The hip-hop genre emerged in the 1970s in New York City and was popularized by Sugar Hill Gang, according to Britannica. It became massive that it poured into different places, including the United Kingdom, and gave birth to many sub-genres like grime and garage.

Up to this day, rap remains burning, evidenced by the number of artists and wordsmiths, regardless of their genders, who continue to hone their craft in creating witty and relevant lyrics. Plus, they make more than decent money from this field. Want motivation? Just take a look at these successful stars:

Rodney P - Undisclosed

When we talk about the underground scene in the United Kingdom, it wouldn't be complete without Rodney Panton, known for showcasing his accent while performing. He started making a name in the '80s as a member of the group London Posse before he launched his successful solo career.

As a group, their album titled "Gangsta Chronicle" is highly regarded as an influential record in the hip-hop industry. Although we don't know how much Panton is worth, he probably has built a fortune by releasing albums like "Breakout" and "The Future." On top of this, he is also a presenter, who hosted the 2020 BBC 4 show "Rodney P’s Jazz Funk." 

General Levy - $8 Million

Although born in London, General Levy has never been shy about his roots by becoming a ragga DJ. During his formative years, he began getting dancehall tapes and soon enough, he signed with Fashion Records. Of all his works, he may be most remembered for "Incredible," in which he collaborated with M-Beat and had courted controversy.

Fast forward to today and he is considered one of the most influential in the field. Levy has even teamed up with other artists like Mark Morrison and Rocco Barker. The jungle track creator hasn't lost his luster because he started his 2021 tour.

Roots Manuva - Undisclosed

Rising to stardom in the 1990s, Rodney Hylton Smith, commonly known as Roots Manuva, is one of the most popular hip-hop artists in the United Kingdom. His influence has become so massive that notable names and bands like Arctic Monkeys and Dizzee Rascal look up to him.

Roots was a child when he discovered he had a penchant for music. He entered the scene in 1994 and would soon release his own single. His simple and modest upbringing was reflected on his album "Brand New Second Hand." In September 2021, the rapper was said to be working on new tracks. 

Ms. Dynamite - Undisclosed

As the recipient of several accolades from MOBO, Mercury Music Prize, it's not shocking that Niomi Arleen McLean-Daley, who people probably know as Ms. Dynamite, has left quite a mark in the underground and the mainstream music industries. However, she entered the scene accidentally after her friend tapped her to host a radio program.

Beginning with the band So Solid Crew before she found popularity as a solo artist. On top of her songs, Daley gets fortune from her lucrative deals, including with Pepsi in a contract said to cost at least $1 million. In an October 2020 interview, the singer hinted that she was working on new music.

Wiley - $6 Million

In 2020, Wiley, or Richard Kylea Cowie Jr. in real life, came under fire for his controversial statements, which is quite on-brand for him. Nonetheless, nobody can deny his contributions to the music industry as the Godfather of Grime. He first made a name as part of the crew Pay As U Go before he independently released chart-topping hits.

Now worth $6 million, Wiley mostly gets his money from recording deals and album sales. He has released at least 10 albums in his career and doesn't seem to know when to hit the brakes.

Dizzee Rascal - $3.5 Million

Artist Dylan Mills got his stage name Dizzee Rascal because a teacher used to call him "rascal." In his teenage years, he learned how to rap and trained under the tutelage of Wiley, regarded as Grime's Godfather. In 2003, he released his commercially and critically successful album called "Boy in da Corner."

Some touted this record as his best work due to its influence on the genre and other artists. Now worth $3.5 million as of 2021, Mills is not yet done soaring higher. In 2020, he released his seventh album titled "E3AF."  

Mike Skinner - Undisclosed

Not to be confused with the race car driver, musician Mike Skinner didn't have a smooth childhood. Although he learned to play keyboards when he was five, he had health issues but these didn't stop him from making music. He was often praised for being intelligent in the tracks he makes, which are usually touching on masculine fragility.

Skinner announced in 2021 that he was working on a new mixtape called "None of Us Are Getting Out of This Life Alive," and even though he previously announced he was saying goodbye to The Streets, this seemed to be the comeback that fans had waited for.

Skinnyman - Undisclosed

Don't let his nickname Skinnyman fool you because he can churn out words more than one can imagine. The rapper, whose real name is Alexander Graham Holland, doesn't have a long list of albums. In fact, he only has one album: "Council State of Mind," which he released in 2004.

Although it was a hit, Skinnyman claimed in a 2019 interview that he hadn't received a single penny from this masterpiece. Prior to this, he was a member of the Mud Family, which released EPs like "Itchy Town." He may not be actively releasing songs or albums, but he still performs, including in July 2021 at Jazz Café. 

Lethal Bizzle - $1 Million

Lethal Bizzle, whose real name is Maxwell Owusu Ansah, broke out into the scene in 2002 as part of the More Fire Crew, which released its only album that included the massively successful hit "Oi" in the following year. By 2004, his track "Pow (Forward)" became such a viral tune that it had won him a MOBO Award.

Apart from music, Lethal Bizzle also earns from his T-shirt business Dench and making cameos in the BBC show "Bad Education," movie "Anuvahood," and quiz series "Mastermind." In 2021, he joined Backroad Gee in the latter's project called "Reporting Live (From The Back Of The Roads)." 

Lisa Mercedez - Undisclosed

Although born in Kingston, Jamaica, Lisa Mercedez gained fame in London after she moved there as a teen. She's relatively late in the biz after only entering the scene in 2005 as the only female member of Warning Crew, led by Stylo G whom she later dated and had a baby with.

Once she gained momentum, she launched her solo career in 2014 by releasing "Let's Get Drunk" in 2014 and the mixtape "BGC" three years later. Although we don't know how much she is worth these days, it is safe to say that she will be worth more due to her 2021 collaboration with Giggs for "Avengers." 

Kano - Estimated $3 Million

Kano, born Kane Brett Robinson, first excelled in sports back in the day and attended college before deciding he wanted to pursue a different career path. In the '90s, he became interested in grime, a mix of jungle and garage, and soon, he would grab the mic to perform.

"Boys Love Girls" became his first single, which made him a member of the elite MC group NASTY Crew. This became his springboard to launching his successful solo career. To this day, Kano continues to create masterpieces, including "Da Appetizer" in collaboration with MC Mack. 

Giggs - Estimated $4 Million

A DJ at first, Nathaniel Thompson, now more known as Giggs, gained traction in London after he released several mixtapes. By 2008, he released his debut album "Walk in da Park," for which he won a BET Award for Best Hip-Hop Act: UK, beating more popular contenders.

Giggs, whose net worth is around $4 million, has successfully carved his name in the music industry where he has worked with the biggest names like Ed Sheeran, Mike Skinner, and Drake. His latest project, mixtape "Now or Never," was released in November 2020 and featured the likes of Obongjayar, Aystar, and DeMarco. 

Akala - Undisclosed

Ms. Dynamite's younger brother, Akala (Kingslee James McLean Daley), also pursued a career in music. Although he is intelligent, he did;t attend a university but got honorary degrees due to his educational work. He started to enter the industry in 2003 and released his first mixtape in the following year.

Many mixtapes and albums later, he became the only hip-hop star to headline an event in Vietnam. Apart from making music, Akala also rakes in money from his tours and his published works as an author. As such, it's not surprising that he was included in 2021's most influential artists in the UK.

JME - Undisclosed

Grime MC Jamie Adenuga, simply known as JME, was a graduate of 3D Design Driven from the University of Greenwich but decided to focus on music. He began his career by making ringtones for cell phones before eventually releasing his debut album titled "Famous?"

After a few albums, JME, who also owns a T-shirt label, announced his hiatus from social media in 2019 but in November of that year, he came back with an album "Grime MC" to rave reviews. Since then, he hasn't released new music but has worked with several artists like Skepta, Shorty, and Jammer.

Little Simz - $2 Million

Not many women succeed in the world of hip-hop. Simbiatu "Simbi" Abisola Abiola Ajikawo, more known as Little Simz, has achieved this feat. She started her career as a teen, first as an actress who appeared in the shows "Spirit Warriors" and "Youngers." While acting, she was already making progress in music.

It was an upward trajectory for her since then, having been credited by notable names as one of the artists to watch. Little Simz also made money from appearing in "Top Boy," the Netflix drama show. In 2021, she released her fourth album "Sometimes I Might Be Introvert." 

Skepta - $2 Million

JME's older brother, Skepta, used to be a member of Meridian Crew until its disbandment in 2005. Four years later, he released his debut album "Microphone Champion," which was followed by "The Honeymoon" in 2012. After a few releases, he embarked on a tour in 2017, starting with his performance during Coachella.

Skepta keeps his fortune intact by also acting, starring in the 2015 movie "Anti-Social." He also appeared in the "Grand Theft Auto Online" expansion as himself. In 2020, he teamed up with Tony Allen and Gorillaz for the track "How Far?" He has become such a famous name that he was also linked to Adele in 2021. 

Lady Leshurr - Estimated $600K

Exceptionally skilled in writing poems when she was just six, Lady Leshurr (Melesha Katrina O'Garro in real life) knew she would be more popular if she would use this skill in music. So at 14, she released a mixtape that would make people notice her. She also dipped her toes into acting, playing one of the leads in the 2009 movie "1 Day."

On top of making music, Lady Leshurr also amasses her wealth from endorsement deals like when she appeared in an Olay commercial and partnered with Kamo Premium Vodka in 2021. Moreover, the rapper became a TV darling after joining Dancing on Ice.

J Hus - $150K

Because of 50 Cent, Momodou Jallow was inspired to follow in his footsteps when he was a child. After a few published raps, he made a name for himself and is largely considered a pioneer of the afroswing genre in the United Kingdom. His most successful hit is "Did You See."

Known as J Hus, he has collaborated with famous artists like Stormzy, Nines, and Dave. He also performed during Drake's concert in O2 Arena in London. In 2020, Jallow released the album "Big Conspiracy." According to The Sun, he was working on another project in 2021. 

Dave - $1.2 Million

As a child, David Orobosa Omoregie, known as Dave, had a penchant for writing lyrics even before his mom gave him a piano. Even though he was accepted to study law, the rapper chose to pursue a career in music. He made waves in 2015 after appearing in BL@CKBOX and later in Street Starz TV.

Dave has come a long way from being a budding artist to an established star known for his impressive wordplay. Under his belt are awards from MOBO and Ivor Novello. As per Wealthy Gorilla, he is now worth $1.2 million and this is expected to increase after he dropped a 10-minute track in 2021. 

 

AJ Tracey - Estimated $2 Million

Rapper Ché Wolton Grant, professionally known as AJ Tracey, has been making his presence felt in the music industry since 2011 but only made a name for himself four years later after the release of his EP "The Front." After several releases, he collaborated with Craig David and Dave.

As versatile as he is, Tracey was also a model for Drake's clothing line and even appeared in a promotional project for BT Sport that was then covering the Premier League. In 2021, the man that was included in The Guardian's list of "best new acts to catch at festivals in 2016" released his 2021 album "Flu Game." 

Tyson Fury -  $50 Million

Tyson Fury is another legendary professional boxer who has made a lot of money from his career. He is estimated to be worth a whopping $50 million, and we are sure he'll be worth a lot more soon, especially after his sixth-round victory against Dillian Whyte in April 2022 that won him $33.6 million.

He is most famous for his 2015 defeat of Wladimir Klitschko, which made him the unified WBA, WBO, IBO, IBF, and The Ring heavyweight titleholder. Fury was basically born to be a boxing champion considering his father named him after Mike Tyson due to the circumstances surrounding his birth.

Bugzy Malone - $2 Million

Rapper Bugzy Malone, or Aaron Davis in real life, had a rough childhood and was previously involved in a life filled with crimes. However, he also became interested in rapping and after serving jail time, he became serious about this career path. After releasing several mixtapes, he grew so popular that he was invited to so many events and shows.

At one point, he also had a conflict with other grime artists, the most popular of which was his banter with Chip. Apart from making music, Bugzy Malone, who released "War Mode" in 2021, teamed up with Supply & Demand for a clothing line. 

Aitch - Undisclosed

One of the younger dominating the busy scene in the United Kingdom is Harrison Armstrong, more known as Aitch. In an interview with The Guardian, he revealed that hadn't he made it big in this biz, he would have pursued schooling. Luckily, his musical career was taking off just as he was studying college.

Because of his hit "Straight Rhymez" that had over 20 million views in one day, grime master Stormzy learned about this upcoming talent. Since then, Armstrong has been carving his own path in the industry, collaborating with Pa Salieu for the track titled "Bad" in 2021. 

 

Wretch 32 - Undisclosed

Rapper Jermaine Sinclaire Scott, professionally known as Wretch 32, began his career in 2008 but it wasn't until 2011 before he gained attention for his creations. "Traktor," one of the tracks of his second album catapulted him to stardom. He featured several artists like Ed Sheeran and Josh Kumra.

Wretch 32, who won a BET Award for Best International Artist, released many more albums and was even tapped by Adidas for an ad to promote the 2012 Olympics. In 2021, the rapper revealed he was working on a new project and then signed a publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music. 

D Double E - Undisclosed

Artist D Double E, born Darren Dixon, had always been a part of the group. In a 2018 interview with BBC, he admitted that he was one to be loyal to his team after being a member of Nasty Crew and Newham Generals. After decades in the grime industry, the rapper only released his debut album in 2018.

Despite this, D Double E is looked up to by many renowned artists in the industry. Skepta even described him as the "greatest of all time" while Dizzee Rascal claimed the veteran was his inspiration in MCing. Speaking of which, the latter and Dixon collaborated for "Untraditional."

Slowthai - Undisclosed

Slowthai, Tyron Kaymone Frampton in real life, released his first single in 2016 but it wasn't until three years later that he was catapulted to stardom due to his album "Nothing Great About Britain." He is known for his political lyrics and controversial moves, including during his 2019 Mercury Prize performance that raised eyebrows.

Then, while at the 2020 NME Awards, Slowthai again courted controversy after his awkward act on stage. Nonetheless, the rapper continues to make music to this day, even teaming up with James Blake for the "Funeral" remix that they performed in "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon." 

Tinie Tempah - $3 Million

Artist Patrick Chukwuemeka Okogwu, whose stage name is Tinie Tempah, made a new record for being the first British rapper to have achieved platinum sales status in the United States. for his song "Written in the Stars," The Sun reported in October 2021.

Regarded as one of the most successful stars to have broken through the international scene, Tinie started his career in 2005 before he gained notoriety for his song "Tears" the following year. Up to this day, he is considered a pro in the music industry, and in 2021, he has worked with Martin Garrix and Julian Jordan for "Diamonds."

 

Cheryl - $40 Million

As a talented child prodigy, Cheryl Anne Tweedy made a name for herself by being a young performer on the television show "Popstars: The Rivals." One thing led to another, and eventually, the child model, singer, and actress got her first shot at an actual band when she joined the band, Girls Aloud.

Tweedy joined the group after the "Popstars: The Rivals" ended, and the other group members were her fellow finalists from the show itself. The band would make several chart-toppers, but her solo career was far more successful, eventually landing her a role on "The X Factor UK" as a judge. She has accumulated a fortune worth $40 million so far.

Boy George - $50 Million

Boy George, born George Alan O'Dowd, is a multi-millionaire English singer-songwriter who was born in London. Along with his hits "Karma Chameleon" and "Do You Really Want To Hurt Me," George is most recognized for his pop songs. He is also a prominent fashion designer and novelist in addition to his singing career. As a member of "Bow Wow Wow," George set a mark in the music industry.

After quitting it, he founded "Culture Club." However, no one was initially interested in signing the band to a record contract, even though they have recorded several demos already. Fortunately, Virgin Records and Epic Records eventually joined together to give them a chance.

George Michael - $200 Million

George Michael was a multi-talented entertainer and philanthropist with a fortune estimated to be in the neighborhood of $200 million at the time of his untimely demise. He was the other half of "Wham!" together with Andrew Ridgeley, and they were a hit in the '80s. He went solo afterward, but he had already made a mark in the industry by then.

Their first album was called "Fantastic" and included ten soundtracks, among which "Young Guns" and "Club Tropicana" stands out. He was one of the most successful musicians of all time, with global sales exceeding 100 million albums. On December 25, 2016, at the age of 53, Michael passed away at his home in England.

David Bowie - $230 Million

David Bowie is an English artist, singer, and actor who had an estimated fortune of $230 million before he passed away in 2016. His music collection was valued at $100 million as part of that total. In January 2022, the estate of Bowie sold his publishing library to Warner Chappell for $250 million. Throughout his almost 50-year career in popular music, he was recognized for his experimental and financially successful work.

As one of the greatest rock performers of all time, he sold more than 100 million records throughout his career and recorded 27 studio albums. Interestingly, nine of those albums were ranked number one in the UK.

Ashley Cole - $50 Million

After making his debut for Arsenal, Ashley Cole has continued to make waves with his impeccable defensive capabilities and sought-after left-back skill. He was born in London and played for Chelsea after departing from Arsenal. His high-level skills made him a world-class athlete, and he's won several awards over the years on the football field.

Cole was also married to Cheryl Anne Tweedy, a successful solo artist and a former host for "The X Factor UK." Arsenal scouted him while he was playing for their Youth Soccer Academy. He was only nine years old when he got all of that attention. Eventually, he did join the club but would later move on. His fortune is worth $50 million.

Liam Neeson - $145 Million

Liam Neeson is a well-recognized face at this point, with a long legendary acting career under his belt. He played so many iconic roles; it's no wonder people can't seem to get enough of his on-screen appearances. He has starred in all sorts of action flicks, from 'Batman Begins" to franchises like "Taken."

Neeson was even nominated for an award after his performance on "Shindler's List" cemented his status as a powerhouse of an actor. The recognition and fame Neeson got from his struggles are reflected by his net worth of $145 million. He didn't start acting until he was older; he even pursued boxing before then.

Nathan Sykes - $8 Million

As a bandmember of the Irish/English group The Wanted, Nathan Sykes has a whopping $8 million net worth even though he only made his debut back in 2015. Sykes has been a gamechanger ever since he started making music. His singing style is reminiscent of the crooning old stars like Frank Sinatra, and Stevie Wonder used to do.

The music Sykes makes isn't defined by a genre or type. He works hard to share his personalized human experience with his audience. Sykes has even stated that it's hard for him to convey emotions without using music as a tool. His solo debut album peaked at number two on the UK Charts.

Michelle Ryan - $1.5 Million

The English actress Michelle Ryan rose to stardom in 2000, the year she landed the role of 'Zoe Slater' in "EastEnders." She worked in the classic BBC soap opera for five years before leaving the show to pursue different acting opportunities. She starred in the American sci-fi series "Bionic Woman" and the 2007 mini-series "Jekyll."

Although not as busy as she used to be during her "EastEnders" days but still picking up new projects, Ryan has a reported net worth of $1.5 million. Younger viewers should recognize her for her work in "The Last Photograph," "True Horror," "Somnium," and "Dark Stories."

Jessie Wallace - $14 Million

Slow and steady wins the race, and Jessie Wallace's career is precisely about that. This famous English actress collected a whopping fortune of $14 million mainly by keeping her job in the classic BBC soap "EastEnders." She portrays one of the show's best-known characters: 'Kat Slater.'

Wallace's been 'Kat Slater' since 2000 and has already made it to over 1,570 episodes of the soap. She has a few other acting credits, including most notably "Wild at Heart," "The Road to Coronation Street," "Redwater," "Amoc," and "Children in Need." She's among the British celebrities most frequently splashed across the country's many tabloid newspapers.

Kathy Burke - $5 Million

Born in Hampstead, London, Kathy Burke is an English actress/comedian with a net worth of $5 million. She's best known for her work in British comedy series such as the sketch show "French and Saunders" and the beloved sitcom "Absolutely Fabulous." However, Burke isn't just a funny woman: she's an all-around performer with great versatility.

A voice actress featured in the 2022 animation "The Sea Beast," she worked in productions as renowned as Ed Harris' "Walker," the 1998 biographical drama "Elizabeth," Gary Oldman's punk biopic "Sid and Nancy," and the 2011 John le Carré-inspired thriller "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy."

Hannah Waterman - $1.6 Million

The English actress Hannah Waterman collected a reported fortune of $1.6 million by working steadily as a small-screen performer and TV personality. She appeared in well-known British shows such as "Sport Relief," "Just the Two of Us," "This Week," "Loose Women," "Breakfast," and "Pointless Celebrities."

However, Waterman is best known for her work in the BBC soap "EastEnders," which kept her busy between 1997 and 2004. She portrayed the character of 'Laura Beale' in over 300 episodes during that time. Later on, she appeared in "The Bill," "The Afternoon Play," "Patient 17," "New Tricks," "Doctors," and the thriller movie "The Nightingale."

Ocean Wisdom - Undisclosed

Unlike others, Ocean Wisdom opted to use his real name instead of a stage moniker. His shot to stardom was through his hit "Walkin'," which was released in 2014. It was said that he delivered the lyrics faster than "Rap God" by the highly celebrated rapper Eminem. The British artist squeezed in 4.45 words in a minute against the legendary American celebrity's 4.31 words.

After releasing multiple albums, Wisdom formed Beyond Measure, a new label under Warner Music in 2019. Wisdom, who looks up to Dizzee Rascal, released "Stay Sane," his fourth album in 2021, featuring tracks like "Shorty Gud" and "Uneven Lives."

P Money - Undisclosed

P Money, or Paris Moore-Williams in real life, started his career with the MC crew Fatal Assassins, frequently showcasing his mad performance skills. However, he gained fame after releasing the hit "What Did He Say," which had also been used as a slogan for a clothing label.

Since his debut album "P Money Is Power" hit the market, Moore-Williams has had hits and misses when it comes to singles and tracks. Nonetheless, he continued to be an evolving star who collaborated with Wiley, JME, and Kano. In 2021, he worked with TBJZL, a YouTuber rapper, to release "This Year."

Slick Rick - $3 Million

If you've heard of the song or a sample of "La Di Da Di," then you should know that Slick Rick, or Richard Martin Lloyd Walters, is one of the people behind this tune while he was a part of a crew back in the 1980s. His works have been sampled many times by modern artists like Kanye West, Eminem, and Mariah Carey.

As such, he is considered one of the most sampled artists in history. Although Slick Rick, who also is nicknamed Rick the Ruler, makes money from music, he is also an actor who appeared in "Brooklyn Babylon." In September 2021, he graced a fundraising auction in Staten Island. 

 

Lowkey - Undisclosed

Kareem Dennis, whose stage name is Lowkey, has been rapping since he was 12. He released his first mixtape, "Key to the Game," in 2003 before he finally launched his debut album titled "Dear Listener" in 2008. However, at the height of his career, he temporarily took a break from the music scene in 2012, announcing to his Facebook followers that he was focusing on his studies.

In 2016, Lowkey came back stronger and used his platform to raise awareness on what was happening, releasing the single "Ahmed" about the refugee crisis. Up until now, the rapper remains busy in the industry, performing "Long Live Palestine" Mai Khalil in October 2021. 

Stefflon Don - $1.6 Million

For Stephanie Victoria Allen, better known as Stefflon Don, fame came very swiftly. Within a year after releasing her mixtape "Real Ting" in 2016, she became one to watch and had already signed with Universal. She was catapulted to stardom after the release of "Hurtin' Me" which featured French Montana in 2017.

Since, Allen has wowed her fans and colleagues. She had won a MOBO Award and became the first British woman to have been included in the Freshman list of the magazine XXL. The artist is also notable for being multilingual and how she used this skill in her works, including in the 2020 track "Can't Let You Go." 

 

Loyle Carner - Undisclosed

After appearing in the 2008 movie "10,000 BC," Benjamin Gerard Coyle-Larner, commonly known as Loyle Carner, took up acting at the Drama Centre. However, he dropped out to focus on music and released an extended play "A Little Late" in 2014. After supporting several artists, he was included on the "Sound of 2016" BBC list.

"Yesterday's Gone," his debut album, was touted album of the year by The Independent. Carner, who received two nods from Brit Awards, released his second album, "Not waving, but Drowning" in 2019. By 2020, his track "Angel" was included in the FIFA 20 playlist. 

Big Narstie - Undisclosed

Not many realize that Tyrone Lindo, better known as Big Narstie, started his career with the group N Double A. He is now best known for being a solo performer who won the UMA Best Grime Act twice in a row, once beating the likes of Skepta, Dot Rotten, and Lethal Bizzle.

More than this the rapper may also be popular on the online crowd because he is also a comedian who loves to share funny content on YouTube. On top of these things, Big Narstie is also a TV personality who starred in his eponymous show from 2018 to 2020. 

Professor Green - Undisclosed

Professor Green, or Stephen Paul Manderson in real life, had a bumpy childhood that was marked with illegal substances, deaths, and health battles. However, he decided to work on himself after his father's demise, venturing onto the music scene in the mid-2000s but winning the 2008 JumpOff MySpace rap tournament eventually put him on the map.

In 2010, Pro Green released his debut album "Alive Till I'm Dead," which featured The Streets, Example, and Lily Allen. Apart from being a Puma ambassador, he also launched his clothing line in 2012. In October 2021, Manderson announced his engagement to baby mama actress Karima McAdams. 

Novelist - Undisclosed

Grime MC Kwadwo Quentin Kankam, popularly known as Novelist, began gaining attention in 2013 as an underground artist. The following year, he received a nod for Best Grime Act at the MOBO Awards, and he was included in BBC's "Sound of 2015" list, too.

After many releases, he put up his own record label in 2016. Two years later, he released his debut album called "Novelist Guy" to mixed reviews. Even though Kankam hasn't had much luck in the previous years, he showed his fans a mix of his directorial and musical skills with the "ONE ONE" released in 2021.

Tinchy Stryder - $4 Million

Kwasi Esono Danquah III, commonly known as Tinchy Stryder, was born in Ghana but moved to the United Kingdom. He began taking interest in music as a child, pursuing this path in the 2000s. His debut album titled "Star in the Hood" was released in 2007, and this was followed by two more.

Apart from creating music, Stryder is also a businessman at the helm of a clothing line named after his first album as well as an electronics company called Goji Electronics. He was also featured in Honda's campaign. In 2021, he spearheaded an eponymous podcast. 

Example - $12 Million

Rapper Elliot John Gleave got his stage name Example because of his initials, E.G. According to WealthyGorilla, he was smart as a child who had photographic memory and was good with numbers. As such, it wasn't surprising that he was impressive as well in terms of lyricism.

He started gaining attention in 2006 after releasing a single under his label, All the Chats. Example released his debut album "What We Made" in the same year. He also dipped his toes into stand-up comedy, joining "The Culture Show" at BBC2. The rapper, who filmed a documentary in Ukraine, announced in 2020 that he was focusing on creating more musical projects. 

Mikill Pane - Undisclosed

Mikill Pane, Justin-Smith Ikpaema Peter Damian Uzomba in real life, made waves in the music scene in 2011 after he released the "The Guinness & Blackcurrant" EP. The following year, his collaborations with Example, P Money, Yasmin, and Paloma Faith were warmly welcomed.

Pane's relatively biggest work was his masterpiece with Grammy winner Ed Sheeran titled "Little Lady," which was included in "No. 5 Collaborations Project." In the past years, the rapper has noticeably slowed down, only talking about his playlist and love for football, specifically the league Arsenal, in an interview with 90 Min. 

Dan Bull - Undisclosed

Thanks to technology, musicians have tons of platforms to share their masterpieces. What sets Dan Bull apart from other British rappers and songwriters is that he is fond of making songs about games. He then uploads his creations on his YouTube channel for his $2.6 million subscribers to listen to.

In 2011, however, Bull's album "Face" dealt with more serious topics such as war and alcoholism. He had also teamed up with famous YouTubers such as PewDiePie, Roomie, and Dan "Nerdcubed" Hardcastle many times. As of 2021, he continues to upload content on his channel. 

Young Nudy - Undisclosed

Young Nudy, or Quantavious Tavario Thomas, first got a taste of fame after he was featured in his cousin, 21 Savage's hit "Air It Out" in 2015. By the end of that year, the then-newbie rapper released his own mixtape, titled "Paradise 2 East Atlanta." He released "Slimeball" in 2016, and followed this up with sequels in the next years.

Young Nudy, who signed with Paradise East Records before 2018, received a Grammy nod in 2019 for the song "Down Bad." In 2020, his debut album "Anyways" with 16 songs was released. Then in May 2021, he released another album called "DR. Ev4l," which featured 21 Savage and Lil Uzi Vert.

Stormzy - $25 Million

One of the more famous underground artists is Michael Ebenezer Kwadjo Omari Owuo Jr., known mononymously as Stormzy, who gained popularity due to his "Wicked Skengman" series that showcased his grime beats. Since he launched "Shut Up" on YouTube, he hasn't stopped from impressing his peers and critics alike.

Due to his socially conscious works and sick beats, it didn't take long before he found success. Fast forward today and he is worth $25 million, has championed his advocacies, and continues to reign in the British rap world. In September 2021, Stormzy even spoke and gave valuable pieces of advice to Billie Eilish.

21 Savage - $12 Million

Born Shéyaa Bin Abraham-Joseph in London, Savage 21 moved to Atlanta, Georgia when he was a child. He didn't have a smooth journey toward stardom as he first engaged in gang fights and crime. It wasn't until his 21st birthday when he decided to turn his life around by focusing on rapping.

His first EPs were such a hit that it didn't take long before people knew him. Due to his popularity, Savage 21 has worked with Nicki Minaj, Drake, Young Thug, and Post Malone. With a net worth of $12 million, the "X" hitmaker made waves in 2020 after he won a Grammy award for his collaboration with J Cole.

KSI - $25 Million

Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji, simply known as KSI, first established his name in the world of YouTube before dipping his toes into music. He launched his own channel in 2009, first meant to make commentaries on games, specifically about the "FIFA" series. He also tried vlogging, much to his subscribers' delight.

On top of this, he also engaged in boxing, starring in a bout against another YouTuber, Logan Paul, in a pay-per-view event that was said to have earned them at least $2 million each. Then, in May 2020, KSI released his debut album titled "Dissimulation" after signing with BMG and RBC Records.

M.I.A. - $14 Million

Born Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam, M.I.A. rose to fame as an underground artist in the 2000s, with her first album released in 2005. Due to her socially aware and politically charged lyricism as well as the seamless fusion of hip-hop and electronic music, she is highly acclaimed, even being appointed MBE in 2019.

M.I.A.'s life as a refugee became a strong inspiration in her works, which made her renowned for this style. She has come a long way since her start as she is now worth $14 million and this is expected to increase after her multiple releases like "CTRL" in 2020.

Fredo - At Least $2 Million

Marvin William Bailey, professionally called Fredo, grew up in a less than ideal condition, which he often opens up about in his songs. After the release of his first track in 2016, he served jail time but his hit "They Ain't 100" was gaining popularity. Two years later, he was featured in Dave's "Funky Friday," which catapulted him to greater heights.

His debut album "Third Avenue" came in 2019, a full-length project that included a song for his mother. By 2021, Fredo released his second and third albums called "Money Can't Buy Happiness" and "Independence Day" respectively.

Lewis Hamilton - $285 Million

Formula One isn't an average sport. While you only need a pair of shoes and a ball to play soccer, you must have a beastly machine to become an F1 racing driver. The average total cost of a Formula One vehicle is over $12 million!

With that in mind, it's no wonder that the best racing drivers in the world get paid the big bucks for their services. And the best of them all is—arguably—the British seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton. Already tied in titles with the iconic Michael Schumacher, this humble lad from Stevenage turned his love for speed into a massive fortune of $285 million.

Lewis Hamilton - $285 Million

Formula One isn't an average sport. While you only need a pair of shoes and a ball to play soccer, you must have a beastly machine to become an F1 racing driver. The average total cost of a Formula One vehicle is over $12 million!

With that in mind, it's no wonder that the best racing drivers in the world get paid the big bucks for their services. And the best of them all is—arguably—the British seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton. Already tied in titles with the iconic Michael Schumacher, this humble lad from Stevenage turned his love for speed into a massive fortune of $285 million.