20 RAPPERS WHOSE DIVORCES COST THEM MILLIONS — AND THE UNTOLD STORIES BEHIND EACH SPLIT
When love meets fame, the fallout can be explosive — especially in hip-hop, where wealth, ego, and reputation intertwine. These 20 rappers went through some of the most dramatic, expensive, and emotionally charged divorces in the music world.
This comprehensive breakdown includes every major financial settlement, reconciliation, and scandal — so you won’t need to read another article to understand the full picture.
1. Dr. Dre & Nicole Young

Marriage: 1996–2021
Settlement: $100 million
After 24 years of marriage, Dre’s split from Nicole Young became one of music’s most expensive. She accused him of emotional abuse and hiding assets; he counter-accused her of extortion. In December 2021 he agreed to pay $100 million — half immediately, half within a year — while keeping full ownership of Beats By Dre and his music catalogue.
Reconciliation: None.
Aftermath: Dre retained his core businesses; Nicole received multiple properties.
2. Kanye West (Ye) & Kim Kardashian

Marriage: 2014–2022
Settlement: $200 000 per month in child support
The West–Kardashian breakup was a global soap opera. After years of public outbursts and online feuds, the divorce was finalised in November 2022. Ye was ordered to pay $200 000 per month in child support and half of their children’s medical, educational, and security costs.
Rumours: Post-split relationships with Irina Shayk and Julia Fox.
Reconciliation: None.
3. Kevin Gates & Dreka Haynes

Marriage: 2015–present (divorce pending)
Claims: $70 000 per month support; $7 million IRS liens
Their once-admired partnership crumbled in 2023 amid mutual infidelity allegations. Dreka was said to be involved with her trainer; Gates was linked to influencer Jojo Zarur. Dreka’s lawyers demanded $70 000 per month in support while the IRS pursued Gates for $7 million in back taxes.
Reconciliation: None; proceedings ongoing.
4. Jeezy & Jeannie Mai

Marriage: 2021–2024
Settlement: Sealed
Jeezy filed for divorce in September 2023 citing “irreconcilable differences.” Reports pointed to parenting and cultural clashes. By early 2024 the settlement was sealed, but both have since made veiled public statements accusing the other of betrayal.
Reconciliation: None.
Child: One daughter, Monaco.
5. Chance the Rapper & Kirsten Corley

Marriage: 2019–2025
Settlement: Confidential
After a viral Carnival clip in 2023 showing Chance dancing with another woman, tension resurfaced in his marriage. The pair filed for divorce in January 2025. They had briefly split before their 2019 wedding, reconciling in 2016.
Reconciliation: 2016 only.
Custody: Joint co-parenting arrangement.
6. Akon & Tomeka Thiam

Marriage: 1990s–2024
Claim: €100 million
Tomeka filed for divorce in 2024 after decades together, citing Akon’s multiple polygamous relationships and hidden assets. She sought about €100 million. Akon acknowledged practising polygyny but denied any illegality under U.S. law.
Reconciliation: None.
7. Papoose & Remy Ma — and Papoose’s Relationship with Claressa Shields

Marriage: 2008–2025 (pending)
Once considered hip-hop’s model couple, Papoose and Remy Ma split in 2025. He filed for divorce after months of rumours that Remy had grown close to battle-rapper Eazy The Block Captain. Remy denied cheating. Shortly after, Papoose was photographed with two-time Olympic boxing champion Claressa Shields. Shields later confirmed their relationship publicly.
Reconciliation: None expected.
Status: Divorce case still active.
8. Master P & Sonya Miller

Marriage: 1989–2022
Claim: ~40 % of assets
Sonya filed in 2014 alleging her husband concealed tens of millions in properties and companies. They paused litigation in 2016 but reignited it soon after; final judgment came in 2022.
Reconciliation: Brief and temporary.
Aftermath: Master P credited the experience with reshaping his financial approach.
9. DMX & Tashera Simmons

Marriage: 1999–2012
Settlement: Undisclosed
Tashera cited infidelity and financial strain after years of DMX’s legal troubles and public affairs that led to multiple paternity suits. They remained cordial until his 2021 death.
Reconciliation: Friendly, not romantic.
10. Nas & Kelis

Marriage: 2005–2010
Support: About $50 000 per month (later reduced)
Kelis accused Nas of abuse; Nas denied the charge but admitted the marriage was “toxic.” The court ordered large spousal and child-support payments, later adjusted.
Reconciliation: None.
11. Wiz Khalifa & Amber Rose

Marriage: 2013–2016
Settlement: $1 million plus $14 800 per month support
Amber filed in 2014, citing irreconcilable differences and alleged infidelity with twin models Jas and Ness Rose (never proved). The pair reconciled briefly in 2016, then settled into joint custody of their son Sebastian.
Reconciliation: Short-lived.
12. Nick Cannon & Mariah Carey

Marriage: 2008–2016
Settlement: Private
Their glamorous union ended after eight years amid career pressures and diverging schedules. Nick’s later relationships with Brittany Bell and Jessica White became headline fodder. The divorce remained amicable for their twins, Monroe and Moroccan.
Reconciliation: None.
13. Rev Run (Joseph Simmons) & Valerie Vaughn → Justine Jones

First marriage: 1980s – late 1980s
Second marriage: 1994 – present
Run’s first marriage ended amid infidelity rumours during his Run-D.M.C. touring years. He married Justine Jones in 1994, found faith, and reinvented himself as a family man on Run’s House.
Reconciliation: Spiritual, through new marriage.
14. Eminem & Kim Scott

Marriages: 1999–2001 and 2006 (4 months)
Settlement: Confidential
Eminem and Kim’s relationship defined early-2000s hip-hop gossip. They divorced, remarried, and divorced again within five years. Their volatility inspired songs like “Kim” and “’97 Bonnie & Clyde.”
Reconciliation: The 2006 remarriage, which lasted only months.
15. 50 Cent & Shaniqua Tompkins

Relationship: 1990s–2008
Disputes: Property and child support
Shaniqua sued for $50 million, claiming he promised lifelong support; the suit was dismissed. Their feud escalated after a fire destroyed her Long Island home, leading to years of legal sparring over custody of their son Marquise.
Reconciliation: None.
16. Snoop Dogg & Shante Taylor

Marriage: 1997–present (filed 2004 → reconciled 2008)
Snoop filed for divorce in 2004 citing irreconcilable differences amid reports of infidelity, including fathering a son with Laurie Holmond. They reconciled and renewed vows in 2008, crediting faith and family for the reunion.
Reconciliation: Yes — 2008 vow renewal.
17. Lil Wayne & Toya Johnson

Marriage: 2004–2006
The couple married young and split two years later due to lifestyle differences. Wayne went on to have children with Nivea, Lauren London, and Denise Bidot.
Reconciliation: None.
18. Ice Cube & Kimberly Woodruff

Marriage: 1992–present
Despite occasional tabloid rumours of separation around 2011, Ice Cube and Kimberly have remained together for over 30 years. They credit mutual respect and privacy for their longevity.
Reconciliation: Not needed — they never divorced.
19. Juvenile & Shadonna Jones

Marriage: Early 2000s–mid-2010s
Their split involved multiple child-support warrants and financial mismanagement due to label issues. They eventually settled privately for their children’s sake.
Reconciliation: No.
20. Trick Daddy & Joy Young

Marriage: 2003–2023
Joy filed for divorce publicly on Love & Hip-Hop: Miami after years of separation. Trick admitted to affairs and said he accepted the end of the marriage as “karma.”
Reconciliation: None.
Rappers Who Reconciled
- Snoop Dogg & Shante Taylor: Reunited and renewed vows 2008.
- Eminem & Kim Scott: Briefly remarried 2006.
- T.I. & Tiny Harris: Filed for divorce 2016 → stayed together.
- Cardi B & Offset: Filed 2020 → reconciled → separated 2024.
Largest Known Divorce Payouts
| Rapper | Year | Approx. Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. Dre → Nicole Young | 2021 | $100 million | Property and spousal division |
| Kanye West → Kim Kardashian | 2022 | $200 000 per month | Child support |
| Wiz Khalifa → Amber Rose | 2016 | $1 million + $14 800 per month | Custody settlement |
| Safaree Samuels → Erica Mena | 2022 | $4 305 per month | Child support |
Infidelity Allegations (Unproven or Disputed)
- Remy Ma ↔ Eazy The Block Captain: Both denied cheating; rumours persisted.
- Papoose ↔ Claressa Shields: Confirmed relationship after filing.
- Kanye West: Dated models post-separation.
- Wiz Khalifa: Accused of cheating with twins; never confirmed.
- Dr. Dre: Rumoured extramarital relationships; not litigated.
The Broader Pattern
Across these cases, one theme dominates: fame magnifies fractures.
- Sealed settlements are increasingly common (Jeezy, Chance the Rapper).
- Prenups now define outcomes (MC Lyte’s 2023 case set a precedent).
- Reconciliations occasionally succeed (Snoop, T.I.), but most end permanently.
In the hip-hop world, divorces can cost fortunes and reshape legacies — proof that behind the bars and Bentleys, love remains the hardest contract to manage.