Young Dolph Net Worth: He Rose from Memphis Streets and Died at 36 — Did He Really Leave 100+ Properties to Children?
The late “1 Scale” crooner Young Dolph was arguably one of the best hip-hop stars of the last decade. His unflinching lyrics, cold punch lines, and commitment to his hometown, Memphis, have significantly contributed to his fame.
Before his unfortunate death at 36 in 2021, Young Dolph’s 2020 album, Rich Slaves, peaked at #4 on the Billboard 200 chart. He was also preparing for a multi-city hip-hop festival, per the Rolling Stone.
Given the hip-hop star’s massively accomplished career, you may wonder about the rapper’s wealth at the time of his passing. What was Young Dolph’s net worth? Here’s everything you should know about the Memphis-born rap icon’s fortune.
What Was Young Dolph’s Net Worth?
Born Adolph Robert Thornton Jr., Young Dolph started as a mixtape artist on the rough streets of Memphis. At the height of his career, he was a legitimate contender in the industry, up there with Gucci Mane, Young Thug, Key Glock, and more.
Ahead of his passing, Young Dolph’s net worth was estimated at $3 million. His wealth primarily came from the commercial success of his rap career. He also ventured into the music production business and real estate investments.
Music Career
Raised in Tennessee, Young Dolph’s music was hugely influenced by Southern hip-hop icons like 8Ball & MJG, Playa Fly, and Three 6 Mafia. Growing up in a poor community, Dolph found comfort in rapping as a kid, using his words to express his experiences.
In 2008, Young Dolph released his first mixtape, Paper Route Campaign. This release made waves in the South, which he quickly followed with a series of mixtapes, including High Class Street Music 5: The Plug Best Friend.”
The young rapper broke into mainstream recognition in 2016 when he featured in O.T. Genasis’ 2016 single release, Cut It. What followed is Young Dolph’s meteoric rise to fame and wealth, achieving gold fame and chart-topping albums.
Paper Route Empire
Young Dolph was serious when it came to his music. Instead of signing deals with major record companies, the rap icon opted to remain independent, releasing music through Paper Route Empire, a label he founded in 2010.
The “100 Shots” crooner even allegedly turned down a $22 million deal to stay an independent producer. Even so, his decision also brought several creative and financial perks. He later claimed to be earning $100,00 for every show.
By self-releasing music via his PRE label, Young Dolph retained the rights to his songs. That means he had complete ownership of the masters and kept a larger share of the revenue generated from his music sales.
“I think I’m more attuned to the streets. Don’t get me wrong. The major labels? They play a big factor; they do their thing. But like, I’m really hands-on,” the Paper Route Empire founder told Forbes in an interview.
Merchandise and Records Sales
Although his career ended prematurely, Young Dolph achieved astonishing success in his record sales. His music reached over 2.6 million equivalent album units according to MRC data, with physical and digital copies selling 221,000 copies nationwide.
Young Dolph’s album sales have achieved astonishing success. According to MRC’s data, his music albums have sold over 2.6 million copies, with physical and digital albums selling 221000 copies nationwide
Image source: Google
Young Dolph’s on-demand streams were at an all-time high, too. His songs have been streamed for a total of 3.9 billion times on major platforms, like YouTube, Apple Music, and Spotify. And that’s in the U.S. alone.
Ever the business-minded, banking on his commercial popularity, the “Major” rapper also sold various merchandise. He offered clothing and music accessories, from t-shirts, hoodies, and jackets to CDs and vinyl records.
Real Estate and Other Properties
While his family is yet to confirm, the filmmaker and podcaster Tim Jackson divulged that the late rap icon owned over 100 real estate properties in his hometown.
Expressing his admiration and grief in an Instagram post, Jackson wrote that Young Dolph admitted this himself, further revealing that the “1 Hell Of A Life” lyricist was buying foreclosures for his children for their birthdays.
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Guilty of spending hundreds of thousands on extravagant clothing, Young Dolph also owned several luxurious rides, including a Rolls-Royce Cullinan, Corvette C8 Stingray, Bentley Continental GT, Ferrari 488, and many more.
Final Thoughts
The brightest stars burn the fastest—or so the saying goes. They also often leave the most lasting legacies and memories.
Young Dolph’s $3 million net worth was simply the tip of the iceberg. His accomplishments off the stage, as a father, husband, mentor, and friend, are just as impactful.
Featured image source: Instagram
