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When musicians turn entrepreneurs and embark on a business venture, they already have a leg up.

Their fame and success helps them to attract an audience that will convert into customers, and ultimately build a revenue.

The following 25 musicians are just some of the celebrities that have launched careers as successful business entrepreneurs.

Rihanna


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Rihanna is certainly a perfect example of one of music’s most successful talents turned entrepreneurs.

According to Forbes, the singer’s Fenty Beauty makeup brand earned her a staggering $570 million in revenue back in 2018.

In addition, Rihanna also co-owns LVMH, a luxury goods brand as wells as a lingerie line called Savage X Fenty.

Jay-Z

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Jay-Z, a.k.a. Shawn Carter, co-founded Roc-A-Fella Records in 1996, which has since grown into a massive empire.

Roc-A-Fella has even featured a Spanish music label, as well as owning U.S. distribution rights for the expensive Scottish vodka, Armadale.

A true business savvy, Jay-Z sold his portion of Roc-A-Fella Records in 2004 and became President and CEO of Def Jam Recordings until 2008.

In addition, Jay-Z also had part ownership of the New Jersey Nets, and the 40/40 Club in New York City, worth over $500 million.

Jay-Z is also the founder of the successful record label Roc Nation as well as owning the sports agency Roc Nation Sports.

Jessica Simpson

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Singing made Jessica Simpson famous, but her business brand certainly made her rich.

The musician launched her own brand of clothes, shoes, perfume and home goods back in 2005 called The Jessica Simpson Collection.

The successful brand earned a whopping $1 billion in retail sales every year, making the musician one of the most profitable musicians turned entrepreneurs.

Kanye West

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Since dropping out of school to pursue a career in the music industry, Kanye West went on to become a successful rapper and music producer.

Following his fame and fortune as a solo artist, West has since founded his own record label, GOOD Music as well as written a book, “Thank You and You’re Welcome!”

In addition, West has become exceedingly influential in the fashion world. His clothing line, Yeezy has been descried by Vogue as “the creative brainchild of Kanye West.”

Bono

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As well as fronting the Irish rock band, U2 for over thirty years, Bono has proven to be quite the business mogul.

From buying a rundown hotel in Dublin and refurbishing it into a 5-star hotel, to building a private equity firm, Bono has established himself as a true businessperson.

In addition, Bono launched his very own clothing line of jeans, t-shirts and blazers called Edun back in 2005.

This business venture was created to provide jobs and money for citizens of Africa living in poverty.

In 2018, Bono and his wife, Ali Hewson decided to ceasing operations with its parent company,  LVMH selling its shares back to its founders.

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs

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A business student from Howard’s University, Sean Combs, a.k.a. P. Diddy, created Bad Boy Records in 1993 which produced music from some of R&B’s most notable names.

Subsequently, Bad Boy Records now operates as an imprint of Epic Records which is a division of Sony Music.

As well as that, Combs’ business ventures influenced him to launch a clothing line called Sean John.

The rapper also created his own high-end fragrance line, Unforgivable.

Moreover, Combs serves as CEO of Blue Flame Marketing and Advertising. The rapper also worked his cunning business tactics in the past to sign a deal with Diageo PLC to promote Ciroc Vodka.

Combs’ many business pursuits make him one of the most savvy entrepreneurs to come out of the music industry.

Alicia Keys

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Grammy Award winning musician, Alicia Keys has been described as a “workaholic” which makes it no surprise that she is an entrepreneur as well as music mogul.

At just 24-years-old, Keys launched her own production company as well as signed a deal to produce a sitcom for the CW Network.

Keys also co-founded KrucialKeys Enterprises, a music production and songwriting company based in New York.

Gene Simmons

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KISS frontman, Gene Simmons took advantage of the household band name when he sold it every way possible – from KISS checkers to KISS bowling balls.

Subsequently, Simmons has about 2,500 licensing deals in total as a result of KISS merchandise.

The rock star also pursued other various entrepreneurial endeavors, including launching his own record label, TV shows and autobiographies.

Beyoncé

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Beyoncé certainly knows the ropes when it comes to conducting her own business.

As the leading lady in Destiny’s Child, Beyoncé became a trendsetter for many women across the world.

This led the musician to profit from her own signature style and create a unique trendy fashion line, House of Deréon, in 2004.

In addition, the businesswoman knew exactly how to market her brand when she mentioned her own clothing line on one of her songs. Smart move!

As well as being one of entertainment’s most lucrative entrepreneurs, Beyoncé also rakes in the cash by endorsing Pepsi, L’Oréal, Emporio Armani, Samsung, American Express and DirecTV.

Beyoncé is also the owner of Parkwood Entertainment, where she produces movies, music, and clothes. Parkwood Entertainment has produced the films, “Cadillac Records” and “Obsessed.”

Victoria Beckham

(Vanity Fair)

The Spice Girls made her a celebrity, but Victoria Beckham’s own career as an entrepreneur made her extremely successful. Not to mention, very, very rich!

Back in 2004, Beckham designed her own line of jeans for Rock & Republic that inspired her to launched her own fashion line, Victoria Beckham.

Today, Beckham’s fashion business has grown immensely to include dresses, handbags, eyewear, and fragrances with an annual revenue of almost $50 million.

Victoria Beckham is credited as one Britain’s most influential and successful entrepreneurs. The ex-musician is now one of fashion’s most dominant figures.

50 Cent

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Curtis Jackson, a.k.a. 50 Cent, is one of the world’s most popular rappers. However, it’s his business pursuits outside of music that make him so successful.

His clothing line, G-Unit Clothing Company launched in 2003, which began his breakthrough as one of music’s most influential entrepreneurs.

The rapper then went on to sign a deal with Reebok in order to sell his brand, along with endorsing Vitamin Flavored Water called Formula 50.

Similar to other rappers, 50 Cent also launched his very own record label, G-Unit Records.

The musician has also branched off into acting and writing, after publishing over a dozen books.

Moby

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Electronic music artist, Moby opened a low-key café along with his girlfriend in New York called TeaNY but had no idea it would take off like it did.

Eventually, the vegetarian/vegan café grew into a major attraction which turned Moby and his girlfriend into profitable business owners and entrepreneurs.

However, in 2015 the cafe’s doors closed for good after 13 years in business.

Ludacris

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Ludacris, a.k.a. Chris Bridges, is a business graduate turned musician turned one of the music industry’s most successful entrepreneurs.

Evidently, Ludacris struggled like most up-and-coming musicians to get a record deal, but that didn’t break his spirit.

Instead of continuing to sell himself and getting nowhere, he decided to launch his very own record label, Disturbing tha Peace Records.

Ludacris’ label has represented artists such as Chingy and Bobby Valentino. Today, Disturbing tha Peace Records operates as a subsidiary of Def Jam, a division of Universal.

Madonna

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In the 1970s, Madonna dropped out of school and moved to New York to pursue her career as a musician.

Undoubtedly, that was the best move she ever made, as she is now worth roughly $850 million.

As well as becoming the queen of pop, her hefty bank account is also owed to her own business savvy.

Since taking over the world with her music, Madonna has launched her own entertainment company, publishing company, as well as a clothing line.

Her entertainment company, Maverick was founded in 1992, which includes the label, Maverick Records.

The Grammy Award winning artist is also an avid investor who has been regarded as “America’s smartest businesswoman.”

Pharrell Williams

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Pharrell Williams has made a name for himself in the music industry as a recording artist and producer.

However, since gaining a successful reputation as a musician, Pharrell has launched a successful clothing line called Billionaire Boys Club as well as his profitable footwear line, Ice Cream.

Queen Latifa

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Dana Owens, a.k.a. Queen Latifah, is certainly the queen of musicians turned entrepreneurs. She gained a name for herself as one of the hottest trendsetter for rappers turned actors.

In addition, Queen Latifah founded Flavor Unit Productions, which has production credits for various different films and TV shows.

In 2013, Netflix signed an exclusive multi-year licensing deal with Flavor Unit Entertainment. 

Moreover, Queen Latifah has acted in a bunch of movies, starred in a sitcom, hosted her own talk show, and written an autobiography.

Gwen Stefani

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Gwen Stefani started her career by fronting the rock band, No Doubt which eventually led her to branch off on her own.

Subsequently, she grew international fame as a solo artists and took advantage of her household name to become a successful businesswoman.

In 2004, Stefani founded her own fashion line, L.A.M.B. named after her first solo album.

The clothing line was strongly influenced by Asian and Central American fashion and culture.

In addition, Stefani also developed her own line of cell phones and cameras, as well as her fragrance line in 2007.

She is one the entertainment industry’s most successful musicians turned entrepreneurs.

David Bowie

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David Bowie was regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. However, his talents didn’t stop there.

The British musical genius also understood the immense power and influence of the internet.

He launched his own internet service provider company, making him one of the most successful musicians turned entrepreneurs in the 90s.

A true businessperson, Bowie started his own record company in the early 2000s to escape the corrupt system of his previous label.

The late singer-songwriter also ran a website where artists could sell their work and sidestep the gatekeepers of the competitive creative industry.

Dr. Dre

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When musicians are not happy with their record label, they often resort to launching their very own, in order to conduct business the way they want.

That’s exactly what Dr. Dre did back in 1995 when he founded Aftermath Entertainment.

His business savvy proved to be extremely successful when Dr. Dre signed big names like Eminem and 50 Cent, making him one of the top earners in the music industry.

As well as taking over music production, Dr. Dre has also worked in producing films as well as marketing alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

Jennifer Lopez

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After taking over the music world, Jennifer Lopez launched her own clothing line, Jennifer Lopez Collection, in 2003.

Subsequently, the singer’s successful brand which includes bedding, jewelry, clothing and perfumes, is still thriving today.

Since launching her clothing line, Jenny from the block teamed up with Verizon Wireless to launch Viva Movil by Jennifer Lopez.

The brand of cell phone retail stores was specifically aimed to target Latino customers, but closed down in 2016.

Justin Timberlake

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Justin Timberlake has been around the block since 1998, and has continued to grow his success in his music career.

However, not only has Timberlake taken over pop, he also knows a thing or two about business.

Timberlake has opened several prosperous restaurants, including Southern Hospitality in New York City.

Along with that, he has also launched a clothing line sold at Bloomingdales as wells as starting his own record label, Tennman Records.

Timberlake is another example of musicians turned entrepreneurs, taking advantage of their growing fame and expanding their brand.

Jermaine Dupri

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Jermaine Dupri has always had an eye for business. He proved his knowledge for business when he discovered the 12-year old rap duo, Kris Kross when he was just a teenager.

As a successful music producer, he later went on to produce hits by TLC, Janet Jackson and Mariah Carey.

In addition, Dupri founded So So Def Recordings, and became one of the most respected figures in the music business.

Following his success as a music producer, Dupri created a sports management company called So So Def Sports.

The rapper turned one of entertainment’s most busiest entrepreneurs, also co-owned 3 Vodka Distilling, a high-end alcohol manufacturer.

Pete Wentz

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Pete Wentz was the bass player for Fall Out Boy and heart-throb for teenage girls back in the 2000s. Wentz is also on the list of musicians turned active entrepreneurs.

Wentz runs his own successful record label, DCD2 Records, formerly known as Decaydance Records based in New York City.

Furthermore, the bass player also began his own clothing company called Clandestine Industries which sold emo and punk fashion styles.

Along the way, Wentz has also tried his hand at writing. In 2005, he published his own fictional novel called “The Boy with the Thorn In His Side.”

Sammy Hagar

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In the 1980s, Sammy Hagar opened the popular resort, Cabo Wabo in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico as well as Lake Tahoe, Utah.

Along with being a nightclub and restaurant owner, the rock star went on to develop Cabo Wabo tequila which has now become worldwide.

In 2007, Hagar sold 80% of the Cabo Wabo tequila brand to beverage company Gruppo Campari for a staggering $80 million.

Billy Joel

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In comparison to previous artists, Billy Joel is not the most active musician turned businessperson to be on the list of entrepreneurs.

However, the singer-songwriter has used his passion for motorcycles to build a museum of choppers in Long Island.

Joel developed a profitable tourist attraction out of his collection of 75 plus choppers called 20th Century Cycles.

Interestingly, the motorcycle museum began from the necessity for more space, as the musician ran of room to house his costly possessions.

Although his shop doesn’t grow a massive revenue, nevertheless, 20th Century Cycles does stand as a lucrative museum for the motorcycle fanatic.

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