In 2017, the American hip-hop duo Rae Sremmurd—comprising brothers Swae Lee and Slim Jxmmi—achieved an estimated combined net worth of $6 million to $12 million. Driven by the viral success of their hit single "Swang," their multi-platinum album SremmLife 2, global concert tours, and major corporate endorsements, the duo's gross pre-tax earnings reached $11.5 million in 2017 alone.
Understanding Rae Sremmurd’s Financial Landscape in 2017
The year 2017 marked a commercial high point for Rae Sremmurd. After establishing themselves in the hip-hop scene with their 2015 debut album SremmLife, brothers Khalif "Swae Lee" Brown and Aaquil "Slim Jxmmi" Brown transitioned from rising stars to mainstream hitmakers. According to Forbes, Rae Sremmurd generated $11.5 million in pre-tax income during 2017, landing them on the publication's "30 Under 30" music list and the "Hip-Hop Cash Kings" rankings.
Understanding an artist's financial status requires distinguishing between gross revenue and net worth:
- Gross Annual Income: The total money generated before deducting operational costs, commissions, production expenses, and taxes. For Rae Sremmurd, 2017 gross income reached approximately $11.5 million.
- Net Worth: The total accumulated value of an individual's or group's financial assets minus their liabilities at a specific point in time. In 2017, each member held an estimated personal net worth between $3 million and $6 million, bringing the duo's combined net worth into the $6 million to $12 million range.
This financial growth was not incidental; it resulted from a synchronized strategy involving record sales, streaming dominance, live touring, songwriting publishing credits, and commercial endorsements.
The Role of "Swang" and SremmLife 2 in Their Financial Growth
While the record-breaking single "Black Beatles" (featuring Gucci Mane) propelled SremmLife 2 to the top of the Billboard charts in late 2016, "Swang" served as a long-term revenue engine throughout 2017. Produced by P-Nasty and white-hot Atlanta producer Mike WiLL Made-It, "Swang" resonated strongly with youth culture and high school/college demographics.
- Album/Single Track Record (2016–2017)
- SremmLife 2 (Album Release: Aug 2016)
- "Black Beatles" (Viral #1 Hit): Peak Billboard Hot 100 #1
- "Swang" (Promoted Single 2016–2017): RIAA 4x Platinum Certification
- SremmLife 2 (Album Release: Aug 2016)
RIAA Certifications and Streaming Revenue
Originally released on the deluxe edition of SremmLife 2 in August 2016, "Swang" received heavy radio rotation and playlisting throughout 2017. The track eventually earned a 4x Platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), representing over 4 million certified units in the United States alone.
During 2017, audio and video streaming platforms paid varying royalty rates per play:
- Spotify: Approximately $0.003 to $0.005 per stream.
- Apple Music: Approximately $0.006 to $0.008 per stream.
- YouTube Music / Video: Approximately $0.001 to $0.002 per view.
With "Swang" accumulating hundreds of millions of plays across Spotify and YouTube, the track generated millions of dollars in mechanical and performance royalty pools. Although these gross royalties were split among record labels, distributors, producers, and publishers, the song significantly elevated the group's overall earning power.
Key Revenue Streams Driving Their 2017 Wealth
Rae Sremmurd’s 2017 financial success was built on several distinct revenue streams:
- Rae Sremmurd 2017 Revenue Structure
- Live Touring & Booking Fees (35%–45%)
- Music Streaming & Direct Sales (25%–35%)
- Endorsements & Sponsorships (15%–20%)
- Songwriting & Publishing (10%–15%)
1. Concert Tours and Live Performance Fees
Live performances accounted for the largest percentage of Rae Sremmurd’s liquid income in 2017. The duo capitalized on their high-energy stage presence through two major touring avenues:
- The SremmLife II Tour: Headlining international and domestic venues allowed the group to retain a higher percentage of ticket sales and merchandise revenue.
- Support on Major Arena Tours: In 2017, Rae Sremmurd joined The Weeknd as a featured opening act on his extensive Starboy: Legend of the Fall Tour. Performing in front of sold-out arena crowds across North America boosted their performance fees to an estimated $50,000–$100,000 per night while exposing them to broader audiences.
2. Music Streaming and Master Rights
As signed artists under Mike WiLL Made-It's EarDrummers Entertainment and Interscope Records, Rae Sremmurd earned royalties on master recordings. While major label contracts traditionally award artists between 15% and 25% of net master royalties, the sheer volume of streams from SremmLife 2 yielded substantial payouts.
3. Corporate Brand Endorsements and Campaigns
In 2017, corporate brands aggressively sought partnerships with hip-hop artists who commanded youth culture. Rae Sremmurd leveraged their fashion image into several lucrative deals:
- Reebok Classic: Swae Lee and Slim Jxmmi were chosen as brand ambassadors for the Reebok Classic leather sneaker campaign in 2017, netting significant promotional compensation.
- Puma: The brothers participated in multi-channel promotional campaigns for Puma footwear and apparel.
- Luc Belaire: Rae Sremmurd partnered with the luxury French sparkling wine brand Belaire, featuring the product in music videos, tours, and social media placements.
4. Songwriting and Publishing Income
Beyond the duo's joint catalog, Swae Lee built a profitable career as a songwriter for hire. Most notably, Swae Lee co-wrote Beyoncé’s 2016 hit single "Formation," which earned a Grammy nomination for Song of the Year. The ongoing performance royalties, sync licensing, and radio play from "Formation" into 2017 provided Swae Lee with a passive income stream separate from the duo's group earnings.
Swae Lee vs. Slim Jxmmi: Individual Financial Breakdown in 2017
While Swae Lee and Slim Jxmmi split performance fees and group master royalties equally (50/50), their individual net worths differed slightly due to external songwriting projects and personal investments.
| Financial Indicator | Swae Lee (2017 Estimate) | Slim Jxmmi (2017 Estimate) | Combined Duo Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated Net Worth | $5.0M – $7.0M | $4.0M – $5.0M | $9.0M – $12.0M |
| Gross Annual Income (2017) | ~$6.5M | ~$5.0M | ~$11.5M |
| Primary Individual Driver | Songwriting ("Formation", Solo Features) | Group Performance & Apparel Deals | Group Touring & Streaming |
| Key Endorsement Deals | Reebok, Puma, Luc Belaire | Reebok, Puma, Luc Belaire | Combined Brand Partnerships |
| Key Track Certifications | "Swang" (4x Platinum), "Unforgettable" | "Swang" (4x Platinum) | SremmLife 2 (Platinum) |
In late 2016 and early 2017, Swae Lee collaborated with French Montana on the smash hit "Unforgettable." The song became a massive global hit, earning diamond and multi-platinum status internationally. Swae Lee's writing and feature credits on "Unforgettable" elevated his personal net worth higher than Slim Jxmmi's during this period.
Financial Deductions: From Gross Income to Realized Net Worth
A common misconception in music finance is equating an artist's gross earnings with their bank balance or net worth. Rae Sremmurd's $11.5 million gross income in 2017 was subject to significant industry deductions before reaching the artists' bank accounts.
- Gross Earnings ($11.5 Million)
- Less: Management Fees (15%)
- Less: Booking Agent Fees (10%)
- Less: Legal Representation (5%)
- Less: Label Recoupment & Production Costs
- Less: Federal & State Taxes (~35%–40%)
- Net Retained Income (~$3.5 Million – $4.5 Million)
- Management Fees (15%): Personal management teams typically take 15% of gross earnings across all entertainment activities.
- Agency Fees (10%): Booking agencies like WME or CAA take 10% of gross live touring receipts.
- Legal Fees (5%): Entertainment lawyers earn between 5% of gross income or bill hourly rates for contract negotiations.
- Taxes (35%–40%): Combined federal and state income taxes in high-tax jurisdictions like California or Georgia significantly reduce net payouts.
- Tour Overhead and Security: Sound engineers, lighting technicians, tour buses, security teams, travel, and lodging are funded directly from tour revenues.
After subtracting these mandatory obligations, the brothers retained approximately $3.5 million to $4.5 million in net cash flow from their 2017 gross earnings.
Career Trajectory Post-2017: Long-Term Financial Impact
The financial foundation built by Rae Sremmurd in 2017 set up both members for continued financial success in subsequent years. Following 2017, their business trajectory evolved in several key ways:
- Triple Album Release (SR3MM): In 2018, the duo released a triple-disc album containing a joint project (SR3MM), Swae Lee’s solo debut (Swaecation), and Slim Jxmmi’s solo debut (Jxmtro).
- "Sunflower" Mega-Hit: Swae Lee co-created "Sunflower" with Post Malone for the Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse soundtrack. Released in late 2018, "Sunflower" went on to become one of the highest-certified singles in RIAA history (18x Platinum), generating millions in publishing royalties for Swae Lee.
- Solo Ventures and Real Estate: Both brothers expanded into real estate, luxury asset acquisitions, and independent business investments, maintaining multishow touring rates across international festivals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much money did "Swang" make in 2017?
While exact royalty payouts are private, "Swang" accumulated over 400 million combined streams and 4 million RIAA unit sales by the end of 2017. Gross royalties generated by the track were estimated between $1.5 million and $2.5 million, split among songwriters, producers, publisher groups, and record labels.
What was Rae Sremmurd's gross income in 2017 according to Forbes?
According to Forbes, Rae Sremmurd earned $11.5 million in gross pre-tax income during 2017, placing them on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list and the Hip-Hop Cash Kings ranking.
Who was worth more in 2017: Swae Lee or Slim Jxmmi?
Swae Lee had a slightly higher estimated net worth ($5M–$7M) than Slim Jxmmi ($4M–$5M) in 2017. This difference was largely due to Swae Lee’s outside songwriting catalog (such as co-writing Beyoncé’s "Formation") and high-profile featured appearances, including French Montana's "Unforgettable."
Did Rae Sremmurd own their master recordings in 2017?
No. In 2017, Rae Sremmurd was signed under a traditional record contract with EarDrummers Entertainment and Interscope Records. Master ownership was retained by the record labels, with the duo receiving contractually negotiated royalty percentages on streams and physical sales.
How did touring impact their 2017 net worth?
Touring was Rae Sremmurd's largest liquid income source in 2017. Performing on their own SremmLife II Tour and opening for The Weeknd's arena tour generated millions in guaranteed show fees and merchandise sales.
Summary and Key Takeaways
Rae Sremmurd’s 2017 financial standing illustrates how modern hip-hop acts build multi-million-dollar wealth. By pairing hit singles like "Swang" with high-volume streaming, stadium-level touring, and corporate endorsements with brands like Reebok and Puma, the duo converted cultural momentum into an estimated $6 million to $12 million net worth. For musicians and industry observers, their 2017 financial profile highlights the importance of diversifying revenue streams beyond record sales alone.
