Hip hop has always celebrated success —
but what happens after the rap career peaks?

In this episode of Grown Man Bars, Chad and Big Absoloot break down the 9 rappers who successfully transitioned from artists to moguls, ranking them based on business impact, longevity, ownership, and cultural power — not record sales alone.

This episode explores:

• Why Jay-Z redefined what winning after rap looks like

• How Dr. Dre built infrastructure, not just hits

• Ice Cube’s shift from artist to executive decision-maker

• Will Smith’s early escape from being boxed in

• 50 Cent’s mastery of attention and intellectual property

• The quiet dominance of LL Cool J and Queen Latifah

• And how Snoop Dogg turned personality into a business model

We also dig into:

• Why the DMV doesn’t get the credit it deserves in hip hop history

• What separates entertainers from builders

• And why some artists stay rich while others stay famous

This isn’t gossip.
It’s grown-man conversation about money, power, and legacy.

🎧 Listen, then build your own Top 5.00:00 Introduction to Mogul Rappers02:26 Common: From Rapper to Actor and Intellectual05:32 Snoop Dogg: The Coolest Brand in Hip Hop10:52 LL Cool J: The Master of Longevity13:36 Queen Latifah: Breaking Barriers in Entertainment16:59 Will Smith: The Fresh Prince of Hollywood20:40 Ice Cube: The Visionary Entrepreneur22:58 50 Cent: The Emperor of Petty27:21 Dr. Dre: The Sound Architect29:48 Jay-Z: Rap's First Billionaire33:13 The DMV: Hip Hop's Hidden Gem36:36 Top 5 Hip Hop Legends39:21 Final Thoughts and Viewer Interaction