I think we can all agree that GZA is one of the greatest lyricists of all time. But it's not his wordsmithing capabilities that endeared me to the Wu MC. It's his ability to do it effectively for the duration of an album that makes the Genius truly special. Many lyrically-inclined rappers are likable when consumed in small doses, but they can also get mind-numbingly boring while trying to hold down an entire album. Not GZA. Here's our resident Wu-Tang specialist, Ivan Rott, with an incisive review of GZA's Pro Tools.

50 Cent was on to something when he made a song called "I Get Money." 50 has dethroned Jay-Z as the richest hip-hop artist of 2008, according to the latest Forbes estimates. Fif reeled in a whopping $150 million to take the No.1 spot on this year's Hip-Hop Cash Kings list. Jay-Z settled for the runner-up position with an impressive $82 million, even though he'll probably claim that his figures were underestimated like he did last year. Diddy, another mogul who challenged last year's list, rounds up the Top 3 with $35 million. Other notable top earners include Kanye West (#4), Lil Wayne (#11), and Common (#12). Despite a prolonged musical hiatus, Dr. Dre managed to finish in the Top 10. Here's a complete rundown of 2008's hip-hop cash kings:

1. 50 Cent - $150 million
2. Jay-Z - $82 million
3. Diddy - $35 million
4. Kanye West - $30 million
5. Timbaland - $22 million
6. Pharrell Williams - $20 million
7. Swizz Beatz - $17 million
8. Snoop Dogg - $16 million
9. Dr. Dre - $15 million
10. Ludacris - $14 million
11. T.I. - $13 million
12. Lil Wayne - $13 million
13. Eminem - $12 million
14. Common - $12 million
15. Akon - $12 million
16. Jermaine Dupri - $11 million
17. Lil Jon - $11 million
18. OutKast - $10 million
19. Chamillionaire - $10 million
20. The Game - $10 million

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