Forbes has compiled its annual Cash Kings list, a top 20 ranking of hip-hop’s top earners for the period spanning May 2010 to May 2011. Not surprisingly, the rapper who’s increasingly respected for his business acumen came in at no. 1 with $37 million: Jay-Z, who’s been in the news lately for Watch the Throne, his collaboration with Kanye West released this past week on iTunes. Speaking of Yeezy, he placed third on the list at $16 million, a steep drop from the runner-up, Diddy, who at $35 million was just barely edged out by his fellow New Yorker. Rounding out the top five are Lil Wayne at $15 million, tied with Birdman, his label boss at Cash Money Records. Check out the full list after the jump. via Forbes

Witness the hip-hop group of the moment in repose: While in London for their show at the Electric Ballroom, Odd Future reserved some time for a shopping trip at the BAPE Pirate Store on Brick Lane. Though reigning hip-hop provocateurs whose controversial lyrics have been parsed by music critics and casual fans alike, here they’re simply kids enjoying the haul from a favorite brand; the posed snapshots as goofily stilted as most vacation pics tend to be. For you locals, head to the Pirate Store for BAPE merchandise at discounted prices but you better hurry — the store’s around only till July 10th.

BAPE Pirate Store London
Old Truman Brewery
25 Hanbury Street | Map
London E1 6QR England

Store Dates: Now – July 10th, 2011 (Sunday)

Despite the “doom and gloom” expression, Kanye West is enjoying the happenings of Paris Fashion Week quite immensely. Seated next to REM front man Michael Stipe and UK songstress Lily Allen, it was a t-shirt and leather pants fare for West on the front row of Louis Vuitton Men’s Spring/Summer 2012 Show. Though there some speculated about him appearing in the anticipated Nike Air Yeezy 2, West instead showed his allegiance to the French luxury fashion house by wearing Louis Vuitton Jasper High Sneaker of his own design from the 2009 collaboration.

Despite the scorching summer temperature and their pre-Father’s Day itinerary, Team ATF members DJ Clark Kent, Mayor, and All Day made their ways to Saturday’s Sneaker Con NYC as show of support (Thanks Gents!). Though a coordinated appearance was difficult because of each person’s schedules, all 3 stopped by the event about 30 minutes apart, chatting with fellow sneaker heads and photo ops with fans as well. And as expected, each also wore some rare collectables. For DJ Clark Kent, it was a nod to the New York Yankees with a Bronx Bombers’ fitted cap along a pair of Nike Air Force 1, perforated with stars and laser etched with the Yankees’ interlocking “NY” emblem. Mayor did jus the opposite with his black gold attire that included a solid-gold dog tag and a pair of Air Jordan 6 (VI) Retro – Black/Metallic Gold from the Defining Moments Pack (DMP). Not a man with many words, All Day spoke volumes in his aqua marine and brilliant green mix of MCM premium leather backpack and Air Force 1 Bespoke in identical colorways accentuated with a reflective highlights. Wondering if the trio will make their ways to Sneaker Con in Miami and Washington D.C. later this summer as well…

Photography: Poe for Freshness

Carmelo Anthony celebrated his wife LaLa’s birthday with her in style at TAO in Las Vegas. The New York Knicks’ forward who recently celebrated his own birthday with Swizz Beatz was seen wearing a fresh pair of SUPER Flat Top Leather Brown Sunglasses at his wife’s birthday party to go along with his washed denim jacket. These SUPER Sunglasses are not the average Flat Top’s that have become SUPER’s most iconic style, in fact they are actually fully wrapped in a quality Brown leather by hand in Italy. You can still pick up a pair of these sunglasses via the SUPER online store today.

A promise made and delivered. For the second time in this young franchise’s history, the Miami Heat will be heading to the NBA Finals after defeating the Chicago Bulls last night 83 to 80. Though the game was too close to call and at times with a deficit of 12-point. Yet the Big Three – Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, and especially LeBron James, all came through during the last quarter. Meanwhile, cellphone service provider T-Mobile hosted a massive pep rally in front of Miami Heat’s home, American Airline Arena, with musical guest Ludacris, who unabashedly showed off his pair of Air Jordan XX3 in White/Titanium-University Blue, one of the original 3 colorways launched during the initial launch back in 2008. Miami Heat will play host for the Dallas Mavericks game 1 of NBA Finals on Tuesday evening.

Spotted last night at court side during Game 4 of the NBA Eastern Conference Final, hip-hop talent Lil’ Wayne enjoyed the action with his new mystery girlfriend and fellow hip-hop artist Drake. But attentions quickly turned to Wayne’s Billionaire Boys Club outfit, a pair of digi-camo shorts and BBC tee, and his deadstock Nike SB Dunk Mid “Mama Bear” edition. Part of the “3 Bears” pack launched in 2006, the children’s tale inspired collection were all appointed with long faux fur upper and a matching BE@RBRICK figure from MEDICOM TOY.

When you’re hanging with the jet set crowd – the rich, the famous, and the beautiful, there are several unwritten rules to remember. One is never be late and have your date wait on you, especially when they are Naomi Campbell, Carine Roitfeld, Charlene Wittstock, or Janet Jackson. To ensure your punctuality, arrive early and preferably, in style, as the second rule. Kanye West did just that and more when he attended the Cinema Against AIDS Gala at the 64th Annual Cannes Film Festival early this week. Arriving at the amfAR charity event, West drove in, along with buddy Virgil Abloh, on one of the most exclusive Mercedes-Benz, the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren: SLR Stirling Moss. The cost, $1.7 million. Capable of producing 650-horsepower, the V8 supercharged 2-seater was made to commemorate the outstanding histories behind 2 powerhouses in automotive racing – Mercedes-Benz and McLaren. The series first started in 2004 and ended in 2009 with its flagship, the SLR Stirling Moss. Carefully machined and crafted by hand, only 75 vehicles were produced, including the one driven by West. via: PCN

Already known as sharp dresser, producer and artist Swizz Beatz arrived to host a charity event close to his heart, the annual charity art auction for Bronx Charter School for The Arts. Between his red carpet arrival with singer Shontelle and an electricity performance with Estelle, Beatz also exhibited his talent as an auctioneer and a collector of extraordinary timepieces with his Richard Mille RM-10 Le Mans Classic in Rose Gold. Honoring its commitment to the world’s most notable endurance auto race, Richard Mille took inspirations from the world of auto racing and made the RM-010 Le Mans Classic. One of the most complex automatic timepiece, each RM-010 required 8 days just to “machine out” its bezel alone. And because of its laborious process and utmost qualities, it is also one of the more exclusive watch at US$ 70,000 each

Long before he was “the talk of the music media” and Amber Rose’s new beau, Wiz Khalifa was a fan of A Bathing Ape. The opportunity surfaced yesterday as he prepared for his 2 concerts in London, “the successor” stopped by BAPE London for some personal purchases, including several new items from the Spring/Summer 2011 Collection. Interested in what Khalifa has on? You can check for updated line at your nearest BAPE retail locations as well, though we doubt you will be able to rhythm like Khalifa even with the same outfits on…

BAPE London
4 Upper James Street | Map
London, W1F 9DG England

When the party is to mark the launch of Sneakerpedia, hosted by Mayor, DJ Clark Kent, DJ Greg Street and headlined by Bun B., it is safe to assume audience members will be rocking some serious heat at the event. Despite the week-long down pour in New York City, everyone was “dressed to impress” at last night’s launch event for Sneakerpedia by Foot Locker. Ready to put their “best feet” forward, the crowd gathered at Hudson Hotel‘s Good Units wore not just the newest kicks available, but some of more rarefied editions. Certainly there were plenty of Air Jordans, Air Force 1s, and Dunks. But spotted in the midst were also the original Nike Air Max 90 “Bacon” by DQM, deadstock Nike SB What The Dunk, currently priced at $1,000, and the even rarer Space Jam-inspired Air Force 1 Bespoke made by Bun B himself. Naturally, footwear designer Ronnie Fieg was representing his own ASICS model and All Day from Team ATF finally brought out his camouflage AF1 Bespoke. See what other hard-to-find editions we saw at last night’s event…

Herself a tireless promoter of all things positive, an avid believer of sound mind and body, Oprah Winfrey received a pleasant surprise from Philip Knight during his recent appearance when the Nike Co-Founder presented her with her very own Nike LunarGlide+ 2. Imprinted with Oprah’s signature on its tongue, along with the talk show host’s beloved oak tree on the sockliner, the neon yellow colorway Nike LunarGlide+ 2 features a custom wooden box, reconstituted from an old high school gymnasium floor. Laser etched on the top is Knight’s favorite quotes from Oprah, “I still have my feet on the ground. I just wear better shoes.” Of course, it wouldn’t be the Oprah Winfrey Show without free giveaway as 400 pairs were given out to audience members… via: SF