By Olivia Scheck
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN — New York's rapper laureate, Jay-Z, topped Forbes' list of wealthiest rappers Tuesday for the fourth consecutive year, but the real star on the list this year was Lil' Wayne, who managed to land the fourth-place spot despite being imprisoned on Rikers Island.
Wayne, who is currently serving one-year in jail for criminal possession of a weapon, actually earned more this year ($20 million) behind bars than he did the year before ($18 million), recording tracks via prison phone, according to Forbes.
Jay-Z, who is also part owner of the 40/40 nightclub chain and the New Jersey Nets, took in a whopping $63 million during the past 12 months alone, Forbes reported.
Coming in a distant second on the "Cash Kings" list was fellow Manhattanite Sean "Diddy" Combs, whose film appearances and vodka peddling helped earn him $30 million over the past year.
Akon, the Senegalese-American rapper/clothing designer, who also served as a Pepsi spokesman during the World Cup, placed third, with $21 million.
Finally, outspoken musical artist, Kanye West, took a pay cut after stealing the microphone from singer Taylor Swift at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, earning $12 million, down from $25 million, and falling to 10th place from 3rd place last year.
