The 15 Best Rapper Side Hustles

The names that top Forbes‘ Richest Hip-Hop Artists’ list got their start by being an everyman. With rap revenue in a recession, do these next-gen rappers have what it takes to stand out?

Gone are the days where you couldn’t imagine a Hip-Hop artist standing alongside legendary entrepreneurs. The culture has created millionaires such as Diddy and Jay Z who look right at home next to the likes of Warren Buffett and Bill Gates. As those looking to make a name for themselves continue to capitalize on the power of their brand, lesser-known rappers are beginning to build their own diversified empires, as well.

Not everyone can have the successful grind or work ethic of a Curtis Jackson or Dr. Dre, but that shouldn’t stop one from making ‘fedda.

We hypothesize 15 potential money-making side hustles for a number of rappers who have already created strong names in the entertainment world.

We start with a young rhymeslinger who doesn’t have to depend on the music industry to put food on the table:

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Diggy Simmons

This youthful progeny of Joseph Simmons has been able to keep his cool kid collection official through partnerships with BET, AT&T and Coca-Cola. To increase his brand awareness, the youngest member of the All City Chess Club should invest in the FIDE by becoming their brand ambassador.

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2 Chainz

It’s no secret that the man known as Tity Boi loves the shaker clubs. He could turn his love of the limbo ladies into big bucks by creating a stripper birthday party service. This could appeal to the celebratory type who doesn’t want the whole club to join in on his dime. Think about it, Dos.

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Rick Ross

The Maybach Music Group head honcho already has side projects with Wing Stop and Belaire Rosé. Reebok might let him still shout them out, but the Big Man rapper should go for ‘delf and create his own line of Big and Tall footwear through DONDA. Smells like money, don’t it, Rawse?!

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Andre 3000

3 Stacks is not shy when it comes to making his affiliations known. The otherworldly MC already created his own clothing line, launched a successful animated series and brand partnerships with Gillette. While speculation remains about his whereabouts, our suggestion is that Dre push his creative talents into shedding light on the needless violence in our community as an outspoken advocate.

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3D Na’Tee

The 3rd Ward’s own is a next-gen rapper who has garnered national attention for her brash brand of storytelling lyrics. With her name on the rise, striking while the iron is hot isn’t such a bad idea. Her “controversial and sometimes offensive” persona meshes well with her charismatic style, which could find the New Orleans’ star going from the booth to Studio 8H. Lorne Michaels pays better than some labels, y’know?

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Nicki Minaj

Young Money’s first lady is also a potential billion dollar brand. Her alignments with Pepsi, K-Mart and Myx Moscato have her name bubbling in boardrooms. What she can do to uptick her bottom line is to create a haven for young women looking to construct their own dreams. There is a wealth of buying power in that market, Nicki.

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50 Cent

“In the evolution of fear, a decisive moment occurs,” wrote the G-Unit boardroom bully in his 50th Law book. He wasn’t lying at all. Remorselessly, he’s tapped into a range of markets (Vitamin Water, video games, clothes) and had success in the tech / digital realm. With such work ethic, Sabrina’s baby boy could make worlds better as a motivational speaker.

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Ice Cube

O’Shea Jackson is still a Sasquatch. His Are We There Yet? show is in syndication, his Solo clothing line is available, and his career in film is pretty secure. What more can a hustler like Ice do? A rebel in true form, this South Central wordsmith could make a pretty penny through funding the revitalization of schools in hoods across California.

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Eminem

The time is ticking for Marshall Mathers. He’s able to command the attention of the world for his bars, but what happens when the world moves on? The D12 rapper could get an early start on retirement by helping to bridge the gap between the races in his home state. There are some things bigger than rap.

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Schoolboy Q

Top Dawg‘s groovy gangsta is already proving his hit-making skills with songs like “Banger” and “Collard Greens”. You can bet that with the team on smash, right now, all eyes are on the Hoover Street rapper to make it big. Taking a page out of Dr. Dre‘s playbook, Q could create his own signature line of vaporizers that would capitalize on the e-cigarette craze.

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DMX

If Yonker’s own ever read this, just know that this idea could work… without you behind the wheel. Creating an avenue for young, impressionable drivers-in-training could turn into bank. By “scaring straight” any potential misdemeanors in the making as a driving instructor, the former Def Jam rapper could single-handedly be responsible for decreasing phone use while driving.

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Dipset

When Cam’Ron, Jim Jones and Juelz Santana combine their powers, these three titans of rap can create dynamic shifts within the culture. Killa’s plotting the revitalization of their brand of clothes, while Jim and Juelz are making their own moves. If they do come back as a trio, our hopes is that they use their songwriting skills to redefine the cheerleading industry. “I Really Mean It” could find new life and revenue that way.

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Childish Gambino

Say what you want about Donald Glover, but he’ll provide more entertainment than most when it’s all said and done. The former Community star has more than one talent to offer the buying public. To add an extra bit of oomph to his pockets, the charismatic rapper could create his own line of comics. Marvel shouldn’t be the only one making big business bank.

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Don Trip

If you’ve never read out this Memphis rapper’s lyrics, you can’t claim an affinity for the culture. His words have been able to not only catch the attention of the industry, but shed light on the ills within our human community. For that, he could venture into the world of community affairs and create his own gang counseling facilities. The streets could use the knowledge and continue to help take the culture to the next level.

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Lil Scrappy

Not afraid to “put them paws” on you, this Atlanta rapper could take his aggressive-filled rhymes in a lucrative direction. Instead of spending hours in the studio, he could create a franchise of boxing gyms to give his listeners who love “No Problem” an opportunity to theirs out in the ring. If anyone wants to get out of line, just let them know Mama Deb is in the building… and she don’t play.

Who are some artists that would make great mavens of rapper side hustles? Share your thoughts in the comments below.