“I want the money… the cars… the clothes…the hoes…I suppose…I just want to be successful.” Drake ft. Trey Songz “Successful”
This aforementioned quote is a widely felt sentiment among musicians in the music industry, especially in hip hop. If you take a look at the majority of mainstream hip hop music videos, you will likely find rappers and musicians personifying a glamorous, flamboyant, often surreal lifestyle.
Truth being told, there are a very small percentage of truly “successful” music acts. This can sometimes be attributed to the fact that they do not pay their taxes. All joking aside, Uncle Sam wants his money. And he will get his money too.
It’s 2011. You would think that if a musician achieved his desired “success” that he/she would have the common sense to hire a good accountant or finance manager to take care of taxes and other money related issues.
Apparently, common sense is not so common.
Check out the latest additions to the growing list of rappers that owe back taxes:
Soulja Boy
Rapper, producer Soulja Boy owes the state of California nearly $30,000 in back taxes. In addition, his home in McDonough, Georgia was foreclosed on last year with and estimated value of $280,000. On top of all that, the rapper just purchased a $55,000,000 dollar jet.
Something is not adding up here, is it?
Splurging on toys, but can’t pay your taxes?
Not a Good Look.
Source: Soulja Boy Owes Back Taxes
Beanie Sigel
The former Roc-a-fella rapper and State Property front runner has his share of trouble with the IRS as well. Sigel plead guilty to income tax evasion and faces up to 3 years in prison from failure to pay taxes between 2003- 2005. Sigel is scheduled for sentencing in November of this year.
Sounds like Beans should have taken some of Jay-Z’s advice,” Pay your taxes y’all hustling backwards”.
Source: Beanie Sigel Guilty of Tax Evasion
Ja Rule
Rapper Ja Rule (Jeffrey Atkins) was recently sentenced to 28 months in prison for failing to pay the government $1,000,000+ in back taxes.
I wonder how Ja’s 3 children feel about him going to the pen for simply not doing his due diligence?
We’ve got to do better!
Source: Rapper Ja Rule Sentenced for Tax Evasion
Lil Wayne
As one of the most successful rap artists in hip hop right now, you would think that Dwayne Carter had business taken care of right?
Wrong!
Mr. Carter was hit with nearly a $6 million dollar tax lien earlier this year. He was also slapped with liens in 2004, 2005, and 2007 in excess of $1,000,000.
Although, Carter has paid off his past obligations and will likely pay off his new tax fees, why wait until the last minute?
I guess the world may never know…
Source: Lil Wayne Finally Pays Taxes
As this list of rappers who avoid paying taxes continues to grow, lets hope that the new generation of hip hop talent learns from their predecessors.
