LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 24: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Megan Thee Stallion performs onstage during the 2022 iHeartRadio Music Festival at T-Mobile Arena on September 24, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Denise Truscello/Getty Images for iHeartRadio)
There’s a reason Megan Thee Stallion reportedly earned $13 million this past year. The Houston Hottie has no time for pause, she tells Forbes in the cover story for their annual 30 Under 30 list. Though this is her second time on the list, Megan is the first Black woman to grace the cover of the spread!
“I can’t slow down right now. I’ll take a break when I’m dead. I’m trying to really build something.” Megan adds, “When I start sitting, I feel like I’m not doing enough or I’m giving somebody else the opportunity to pass me.”
Meg went from charging $500 for gigs in her hometown to collaborations with music royalty like Beyoncé and Nicki Minaj, awards on awards, healthy streams, and major appearances. According to Forbes, this past year, Megan’s millions came from royalties, ticket sales, endorsements, and merchandise.
But those aren’t the only streams feeding Meg’s bank accounts. The Houston rapper has also landed endorsement deals with Nike, Revlon, Cash App, and Popeyes.
Frito-Lay marketing executive Stacy Taffet revealed their estimated $2 million Super Bowl campaign featuring Megan and Charlie Puth for Flamin’ Hot Cheetos “outperformed” many of their past projects–exceeding their expectations.
Before selling anything to her fanbase, named the Hotties, Megan is making sure she has her “own space and own lane.” As part of her CashApp deal, Megan filmed a series of financial literacy videos for younger audiences. Meanwhile, the nearly $1 million Popeyes deal landed her a signature “Hottie Sauce” and $250,000 to kick-start her own Popeyes restaurant.
While Megan’s pockets scored wins this year, other areas, from business to personal, took hits. Jury selection is underway in the trial against Tory Lanez, accused of causing Megan bodily harm by allegedly shooting at her in July 2020.
Additionally, in the last year, we’ve seen Megan share details online about her ongoing business tussle with her record label 1501 Certified Entertainment. She signed with the Houston-based label in 2018 for a $50,000 advance.
In the years since Meg has sued the for $1 million in royalties and exchanged online insults with CEO Carl Crawford. According to leaked information obtained by Forbes,1501 retains 60% of Meg’s royalties, along with 50% of publishing revenue and 30% of touring and sponsorships. Still, the insists Megan is the person who owes them about $10 million in profit shares.
Most recently, the rapper was trending on social media following the release of Drake and 21 Savage’s album Her Loss. Megan called out Drake for allegedly mentioning her shooting incident with Tory in the Circo Loco track. Drake has not publicly responded to Megan or clarified the meaning of the line, “this bitch lie ’bout getting shots, but she still a stallion.”
Despite label drama and the looming criminal trial, Megan Thee Stallion is already loading up her 2023 schedule. According to Roc Nation CEO Desiree Perez, the Houston star has a studio album coming in 2023, along with a world tour–though no dates were announced.
She also signed a deal with Netflix to create and produce multiple shows, including a comedy about her childhood. Additionally, Time Inc. has cut a $3 million check to produce a documentary about Megan’s life.
More money Megan all 2023? Looks like a yes!
