Kanye West: Hip hop star officially becomes billionaire
25 April 2020, 11:42
Hip hop icon and fashion designer Kanye West has officially become a billionaire, according to Forbes magazine.
The American business publication said the rapper, who has long coveted the status, now has a net worth valued at $1.3 billion (£1.05 billion).
Among his riches includes his stake in the Yeezy trainers line, which Forbes describes as "one of the great retail stories of the century," at $1.26 billion (£1.02 billion).
However, West was unhappy with the magazine's valuation, claiming he was actually worth far more.
He reportedly sent a text one of their employees, saying: "It's 3.3 billion since no one at Forbes knows how to count."
The rapper is also reported as having $17 million in cash, $35 million in stocks, $81 million in property and $21 million in land.
Kanye West performs with Sunday Service Gospel choir at Paris Fashion Week
Along with his reality TV star wife Kim Kardashian, the pair are known to own several properties in Los Angeles and Wyoming.
The 42-year-old is also one of the most acclaimed and highest-selling musicians of the last two decades.
In total, his GOOD Music and the rights to his back catalogue is worth at least $90 million (£73 million), Forbes said.
However, the publication stressed there was a lack of independent verification for the figures.
It also added that the fashion designer has debt worth around $100 million (£81 million).
His worth puts him above his sister-in-law Kylie Jenner who has a $1 billion net worth - drawn mostly from her cosmetic business.