CNBC — not MTV — is doing a special on music industry heavyweight Pitbull — and that should tell you everything you need to know. CNBC is the business channel, of course. And that’s why they’re interested in Armando Christian Pérez, aka Pitbull. It’s not because they think his beats are boss; it’s because he is the boss — of his own empire. As Pitbull likes to describe it: “I’m not suggesting I run the world, I just feel like I’ve built my own planet.”
The 34-year-old Cuban American rapper, who also carries the nickname Mr. Worldwide, tells CNBC: “Music business [is] 90% business, 10% talent. It’s great that you can rap, it’s great that you can sing, but if you don’t understand the business then…” Well you can guess: you’re in trouble. Know your business, cautions Pitbull. His success is no accident, either, it’s been part of a plan as you can see outlined in the video below. Reports list Pitbull’s net worth between $45 million and $60 million. But it’s helpful to remember that similar sources — even Forbes — listed rapper 50 Cent’s net worth at $155 million not long before he filed for bankruptcy. Pitbull is the majority owner of Voli Vodka. Pitbull: Fame & Fortune premieres on CNBC on Thursday, Oct. 22 at 10pm
