If you’re anything like me, you were probably sitting around, looking at your wall, and thinking, “Mirror mirror on the wall, who’s the richest rap mogul of them all?” If your mirror said Jay-Z, you should give it some Windex. Jay-Z was just named the richest rapper by Forbes.com. I thought they were supposed to spend their time talking about financial markets, stocks, and making people panic over real estate. But it seems that lately, Forbes is spending the majority of their time coming out with “The richest…” lists. Last week they had “The richest bald man” and “The richest one legged farmer.” Okay not really, but I would read Forbes a lot more if they did. Okay not really.

“Jay-Z wins all around, says Forbes.com. He’s got Beyonce on his arm _ and more millions than 50 Cent and Diddy. The rap icon, aka Shawn Carter, is No. 1 on the site’s list of “Hip-Hop Cash Kings,” based solely on 2006 income. He banked an estimated $34 million, Forbes.com said Thursday.

“Jay-Z, president and CEO of Def Jam Recordings, released his 11th studio album, ‘Kingdom Come,’ which sold around 2 million copies. Jay-Z, 37, is also part owner of the New Jersey Nets and has endorsement deals with Budweiser, Hewlett-Packard and General Motors.”

[From Forbes.com]

It might be good to be Jay-Z – yeah you have a lot of money, and Beyonce at your beck and call singing that “Cater 2U” song (blech) – but you’d also have to deal with that crazy mother of hers, Tina Knowles. You know, that lady that’s always trying to drape people in the fur of live puppies? Well her clothing line is one of the few out there that still uses fur, and to me it’s all the same thing. Who else makes a lot of money and doesn’t come wit the bizarre mother?

“Curtis ‘50 Cent’ Jackson ranks second with an estimated $32 million. The 31-year-old rapper-businessman oversees his G-Unit record label, clothing line, ring tones and other enterprises, and has sold more than 11 million albums. His latest record, ‘Curtis,’ is due out Sept. 11.

“Diddy (real name: Sean Combs) placed third with an estimated $28 million. A fashion plate, he has a clothing line, Sean John, and heads Bad Boy Worldwide Entertainment and its record label. Diddy, 37, is also host of MTV’s ‘Making the Band’ series.

“Rounding out the top five are Timbaland ($21 million) and Dr. Dre ($20 million). They’re followed by Eminem ($18 million); Snoop Dogg, Kanye West, Pharrell Williams and Scott Storch (all $17 million); Ludacris and T.I. (both $16 million); Outkast and Lil Jon (both $14 million); Ice Cube ($13 million); Jermaine Dupri and Swizz Beatz (both $12 million); Chamillionaire and The Game (both $11 million); and Young Joc ($10 million).”

[From Forbes.com]

You could be at the bottom of that group and still be doing pretty well for yourself. I have no idea who Swizz Beatz (sounds like the name of a cheap watch) or any of the guys after him are, but I’m pretty sure I could learn to love them, given the chance.

Picture note by JayBird: Here’s Jay-Z and Beyonce at the Black and White Ball. Header image of Jay-Z at Giant Magazine’s celebration of Rihanna’s new album on June 3rd. Images thanks to PR Photos.

Ludacris recently got rid of his trademark braids to prepare for the release of his new, more mature album. He says that people don’t really know who he is as a person and that his music now reflects his more serious concerns:

Ludacris has been known for his comedic style, and this is a departure for him. He is also making a name for himself as an actor with roles in “Crash” and “Hustle and Flow.”

Now Ludacris is showing how mature and kind he really is. Hewent to the prom with a young fan who is wheelchair-bound:

These quotes make it seem like it’s coming up, but prom season was a few months ago, so I did a little research and found out that this happened in 2004. The news must be resurfacing now because of a recent interview. Whatever the reason, that was quite kind of Ludacris and it doesn’t seem like he did it for the recognition. It turns out Ludacris has a whole charitable foundation (site has automatic music) that’s dedicated to helping young people achieve their dreams.

I have an auto-immune disorder like MS and have to use a wheelchair when I’m having a bad relapse. It’s a very humbling experience and people do stare at you as if you don’t exist and can’t see them. Others look away right away as if it’s too painful for them to have to think about a young person who’s disabled. (The best way to deal with someone in a wheelchair is just to look if you’re curious, but not stare. If you catch someone’s eye, smile at them. Don’t pity someone just because they have a disability.)

I’m really lucky because most of the time I can get around fine and even exercise, and I’ve only been sick for a few years. I would never suggest that needing a wheelchair for periods of time is the same as needing one permanently, but If I had this when I was in high school, I totally would have tried to get Matt Damon to take me to the prom. Is that dishonest?

Here is Ludacris with his new look at KUBE 93’s Summer Jam on 7/29, courtesy of Cake and Ice Cream.

Oprah has pissed off several hip hop stars including Ludacris, 50 Cent, and now Ice Cube. The rapper-actor has joined the chorus of male artists who claim that Oprah doesn’t give them equal air time. Ice Cube makes a good point when he notes that Oprah puts rapists and child molestors on the air, but doesn’t invite hip hop artists:

A few weeks ago Oprah gave a ridiculous excuse for her white middle-aged female-centric show, saying she loves hip hop and even has some black artists on her iPod:

That’s like Bill O’Reilly saying he has black and gay friends. (Ok, it’s not that bad, but it’s a pretty lame excuse.)

Maybe Oprah will realize that rap isn’t taboo and that her audience likes a good story from any background. Africa is cool enough for Oprah, but black culture in America is something she filters through her clueless, snotty viewpoint. She’s old and richer than everyone in the world. It’s about time she realized her show can’t remain relevant and retires.