Safaree Samuels turned heartbreak into millions. The Jamaican-American rapper went from ghostwriting hits to building his own reality TV empire.
He’s made bold moves since leaving Nicki Minaj’s shadow. Today, he’s worth $3 million through music, television, and smart investments.
What Is Safaree Samuels’ Net Worth?
Net Worth Breakdown:
| Category | Amount |
| Total Net Worth | $3 Million |
| Annual Earnings | $400K – $600K |
| Primary Income | Reality TV Shows |
| Secondary Income | Music & OnlyFans |
Safaree built his wealth through multiple streams. Reality television became his biggest moneymaker after joining Love & Hip Hop franchise.
The Brooklyn-born star doesn’t rely on one paycheck. He diversified into music releases, brand partnerships, and adult content creation.
His income sources include:
- Love & Hip Hop appearance fees
- Music royalties from songwriting credits
- OnlyFans subscription revenue
- Real estate investments
- Social media sponsorships
He’s not a billionaire, but he’s financially independent. His net worth grew significantly after leaving Nicki Minaj’s camp in 2014.
Early Life
Safaree Lloyd Samuels was born on July 4, 1981. His parents immigrated from Jamaica to Brooklyn, New York.
He grew up in a tight-knit family with two sisters. Samantha and Shaneequa were his childhood companions in their Brooklyn neighborhood.
Early Life Facts:
| Detail | Information |
| Birth Date | July 4, 1981 |
| Birthplace | Brooklyn, New York |
| Parents | Jamaican Immigrants |
| Siblings | Samantha & Shaneequa |
| High School | Midwood High School |
Music called to him early. He discovered his passion for hip-hop during his teenage years in Brooklyn.
Midwood High School shaped his future. That’s where he met the people who’d change his life forever.
The Jamaican community influenced his style. His Caribbean roots shine through in his music and personality.
Career
The Hoodstars Era
Safaree launched his career with Hoodstars. The group featured future superstar Nicki Minaj, plus Seven Up and Lou$tar.
They recorded “Don’t Mess With” in 2004. WWE Diva Victoria used it as her entrance theme song.
Hoodstars Achievements:
| Achievement | Details |
| Group Members | Nicki Minaj, Seven Up, Lou$tar |
| Notable Song | “Don’t Mess With” (2004) |
| WWE Feature | Victoria’s entrance theme |
| Album Appearance | ThemeAddict: WWE The Music, Vol.6 |
The group disbanded after their WWE moment. Nicki chose solo stardom, and Safaree became her hype man.
Behind Nicki Minaj’s Success
He wasn’t just standing on stage. Safaree co-wrote some of Nicki’s biggest tracks during their 12-year relationship.
“Did It On’em” became a massive hit. The song peaked at #3 on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
Songwriting Credits:
- Co-wrote “Did It On’em” from Pink Friday (2010)
- Six writing credits on Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded (2012)
- Performed on “Press Conference” track
- Appeared in “Stupid Hoe” music video (2012)
He later claimed he wasn’t paid fairly. On The Wendy Williams Show, he revealed his contributions went uncompensated.
Solo Music Journey
Safaree stepped out alone in 2015. He dropped two mixtapes: “It Is What It Is” volumes 1 and 2.
Music Releases:
| Year | Project | Type |
| 2015 | It Is What It Is | Mixtape |
| 2015 | It Is What It Is, Vol. 2 | Mixtape |
| 2016 | Real Yard Vibes | Mixtape |
| 2017 | Fur Coat Vol. 1 | Mixtape |
| 2020 | Straitt | Studio Album |
His debut album “Straitt” arrived in 2020. Critics gave mixed reviews, but fans appreciated his authentic sound.
The Real Yard Vibes mixtape showcased his Jamaican heritage. He blended dancehall influences with American hip-hop beats.
Reality Television Takeover
Love & Hip Hop changed everything. Safaree joined the Hollywood edition in 2016 during season three.
Reality TV Timeline:
- 2016: Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood (Season 3)
- 2016: K.Michelle: My Life (3 episodes)
- 2017: Love & Hip Hop: New York
- 2017: Scared Famous (VH1)
- 2018: Blue & Bougie Impact Award
- 2020: Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta
He became a fan favorite quickly. His drama with ex-girlfriends and honest personality kept viewers hooked.
Scared Famous introduced him to Erica Mena. The horror-themed reality show brought them together in 2017.
Other TV Appearances:
- Leave It to Stevie (2018)
- BET X: Live! (2018)
- Hip Hop Squares (2017, 2019)
- Remy & Papoose: Meet the Mackies (2018)
- Caught (2017)
The OnlyFans Move
Safaree shocked fans in 2020. He started selling adult content on OnlyFans subscription platform.
The move was controversial but profitable. He earned substantial income from subscribers wanting exclusive content.
Critics questioned his choice. He defended it as smart business, not desperation.
How Safaree Samuels Makes Money Today
Current Income Streams:
| Source | Estimated Annual Revenue |
| Reality TV | $200K – $300K |
| OnlyFans | $100K – $150K |
| Music Royalties | $50K – $75K |
| Social Media | $30K – $50K |
| Appearances | $20K – $25K |
Love & Hip Hop pays him handsomely. Reality stars on the franchise earn between $15,000 to $40,000 per episode.
OnlyFans became surprisingly lucrative. His subscriber base generates consistent monthly income without heavy production costs.
Music royalties still trickle in. His songwriting credits on Nicki’s albums pay dividends years later.
Brand deals supplement his income. He promotes products on Instagram to his million-plus followers.
Personal Life
The Nicki Minaj Chapter
They dated for 12 years straight. Safaree and Nicki were together from 2002 to 2014.
Their breakup inspired Nicki’s album. The Pinkprint (2014) reportedly chronicles their relationship’s painful end.
Relationship Timeline:
| Year | Event |
| 2002 | Started dating |
| 2004-2012 | Collaborated on music |
| 2014 | Broke up |
| 2017 | He spoke publicly about their split |
He claims he built her career. On Wendy Williams’ show, he said he contributed to everything creatively.
The split was messy and public. Both threw shade on social media for months afterward.
Erica Mena Marriage
Christmas Eve 2018 changed everything. Safaree proposed to Love & Hip Hop star Erica Mena.
They married quickly on October 7, 2019. The wedding ceremony was intimate and documented for television.
Family Details:
| Child | Birth Date | Gender |
| Safire Samuels | February 3, 2020 | Daughter |
| Legend Brian Samuels | June 28, 2021 | Son |
Daughter Safire arrived first. The couple seemed happy sharing parenting duties on social media.
Son Legend came 16 months later. But trouble was brewing beneath the surface.
Erica filed for divorce in May 2021. She was pregnant with Legend when she ended the marriage.
Their split turned ugly fast. Both accused each other of infidelity and poor parenting.
Real Estate
Georgia Investment
The couple bought smart in 2020. They purchased a Fayetteville, Georgia home for $848,000 in July.
Property Details:
| Feature | Information |
| Purchase Date | July 2020 |
| Purchase Price | $848,000 |
| Location | Fayetteville, Georgia |
| Listing Date | June 2022 |
| Sale Date | One week after listing |
| Sale Price | $1.3 Million |
They listed it two years later. The June 2022 listing attracted buyers immediately.
It sold within one week. They got their exact asking price of $1.3 million.
Investment Profit:
- Purchase price: $848,000
- Sale price: $1,300,000
- Gross profit: $452,000
- Return: 53% in 2 years
The timing was perfect. They cashed out before their divorce finalized.
Real estate proved profitable. This flip added significantly to both their net worths.
Safaree’s Business Mindset
He’s not afraid of criticism. Safaree makes controversial choices if they pay well.
OnlyFans raised eyebrows industry-wide. He didn’t care about traditional hip-hop expectations.
His business principles:
- Diversify income streams
- Capitalize on fame quickly
- Don’t rely on music alone
- Embrace new platforms
- Invest profits wisely
Reality TV became his smartest move. It pays more consistently than waiting for hit songs.
He learned from Nicki’s success. Build your brand beyond just music talent.
Lessons From Safaree’s Journey
Success doesn’t require perfection. He’s made mistakes but keeps earning.
Key Takeaways:
- Ghostwriting doesn’t build wealth
- Reality TV pays better than you’d think
- Real estate creates tangible returns
- Multiple income streams provide security
- Don’t let pride block profitable opportunities
He reinvented himself after heartbreak. Most people would’ve quit after losing Nicki.
FAQs
How much is Safaree worth in 2025?
Safaree Samuels’ net worth is $3 million as of 2025.
Did Safaree write for Nicki Minaj?
Yes, he co-wrote multiple songs including “Did It On’em” from her debut album.
Is Safaree still married to Erica Mena?
No, Erica filed for divorce in May 2021 while pregnant with their son.
How does Safaree make money now?
He earns through Love & Hip Hop appearances, OnlyFans, music royalties, and social media.
What was Safaree’s biggest real estate profit?
He made $452,000 flipping a Georgia home in 2022.
Why did Safaree and Nicki Minaj break up?
The exact reason remains private, but their 12-year relationship ended in 2014.
Conclusion
Safaree Samuels built $3 million from scratch. He transformed public heartbreak into multiple revenue streams.
His journey proves you don’t need perfection. Smart diversification beats waiting for one big break. Reality television, real estate, and fearless business moves created his financial freedom.
Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft, transformed the computer world and later made a global impact in philanthropy through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
