Canadian rapper Drake is raking it in.
According to a recent ranking by Forbes, the artist formerly known as Aubrey Graham is one of the highest-paid hip-hop artists of the year.
The business magazine estimates that Drake earned $38.5 million (all figures U.S.) thanks to phenomenal sales of his album Views, his tour, and endorsement deals with companies like Apple, Sprite and Nike.
“The Canadian rapper had the best music sales of any hip-hop act — and of any musician not named Adele,” Forbes declared.
Drake ranked 4th on the list behind Diddy ($62 million), Jay Z ($53.5 million), and Dr. Dre ($41 million).
The 29-year-old Toronto native beat out Wiz Khalifa ($24 million), Nicki Minaj ($20.5 million), Pitbull ($20 million), Pharrell Williams ($19.5 million), Kendrick Lamar ($18.5 million), and Birdman ($18 million).
Drake fell one spot on the list from last year, when his estimated $39.5 million in earnings put him at No. 3 behind Diddy and Jay-Z. In 2014, Drake was ranked 4th with $33 million.
Drake was in the No. 11 spot in 2013 with an estimated $10.5 million haul. A year before, his $20.5 million was good enough for 6th spot.
Forbes compiles the annual list using pre-tax earnings based on touring, record sales, publishing, films, merchandise sales, endorsements and other business ventures.
Having made a quarter-of-a-billion Canadian dollars since launching his rap career, it’s a safe bet that the guy who played Jimmy Brooks will go down in history as the most successful Degrassi: The Next Generation alumnus ever!