Rick James Net Worth

A famous singer, instrumentalist and song writer, how rich was Rick James? Sources estimate that the total net worth of Rick James was $35 million dollars, mostly accumulated during his career as a singer, and also from the songs and albums he produced, spanning almost 40 years.

James had to struggle throughout his childhood; his father left when he was only ten, his mother would dance and later run errands for a local mafia, taking James along with her for collections in the pubs and bars, and that’s where he heard singers like Etta James perform and became interested in singing. He stated in his biography that he lost his virginity at the very young age of nine, and thus attained a kinky attitude from childhood, using drugs and being arrested for burglary.

Rick James Net Worth $35 Million

In order to escape the draft, he joined US Navy at a very young age of 14-15 by lying about his age. During this time he started performing as a drummer with a local band, but when he missed his monthly sessions at USS Enterprise he was ordered to Vietnam. He fled to Toronto, where he collaborated with up-and-coming musicians including Joni Mitchell and Neil Young using the alias “Rick James Mathews”, and during this time forming the band “The Mynah Birds”, producing soul, funk and rock music. This was the real start to his net worth.

He then moved to Detroit, where he met Stevie Wonder, his musical hero; who persuaded him to shorten his name to Rick James. Later Rick was arrested by the US Navy after his location and identity was revealed by the financial backer of his group following a disagreement. He spent one year in prison and after release went to California and continued his musical career. His musical work includes “Come Get it”, “Garden of Love”, “Fire it Up”, “Cold Blooded” and “Urban Rhapsody”. All his songs and albums are a reason for his huge net worth.

In his personal life, Rick James was first married to Syville Morgan and they had a son and a daughter. In 1966 he married Tanya Hijazi after the pair served a jail term for assault, and they had a son, but divorced in 2002. He had an ongoing friendship with actor/commedian Eddie Murphy, but Rick had drug abuse problems almost all of his life, being addicted to cocaine and heroin. He was found dead in his Los Angeles house in August, 2004, the reason for his death being pulmonary failure along with cardiac attack.


Full NameRick James
Net Worth$35 million
Date Of BirthFebruary 1, 1948
DiedAugust 6, 2004, Los Angeles, California, United States
Height1.81 m
ProfessionRecord producer, Bandleader, Author, Actor, Dancer, Composer, Singer, Songwriter, Super Freak, Give It to Me Baby, Mary Jane
EducationBennett High School
NationalityAmerican
SpouseTanya Hijazi
ChildrenTy James, Tazman James, Trey Hardesty James, Rick James, Jr., Super Freak, Give It to Me Baby, Mary Jane
ParentsJames Ambrose Johnson, Sr., Mabel Gladden, Super Freak, Give It to Me Baby, Mary Jane
IMDBwww.imdb.com/name/nm0416872
AwardsGrammy Award for Best R&B Song, American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Album, Super Freak, Give It to Me Baby, Mary Jane
Music GroupsThe Mynah Birds
NominationsGrammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance, Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance, American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist, American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Single, Juno Award for Most Promising Male Vocalist of the Year, Super Freak, Give It to Me Baby, Ma...
MoviesLife, 20th Century Masters: The Best of Rick James, Rick James: Super Freak Live 1982
#Quote
1[on his appearance on Chappelle's Show (2003)] I love Dave (Dave Chappelle). I think he's brought something to comedy that people haven't seen before. He's a beautiful human being, and Charlie Murphy (Charlie Murphy) is a very dear friend. Everywhere I go, white folks, black folks, green folks, I hear "I'm Rick James, bitch!" I don't really think David did it purposely. I take that back. He probably did.
2(about Charlie Murphy) "But you know, he was hanging out with the big dogs, you know, Charlie didn't know he was doing crazy things, and I had to straighten him out. Sometimes I had to upside his head."
3"I had always been a free spirit, and always gotten what I wanted." (in 1998 interview with the New York Times)
#Fact
1Brother of Camille Hudson, and Carmen Sims.
2Father of Ty James.
3Biography in: "The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives". Volume 7, 2003-2005, pages 273-274. Farmington Hills, MI: Thomson Gale, 2007.
4Nephew of Melvin Franklin.
5He was the lead vocalist for the Toronto-based R&B/Soul group The Mynah Birds in the mid-1960s. They were signed to Motown's V.I.P. label. "It's My Time," which was slated to be The Mynah Bird's first single in 1966, was co-written by James and the band's lead guitarist, a then unknown Neil Young. Also a member of the band was Bruce Palmer. However, when Motown executives learned that James was AWOL from the U.S. Naval Reserves, the single was shelved. Young and Palmer would go on to form Buffalo Springfield.
6Sued rapper M.C. Hammer in 1990 for unauthorized use of music samples of his song "Superfreak" in Hammer's hit song "U Can't Touch This". The case was settled out of court, and along with another songwriter who wrote "Superfreak", he received songwriting credits on "U Can't Touch This".
7His uncle was a member of the legendary soul group, The Temptations. He worked as a producer and writer on their 1982 "Reunion" album.
8He has two illegitimate children born in the '70s.
9Son, Tazman, born [1992]
10He and Tanya Hijazi lived together from 1986 till their marriage. They have a son, Tazman James, born in 1992.
11Both he and Tanya Hijazi were convicted of assault of two women. He served 2 years. She served 15 months. [1993]
12Suffers a stroke after completing a two-hour show in Denver's Mammoth Events Center. [November 1998]

Soundtrack

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Strictly Come Dancing2016TV Series writer - 1 episode
Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life2016writer: "U CAN'T TOUCH THIS"
Who's Doing the Dishes?2016TV Series writer - 1 episode
Suicide Squad2016performer: "Super Freak" / writer: "Super Freak"
Tvoje tvár má známý hlas2016TV Series writer - 1 episode
Britain's Got Talent2013-2016TV Series writer - 2 episodes
Britain's Got More Talent2016TV Series writer - 1 episode
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon2015TV Series writer - 1 episode
Friday Night Football2015TV Series writer - 1 episode
Lip Sync Battle2015TV Series writer - 1 episode
Furious 72015writer: "U CAN'T TOUCH THIS"
Jennifer Lopez: Dance Again2014TV Movie documentary writer: "I'm Real Murder Remix"
Dancing with the Stars2009-2014TV Series writer - 3 episodes
One Hit Wonderland2013-2014TV Series documentary writer - 2 episodes
School Dance2014performer: "Give It To Me Baby" / writer: "Give It To Me Baby"
Think Like a Man Too2014performer: "Give It to Me Baby" / writer: "Give It to Me Baby"
Transformers: Age of Extinction2014writer: "U Can't Touch This"
Guapas2014TV Series writer - 1 episode
World Championship Snooker2014TV Series writer - 1 episode
Glee2010-2014TV Series writer - 2 episodes
Ping Pong Summer2014writer: "In My House"
Mike & MikeTV Series performer - 1 episode, 2013 writer - 1 episode, 2013
ScandalTV Series performer - 3 episodes, 2013 writer - 1 episode, 2013
The SimpsonsTV Series 1 episode, 1999 writer - 3 episodes, 1994 - 2013
16 ans ou presque2013writer: "U Can't Touch This"
A Crazy Leo Show2013TV Mini-Series writer - 1 episode
Grand Theft Auto V2013Video Game performer: "Give It To Me Baby" / writer: "Party All the Time", "Give It To Me Baby"
That Music Show2013TV Series writer - 1 episode
The To Do List2013writer: "U Can't Touch This"
Grown Ups 22013writer: "U Can't Touch This"
Goodbye World2013writer: "Dance A$$" - as James A. Johnson
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno2011-2013TV Series writer - 32 episodes
In a World...2013performer: "Give It To Me Baby" / writer: "Give It To Me Baby"
Regular Show in Space2012TV Series writer - 1 episode
Supernatural2012TV Series writer - 1 episode
Atop the Fourth WallTV Series performer - 1 episode, 2012 writer - 1 episode, 2012
Dancing with the Stars2012TV Series writer - 1 episode
The Lords of Salem2012performer: "Give It To Me Baby" / writer: "Give It To Me Baby"
Parenthood2012TV Series writer - 1 episode
Todd's Pop Song Reviews2011TV Series documentary writer - 1 episode
I Don't Know How She Does It2011writer: "I'm a Sucker for Your Love"
20 to 1TV Series documentary writer - 4 episodes, 2007 - 2011 performer - 2 episodes, 2011
Saturday Night Live2011TV Series writer - 1 episode
Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son2011performer: "Give It To Me Baby" / writer: "Give It To Me Baby"
Tosh.02011TV Series writer - 1 episode
Melissa & Joey2010TV Series writer - 1 episode
UnsungTV Series documentary performer - 1 episode, 2010 writer - 1 episode, 2010
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire2010TV Series writer - 1 episode
Diary of a Wimpy Kid2010writer: "SUPER FREAK"
So You Think You Can Dance Canada2009TV Series writer - 1 episode
Mao's Last Dancer2009performer: "Superfreak" / writer: "Superfreak"
America's Got TalentTV Series performer - 1 episode, 2009 writer - 1 episode, 2009
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen2009performer: "Super Freak" / writer: "Super Freak" - as James Johnson
The Proposal2009/Iwriter: "U Can't Touch This"
Dance Flick2009performer: "Super Freak" / writer: "Super Freak" - as James Johnson
CHIKARA: King of Trios 2009 - Night I2009Video writer: "Party All The Time"
Everybody Hates ChrisTV Series performer - 6 episodes, 2005 - 2009 writer - 2 episodes, 2005 - 2008
Being Erica2009TV Series writer - 1 episode
Bride Wars2009performer: "Give It To Me Baby" / writer: "Give It To Me Baby"
Private PracticeTV Series performer - 1 episode, 2008 writer - 1 episode, 2008
Tropic Thunder2008writer: "U Can't Touch This" 1990
You Don't Mess with the Zohan2008writer: "All Night Long"
Grand Theft Auto IV2008Video Game performer: "Come Into My Life" / writer: "Come Into My Life" - as R. James
Welcome Home, Roscoe Jenkins2008performer: "Super Freak" / writer: "Super Freak"
Carpoolers2008TV Series writer - 1 episode
Where in the World Is Osama Bin Laden?2008Documentary writer: "U Can't Touch This"
Skate.2007Video Game performer: "Give It To Me Baby" / writer: "Give It To Me Baby"
Into the Wild2007writer: "U Can't Touch This" - as James Johnson
Superbad2007performer: "Bustin' Out On Funk" / writer: "Bustin' Out On Funk"
Ugly Betty2007TV Series 1 episode
Norbit2007writer: "Superfreak" - as James Johnson
The WireTV Series performer - 1 episode, 2006 writer - 1 episode, 2006
Australian Idol2006TV Series writer - 1 episode
Scarface: The World Is Yours2006Video Game "Give It To Me Baby", "Super Freak"
Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan2006writer: "U Can't Touch This" 1990 - as James Johnson
So You Think You Can DanceTV Series writer - 1 episode, 2006 performer - 1 episode, 2005
Astérix et les Vikings2006writer: "Super Freak"
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories2006Video Game performer: "Mary Jane" / writer: "Mary Jane"
American Dreamz2006writer: "Super Freak"
Little Miss Sunshine2006performer: "Super Freak Rocasound Revamp" / writer: "Super Freak Rocasound Revamp"
The Fear (El Miedo)2006writer: "U Can't Touch This" extract
Saturday Night Live: The Best of David Spade2005TV Special writer: "U Can't Touch This"
The Business2005performer: "Ghetto Life" / writer: "All Night Long", "Ghetto Life"
Two and a Half MenTV Series performer - 1 episode, 2005 writer - 1 episode, 2005
King's Ransom2005performer: "Fire and Desire" / writer: "Fire and Desire"
Man of the House2005/Iwriter: "U Can't Touch This"
Racing Stripes2005writer: "U Can't Touch This"
After the Sunset2004writer: "Party All the Time"
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas2004Video Game performer: "Cold Blooded" / writer: "Cold Blooded"
Gilmore Girls2004TV Series writer - 1 episode
Shark Tale2004writer: "U Can't Touch This" - as James Johnson
Saturday Night Live: The Best of Cheri Oteri2004TV Special documentary writer: "U Can't Touch This" - uncredited
The Cookout2004performer: "Mary Jane" / writer: "All Night Long", "Mary Jane"
White Chicks2004writer: "U Can't Touch This"
Scrubs2004TV Series writer - 1 episode
EuroTrip2004writer: "U Can't Touch This"
Chappelle's ShowTV Series performer - 1 episode, 2004 writer - 1 episode, 2004
I Love the '80s Strikes Back2003TV Series documentary performer - 1 episode
Lost in Translation2003performer: "Love Gun" 1979 / writer: "Love Gun" 1979
Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle2003writer: "U Can't Touch This"
Tupac: Resurrection2003Documentary writer: "Super Freak"
Less Than PerfectTV Series performer - 1 episode, 2002 writer - 1 episode, 2002
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City2002Video Game performer: "Ghetto Life" / writer: "All Night Long", "Ghetto Life"
The Master of Disguise2002writer: "U Can't Touch This"
Undercover Brother2002writer: "All Night Long"
Kung Pow: Enter the Fist2002writer: "U Can't Touch This"
Biggie and Tupac2002Documentary writer: "Superfreak"
Glitter2001producer: "All My Life" / writer: "All My Life"
Bubble Boy2001writer: "U Can't Touch This"
Freddy Got Fingered2001writer: "I Just Wanna Love You Give It 2 Me", "All Night Long"
Big Momma's House2000performer: "Give It to Me Baby" / writer: "Give It to Me Baby"
Three Kings1999writer: "Party All the Time"
Blue Streak1999performer: "All Eyes On Me Revisiting Cold Blooded" / writer: "All Eyes On Me Revisiting Cold Blooded"
Grass1999Documentary performer: "Bustin' Out"
The Muse1999performer: "Super Freak" / writer: "Super Freak"
200 Cigarettes1999performer: "Give It to Me Baby" / writer: "Give It to Me Baby"
She's All That1999performer: "Give It To Me Baby" / writer: "Give It To Me Baby"
Half Baked1998writer: "I'm In Love With Mary Jane"
Dorbees: Making Decisions1998Video short writer: "U Can't Touch This"
Money Talks1997performer: "Back In You Again" / writer: "Back In You Again"
How to Be a Player1997performer: "Hard to Get Revisited" / writer: "Hard to Get Revisited"
Mystery Science Theater 30001992-1997TV Series writer - 4 episodes
Booty Call1997writer: "Fire and Desire"
The Pallbearer1996performer: "Super Freak" / writer: "Super Freak"
Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood1996writer: "U Can't Touch This"
Une ambition réduite en cendres1995Short performer: "Super Freak" / writer: "Super Freak"
Friday1995performer: "Mary Jane" / writer: "Mary Jane"
Beavis and Butt-Head1993TV Series performer - 2 episodes
Blood In, Blood Out1993performer: "Superfreak" / writer: "Superfreak"
Kylie Live: 'Let's Get to It Tour'1992Video writer: "Always Find the Time"
Batman Returns1992writer: "Super Freak"
Class Act1992writer: "U Can't Touch This"
Stars in Their Eyes1992TV Series writer - 1 episode
Gladiator1992writer: "U Can't Touch This"
Sjans1992TV Series performer - 1 episode
The Super1991writer: "U Can't Touch This"
Hot Shots!1991writer: "U Can't Touch This"
Shalnaya baba1991writer: "U Can't Touch This" - uncredited
Look Who's Talking Too1990writer: "Party All The Time"
In Living Color1990TV Series writer - 1 episode
Colors1988performer: "EVERYWHERE I GO COLORS" / writer: "EVERYWHERE I GO COLORS"
Summer School1987writer: "Party All the Time"
Critical Condition1987writer: "PARTY ALL THE TIME"
The Bedroom Window1987performer: "Sweet & Sexy Thing" / writer: "Seduction", "Sweet & Sexy Thing"
The Whoopee Boys1986"PARTY ALL THE TIME"
A Fine Mess1986producer: "Walk Like a Man"
The A-TeamTV Series performer - 1 episode, 1985 writer - 1 episode, 1985
Solid Gold1985TV Series writer - 1 episode
FameTV Series writer - 1 episode, 1984 lyrics - 1 episode, 1982 music - 1 episode, 1982
Doctor Detroit1983performer: "Super Freak"
Rock ConcertTV Series performer - 1 episode, 1979 writer - 1 episode, 1979
Soul TrainTV Series documentary performer - 1 episode, 1978 writer - 1 episode, 1978

Actor

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Holla2002TV SeriesGuest
The Artist's Journey: Funk Blast2000Himself
Life1999/ISpanky Johnson
South Park1998TV SeriesRick James
The A-Team1985TV SeriesRick James
Rick James: Super Freak1981Video short

Music Department

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Jennifer Lopez: The Reel Me2003Video composer: song "Ain't it Funny [Remix]"

Self

TitleYearStatusCharacter
20th Century Masters: The Best of Rick James - The DVD Collection2005Video shortHimself
Independent Lens2005TV Series documentaryHimself
40 Most Awesomely Bad Dirrty Songs... Ever2004TV Special documentaryHimself (Song "She Blew My Mind 69 Times") / Archive Footage
4th Annual BET Awards2004TV SpecialHimself
Chappelle's Show2004TV SeriesHimself
The Surreal Life2004TV SeriesHimself
20th Century Masters: The Best of 'The Temptations' - The DVD Collection2004Video shortHimself
I Love the '70s2003TV Series documentaryHimself
101 Most Shocking Moments in Entertainment2003TV Movie documentaryHimself
VH-1 Where Are They Now?2002TV Series documentaryHimself
Getting Personal1998TV SeriesHimself
E! True Hollywood Story1998TV Series documentaryHimself
Behind the Music1998TV Series documentaryHimself
Motown 40: The Music Is Forever1998TV Movie documentaryHimself
Motown on Showtime: Temptations and Four Tops1986TV Movie documentaryHimself
MTV Video Music Awards 19851985TV SpecialHimself
The New Show1984TV SeriesHimself
The 11th Annual American Music Awards1984TV SpecialHimself - Presenter
Soul City USA1984TV MovieHimself
Live... And in Person1983TV SeriesHimself
Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever1983TV Movie documentaryHimself
The 25th Annual Grammy Awards1983TV SpecialHimself
The 10th Annual American Music Awards1983TV SpecialHimself
Late Night with David Letterman1982TV SeriesHimself
The American Music Awards1982TV SpecialHimself
Saturday Night Live1981TV SeriesHimself - Musical Guest
Soul Train1978-1981TV Series documentaryHimself
The Midnight Special1978-1979TV SeriesHimself - Host / Himself
Rock Concert1979TV SeriesHimself
Rockin' New Year's Eve 19791978TV SpecialHimself - Performer
New American Bandstand 19651978TV SeriesHimself
Die Drehscheibe1974TV SeriesSinger

Archive Footage

TitleYearStatusCharacter
The Eighties2016TV Mini-Series documentaryHimself - Singer
Unsung2010-2015TV Series documentaryHimself
Vanilla Ice Archive2012DocumentaryHimself
I'm Rick James2009DocumentaryHimself
Marvin Gaye1987TV Movie documentaryHimself

Known for movies

Source
IMDB Wikipedia

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