Rapper Kanye West becomes richest Black man in U.S. history

U.S. rapper Kanye West has become the richest Black man in the country's history.

U.S. rapper Kanye West attends the WSJ Magazine 2019 Innovator Awards at MOMA in New York City, on November 6, 2019. [File Photo: AFP]

According to Bloomberg, West's net worth has reached US$6.6 billion, which gives him a commanding lead over the likes of investor and businessman Robert F Smith and basketball legend Michael Jordan.

The report says Kanye West became a certified billionaire in 2020 thanks to his successful apparel and trainer brand, Yeezy, and a new multi-year contract with clothing retailer Gap.

As West is the sole owner of Yeezy, much of his personal net worth comes from there.