This post is part of our Money Face-Offs feature. Let us know who you think comes out ahead in this head-to-head match-up, and check out our other Money Face-Off posts.
It's small wonder hip-hop stars and brand empire builders Diddy and Jay-Z are known as much for their rap sheets as their balance sheets; after all, they have more AKA's than most mafiosos.
P. Diddy is only "P." in New Zealand and the U.K., and I'll always know him as "Puffy" (and "Puff Daddy," "Sean Combs," and "Sean John"). He's gone through more name changes than Prince and all those formerly-known-as such.
Jay-Z, whose given name was also "Shawn" (though spelled differently from Diddy/Daddy/Puffy's "Sean"), also goes by "Jiggy," "Jazzy," and "Jay Hova." While it seems obvious that Jay-Z would win in a battle of the boys from the block (after all, he's dating Beyonce), and he is, after all, officially richer, still there is controversy. Whose business empire is more diverse and eclectic? Whose criminal record is more sordid? Whose clothing line is more inappropriate for the toddlers they market toward?
Putting criminal records aside for the time being (and for the record, I think Jay-Z, with a stabbing incident on his rap sheet, beats Diddy, whose gun controversy ended with an acquittal and -- most importantly -- zero bullets actually connecting with human flesh), let's compare the rappers' empires:
Cash money: According to Forbes, Jay-Z wins the battle in both 2006 pay ($34 million for Jay-Z, $28 million for Diddy) and net worth ($547 million vs. $346 million according to Panache).
Clothes make the men: While Diddy's clothing line, Sean John, is more ubiquitous in my house (my five-year-old actually owns two "pieces" of the line), Jay-Z has more financial gain; he sold rights to his Rocawear line for $204 million. Diddy does get props, though, for working to combat unfair working conditions in Honduras after a Kathy Lee-style controversy.
Food and drink: Jay-Z owns the 40/40 Club with outlets in New York and Atlantic City; Diddy's restaurants are called "Justin's" and have outlets in New York and Atlanta. Jay-Z seems to have the edge here, with plans to expand to Las Vegas, LA, and Singapore.
Music labels: Diddy co-founded Bad Boy Records, whose famous acts included Biggie, Ma$e, and Danity Kane, and is now owned by Warner Music Group. Jay-Z co-founded Roc-A-Fella Records, whose artists now include Rell and Ol' Dirty Bastard, and is owned by Universal Music Group.
Although Jay-Z has certainly been the most financially successful until now, it seems obvious that the frequent name changes, explosive personalities and general difficulty getting along with others will always hamper both stars' ability to effectively cash in on their stardom. Diddy's venture with MTV's Making the Band, and Jay-Z's rumored collaboration with girlfriend Beyonce, both seem to hold the greatest long-term potential for the stars; it's anyone's guess who will overcome his temper and questionable company in order to become more bankable down the road.
Vote in our poll for Sean "Diddy" Combs or Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, and let us know in the comments why your choice has the financial edge in this match-up. Also be sure to check out our other Money Face-Offs.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-16-2007 @ 2:47PM
bookertkilla said...
Jay z has sold his Rocawear clothing line , his Rocawear music label and Roc La Familia music label aswell and he co owns 40/40 clubs. whereas Diddy fully owns and still has full control over his Sean John clothing label , his Bad Boy Entertainment(although he sold partly on his Bad Boy records to Warner) and fully owns Justin's. So if Diddy sells his ventures like Jayz he will be way richer than Jay z.
9-16-2007 @ 3:48PM
MOMONEY said...
CONGRATS TO BOTH . BUT THE BEST IS JAY-Z !!jay-z CALL HIMSELP JAYHOVA WHICH MEANS JEHOVAH . THAT,S GOD NAME NOT HIS.
9-16-2007 @ 4:23PM
tee said...
P Diddy sold Sean John a loooong time ago. It is owned by a white man. He is only the CEO of the company, just like Jay-Z
9-16-2007 @ 7:20PM
NJ said...
I'm just curious how Jay's Roc-A-Fella label includes "Ol' Dirty Bastard" when ODB actually died a couple years ago?
He actually no longer owns this having sold it to the label that he now presides over as CEO. This label is Def Jam Records; founded by Russell Simmons, Rick Rubin and Antonio "L.A." Reid in the early 90s.
A key asset left out of his equation is a 33% ownership stake in the New Jersey Nets which he is trying to move to Brooklyn, NY.
9-17-2007 @ 4:00AM
Jiggaman said...
Jay Told Us 96 That He Came To Take This Sh**t And He Did Also He's Handling His Biz...
9-19-2007 @ 3:07PM
badboy said...
fUck ja-z and all this fuck man fans ....bullshit negga love p.diddy cos he is much better and he is great man singer all best thing for bad boy record's luv diddy u'r the best fuck jay-z
10-02-2007 @ 6:34PM
Eric said...
J.Z. is a devil, he call himself God which is Jehova Puff Daddy is the BOSSS he is richer going stronger and singer better than the mother fucker who call himself jehova i hate him puff dady keep it on J.Z. said to BBc that he is coming to Africa to support water for African but he was in Ghana for only oneday wihtout spelling water he is mad Puff Daddy is my man and i love thier fans and BAD BOYS FOREVER veronerics@yahoo.com
10-15-2007 @ 8:18AM
david said...
you know something ,p.diddy is richer that that fucking guy they called jay ,first point against him as one of my friend as say , he true that he said is coming to africa to support water company but all this thind are all boasting and u know to something just to be proud and second he sold almost all his company just to say his richer than p.diddy but i bet u my guy he can never and if his not careful he sell all is company just bcs of this ,for now bad boy company is something more to say sean john company , we that are buying clothes we know that sean john company is cost . so p.diddy is richer than jay z
10-13-2007 @ 9:37AM
david said...
p.diddy is richer than jay z, that was i know san john company is cost ,and if u guy ask us to we shall vote for p.diddy bcs he just rich man not stupid has jay z to be selling all his thing bcs of this .
10-25-2007 @ 11:03AM
CorporateHipHop said...
This article is very poorly written. You may need to stick with subjects that your more verse in. Or maybe learn alot more about the culture before you do "internet fact" searching and cut and paste information together.