It’s easy to think of celebrities as just chart-topping voices and red carpet regulars. But some of the biggest names in music have quietly and not so quietly built businesses worth more than most record labels. They’re not just singing about success; they’re investing in it, designing it, and, in some cases, flat-out owning it.
Take Rihanna, for example. Sure, she hasn’t dropped an album in years, but ask her accountant if that matters. Fenty Beauty and Savage X Fenty didn’t just disrupt the beauty and lingerie world, they redefined it. With a laser focus on inclusivity and brand voice that feels as real as Rihanna herself, she’s turned her empire into a multi-billion-dollar machine. She may be the world’s richest female musician, but the real flex? Music is only a piece of her growing empire.
Then there’s Jay-Z. Music was just the warm-up. His stakes in Roc Nation, Armand de Brignac champagne, Tidal, and D’USSE have stacked his net worth well into billionaire territory. He didn’t just crack the business code, he rewrote it.
Beyoncé’s business play is less loud but no less brilliant. Ivy Park, especially her Adidas collab, became a cultural and commercial success. Add that to her strategic investments and partnerships, and you’ve got a business queen whose empire stretches far beyond sold-out stadiums.
Now, Kanye West. Say what you will, but Yeezy was a game-changer. His fashion and sneaker empire, particularly through Adidas, skyrocketed his net worth (though it’s fluctuated wildly since). He also built Donda, his creative house blending music, tech, and design.
Dr. Dre played the long game. Beats by Dre started as just headphones with swagger. Then he sold it to Apple for a cool $3 billion. Suddenly, he wasn’t just a rapper, he was a tech mogul.
And let’s not sleep on Selena Gomez. Rare Beauty, which debuted in 2020, has quickly grown into a brand worth over $2 billion. Her focus on mental health and inclusivity struck a chord, and her fans bought in, literally.
These aren’t just side hustles. They’re serious ventures. Proof that when talent meets business acumen, the results are nothing short of iconic.
