Technically speaking, Rappers do get paid, like all artists… Though that doesn’t mean they make a lot of money. The genre is littered with Musicians boasting about their millions, but the number of acts that make it to that level is very, very small. The vast majority of talents who try to make a living from rapping fail to do so, and earning a sizable paycheck is not easy.
Like all Musicians, Rappers make money from a variety of sources. Since sales of albums and individual songs have largely disappeared, especially in the rap field, those who create hip-hop and rap music need to count on massive streaming figures. This is part of the reason why some of the more successful names in the genre produce as much art as they do, as it’s a good way to ensure the money continues coming in.
Musical artists can also make a living from selling merchandise, licensing their work for commercials, working with brands in various contexts and, of course, performing live. Concerts are becoming a larger and larger share of any Musician’s income strategy these days, so many in the genre are always looking for the next opportunity to play to a crowd.