In follow up to our recent post, “Even Wiggaz Are Saying Hell No“, here is a look at Hip-Hop’s highest wage earners as published by Forbes magazine. Despite Hip-Hop record sales steadily declining, the industry generates millions in revenues - most of which aren’t directly attributed to record sales. Basically, the music has evolved into a marketing tool for consumer goods.

1. Jay-Z ($34 Mil)

Gotta Love Jay! The only one that truly has the business side of it all figured out, an exceptional marketer. He’s got vodka, clubs, clothing, Def Jam, Hewlett-Packard, GM and 11 studio albums on lock-down. His best album in our opinion is Reasonable Doubt - a Hip-Hop classic.

2. 50 Cent ($32 Mil)

His lyrics are whack and his releases are worthy of the trash-bin. However, the upper-class white’s love for G-Unit and his ringtones, vitaminwater and video games all pay the bills.

3. Diddy ($28 Mil)

Several name changes, a stack of terrible albums and over a decade of capitalizing off Biggie have made Diddy some serious bank. Oh Shit! I almost forgot his clothing line Sean John and TV series, Making The Band. I think Forbes made a mistake. Isn’t Diddy Pop and R&B?

4. Timbaland ($21 Mil)

Timbo’s onto some crazy production techniques. For example, with his assistance, a once good girl from Victoria, BC (Nelly Furtado) proved to be worth serious cream once she got tricked out and went 180 with her musical direction.

5. Dr. Dre ($20 Mil)

The Chronic? Enough said.

6. Eminem ($18 Mil)

Why doesn’t this guy go back to freestyle battling? Before he brought trailer park culture to the masses, he was smoking emcees in the underground. Even if he never returns to the game, there are loads of “top 40″ Hip-Hop groups that need a solid ghost writer! How many emcees write their own shit nowadays anyway?

7. Snoop Dogg ($17 Mil)

Snoop was relevant when he released Doggystyle - a westcoast classic. Now he drops joints with groups like the Pussycat Dolls. Snoop needs to get off the whacksauce and back on the blunts.

8. Kanye West ($17 Mil)

Kanye West is an arrogant bitch. Anyone who collaborates with the Teriyaki Boyz has strictly fallen off.

Continue reading after the jump.

9. Pharrell Williams ($17 Mil)

Pharrell is a tight producer. He also capitalizes off of skateboarding and overly priced, poorly designed streetwear garments under the name of Billionaire Boyz Club.

10. Scott Storch ($17 Mil)

This guy produced for Paris Hilton… HaHa

11. Ludacris ($16 Mil)

Ludacris generates his cash flows from acting and celebrity appearances. He was banging back in 1995, but has gradually been watering down the quality of his lyrics ever since.

12. T.I. ($16 Mil)

How does this guy make money? By acting. His lyrics are probably the worst we have ever heard - bitches, life on the streets and status quo gangsta shit. This coming from a wealthy man. Oh yeah…like we said, he’s an actor.

13. Outkast ($14 Mil)

Originality, creativity and integrity. It’s too bad these guys are not higher up on the list.

14. Lil Jon ($14 Mil)

What? Hello… WTF. This guy pioneered the term “crunk”. What an audio disaster.

15. Ice Cube ($13 Mil)

Does Ice Cube make dough any other way than by starring in poorly written children’s movies?

16. Jermaine Dupri ($12 Mil)

That video he did with Jay-Z for “Money Ain’t A Thang” was cool. At 12 million, should he really be throwing money out of the roof of a car?? Top Down Holler Down…doesn’t this guy chill with ‘Lil Bow Bow?

17. Swizz Beatz ($12 Mil)

Swizz diversifies his portfolio. Full Surface, an Interscope imprint, a club in Arizona, and exotic car dealerships earn him a nickel here and there.

18. Chamillionaire ($11 Mil)

Deals with Energizer batteries? …Now that’s Hip-Hop!

19. The Game ($11 Mil)

The Game really needs to step up his game.

20. Yung Joc ($10 Mil)

Hustlenomics? I didn’t realize slanging shit was so easy.