The head of Def Jam Records boasts an impressive artist roster, which includes rapper Kanye West and pop diva Mariah Carey.

CNN: The Quest for music

His earnings were easily the most of any rapper, rocker or pop star in the world and, according to a recent report released by Berklee College of Music, about 2, 000 times what the average musician earned in 2012.

FORBES: How To Make A Living In The Modern Music Business

Pop culture icon Flavor Flav is a rapper, reality TV star, GPS-navigational voice, and now, restaurateur.

FORBES: Flavor Flav Wants To Be The New Colonel Sanders and Mr. Rogers In One

So for a more objective assessment of his essays on pop culture (which include ruminations on rapper Mos Def, former Beach Boy Brian Wilson and jazz bandleader Billy Eckstein), read this recent review.

FORBES: National Book Award Cheat Sheet

Rapper Eminem, rock group Bon Jovi, Madonna, Britney Spears, Scottish pop band Travis and Melanie C have earned three nominations each.

CNN: graphic

It now boasts four offices around the world, celebrity endorsements from rapper Snoop Dogg, who has been sporting a beard of late, and lightly whiskered pop star Justin Bieber.

WSJ: Hair-Raising Competition Splits the Mustache World

Rapper Eminem, rock group Bon Jovi, Madonna, Britney Spears, Melanie C and Scottish pop band Travis all earned three nominations each.

CNN: Robbie Williams, Sonique top MTV Europe nominations