Who owns hip hop?

NEW YORK (FOX 5 NEWS) - Diddy is still all about the Benjamins. Forbes says he is the biggest money maker in hip hop despite not doing much performing. In search of the music, the message and the artists who articulate their life experiences on the mic, I came to the Bronx to ask the question: Who owns hip hop?

Chris Rivers, Damian Williams and Jonelle Ifill have dedicated their life to the craft. Who owns hip hop? The people, they tell me. But the internet has changed the game.

Natalie Robehmed of Forbes says she is English and Lebanese and grew up in the Middle East. She says she distinctly remembers hearing Jay Z's "Dirt Off Your Shoulder," which got her started as a fan of hip hop. She covers media and entertainment for Forbes. Her own life experience speaks to hip hop's global reach. Recently she compiled a list of Hip Hop's Cash Kings about who is making the most paper. No. 1 was Diddy, who banked $60 million -- above Jay Z's $56 million and Drake's $39.5 million.

The music is alive and well. Hip hop is a first person narrative.  While the genre has gone global its roots have changed. Chris Rivers is the son of the great Big Pun, a legend around here. Now, Rivers is making a name for himself.