What is Benzino’s Net Worth and How Did He Make His Fortune?

The moniker “Benzino” tends to cause friction in the hip-hop community. Several controversies and feuds involving the musician, media executive, and reality TV personality have damaged his reputation and trustworthiness. How much money does he actually have, though, and where did it come from? Benzino’s early life, profession, and personal life will all be covered in this article, along with his net worth and sources of income.

Benzino’s Early Life and Career

Benzino’s real name is Raymond Scott, and he was born in Boston, Massachusetts on July 18, 1965. His family tree includes African Americans, Puerto Ricans, and Cape Verdeans. His upbringing in Boston’s Roxbury neighbourhood exposed him to hip hop culture.

Benzino’s rap career began in the mid-1980s when he joined the group Almighty RSO (Roxbury Street Organisation). DJ Deff Jeff, Tony Rhome, E-Devious, and MC L.A.D. were the original members of the crew. Singles and albums by the band include 1986’s The Greatest Show on Earth, 1987’s We’ll Remember You, 1994’s Revenge of da Badd Boyz, and 1996’s Doomsday: Forever RSO. It was their song “One in the Chamba” that caused the most controversy, as its lyrics encouraged self-defense in the face of police violence. Boston police and local law enforcement groups were offended by the song and put pressure on Tommy Boy Records to withdraw the band from their roster.

After teaming up with E-Devious and MC L.A.D., Benzino started a new group named Made Men. Classic Limited Edition (1999) and Made Men (2001) were the two albums that the trio put out, and both of them featured guests like DMX, Mobb Deep, Big Pun, and The Lox. The group worked with David Mays, a longtime friend of Benzino’s and co-owner of The Source.

Mays and Jonathan Shecter, both then-students at Harvard University, published the first issue of The Source, a hip-hop magazine, in 1988. In 1994, Benzino became a co-owner of the magazine, which he utilised to promote himself and his fellow rap artists. In addition, he contributed to the production of albums as a member of the group Hangmen .

Benzino has released music under his own name as a solo artist. From 2001’s The Benzino Project to 2003’s Redemption and 2005’s Arch Nemesis and 2007’s The Antidote and 2011’s Caezar and 2012’s Blue Bag and 2013’s The Magnificent 757’s and 2015’s Welcome to Texaco City, he has published a number of albums. He has also dropped several mixtapes, including 2003’s Die Another Day: Flawless Victory and 2010’s When the Heavens Fall. Songs like “Rock the Party,” “Bang Ta Dis,” “Would You,” “Bottles & Up,” and “Look Into My Eyes” are among his most well-known works.

Benzino’s Feud with Eminem and The Source Scandal

The fight between Benzino and Eminem, one of the most popular and respected rappers of all time, is legendary. In 2002, Benzino started beef with Eminem after giving his album The Eminem Show four out of five mics in The Source. Benzino said Eminem was overrated and used his white privilege to get ahead in the rap game. He additionally stated that Eminem was racist and homophobic.

Then, Benzino dropped multiple diss tracks like “Pull Your Skirt Up,” “Die Another Day,” “Nail in the Coffin,” and “The Sauce” directed towards Eminem. A number of old tapes of Eminem uttering slurs towards black women were also released by him. Then Eminem released his own diss singles including “Lose Yourself,” “The Invasion,” “Hailie’s Revenge,” and “Go to Sleep” in response. He made fun of Benzino’s dismal album sales and scathing musical ability.

The Source and Eminem’s label, Interscope Records, were at war with one another when their conflict got out of hand. The Source organised a movement to stop buying or listening to anything by Eminem. They filed a defamation suit against Interscope and an unfair competition lawsuit. Interscope filed a countersuit against The Source for slander and violation of contract.

As a result of the conflict, The Source’s standing in the hip hop world took a hit. A large number of musicians and fans agreed with Eminem’s assessment that The Source was biassed and unprofessional. There was a precipitous drop in the magazine’s readership and ad sales. The journal was also subject to lawsuits and internal strife from disgruntled employees and financiers.

In 2006, after being accused of mismanagement and fraud, Benzino was removed from his position as CEO of The Source. The board was sued by Benzino for wrongful termination and libel. In competition with the publication, he and Mays created Hip Hop Weekly.

Benzino’s Reality TV Career and Personal Life

Reality television was Benzino’s next big project. Since 2012, he has been a regular on the VH1 series Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta. The show chronicles the personal and professional lives of Atlanta’s hip hop elite. Benzino’s relationships with Karlie Redd and Althea Heart, his competition with Joseline Hernandez, his battle with Kirk Frost, and his reconciliation with his estranged father were just a few of the many conflicts and dramatic situations that unfolded on the show.

In addition to Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars, Benzino has had guest appearances on Growing Up Hip Hop: Atlanta, Scared Famous, and The Next:15.

Taj Collins, Brittany Collins, Coi Leray, and Zino Antonio Scott Jr. are Benzino’s offspring. Coi Leray is a multi-talented artist, having recorded the singles “No More Parties,” “Big Purr,” and “Slide,” among others. Benzino’s exes have included Karlie Redd, Althea Heart, LisaRaye McCoy, Claudia Jordan, and Sundy Carter, to name a few.

Tragedies and legal issues have also touched Benzino’s life. When he returned to Duxbury, Massachusetts from his mother’s burial in 2014, his nephew Gai Scott shot him. His shoulder and back were hurt, but it wasn’t anything serious. His nephew said he shot Benzino in self-defense, saying the gun was a legitimate threat.

In 2019, Benzino was taken into custody in DeKalb County, Georgia on a bench warrant. He was escorted to the police station and booked into jail. While being taken there, he railed against a police officer of Vietnamese ancestry and called him names.

Benzino’s Net Worth and Sources of Income

Benzino is expected to have a million dollar fortune by 2023. His rap career — from solo recordings to collaborative efforts to production credits — is the main driver of his financial success. His magazine company, which includes his co-ownership of The Source and Hip Hop Weekly, is another source of income for him. Other sources of income for him include his appearances on reality TV shows like Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta and others. In addition to his clothing lines, restaurants, and nightclubs, he is also involved in the record label and restaurant industries.

Benzino has a modest net worth in comparison to some of the other rappers and celebrities with whom he has feuded or collaborated.When compared to, say, DMX’s projected $10 million net worth, Eminem’s estimated $230 million is a stark contrast.At the time of his death, Big Pun was estimated to have been worth $5 million; The Lox are worth $16 million; Karlie Redd are worth $2 million; Stevie J are worth $5 million; Joseline Hernandez are worth $300 thousand; Kirk Frost are worth $600 thousand; LisaRaye McCoy are worth $10 million; and Claudia Jordan are worth $500 thousand.

Conclusion

We now know that Benzino’s wealth and income come mostly from his rapping, magazine publishing, and reality TV appearances. We now know that Benzino’s early life, professional career, and private life were all plagued by scandal and controversy. His notoriety and popularity have taken a hit due to the many scandals in which he has been embroiled.

Benzino is a divisive character in the hip hop community who has amassed a large wealth. Love him or hate him, his influence on popular culture and business is undeniable.

 

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