Forbes dropped their annual Hip-Hop Cash Kings list of rap’s biggest earners today.

The past year has been even crueler to rap than it's been to Wall Street. Over the past 12 months, hip-hop's top 20 earners banked $300 million, down 40% from a year ago. The culprit: declining record sales and the disappearance of the mega-deals that once enriched hip-hop stars and corporate executives alike. Still, rising stars like Akon and T-Pain continue to brighten the hip-hop firmament, finding ever more creative ways to make money.

How Forbes Get the Numbers

The Forbes Hip-Hop Cash Kings list includes male recording artists whose work is primarily classified as hip-hop or rap. Earnings estimates, which include income from record sales, digital downloads, touring, films, TV shows, endorsements, books and other entertainment ventures, are calculated between June 2008 and June 2009. Management, agent and attorney fees are not deducted.

In order to determine otheir list, Forbes interviewed numerous sources within the music industry--including lawyers, media buyers and many of the artists themselves. We also conducted research via Billboard, Pollstar, Nielsen SoundScan and the Recording Industry Association of America, among others.

Check out the Top 20 list HERE