Forbes list of the world's highest-paid musicians explained

The highest-paid musicians[1] [2] in the world have been reported annually by Forbes since at least 1987. For measurement, the magazine used pretax earnings—before deducting fees for agents, managers or lawyers. Most of the lists were estimated within a June-to-June scoring period, except for 1999, 2021, and 2022 when a calendar year period was used instead.[3] [4]

U2 became the annual highest-paid musician five times, more than any other act. They were also the highest-paid music group in a record eight different years. Michael Jackson became the first musician to earn over $100 million in a year (1989), and has become the highest-paid male soloist a record seven times. Dr. Dre currently holds the record for the highest annual earnings for a musician, collecting $620 million in 2014, mainly through the sales of his headphone-manufacturing company, Beats Electronics.[5]

Madonna is the first woman in music to earn $100 million for a year (2009) and has become the highest-paid female musician a record 11 times. Taylor Swift remains the female musician with the highest annual earnings ever with $185 million in 2019, breaking previous record set by herself in 2016 with $170 million.[6]

Highest-paid musicians by year

style="background:#FAEB86;"
Indicates the year's highest-paid celebrity (all fields of entertainment)
1987align=left align=left United States$56 million$ million[7] [8]
1988 *align=left United States$97 million$ million[9] [10]
1989 *align=left United States$125 million$ million[11] [12]
1990align=left align=left United States$100 million$ million[13]
1991New Kids on the Block *align=left United States$115 million$ million[14] [15]
1992align=left New Kids on the Blockalign=left United States$62 million$ million[16]
1993align=left Guns N' Rosesalign=left United States$53 million$ million[17] [18]
1994align=left Pink Floydalign=left United Kingdom$62 million$ million[19] [20]
1995align=left align=left United Kingdom$130 million$ million[21]
1996align=left align=left United Kingdom$130 million$ million[22]
1997align=left align=left United Kingdom$98 million$ million[23]
1998align=left align=left United Kingdom$57 million$ million[24]
1999align=left Backstreet Boysalign=left United States$60 million$ million[25]
2001align=left align=left United Kingdom$70 million$ million[26]
2002align=left U2align=left Ireland$69 million$ million[27]
2003align=left align=left United Kingdom$66.5 million$ million[28]
2004align=left align=left United States$64 million$ million[29]
2005align=left Madonnaalign=left United States$50 million$ million[30]
2006align=left U2align=left Ireland$110 million$ million[31]
2007align=left align=left United Kingdom$110 million$ million[32]
2008align=left align=left United Kingdom$115 million$ million[33]
2009align=left Madonnaalign=left United States$110 million$ million[34]
2010align=left U2align=left Ireland$130 million$ million[35]
2011align=left U2align=left Ireland$195 million$ million[36]
2012align=left align=left United States$110 million$ million[37]
2013Madonna *align=left United States$125 million$ million[38]
2014 *align=left United States$620 million$ million[39]
2015align=left align=left United States$135 million$ million[40]
2016 *align=left United States$170 million$ million[41]
2017Diddy *align=left United States$130 million$ million[42]
2018align=left U2align=left Ireland$118 million$ million[43]
2019 *align=left United States$185 million$ million[44]
2020align=left align=left United States$170 million$ million[45]
2021align=left align=left United States$435 million$ million[46]
2022align=left Genesisalign=left United Kingdom$230 million$ million[47]

Group

1987align=left U2align=left Ireland$37 million$ million
1988align=left U2align=left Ireland$42 million$ million
1989align=left Pink Floydalign=left United Kingdom$56 million$ million
1990align=left align=left United Kingdom$88 million$ million
1991New Kids on the Block *align=left United States$115 million$ million
1992align=left New Kids on the Blockalign=left United States$62 million$ million
1993align=left Guns N' Rosesalign=left United States$53 million$ million
1994align=left Pink Floydalign=left United Kingdom$62 million$ million
1995align=left align=left United Kingdom$130 million$ million
1996align=left align=left United Kingdom$130 million$ million
1997align=left align=left United Kingdom$98 million$ million
1998align=left align=left United Kingdom$57 million$ million
1999align=left Backstreet Boysalign=left United States$60 million$ million
2001align=left align=left United Kingdom$70 million$ million
2002align=left U2align=left Ireland$69 million$ million
2003align=left align=left United Kingdom$66.5 million$ million
2004align=left align=left United Kingdom$51 million$ million
2005align=left Eaglesalign=left United States$45 million$ million
2006align=left U2align=left Ireland$110 million$ million
2007align=left align=left United Kingdom$110 million$ million
2008align=left align=left United Kingdom$115 million$ million
2009align=left Rascal Flattsalign=left United States$60 million$ million
2010align=left U2align=left Ireland$130 million$ million
2011align=left U2align=left Ireland$195 million$ million
2012align=left U2align=left Ireland$78 million$ million
2013align=left Bon Jovialign=left United States$79 million$ million
2014align=left Eaglesalign=left United States$100 million$ million
2015align=left One Directionalign=left United Kingdom / Ireland$130 million$ million
2016align=left One Directionalign=left United Kingdom / Ireland$110 million$ million
2017align=left Coldplayalign=left United Kingdom$88 million$ million
2018align=left U2align=left Ireland$118 million$ million
2019align=left Eaglesalign=left United States$100 million$ million
2020align=left Jonas Brothersalign=left United States$68.5 million$ million
2021align=left Red Hot Chili Peppersalign=left United States$116 million$ million
2022align=left Genesisalign=left United Kingdom$230 million$ million

Male

1987align=left align=left United States$56 million$ million
1988 *align=left United States$97 million$ million
1989 *align=left United States$125 million$ million
1990align=left align=left United States$100 million$ million
1991align=left align=left United States$60 million$ million
1992align=left align=left United States$51 million$ million
1993align=left Princealign=left United States$49 million$ million
1994align=left align=left United States$41 million$ million
1995align=left align=left United States$67 million$ million
1996align=left align=left United States$90 million$ million
1997align=left align=left United Kingdom$63 million$ million
1998align=left Master Palign=left United States$56.5 million$ million
1999align=left align=left Germany$6 million$ million
2001align=left align=left United States$35 million$ million
2002align=left align=left United Kingdom$30 million$ million[48]
2003align=left align=left United Kingdom$59 million$ million
2004align=left align=left United States$64 million$ million
2005align=left Princealign=left United States$49.7 million$ million
2006align=left align=left United States$55 million$ million
2007align=left align=left United Kingdom$53 million$ million
2008align=left align=left United States$48 million$ million
2009align=left align=left United States$70 million$ million
2010align=left align=left United States$70 million$ million
2011align=left align=left United Kingdom$100 million$ million
2012align=left align=left United States$110 million$ million
2013align=left align=left United States$65 million$ million
2014 *align=left United States$620 million$ million
2015align=left align=left United States$90 million$ million
2016align=left align=left United States$70 million$ million[49]
2017Diddy *align=left United States$130 million$ million
2018align=left align=left United Kingdom$110 million$ million
2019align=left align=left United States$150 million$ million
2020align=left align=left United States$170 million$ million
2021align=left align=left United States$435 million$ million
2022align=left Stingalign=left United Kingdom$210 million$ million

Female

1987align=left Madonnaalign=left United States$47 million$ million
1988align=left Madonnaalign=left United States$46 million$ million
1989align=left Madonnaalign=left United States$43 million$ million[50]
1990align=left Madonnaalign=left United States$62 million$ million
1991align=left Madonnaalign=left United States$63 million$ million
1992align=left Madonnaalign=left United States$48 million$ million
1993align=left Madonnaalign=left United States$37 million$ million
1994align=left align=left United States$57 million$ million
1995align=left align=left United States$63 million$ million
1996align=left align=left United States$32 million$ million
1997align=left align=left Canada$65 million$ million
1998align=left align=left Canada$55.5 million$ million
1999align=left align=left Canada$48 million$ million
2001align=left align=left United States$38.5 million$ million
2002align=left align=left United States$58 million$ million
2003align=left Cheralign=left United States$33.1 million$ million
2004align=left align=left Canada$28 million$ million
2005align=left Madonnaalign=left United States$50 million$ million
2006align=left align=left Canada$40 million$ million
2007align=left Madonnaalign=left United States$72 million$ million
2008align=left Beyoncéalign=left United States$80 million$ million
2009align=left Madonnaalign=left United States$110 million$ million
2010align=left Beyoncéalign=left United States$87 million$ million
2011align=left align=left United States$90 million$ million
2012align=left align=left United States$58 million$ million
2013Madonna *align=left United States$125 million$ million
2014align=left Beyoncéalign=left United States$115 million$ million
2015align=left align=left United States$135 million$ million
2016 *align=left United States$170 million$ million
2017align=left Beyoncéalign=left United States$105 million$ million
2018align=left align=left United States$83 million$ million
2019 *align=left United States$185 million$ million
2020align=left align=left United States$72 million$ million
2021align=left align=left United States$52 million$ million
2022align=left align=left United States$92 million$ million

Highest-paid musicians by decade

2010s

Rank! Musician! Nationality! Earnings! Adjusted earnings
(in dollar)
1align=left Dr. Drealign=left United States$950 million$ million
2align=left Taylor Swiftalign=left United States$825 million$ million
3align=left Beyoncéalign=left United States$685 million$ million
4align=left U2align=left Ireland$675 million$ million
5align=left Diddyalign=left United States$605 million$ million
6align=left Elton Johnalign=left United Kingdom$565 million$ million
7align=left Jay-Zalign=left United States$560 million$ million
8align=left Paul McCartneyalign=left United Kingdom$535 million$ million
9align=left Katy Perryalign=left United States$530 million$ million
10align=left Lady Gagaalign=left United States$500 million$ million

See also

Print sources

Notes and References

  1. News: The World's Highest-Paid Musicians 2011. Forbes. Zack O'Malley. Greenburg. June 15, 2011. November 29, 2023.
  2. News: The World's Highest-Paid Musicians Of 2018. Forbes. Zack O'Malley. Greenburg. December 4, 2018. November 29, 2023.
  3. Web site: Forbes.com: Forbes Celebrity 100 . Forbes. August 1, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090521184114/http://www.forbes.com/lists/results.jhtml?passListId=53&passYear=2000&passListType=Person&resultsStart=1&resultsHowMany=25&resultsSortProperties=-numberfield3%2C%2Bstringfield1&resultsSortCategoryName=earnings+%28%24mil%29 . May 21, 2009 . dead.
  4. Web site: Forbes.com: Forbes Celebrity 100 2001 . Forbes. August 1, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20030622101452/http://www.forbes.com/lists/home.jhtml?passListId=53&passYear=2001&passListType=Person . June 22, 2003 . dead.
  5. Web site: Highest annual earnings for a musician ever . March 14, 2023. February 28, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230228100605/https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/71771-highest-annual-earnings-ever-for-a-music-artist . live. Guinness World Records.
  6. News: Highest annual earnings ever for a female pop star. Guinness World Records. November 15, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171112212722/http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/76785-highest-annual-earnings-ever-for-a-female-pop-star. November 12, 2017.
  7. Web site: Of the Show Biz Rich, Bill Cosby Is Top Star. September 7, 1987. Los Angeles Times. July 27, 2022. subscription. July 27, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220727014120/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-09-07-fi-4174-story.html. live.
  8. Web site: Bill Cosby tops list of highest paid entertainers. United Press International (UPI). July 27, 2022. September 6, 1987. Frederick M.. Winship. January 22, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220122220938/https://www.upi.com/Archives/1987/09/06/Bill-Cosby-tops-list-of-highest-paid-entertainers/1586557899200/. live.
  9. Web site: A NEW, OLD LOOK FOR THE RIVIERA – Chicago Tribune. Chicago Tribune. September 22, 1988. August 2, 2022. July 30, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220730014851/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1988-09-22-8802010514-story.html. live.
  10. Web site: Michael Jackson tops list of best-paid entertainers. United Press International (UPI). July 27, 2022. September 18, 1988.
  11. Web site: Tickertape: Million Dollar Bash. Cash Box. 6. November 30, 1989. Billy. Barty. Billy Barty. July 27, 2022. May 25, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220525233656/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/80s/1989/CB-1989-09-30.pdf#page=6. live.
  12. Web site: Michael Jackson tops Forbes's 'richest stars' list again. United Press International (UPI). July 27, 2022. September 16, 1989.
  13. Web site: Forbes Magazine's Highest-Paid Entertainers With PM-Richest Entertainers. Associated Press. July 27, 2022. September 17, 1990. July 27, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220727223004/https://apnews.com/article/0af6c78721263c62df2aa7d6314e5c9d. live.
  14. Web site: High Life: A Weekly Forum for High School Students: Foothill Teen Wins Poster Prize. September 26, 1991. Los Angeles Times. July 27, 2022. July 27, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220727014121/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-09-26-vw-4266-story.html. live.
  15. Web site: Forbes Magazine's Highest-Paid Entertainers With AM-Richest Entertainers. Associated Press. July 27, 2022. September 15, 1991. July 27, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220727223006/https://apnews.com/article/109d1067f9ecd0a2881075f0add68d9a. live.
  16. Web site: Forbes Magazine's 40 Richest Entertainers With AM-Richest Entertainers . Associated Press. September 13, 1992. July 30, 2022. July 27, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220727223007/https://apnews.com/article/5a149c28e0a2ab21aa28a1e14e6da7e8 . live .
  17. Web site: Talking Pays Big, Puts Oprah at Top of Earnings List . September 13, 1993 . July 30, 2022 . July 30, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220730024656/https://www.deseret.com/1993/9/13/19065646/talking-pays-big-puts-oprah-at-top-of-earnings-list . live .
  18. Web site: Oprah Tops Forbes List of Highest Grossing Celebs: CELEBRITIES (List Top 25). Jet. April 18, 2022. 13. September 27, 1993. 84. 22. March 14, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230314073319/https://books.google.com/books?id=WsEDAAAAMBAJ&dq=Madonna+%24+37+million+Forbes&pg=PA13. live.
  19. Web site: Spielberg Is Top-Paid Entertaier; Syrupy Barney Rings in at No. 3. September 12, 1994. Deseret News. July 28, 2022. July 27, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220727014044/https://www.deseret.com/1994/9/12/19130354/spielberg-is-top-paid-entertainer-syrupy-barney-rings-in-at-no-3. live.
  20. Web site: Spielberg tops Forbes list. United Press International (UPI). August 2, 2022. September 11, 1994.
  21. Web site: Beatles In The Money Again, Forbes Says Band Earned Third Most Money, Behind Steven Spielberg, Oprah | The Spokesman-Review. The Spokesman-Review. July 27, 2022. July 27, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220727014042/https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1995/sep/11/beatles-in-the-money-again-forbes-says-band/. live.
  22. News: Gerhart . Ann . Yoga Teacher Makes Peace In Cleveland Park . The Washington Post . September 9, 1996 . July 30, 2022 . July 30, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220730025641/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1996/09/09/yoga-teacher-makes-peace-in-cleveland-park/62b3c7f2-2c00-400c-9123-3c59377d7475/ . live .
  23. Web site: In the money . Tampa Bay Times. July 30, 2022. July 30, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220730014848/https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1997/09/09/in-the-money/ . live .
  24. News: Forbes list of entertainers . Associated Press . September 7, 1998 . July 27, 2022 . July 27, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220727020533/https://apnews.com/article/5361d68519419dfa50d79f8666901b24 . dead.
  25. Web site: Backstreet Boys Become 1999's Top Money-Making Musicians. MTV. July 27, 2022. July 27, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220727020533/https://www.mtv.com/news/r34tsc/backstreet-boys-become-1999s-top-money-making-musicians. dead.
  26. Web site: Beatles, Britney Most Powerful Music Artists, Forbes Says | News . MTV . February 10, 2001 . July 27, 2022 . July 27, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220727051517/https://www.mtv.com/news/f5h9k1/beatles-britney-most-powerful-music-artists-forbes-says . dead .
  27. Web site: Forbes.com: Forbes Celebrity 100. https://web.archive.org/web/20060216221837/http://www.forbes.com/lists/results.jhtml?passListId=53&passYear=2002&passListType=Person&searchParameter1=&searchParameter2=&resultsStart=1&resultsHowMany=25&resultsSortProperties=+numberfield2,+stringfield1&resultsSortCategoryName=money_rank&passKeyword=&category1=&category2=. February 16, 2006. . February 16, 2006.
  28. Web site: The Best Paid Musicians. https://archive.today/20220727053357/https://www.forbes.com/2003/06/18/cz_celebs_musicians.html?sh=295ee571bcb6. Forbes. July 27, 2022. July 27, 2022.
  29. Web site: The Best Paid Musicians. https://archive.today/20220727053706/https://www.forbes.com/2004/06/14/cz_celebs04_musicians.html?sh=7f8cbcd78a72. Forbes. July 27, 2022. July 27, 2022.
  30. Web site: The Best Paid Musicians . . https://web.archive.org/web/20220728024235/https://www.forbes.com/2005/06/11/cz_05celeb_musicians_slide.html . September 30, 2023. July 28, 2022.
  31. Web site: The Celebrity 100 - Forbes.com. Forbes. July 28, 2023. July 27, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220727051924/https://images.forbes.com/lists/2006/53/Musicians_Rank.html. live.
  32. Web site: The Top-Earning Musicians. Forbes. https://archive.today/20120918104225/http://www.forbes.com/2007/09/19/music-madonna-rolling_stones-biz-media-cx_lh_0919musicians.html. September 18, 2012.
  33. Web site: In Pictures: World's Best-Paid Music Stars. https://archive.today/20220727054753/https://www.forbes.com/2008/09/19/music-beyonce-timberlake-forbeslife-cx_lr_0922lifestyle_slide.html?sh=5c32b0c6401e. Lacey. Rose. Forbes. July 27, 2022. July 27, 2022.
  34. News: In Pictures: The Year's Top-Earning Musicians. https://archive.today/20220727055559/https://www.forbes.com/2009/06/22/top-eaning-musicians-business-entertainment-musicians_slide.html?sh=e0a1ee72e236. Forbes. July 27, 2022. July 27, 2022.
  35. U2, Beyonce, Britney Make Forbes 'Top-Earning Musicians' List. Melanie. Fried. Billboard. July 19, 2010. July 28, 2022. July 27, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220727032649/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/u2-beyonce-britney-make-forbes-top-earning-musicians-list-957300/. live.
  36. Web site: U2 top list of world's highest-paid musicians. June 17, 2011. The Guardian. July 28, 2022. July 27, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220727032649/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/jun/17/u2-top-highest-paid-list. live.
  37. Web site: Dr. Dre Is Forbes' 2012 Highest-Paid Musician. Jason Lipshutz. Billboard. The Hollywood Reporter. November 29, 2012. July 28, 2022. July 27, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220727032647/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/dr-dre-tops-forbes-highest-395716/. live.
  38. Web site: Madonna named highest-earning musician in 2013. November 21, 2013. the Guardian. July 28, 2022. July 27, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220727051520/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/nov/21/madonna-highest-earning-musician-2013. live.
  39. Web site: Dr. Dre is Forbes' top-earning 2014 musician. December 11, 2014. San Diego Union-Tribune. July 28, 2022. July 27, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220727110509/https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/entertainment/music/sdut-dr-dre-heads-forbes-list-of-top-paid-musicians-2014dec11-story.html. live.
  40. Web site: The World's Highest-Paid Musicians Of 2015. Zack O'Malley. Greenburg. Zack O'Malley Greenburg. Forbes. July 28, 2022. December 25, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151225111722/http://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2015/12/08/the-worlds-highest-paid-musicians-of-2015/. live.
  41. Web site: Taylor Swift Is Officially the Highest-Paid Musician in the World. Fortune. July 28, 2022. July 27, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220727062141/https://fortune.com/2016/11/30/taylor-swift-most-paid-musician/. live.
  42. Diddy, Beyonce, & Drake Top Forbes' Highest-Paid Musicians of 2017 List. Nerisha. Penrose. Billboard. December 7, 2017. July 28, 2022. July 27, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220727064706/https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/diddy-beyonce-drake-forbes-highest-paid-musicians-2017-list-8062631/. live.
  43. Web site: U2 Tops Forbes' List Of 2018's Highest-Earning Musicians As Joshua Tree Tour Grosses $316M. Brent. Furdyk. December 4, 2018. July 28, 2022. July 27, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220727064701/https://etcanada.com/news/393398/u2-tops-forbes-list-of-2018s-highest-earning-musicians-as-joshua-tree-tour-grosses-316m/. dead. Entertainment Tonight Canada.
  44. Web site: 06:30am EST . The World's Top-Earning Musicians Of 2019 . Forbes. July 29, 2022. July 14, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220714193052/https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2019/12/06/the-worlds-top-earning-musicians-of-2019/ . live .
  45. Kanye West, Ariana Grande & More Musicians Crowned Forbes' 100 Highest-Paid Celebrities of 2020. Heran. Mamo. Billboard. September 2, 2020. July 28, 2022. July 27, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220727064707/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/kanye-west-ariana-grande-musicians-forbes-highest-paid-celebrities-2020-9444159/. live.
  46. Web site: The Highest-Paid Entertainers 2022 . . July 31, 2022 . February 10, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220210003834/https://www.forbes.com/sites/lisettevoytko/2022/02/09/the-highest-paid-entertainers-2022/ . live .
  47. Web site: The World’s 10 Highest-Paid Entertainers. Forbes. March 14, 2023. February 17, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230217063844/https://www.forbes.com/sites/lisettevoytko/2023/02/13/the-worlds-top-10-highest-paid-entertainers-of-2022/?sh=71d0f4d129a3. live.
  48. Web site: Forbes Celebrity 100 2002 . Forbes . July 29, 2022 . July 28, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220728094902/https://www.forbes.com/celebrities2002/power_rank.html . live .
  49. Web site: Highest paid musicians of 2016 revealed . . November 30, 2016 . July 30, 2022 . July 28, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220728030004/https://www.nme.com/news/music/highest-paid-musicians-2016-1882669 . live .
  50. Web site: Michael Jackson Remains Highest-Paid Entertainer; Aging Rockers On A Roll. Associated Press. August 2, 2022. September 16, 1989. Stefan. Fatsis. March 14, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230314073321/https://apnews.com/article/edef33ab745a71be03833ac93be81e58. live.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Forbes list of the world's highest-paid musicians".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.