Cole Bennett is an influential American videographer and entrepreneur who founded the multimedia company Lyrical Lemonade.
Rising from humble beginnings in Plano, Illinois, Bennett began shooting music videos for local Chicago rappers while still in high school.
His distinctive visual style—characterized by animated overlays, creative transitions, and vibrant aesthetics—quickly caught attention in the hip-hop community.
Bennett’s breakthrough came from collaborations with emerging SoundCloud rappers, most notably his work with Lil Pump, Ski Mask the Slump God, and Juice WRLD. These partnerships catapulted both the artists and Bennett to mainstream recognition.
Beyond videography, Bennett expanded Lyrical Lemonade into a multifaceted brand encompassing merchandise, music festivals, and even a beverage line.
His entrepreneurial vision and authentic connection to hip-hop culture established him as a kingmaker in the industry, known for his ability to spotlight emerging talent and change underground artists into stars.
Current Net Worth of Cole Bennett – $39 to $41 million
Cole Bennett’s estimated net worth of $39 to $41 million reflects his success as both a creative visionary and entrepreneur. This valuation stems primarily from his ownership of Lyrical Lemonade, which has evolved from a simple blog into a multimedia empire.
His revenue streams include music video production fees, merchandise sales, festival proceeds, and distribution of his beverage line.
Bennett commands premium rates for his directing services while maintaining a relatively modest lifestyle focused on reinvesting in his business ventures.
Unlike many industry figures, Bennett has built his wealth organically without major label backing or family connections.
Net Worth Evolution Over Time
Cole Bennett’s financial growth has been impressive since founding Lyrical Lemonade, with significant increases following major artist collaborations and brand expansion efforts.
| YEAR | ESTIMATED NET WORTH | KEY INCOME SOURCES |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | $500,000 | Early music videos for Chicago rappers; YouTube monetization begins |
| 2017 | $2 million | Breakthrough videos for Lil Pump and Ski Mask; initial merchandise sales |
| 2019 | $8 million | Juice WRLD collaborations, first Summer Smash festival, expanded merchandise line |
| 2021 | $20 million | Lyrical Lemonade beverage launch, major label partnerships, and festival growth |
| 2023 | $35 million | International expansion, licensing deals, and production company expansion |
| 2024 | $39-$41 million | Brand partnerships, continued festival success, and merchandise diversification |
His most significant wealth accumulation occurred between 2017 and 2021, during which he transitioned from a videographer to a multifaceted entrepreneur with multiple successful business verticals under the Lyrical Lemonade umbrella.
Fun Fact: Cole Bennett filmed his early music videos on a Canon T3i DSLR camera that he purchased for just $500, which he used to create videos that would eventually garner millions of views.
Celebrity’s Diversified Investments
Cole Bennett has strategically expanded his portfolio beyond music videos, investing in his Lyrical Lemonade brand, which now encompasses merchandise, events, and beverages.
He’s also invested in select real estate properties and has made calculated investments in music technology startups.
His approach focuses on ventures that complement his core business while maintaining creative control and authentic connections to hip-hop culture.
The Lyrical Lemonade beverage line, launched in partnership with a major distributor, has secured placement in national retail chains.
His annual Summer Smash festival has evolved into a major revenue generator, attracting over 50,000 attendees. Bennett has also quietly invested in the careers of emerging artists, providing both creative and financial support that has yielded impressive returns.
Major Assets
Lyrical Lemonade stands as Bennett’s primary asset, encompassing the production company, merchandise line, and beverage business.
His extensive video equipment and production facilities represent significant capital investments. Bennett also maintains ownership of his music video catalog, which continues generating revenue through streaming platforms.
Properties
Bennett owns a modern home in Los Angeles, where he relocated to expand his business. The property includes a custom home studio for video editing and content creation.
He also maintains ownership of a property in Chicago that serves as Lyrical Lemonade’s Midwest headquarters and creative space.
Overall Career Earnings
Cole Bennett’s career earnings primarily derive from music video production, with fees evolving from a few hundred dollars per video to six-figure sums for major artists.
Additional revenue streams include his Lyrical Lemonade Summer Smash festival, merchandise sales, and distribution of his beverage line.
His YouTube channel generates substantial ad revenue with over 19 million subscribers and billions of cumulative views. Branding partnerships with companies like Interscope Records further supplement his income.
Cole Bennett’s Private Life
Early Life
Born in Plano, Illinois, in 1996, Bennett found filmmaking in high school. His mother encouraged his creative pursuits, prompting him to move to Chicago to film early music videos.
Bennett briefly attended college at DePaul University but left to pursue Lyrical Lemonade full-time, a decision that proved pivotal for his career trajectory.
Career Beginnings
Bennett started Lyrical Lemonade as a blog in 2013, covering Chicago’s underground rap scene while still in high school.
He transitioned to music videos, developing his signature animated style and building relationships with local artists.
His 2016 breakthrough came directing videos for emerging SoundCloud rappers, establishing his reputation for spotting talent early.
Cole Bennett’s Future Investment Goals
Bennett aims to expand Lyrical Lemonade into a full entertainment company with plans for film production, artist management, and record label operations.
He’s exploring international market expansion, particularly in Asia and Europe, to broaden his brand’s global footprint.
Technology investments remain a top priority, with a growing interest in virtual production techniques and augmented reality tools for music videos.
Bennett also intends to develop formal mentorship programs for young videographers and content creators from underserved communities.
Philanthropy and Charity Work
Cole Bennett channels his philanthropic efforts toward youth arts education, providing equipment and mentorship to aspiring filmmakers in underserved communities.
He regularly hosts free workshops teaching video production techniques through his “Lemonade Stand” initiative.
Bennett has partnered with Chicago Public Schools to develop media arts programs and established scholarships for students pursuing careers in the creative fields.
Additionally, he supports mental health awareness in the music industry, inspired by his close relationship with the late Juice WRLD.
Following the rapper’s passing, Bennett helped establish the Live Free 999 Fund, which assists young people struggling with addiction and mental health challenges.
His commitment to giving back reflects his trip from a small-town creator to industry leader.
Comparison with Industry Peers
Bennett stands apart from contemporaries like Director X and Dave Meyers by building a comprehensive brand beyond video direction.
While peers typically work within established industry structures, Bennett created his ecosystem that launches artists and drives culture.
His earnings, although substantial, remain below those of veteran directors, who typically command $ 300,000 or more per video.
However, Bennett’s diversified business model offers greater long-term stability and growth potential than most music video directors who rely primarily on project fees.
Conclusion
Cole Bennett’s $39 to $41 million net worth represents an extraordinary rise from a small-town videographer to an influential industry mogul.
Through strategic brand building and authentic artist relationships, Bennett has taken Lyrical Lemonade from a humble blog into a multimedia empire spanning video production, merchandise, festivals, and beverages.
His greatest achievement lies in creating an independent ecosystem that launches careers while maintaining creative integrity.
Bennett’s accomplishments include building a YouTube channel with 19 million subscribers, developing the Summer Smash festival that attracts over 50,000 attendees annually, and establishing partnerships with major distributors for his beverage line.
His self-made success story serves as an inspiration for creative entrepreneurs, demonstrating that authenticity and vision can generate substantial wealth without traditional industry backing.
Most importantly, Bennett continues reinvesting in both his business ventures and community initiatives, ensuring his cultural impact extends far beyond his financial achievements.
