Jay-Z & Eminem taped a secret performance for an upcoming episode of the Dave Letterman show in NY …. A bunch of fans including P-Diddy came out to see the two biggest hip hop stars on the planet perform live. There’s no place like New York City!!

Sean “Diddy” Combs is one fly dude….  he uploaded this pic on his Twitter profile the other day. Homeboy has swagger for days….. the kics are fresh, the jacket is clean and the Gulfstream jet doesn’t look too shabby either. Baaaaalllliiin! Follow his entertaining tweets on twitter.com/iamdiddy; while you’re at it, follow us too on twitter.com/headhoncho1.

Forbes has once again put out its 20 Richest Hip Hop Cash Kings list and they are a couple of surprises. Once again, moguls like Jay-Z, Diddy and 50 Cent have made the Top 10, whilst previous contenders such as Jermaine Dupri, Nelly and Yung Joc have fallen off the list. OG’s like Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg are still bringing millions of dollars of revenue.

They have been joined by newcomers on the list such as T-Pain, Akon, Rick Ross and Flo Rida (yeah, him! those ringtones are clearly making the cash registers ring). Forbes also pointed out that overall the Top 20 Cash Kings made $100 million less than what they made last year. Clearly, the current economic downturn hasn’t spared our favourite rap stars. Check out the full list below and see how the members of hip hop royalty make their money:

1. Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter

$35 million

Reclaimed his crown as the top Hip-Hop Cash King despite taking a steep pay cut from the $82 million he brought in a year ago. The reason? That figure was inflated by a top-heavy 10-year, $150 million deal he signed with Live Nation last April. Still had a good year: wrapped up a huge an international tour, made a groundbreaking appearance at the U.K.’s Glastonbury Festival and honeymooned with new wife Beyoncé. Owns a stake in pro basketball’s New Jersey Nets and New York’s 40/40 nightclu

2. Sean “Diddy” Combs

$30 million

Dapper don of hip-hop continues his decade-long run of good fortune. Diversified Diddy brings in cash from clothing line Sean John, record label Bad Boy, premium vodka Ciroc and reality TV shows Making the Band and Run’s House. With over 1 million followers and an abundance of exuberant posts, Diddy is among the most prolific of hip-hop’s Twitterati.

3. Kanye West

$25 million

Stayed atop the hip-hop charts with the release of his fourth album, 808s and Heartbreak. Though not as well-received as his prior effort, the multiplatinum Graduation, experimental oeuvre sold nearly 2 million copies. Last year’s “Glow in the Dark” tour included a stop in his native Chicago to headline the music festival Lollapalooza. Moonlights as a shoe designer, recently crafting a successful limited-run Nike line called the Air Yeezy; designed another shoe line for Louis Vuitton, due out this summer.

4. Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson

$20 million, tie

Last year’s highest-earning hip-hop star has seen annual pay fall from $150 million to $20 million. Reason: a $100 million windfall from the sale of VitaminWater parent Glacéau to Coca-Cola last year. Steep drop in earnings makes him look like a crashing bank stock, but Queens-born rapper might survive future stress tests better than most: His portfolio includes popular G-Unit clothing line and record label, plus films, videogames and a slew of platinum albums. Launched cologne for Macy’s in June. Fourth album, Before I Self Destruct, is set for release later this year.

4. Aliaune “Akon” Thiam

$20 million, tie

Split childhood between Senegal and the U.S., gained worldwide fame with 2004 hit “Locked Up.” Since then, has become one of hip-hop’s most versatile artists–one of few to make more money this year than last. Can thank diversification: writes, sings, raps and produces; makes lucrative guest appearances on other artists’ songs and tours frequently. Other business ventures include Konvict Clothing and Konvict Music, a label that boasts pop princess Lady Gaga.

6. Dwayne “Lil Wayne” Carter

$18 million

Started hip-hop career as a teenager with group Hot Boys, blossomed into a mainstream celebrity with hits like “Tha Block is Hot” and “Lollipop.” This year, pulled in an estimated $10 million from his 65-show mega-tour alone; latest album, Tha Carter III, went platinum in its opening week. Follow-up Tha Carter IV said to be in the works. Also starred alongside Forrest Whitaker in the film Hurricane Season, due out later this year. Longtime buddy Birdman reportedly gave Lil Wayne $1 million in cash for his 26th birthday in October.

7. Timothy “Timbaland” Mosley

$17 million

Hip-hop super-producer continues to churn out tracks at a frenetic pace; catalog of classic hits include Jay-Z’s “Big Pimpin’” and Ludacris’ “Roll Out.” More recently, produced pop songs for the likes of Madonna and Chris Cornell. Second solo album Shock Value went platinum shortly after its release in 2007; follow-up is scheduled for later this year. Hollywood beckons: Timba is reportedly set to produce the soundtrack to Simon Cowell’s rumored Saturday Night Fever remake.

8. Pharrell Williams

$16 million

Versatile star made his name penning hits for rappers and pop artists alike as part of popular production duo The Neptunes. Recently produced songs for Busta Rhymes and Jadakiss. Now fronts the funk-rock band N*E*R*D and is said to be an avid Star Trek fan. A geek with exquisite taste, Williams designs sunglasses for Louis Vuitton and owns apparel lines Ice Cream and Billionaire Boys Club. Reportedly owns a solid gold BlackBerry.

9. Faheem “T-Pain” Najm

$15 million

Circus-themed album Thr33 Ringz debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s chart and has sold nearly 700,000 copies to date. Dreadlocked star also cashed in on a slew of guest appearances, including Flo Rida’s “Low” and Kanye West’s Grammy-winner “Good Life” last year. Nominated for three more Grammys in 2009. Appearance on Saturday Night Live digital short “On a Boat” became an Internet sensation, earning over 30 million YouTube views. Hip-hop’s Jay Leno owns 32 cars, including the first Rolls Royce Phantom convertible sold in the U.S.

10. Marshall “Eminem” Mathers

$14 million

Controversial rhymester rapped his way back onto the scene this year with the release of Relapse, his first album in five years. The record, which details Eminem’s battle with drug addiction, hit stores on May 15 and sold over a million copies in its first month. Sold 75 million records in his career; 1999 debut album The Slim Shady LP has been certified five-times platinum. Detroit native was recently voted best rapper alive in a poll by Vibe magazine.

11. Andre “Dr. Dre” Young

$13 million

Served as executive producer for Eminem’s highly-anticipated album Relapse, which sold over a million U.S. copies in its first month. Legendary rapper-producer is also one of hip-hop’s savviest. Unlike many who sell the rights to their songs, Dr. Dre hangs on to most of his; still collects royalties on multiplatinum albums like 1992 classic The Chronic, which sold nearly 10 million copies worldwide.

12. Calvin “Snoop Dogg” Broadus

$11 million

Lanky rapper parlayed pimpish image into mainstream fame. Once the embodiment of West Coast gangster rap, revealed a softer side in his reality-TV show Father Hood, now in its second year. Filmed taking care of family pets, teaching his kids about the birds and bees, and managing household matters. Last year’s album Ego Trippin sold half a million copies worldwide; his next, due out this year, is rumored to include a track entitled “Snoop Dogg Millionaire.”

13. Christopher “Ludacris” Bridges

$10 million

“Mouth of the South” known as much for his raunchy lyrics as for his public spats with the likes of Bill O’Reilly and Oprah Winfrey. Parlayed musical success into a number of substantial acting roles, including an appearance in Crash, which won the 2005 Oscar for Best Picture. Also one of hip-hop’s most consistent performers–his first five solo albums all went platinum. His sixth, Theater of the Mind, was released in November; though it has sold about 700,000 copies so far, still has a chance at 1 million.

14. Lonnie “Common” Lynn, Jr.

$8 million, tie

Chicago native is one of hip-hop’s most socially conscious artists, supporting PETA and speaking out against the use of homophobic rap lyrics. Album Finding Forever, released in 2007, was nominated for three Grammys. Last year’s follow-up, Universal Mind Control, sold 250,000 albums. Endorses Lincoln’s Navigator, plugs Microsoft’s Zune. Substantial film experience includes roles in Smokin’ Aces (2007), Wanted (2008) and Terminator: Salvation (2009).

14. William “will.i.am” Adams

$8 million, tie

Discovered in the early 1990s by Eazy-E of NWA fame, will.i.am became a household name in recent years due to his success as part of the Black Eyed Peas. Singer-rapper-producer now focuses on solo work in and outside music, including roles in recent films Madagascar 2: Escape to Africa and X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Outspoken Obama supporter performed at the Democratic National Convention in Denver last fall.

14. Clifford “T.I.” Harris

$8 million, tie

Self-crowned “King of the South” co-founded Grand Hustle Records in 2001 to distribute his mix tapes. In recent years, became a cross-platform star, appearing in films including American Gangster (2007) alongside Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington. Bump in the road: Nabbed on machine-gun charges last year. Started serving a one-year sentence in May–but not before earning a nice chunk of change from his latest album, Paper Trail.

14. Kasseem “Swizz Beatz” Dean

$8 million, tie

Bronx-born prodigy got his start as a producer at age 16, penning the catchy “Ruff Ryders’ Anthem” for DMX. Piled up a massive production catalog working with other artists from Busta Rhymes to Jay-Z. Last year’s solo debut One Man Band Man underwhelmed, but side gigs keep him afloat–appeared in ads for the Gap and owns a stake in trendy toy company Kidrobot. Pending divorce from singer Mashonda and reported relationship with Alicia Keys have made him a tabloid favorite.

18. Andre “Andre 3000″ Benjamin

$7 million, tie

Other half of Outkast is also working on a solo album, but spent more time recently furthering his acting career with a role in the summer blockbuster Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. Launched his Benjamin Bixby clothing line last year. Has a penchant for cars and speed: He was busted for doing 109 miles per hour in his Porsche earlier this spring.

18. Antwan “Big Boi” Patton

$7 million, tie

Member of Georgia duo Outkast, one of the most musically innovative and commercially successful hip-hop acts in history. Their six studio albums have collectively sold over 20 million units. Big Boi spent the past year finishing up solo album Sir Luscious Leftfoot, due out this fal

20. Tramar “Flo Rida” Dillard

$6 million, tie

Cash Kings newcomer splashed onto the scene by rapping about Apple Bottom jeans and Reeboks in last year’s hit “Get Low” featuring T-Pain. Followed up with album R.O.O.T.S., which included chart-topper “Right Round,” sampled from the 1980s classic by Dead or Alive. No truth to the rumor that he’s being sued by the state of Florida for trademark infringement.

20. William “Rick Ross” Roberts

$6 million, tie

Rotund rapper took his name from infamous drug trafficker Ricky Ross, lost street cred when it was revealed that he once worked as a corrections officer. No matter: This year, Ross beefed with 50 Cent; released his third album, Deeper Than Rap, which sold nearly 200,000 copies in its first week; and made his Cash Kings debut.

20. Jayceon “The Game” Taylor

$6 million, tie

Not to be confused with the Harvard-Yale football game, hip-hop’s The Game released LAX, his third studio album, last August. The record has sold nearly 750,000 copies to date. Outside of music, he plugs Skechers, Kangol and British apparel outfit Lonsdale. Film credits include a role in low-budget action flick Waist Deep (2006)

20. Jay “Young Jeezy” Jenkins

$6 million, tie

Prescient rapper released album The Recession last September; the record debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard charts, sold a quarter million copies in its first week and earned Jeezy a Grammy nomination. Has appeared on hit songs by other artists including fellow Cash King Akon. Earned publicity for his feud with Bill O’Reilly over his performance at a concert celebrating Obama’s inauguration.

We were checking out the Crooks & Castles website and we came across this profound quote. If you’re a Nas fan you’ll immediately realize that this quote inspired one of his tracks on the “Lost Tapes” album. We often hear critics and the media calling for ‘more originality’ when reviewing design, artwork, music or any other creative discipline.

But what is ‘original’? Many people have made history and achieved iconic status by ’stealing’ ideas from others. Guys like Steve Jobs, Kanye West, P-Diddy, Picasso, Thomas Edison and many others have made fortunes out of ’sampling’ people’s ideas or creations and making them their own. So really ask yourself, is there anything original on this earth? Share your thoughts with us…..