Bryan Williams (Birdman)

Estimated Net Worth: $100 Million
Bryan Williams is the co-founder of Cash Money Records.  He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has gone multi-platinum as both an artist and a producer.  His label has helped craft albums for many artists including Lil Wayne and Juvenile.  In 2000 Birdman was nominated for two Grammies for his song #1 Stunna, which he released with Mannie Fresh as part of the rap duo Big Tymers.  To date, Cash Money Records is the most commercially successful label in the history of hip hop music with 50 million records sold and annual revenues in excess of $100 million.  By the time Birdman was 22-years-old he had already amassed a net worth of $40 million.  He owns a $30 million condo in Miami.
In the music industry, a large majority of the money is made by the record executives.  This is why popular rappers usually expand and create their own labels.  Let’s examine the net worth of some of the biggest names in music.  Jay-Z is one of three founders of Roc-A-Fella records and Roc Nation.  In 2007 he sold Rocaware clothing, which he co-founded, for $204 million.  Jay-Z’s official net worth is $450 million, but when you account for his many sources of income the number is closer to $1 billion.
In 1993, Sean Combs founded Bad Boy Records.  He has two successful clothing lines, Sean John and Sean by Sean Combs.  In 2011, Forbes estimated Sean Combs net worth at $500 million, making him the richest figure in hip hop.  Russell Simmons is a very successful American entrepreneur and co-founder of Def Jam.  His personal net worth is reputed to be $500 million, officially reported at $325 million.  Some other wealthy rapper/executives include Master P ($350 million), 50 Cent ($250 million), Dr. Dre ($180 million), Eminem ($115 million), and Snoop Dogg ($110 million).
Interesting Fact
Birdman claims that every 6 months he buys 100 new cars and gives away all the “old” ones.  At any given time he is wearing millions of dollars worth of jewelry including a 15 carat black diamond ring, matching earrings, and a $500,000 grill on his teeth.  He personally lost 20 houses and 50 cars including two Maybachs and four Ferraris during Hurricane Katrina.