Lil Dicky at a Glance
- Categories: Celebrities, Celebrities > Rappers
- Net Worth: $12 Million
- Birthdate: Mar 15, 1988 (36 years old)
- Birthplace: Cheltenham Township, Pennsylvania
- Gender: Male
- Profession: Rapper, songwriter, comedian, actor
Lil Dicky’s Net Worth: From YouTube Sensation to Financial Success
What is Lil Dicky’s Net Worth?
David Andrew Burd, better known as Lil Dicky, has successfully transitioned from internet sensation to a prominent figure in the music and entertainment industries. As of late 2024, Lil Dicky’s net worth is estimated to be $12 million. This wealth reflects his multifaceted career, encompassing music, comedy, acting, and entrepreneurship. His journey exemplifies how online success can translate into substantial financial gains through diverse creative ventures.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born on March 15, 1988, in Cheltenham Township, Pennsylvania, David Burd displayed an early interest in creative pursuits. After graduating from the University of Richmond in 2010, he embarked on a career in the corporate world, taking a position in the accounting department at the Goodby, Silverstein & Partners ad agency in San Francisco. However, his passion for creativity soon led him to a different path. His creative talent was first recognized when he delivered a rap video instead of a conventional progress report. The agency, recognizing his unique talent, moved him to the creative department, where he began writing advertising copy, including campaigns for the NBA. This move proved to be a pivotal moment, laying the foundation for his future career as a rapper and comedian.

(Photo by Rachel Murray/Getty Images for Pandora)
The Rise of a Viral Rapper
Lil Dicky’s breakthrough came with the release of his music video for “Ex-Boyfriend.” The video, which showcased his comedic style and clever lyrics, quickly went viral, amassing over a million views on YouTube within 24 hours. This early success propelled him into the music industry, allowing him to collaborate with established artists and expand his fanbase. Despite his initial goals of using rap as a stepping stone to comedy and screenwriting, his music career flourished, driven by his unique approach to hip-hop. His YouTube channel currently boasts over eight million subscribers and has garnered over 2.3 billion views, with his most popular video, “Freaky Friday” featuring Chris Brown, exceeding 600 million views.
In 2011, Lil Dicky began working on his debut mixtape, “So Hard.” The process of completing the mixtape while working at his advertising job took two years, but his efforts paid off. In 2013, the debut single “Ex-Boyfriend” went viral, gaining millions of views. Following the success of “Ex-Boyfriend,” Lil Dicky released a series of videos and songs called “Hump Days,” which eventually expanded to 15 videos and 32 songs. As he neared a financial breaking point, he turned to Kickstarter to fund the next phase of his career, raising more than $70,000 to achieve his goals. This support from fans fueled his transition from an internet personality to a legitimate musical artist.

Andrew Toth/Getty Images
“Professional Rapper” Album and Further Success
With the success of the Kickstarter campaign, Lil Dicky began his professional music career in earnest. In 2014, he made his live performance debut in Philadelphia and signed with the CMSN talent agency. His debut studio album, “Professional Rapper,” was released in 2015 and achieved remarkable success, topping the US Rap, US Indie, and US Comedy charts. It also reached number 2 on the US R&B chart and number 7 on the Billboard 200 chart. Several singles from the album also performed well, including “Save Dat Money” featuring Fetty Wap and Rich Homie Quan, which reached number 2 on the US Comedy charts, and “Professional Rapper” featuring Snoop Dogg, which reached number 1 on the same chart. In 2016, his career continued to evolve when he signed an endorsement deal with the condom brand Trojan, releasing a video entitled “The Big Talk.”
Further demonstrating his versatility and ability to stay relevant in the entertainment industry, Lil Dicky released the music video for “Pillow Talking” in 2017, which was notable for its high production costs and elaborate special effects, ranking among the most expensive videos ever made. That same year, he introduced his alter-ego, “Brain,” through the EP “I’m Brain.” In 2019, he collaborated with the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation on the single “Earth,” which featured a star-studded lineup of artists, including Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, Ed Sheeran, and Shawn Mendes. In March 2020, Lil Dicky expanded his reach even further when he launched “Dave,” an original series on FX, where he played a fictionalized version of himself, introducing him to a wider audience.
Lil Dicky often emphasizes his comedic approach to rap, considering himself a comedian playing the part of a rapper. This sets him apart from the prevailing trends of hip-hop, focusing on relatability rather than braggadocio. His musical influences include J. Cole, A$AP Rocky, Snoop Dogg, and fellow comedian-turned-rapper Donald Glover, also known as Childish Gambino.
Lil Dicky’s Quotes on Money and Financial Views
Lil Dicky’s perspective on money is evident in his music and public statements. He often contrasts his views with the typical hip-hop narrative, promoting a more frugal and practical approach to finances. Here are some of his notable quotes:
- “You hear a lot of rap songs about spending money. I thought, wouldn’t it be funny to make a song about saving money because it’s ironic, but beyond irony, I genuinely have pride in saving money.”
- “I’m a relatively cheap person who, to me, it’s not cool to overspend; it’s cool to get a great deal.”
Real Estate Investments
In addition to his entertainment ventures, Lil Dicky has made several notable real estate investments, showcasing his financial acumen. In 2018, he purchased a cottage in the trendy Venice neighborhood of California for $2.5 million. The 2,162-square-foot home is situated on a lot spanning less than an acre and features two floors, including guest rooms. More recently, in December 2023, he acquired an estate in Studio City, California, for $6.3 million. Notably, this estate was previously owned by Kenny G from 2007 to 2021, who originally purchased it for $2.85 million and later sold it for $2.765 million before the most recent renovation and sale.
Conclusion
Lil Dicky’s net worth of $12 million is a testament to his ability to blend comedy, music, and business acumen. His journey from online content creator to a successful artist and actor underscores the potential for sustained success in the entertainment industry through innovative and diverse approaches. With ongoing projects in music and television, his financial portfolio is expected to continue to grow.