Jay Z's fortune jumped 30% last year to give him an estimated net worth of $810m (£626m), according to Forbes.
But it wasn't enough to dethrone Sean "Diddy" Combs from the top of the magazine's annual list of the world's richest hip-hop artists.
Diddy retained his number one spot with an estimated net worth of $820m (£633m).
Forbes said that was helped by his deals with Diageo for Ciroc vodka and his Sean John clothing line.
He also has a champagne brand, Armand de Brignac, and owns Roc Nation.
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Last year Diddy was on $750m (£579m) while Jay Z was worth $610m (£471m).
Forbes produced the list by looking at past earnings and financial documents, valuing current holdings, and talking to analysts, lawyers, managers and other industry experts.
Former NWA rapper Dr Dre is now worth $740m (£571m) after his sale of Beats to Apple in 2014 for $3bn (£2.3bn) but is below Jay Z for the first time.
Days after his Beats deal he bought a 14,000 sq ft LA mansion for $40m (£31m).
Rapper and Cash Money Records co-owner Bryan "Birdman" Williams has a fortune of around $110m (£85m).
Drake meanwhile has an estimated net worth of $90m (£70m).
He cracked the top five last year and is reported to have made $1m (£773,000) a night on his world tour last year.
As well as music royalties he also has deals with Apple, Nike and Sprite.
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