Show that aired on the VH1 network in 2008. She also worked as the co-host of the radio show BackSpin from 2003 to 2006. The rap artist is the founder of the Spinderella DJ Academy and an ambassador of TV ONE UnSung.

7. M.I.A.

• Net Worth: $14 Million

M.I.A. is an English rap artist and activist whose real name is Mathangi “Maya” Arulpragasam. She is known for writing songs with political and philosophical commentary. Before dropping her singles “Galang” and “Sunshowers” in early 2004, Maya first worked as a filmmaker and visual artist in West London. Her first two albums; ‘Arular’ and ‘Kala’ were critically acclaimed and sold over 600,000 copies in the United States as the latter attained a gold certification from the RIAA. In 2008, she released the smash song “Paper Planes” which peaked at No. 19 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 4 on the US Billboard Hot 100. It sold over three million units in the United States and was BPI platinum-certified, as well as quintuple-platinum certified by Music Canada. Maya gained her first No. 1 single on US Billboard Hot 100 in 2020 when she featured on Travis Scott‘s hit song ‘Franchise’.

Thus far in her music career, M.I.A has dropped five studio albums, two mixtapes, two Extended Plays, and thirty-six singles which includes eight she served as a featured artist. The success of all of her music has contributed to her becoming one of the richest female rappers in the world. She has further received 2 MTV Video Music Awards and 2 American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) Awards. Also, she has been nominated for a Grammy Award, Academy Award, Mercury Prize, Alternative Turner Prize, and Brit Award, thus, becoming the only recording artist to have been nominated for all five awards. In 2019, she was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).

6. Cheryl James

• Net Worth: $14 Million

Better known as Salt, Cheryl James attained fame as a member of the hip-hop group, Salt-N-Pepa. The group has released five studio albums, six compilation albums, twenty-nine music videos, and twenty-seven singles. Following their astounding career success, registering sales of over 15 million records globally, the trio has emerged as one of the best-selling rap acts of all time and have been dubbed “The First Ladies of Rap and Hip Hop”.

Having achieved such a bloomy music career, it’s not surprising that Cheryl and her partners have been ranked among the richest female rappers in the world. Besides working with Salt-N-Pepa, she has also featured on Kirk Franklin’s song ‘Stomp’, as well as God’s property eponymous album which emerged as one of the best-selling albums in the history of gospel music.

5. Sandra Denton

• Net Worth: $15 Million

Making our list of the twenty richest female rappers in the world is Sandra Denton, the other member of Salt-N-Pepa. The Jamaican-American rapper and actress has an estimated net worth of $15 million. Outside of the success she has enjoyed with her group, Denton has made more money from appearing in front of the camera. She appeared in the reality TV series, Salt-N-Pepa Show on VH1, and has featured in other projects like Who’s the Man? (1993), Oz (2000-2003), The Perfect Holiday (2007), Sharknado 2: The Second One (2014). She has also been appearing on the reality TV show Growing Up Hip Hop since 2016.

4. Cardi B

• Net Worth: $30 Million

In addition to being one of the richest female rappers, Cardi B is also ranked among the most influential female rappers of all time. She first attained fame on Vine and Instagram before starring as a regular cast member on Love & Hip Hop: New York from 2015 to 2017. The rapper would later move on to make a name for herself in the hip-hop industry by releasing her first mixtape titled ‘Gangsta Bitch Music, Vol 1’ in 2016. She followed that effort up with ‘Gangsta Bitch Music, Vol 2’ the next year.

In April 2018, Cardi dropped her mega-hit debut studio album, ‘Invasion of Privacy’ which topped charts in different countries. It debuted atop the Billboard 200, Top US R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart, and US Rap Albums Chart. The album was certified triple platinum by the RIAA and produced multiple chart-topping singles like “Bodak Yellow” and “I Like It”. Both singles were certified nonuple-platinum by RIAA as each registered sales of over nine million copies in the United States. As a result, the songs emerged as the highest certified singles by a female rap artist. She further holds the record for being the first female rapper with all the songs from her album attaining gold, platinum, or multi-platinum certifications from the RIAA.

Cardi’s recent single ‘WAP’ which was released in 2020 and featured Megan Thee Stallion debuted atop Billboard Hot 100, UK Singles Chart, and several other charts. As such, the rapper emerged as the only female rapper to attain chart-topping songs in two decades (2010s and 2020s). She further became the female rap artist with the most No.1 singles on the US Billboard Hot 100. Among Cardi’s numerous accolades include 1 Grammy Award, 8 Billboard Music Awards, 11 BET Hip Hop Awards, and 5 American Music Awards.

3. Missy Elliott

• Net Worth: $50 Million

Melissa Arnette Elliott, professionally known as Missy Elliott, is a legendary hip-hop artist whose music style has influenced many female rap artists, including Cardi B. She began her career in the mid-’90s as a member of the girl group Sista before launching a solo career in 1997 with the release of her debut album, ‘Supa Dupa Fly’. The album debuted at No. 3 on Billboard 200 and was the highest-charting debut for a female rap artist at the time. The album went on to sell over a million units in the United States. Her second album, ‘Da Real World’ debuted atop the US Rap Albums Chart and stayed on top of the chart for 18 weeks. The album was also certified platinum by the RIAA.

Missy Elliott’s hit songs include “Hot Boyz”, “Get Ur Freak On”, “Work It”, “Lose Control”, and “WTF (Where They From)”. She has registered sales of over 30 million records throughout her career and is a recipient of four Grammy Awards. She is also the first rap artist to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

2. Queen Latifah

• Net Worth: $70 Million

Born Dana Owens, Queen Latifah is regarded as one of hip-hop’s pioneering feminists. She has dropped eight studio albums and twenty-three singles throughout her career. Her first two albums; ‘All Hail the Queen’ and ‘Nature of a Sista’ had moderate success, clinching the No. 124 and No. 117 spots on the Billboard 200 respectively. Her third album ‘Black Reign’ was certified gold by the RIAA while her fourth album, ‘Order in the Court’ only recorded sales of 100,000 copies in the United States. Later in 2004, she released the most successful album of her career, ‘The Dana Owens Album’ which sold more than 700,000 copies in the United States.

Asides from music, Queen Latifah has had a flourishing acting career, having featured in a good number of blockbuster films. No wonder she sits on an estimated net worth of $70 million. She made her acting debut in 1991, featuring in the movie Jungle Fever as well as the TV series, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. She has since gone on to feature in Brown Sugar (2002), Bringing Down the House (2003), The Barbershop 2: Back in Business (2004) Single Ladies (2011-2012), Star (2016-2019), and Girls Trip (2017).

The rapper’s contributions to the entertainment industry have allowed her to become the first rap artist to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She has also landed a Grammy Award, Golden Globe Award, 2 NAACP Image Awards, and 3 Screen Actors Guild Awards.

1. Nicki Minaj

• Net Worth: $85 Million

International star Nicki Minaj who was born Onika Tanya Maraj is the richest rapper in the world. She has an estimated net worth of $85 million and is also ranked among the most influential female rap artists of all time. As one of the best-selling music artists in the world, Nicki has sold over 100 million records worldwide. She is also the female rapper with the most top-ten singles on Hot 100.

Releasing her first solo single “Your Love” in 2010, she emerged as the first female rapper to top the US Rap Songs Chart since 2002, as the single debuted atop the chart and clinched the No. 14th spot on the Billboard Hot 100. Her first and second studio albums; ‘Pink Friday’ and ‘Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded’ debuted at No. 1 on Billboard 200, US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart, and US Rap Albums Chart. The first album sold over three million copies in the United States while the second registered sales of over two million.

Nicki Minaj is a recipient of 10 BET Awards, 7 BET Hip Hop Awards, 6 American Music Awards, 4 Billboard Music Awards, 5 MTV Video Music Awards, 4 Teen Choice Awards, 2 People’s Choice Awards, and 1 Soul Train Music Award. She further has 10 Grammy Award nominations to her name.

Recap of The 20 Richest Female Rappers in the World and Their Net Worths

1. Nicki Minaj – $85 million

2. Queen Latifah – $70 million

3. Missy Elliott – $50 million

4. Cardi B – $30 million

5. Sandra Denton – $15 million

6. Cheryl James – $14 million

7. M.I.A – $14 million

8. DJ Spinderella – $10 million

9. Eve – $10 million

10. MC Lyte – $8 million

11. Trina – $6 million

12. Lil Mama – $6 million

13. Iggy Azalea – $6 million

14. Remy Ma – $4 million

15. Azealia Banks – $3 million

16. Megan Thee Stallion – $3 million

17. Kash Doll – $2 million

18. Young M.A – $2 million

19. Yo-Yo – $2 million

20. Foxy Brown – $1.8 million