Rappers Invest in Business Ventures

Rap isn't the only business for these investors.

Snoop Dogg   - Snoop fell victim to the death rumor mill.  It caused a small scare in the hip hop community, but the LBC rapper was alive and well. (Photo: John Shearer/Images for Bethesda Softworks)

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Snoop Dogg (Rolling Words) - Snoop Dogg has never been one to shy away from an endorsement deal. His latest adventure, "Rolling Words," a line of rolling papers with some of his lyrics printed on them, has him moving into a market all too familiar to him and linking it with his passion for music.  (Photo: John Shearer/Images)

Lil Kim (Salon Se Swa) - Lil Kim and her cousin Katrise Jones established a salon franchise, Salon Se Swa, in 1999. They just opened their fifth location, in Charlotte, North Carolina, last month (October 2011).(Photo: Graham Denholm/Getty Images)

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Lil Kim (Salon Se Swa) - Lil Kim and her cousin Katrise Jones established a salon franchise, Salon Se Swa, in 1999. They just opened their fifth location, in Charlotte, North Carolina, last month (October 2011).(Photo: Graham Denholm/Getty Images)

Diddy (Ciroc) - One of hip hop's most successful businessmen, Diddy took on Diageo's Ciroc Vodka brand in a 50-50 joint venture deal back in 2007. Diddy has always been big on high-end brands and a lavish lifestyle, so an investment in a company like Ciroc is a no-brainer for the music mogul.  (Photo: Scott Gries/Getty Images)

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Diddy (Ciroc) - One of hip hop's most successful businessmen, Diddy took on Diageo's Ciroc Vodka brand in a 50-50 joint venture deal back in 2007. Diddy has always been big on high-end brands and a lavish lifestyle, so an investment in a company like Ciroc is a no-brainer for the music mogul.  (Photo: Scott Gries/Getty Images)

Kanye West (turntable.fm) - This week, Kanye West announced his venture into the online business. The rapper invested $7.5 million in startup website turntable.fm, an invite-only chatroom where users can play songs and rate them. (Photos: Joe Corrigan/Getty Images for Universal Music; Turntable.fm)

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Kanye West (turntable.fm) - This week, Kanye West announced his venture into the online business. The rapper invested $7.5 million in startup website turntable.fm, an invite-only chatroom where users can play songs and rate them. (Photos: Joe Corrigan/Getty Images for Universal Music; Turntable.fm)

Kanye West — Fatburger - KW Foods LLC, a company owned by 'Ye, bought the rights to the Fatburger chain in Chicago. The first restaurant opened in September, 2008, in the Orland Park area but, unfortunately, things didn't turn out as planned as the burger joint had to shut its doors.(Photos: Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images; Courtesy of Fatburger)

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Kanye West (Fatburger) - In 2008, Kanye invested in a Fatburger in his hometown Chicago. Unfortunately, things didn't turn out as planned as the burger joint had to shut its doors earlier this year.\r \r(Photos: Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images; Courtesy of Fatburger)

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Rick Ross — Wingstop - Rozay wouldn't let anything come between him and the opening of his Wing Stop in Memphis, not even two seizures. After both a commercial and private flight were rerouted to accommodate Ross's unexpected condition, the Bawse eventually made it to the grand opening by ground.(Photos: Jeff Daly/PictureGroup; Courtesy Wingstop)

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Rick Ross (Wingstop) - The boss loved his wings so much that he decided to invest in a Wingstop. The rapper signed a development deal with the Texas-based company and will open his first one in Memphis. (Photos: Jeff Daly/PictureGroup; Courtesy of Wingstop)

Jay Z — Buffalo Boss - Jay Z invested in his cousin's chicken joint, Buffalo Boss, in downtown Brooklyn. The restaurant boasts organic chicken and a super-secret special sauce.(Photos: AP Photo/Bill Kostroun; Maryellen McGrath/Landov)

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Jay-Z (Buffalo Boss)\r - Jay-Z invested a large chunk of money into Buffalo Boss, a chicken spot in the Flatbush Avenue section of Brooklyn that his first cousin Jamar White opened.\r\r(Photos: AP Photo/Bill Kostroun; Maryellen McGrath/Landov)

Jay-Z (Nets) - In 2004, Jigga became an official owner of the New Jersey Nets. The investment was made with the hopes of moving the Jersey-based team to Brooklyn, which will happen in 2012. (Photo: Jemal Countess/Getty Images)

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Jay-Z (Nets) - In 2004, Jigga became an official owner of the New Jersey Nets. The investment was made with the hopes of moving the Jersey-based team to Brooklyn, which will happen in 2012. (Photo: Jemal Countess/Getty Images)

Courtside (2005) - Fun fact: Nelly was a minority owner in the Charlotte Bobcats (now known as the Charlotte Hornets). Here he is at a 2005 game (when they were still the Bobcats) looking as if he needs his team to HUSTLE. (Photo: Craig Jones/Getty Images) 

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Nelly (Bobcats)\r - Jay-Z isn't the only rapper with a basketball team. Nelly followed his lead in 2004 when he joined Bob Johnson and became an owner of the Charlotte Bobcats. (Photo: Craig Jones/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Craig Jones/Getty Images

50 Cent (Vitamin Water) - While some rappers were busy with energy drinks and alcohol, 50 kept his investment on the healthier side when he dropped dollars into Vitamin Water. 50 even got his own flavor out of the deal, the grape-flavored Formula 50. (Photo: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)

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50 Cent (Vitamin Water) - While some rappers were busy with energy drinks and alcohol, 50 kept his investment on the healthier side when he dropped dollars into Vitamin Water. 50 even got his own flavor out of the deal, the grape-flavored Formula 50. (Photo: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)

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Snoop Dogg (Blunt Magic)\r - Snoop's investment was a little bit more on the adult-only side. The West Coast veteran announced a partnership with Blunt Magic earlier this year, an all-natural flavored smoke reduction spray. Not surprising.\r(Photo: Courtesy of Blunt Magic)

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Snoop Dogg (Blunt Magic)\r - Snoop's investment was a little bit more on the adult-only side. The West Coast veteran announced a partnership with Blunt Magic earlier this year, an all-natural flavored smoke reduction spray. Not surprising.\r(Photo: Courtesy of Blunt Magic)

Pitbull (Voli Vodka)\r - Florida rapper Pitbull has a majority stake in Voli Vodka. The liquor brand is considered to be a low calorie Vodka. Already available in some markets, Voli will be available nationwide in the fall of 2011.\r(Photo: Courtesy of Voli Vodka)

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Pitbull (Voli Vodka)\r - Florida rapper Pitbull has a majority stake in Voli Vodka. The liquor brand is considered to be a low calorie Vodka. Already available in some markets, Voli will be available nationwide in the fall of 2011.\r(Photo: Courtesy of Voli Vodka)

Queen Latifah (New York Springs) - Last year, Queen Latifah became a part owner in Vblast Vitamin Water with New York Spring Water Inc. (Photos: Kevin Winter/Getty Images; Courtesy of New York Springs Co.)

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Queen Latifah (New York Springs) - Last year, Queen Latifah became a part owner in Vblast Vitamin Water with New York Spring Water Inc. (Photos: Kevin Winter/Getty Images; Courtesy of New York Springs Co.)

Queen Latifah — Fatburger - Before her venture into a healthier product (Vblast), Latifah invested in the Fatburger franchise located in Miami in 2007.(Photos: Jemal Countess/Getty Images for HSN; Courtesy of Fatburger)

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Queen Latifah (Fatburger) - Before her venture into a healthier product (Vblast), Latifah invested in the Fatburger franchise located in Miami. (Photos: Jemal Countess/Getty Images for HSN; Courtesy of Fatburger)

Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith, Jay-Z (Carol's Daughter)\r - Will Smith, Jada Pinkett-Smith and Jay-Z collectively invested $10M in the popular Brooklyn beauty line Carol's Daughter in 2005. The brand is now nationwide and available in most beauty stores.\r(Photo: Roger Wong/INFGoff.com)

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Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith, Jay-Z (Carol's Daughter)\r - Will Smith, Jada Pinkett-Smith and Jay-Z collectively invested $10M in the popular Brooklyn beauty line Carol's Daughter in 2005. The brand is now nationwide and available in most beauty stores.\r(Photo: Roger Wong/INFGoff.com)