Richest Female Rappers 2025: Who Made the Top 11?
Beyond the mic, female rappers have orchestrated a seismic shift in the music industry, transforming not just the soundscape but also the financial landscape of hip-hop. These aren't just artists; they're astute entrepreneurs and cultural powerhouses who have shattered glass ceilings and built formidable empires. In 2026, we're taking a deep dive into the extraordinary fortunes of the top 11 richest female rappers, exploring the innovation, talent, and sheer hustle that cemented their iconic status.
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1. Nicki Minaj — $150 Million
Real Name: Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty
Age: 43 (Born 8 December 1982)
Place of Birth: St. James, Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago
Nicki Minaj remains the wealthiest female rapper in the world heading into 2026, with an estimated net worth of around $150 million. While earlier figures placed her fortune closer to $190 million, updated projections reflect touring revenue, catalogue performance, legal costs, and market recalibrations rather than a decline in relevance. Nicki’s Pink Friday 2 World Tour was a defining financial moment, becoming the highest-grossing tour ever by a female rapper and significantly boosting her long-term earnings.
Throughout 2025, Minaj stayed highly visible through selective features, festival appearances, and brand collaborations while continuing to monetise her deep catalogue. Her Myx Moscato wine brand and endorsement deals remain steady contributors, alongside streaming and licensing revenue from her extensive discography.
Nicki’s wealth is now driven less by constant releases and more by legacy leverage, touring power, and ownership. As she enters her mid-40s, her position as both a commercial force and cultural icon remains firmly intact.
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2. Cardi B — $100 Million
Real Name: Belcalis Marlenis Almanzar
Age: 33 (Born 11 October 1992)
Place of Birth: The Bronx, New York, USA
Cardi B enters 2026 with an estimated net worth between $80 million and $100 million, reflecting continued success in music, touring, and brand partnerships. In 2025, she reached a major career milestone with the release of her long-awaited second studio album, which debuted at number one and reaffirmed her commercial dominance.
Beyond music, Cardi remains one of the most marketable personalities in pop culture. She maintained lucrative endorsement deals in fashion and beauty throughout 2025, while also expanding her business interests and public media presence. Cardi has often stated that her reported net worth does not fully reflect her earnings, particularly from private investments and touring profits.
With a growing catalogue, high touring demand, and sharp business instincts, Cardi B continues to build wealth at a pace few of her peers can match.
3. Queen Latifah — $90 Million
Real Name: Dana Elaine Owens
Age: 55 (Born 18 March 1970)
Place of Birth: Newark, New Jersey, USA
Queen Latifah’s estimated net worth sits at around $90 million heading into 2026, reflecting one of the most diversified careers in entertainment. A true hip-hop pioneer, she successfully transitioned into acting, producing, and television, creating long-term financial stability beyond music.
In 2025, Latifah remained active as a producer and media executive through her company, Flavor Unit Entertainment, while also making select on-screen appearances. Her past music catalogue continues to earn through licensing and streaming, while her Hollywood work provides steady, high-value income.
Latifah’s wealth is rooted in longevity and adaptability, making her one of the most respected and financially secure figures in hip-hop history.
4. Missy Elliott — $65 Million
Real Name: Melissa Arnett Elliott
Age: 54 (Born 1 July 1971)
Place of Birth: Portsmouth, Virginia, USA
Missy Elliott enters 2026 with an estimated net worth of around $65 million, driven by decades of success as a rapper, producer, and songwriter. Widely regarded as one of the most innovative figures in hip-hop, Missy continues to earn heavily from her catalogue and production credits.
In 2025, Elliott remained culturally relevant through award recognition, high-profile appearances, and continued influence behind the scenes. While she no longer follows traditional album cycles, her music remains in high demand for sampling, sync licensing, and streaming, ensuring consistent income.
Missy’s fortune reflects creative ownership and lasting influence rather than constant output, solidifying her status as both a musical innovator and a long-term financial success.
5. Lizzo — $50 Million
Real Name: Melissa Viviane Jefferson
Age: 37 (Born 27 April 1988)
Place of Birth: Detroit, Michigan, USA
Lizzo enters 2026 with an estimated net worth of around $50 million, built on music success, touring, and expanding lifestyle ventures. Known for empowering anthems such as Truth Hurts and About Damn Time, she has carved out a distinctive space in pop-rap by blending confidence, body positivity, and genre-crossing appeal.
In 2025, Lizzo maintained a lower musical profile compared with earlier peak years, focusing instead on selective live performances, brand partnerships, and business development. Her shapewear brand Yitty remained a significant income stream, continuing to expand its product lines and retail reach. She also appeared in high-profile media projects and events, reinforcing her presence as a cultural figure beyond chart performance.
Despite facing public scrutiny and legal challenges in previous years, Lizzo’s core fan base and brand value have remained strong. Her catalogue continues to perform well on streaming platforms, and licensing deals contribute to steady income. Moving into 2026, Lizzo’s wealth reflects diversification rather than reliance on hit singles alone, positioning her as both an artist and lifestyle entrepreneur.
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6. Megan Thee Stallion — $40 Million
Real Name: Megan Jovon Ruth Pete
Age: 30 (Born 15 February 1995)
Place of Birth: San Antonio, Texas, USA
Megan Thee Stallion’s net worth is estimated at around $40 million heading into 2026, driven by music sales, touring, endorsements, and growing business ventures. Since breaking out with hits like Savage and Hot Girl Summer, Megan has built a brand centred on independence, confidence, and ownership.
In 2025, she continued to strengthen her position as an independent artist following her separation from major-label constraints. She released new music on her own terms, performed at major festivals, and expanded into television and production projects. Megan also increased her visibility as an advocate for mental health awareness and women’s education, reinforcing her influence beyond music.
Her income streams include streaming royalties, live performances, fashion and beauty partnerships, and licensing deals. As she moves into her 30s, Megan’s financial trajectory reflects a shift toward long-term stability, creative control, and diversified earnings.
7. Bhad Bhabie —$35 Million
Real Name: Danielle Peskowitz Bregoli
Age: 23 (Born 26 March 2003)
Place of Birth: Boynton Beach, Florida, USA
Bhad Bhabie enters 2026 with an estimated net worth of around $35 million, making her one of the youngest and most financially unconventional figures on this list. Initially known for her viral “Cash Me Outside” moment, she has since leveraged internet fame into music success and highly lucrative digital ventures.
In 2025, Bhad Bhabie remained active musically while continuing to earn substantial income from subscription-based content platforms and social media monetisation. She also launched new brand collaborations and hinted at future business projects outside of entertainment, signalling a desire to broaden her portfolio.
While her path differs from traditional rap careers, Bhad Bhabie’s financial success highlights the changing economics of fame in the digital age. Her wealth is driven as much by direct-to-consumer engagement as by music, positioning her as a modern example of how influence can translate into lasting income.
8. Iggy Azalea — ~$20 Million
Real Name: Amethyst Amelia Kelly
Age: 35 (Born 7 June 1990)
Place of Birth: Sydney, Australia
Iggy Azalea rose to global fame in the mid-2010s with chart-topping hits such as Fancy and Black Widow, becoming one of the most commercially successful female rappers of her era. While her mainstream music output has slowed in recent years, Azalea has strategically pivoted toward independent releases and digital monetisation, allowing her to maintain a strong financial position heading into 2026.
As of late 2025, Iggy’s net worth is estimated at around $20 million, driven by music royalties, touring revenue from earlier hits, brand collaborations, and significant income from subscription-based platforms. In 2025, she remained highly active online, using her social media presence to promote independent projects and limited-run merchandise while maintaining full ownership of her creative output.
Although she has stepped back from traditional label cycles, Azalea continues to release music on her own terms and has spoken publicly about prioritising financial control over chart dominance. This shift has helped stabilise her earnings while reducing industry pressure, positioning her as a case study in post-label independence within hip-hop.
9. Pepa — ~$20 Million
Real Name: Sandra Denton
Age: 56 (Born 9 November 1969)
Place of Birth: Kingston, Jamaica
Pepa, one-third of the groundbreaking group Salt-N-Pepa, remains one of the most influential women in hip-hop history. As of 2026, her net worth is estimated at approximately $20 million, built on decades of music royalties, touring, television appearances, and licensing deals tied to Salt-N-Pepa’s enduring catalogue.
In 2025, Pepa continued to benefit from the group’s legacy through anniversary performances, festival appearances, and sync placements of classic tracks like Shoop and Whatta Man. She also maintained a visible presence on television and in media discussions surrounding the evolution of women in rap, reinforcing her cultural relevance.
While she is no longer releasing new solo music, Pepa’s financial success reflects the long-term value of ownership and catalogue longevity. Her role as a trailblazer continues to inspire newer generations of female rappers, and her earnings remain steady thanks to nostalgia touring and ongoing demand for Salt-N-Pepa’s music across streaming platforms.
10. Doja Cat — $20 Million
Real Name: Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini
Age: 30 (Born 21 October 1995)
Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, USA
Doja Cat enters 2026 with an estimated net worth of around $20 million, reflecting her continued dominance across music, fashion, and pop culture. Known for hits such as Say So and Paint the Town Red, she has successfully blended rap, pop, and R&B into a highly marketable global sound.
In 2025, Doja Cat remained a constant presence on charts and festival line-ups, while also expanding her creative reach through high-profile fashion partnerships and visual art collaborations. She leaned further into experimental aesthetics and performance art, reinforcing her reputation as one of the most unpredictable and innovative artists of her generation.
Her income is driven by streaming revenue, touring, brand endorsements, and licensing deals, and her ability to cross genres has kept her commercially viable despite shifts in mainstream trends. As she moves into her 30s, Doja Cat’s career shows no signs of slowing, with her financial and creative influence continuing to rise.
11. Cheryl “Salt” James — ~$18 Million
Real Name: Cheryl Renee James
Age: 59 (Born 28 March 1966)
Place of Birth: Brooklyn, New York, USA
Cheryl “Salt” James, another founding member of Salt-N-Pepa, holds an estimated net worth of around $18 million entering 2026. Her wealth comes from decades of music success, television work, and brand appearances tied to one of hip-hop’s most successful female groups.
Throughout 2025, James remained active in entertainment through public speaking engagements, reality television reruns, and appearances connected to Salt-N-Pepa’s legacy. She has also been vocal about women’s rights and health issues, expanding her profile beyond music while maintaining relevance with long-time fans.
Although she has stepped back from full-scale touring, James continues to earn consistent income from royalties and catalogue licensing. Her influence on hip-hop fashion, performance, and female representation remains undeniable, making her one of the genre’s most respected figures.
