10 Highest Earning Musicians in the World

The main moneymakers in the music industry today are touring singers. The phenomenon is exemplified by the Forbes’ highest paid musician – Katy Perry, who did around 126 tours in the last year. Regardless of their modus operandi, below are the names of the singers who are earning whopping sum and are considered to be the highest earning musicians in the world.

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Note that the list has taken into account income before tax from records, sales, endorsements, publishing and other business activities. Fees of managers, lawyers and agents haven’t been deducted either.

10. Lady Gaga

Estimated wealth – $59 million

Lady Gaga is an American, actress, songwriter and singer. She is better known for her live performances and extraordinary fashion themes. She released her first album titled ‘The Frame’ in 2008 which instantly became a commercial success. Lady Gaga has sold 28 million albums and 140 million singles respectively making her an all-time best seller. She has earned six Grammy Awards and twelve Guinness World Records.

9. Fleetwood Mac

Estimated wealth – $59.5 million

This British band was established in 1967. It has managed to sell more than a 100 million copies around the world. Presently, the only original member of the band is Mick Fleetwood. In 1998, the selected members of Fleetwood Mac had also been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and received Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music. Fleetwood Mac’s second album ‘Rumors’ has produced four Top 10 singles and reached the top spot in various countries. To date, the album has sold over 40 million copies worldwide. Together the Fleetwood Mac are one of the highest earning musicians in the world.

Read More: Top Actors and Actresses of Hollywood

8. Diddy

Estimated wealth – $60 million

Also known as Puffy, P. Diddy and Puff Daddy, Diddy is an American record producer, rapper, entrepreneur and actor who ranks in the list of top earning of singers in the world. His first album ‘No Way Out’ was released in 1997. Since then, he has produced several critically andcommercially successful albums. Diddy has won two MTV Music Video Awards and twoGrammy Awards. He also has a clothing line, two restaurants and a film production company.

7. Justin Timberlake

Estimated wealth – $63.5 million

Justin Timberlake is an American, songwriter, singer, actor and record producer. He became famous as the lead vocalist for NSYNC, which became the most widely selling boy bands. Justin also released his solo album ‘Justified’ in 2002 which earned him two Grammy Awards. He has received several awards including four Emmy Awards and nine Grammy Awards. Apart from being on the list of maximum earning musicians, Justin is also on the list of the Time’s most influential people.

6. Calvin Harris

Estimated wealth – $66 million

Calvin Harris was born in 1984. His first album ‘I Created Disco’ was released on 2007. His second album ‘Ready for the Weekend’ received a gold certification from the British Phonographic Industry. He received wide global acclaim in 2012 with the released of his third album ‘18 Months’. The album topped the charts in the UK. Harris is the recipient of two Best British Male awards, seven Brit Awards, four Grammy Awards and the prestigious Ivor Novello Award. He has been on the Forbes’ list of highest paid musicians for the past three consecutive years.

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5. The Eagles

Estimated wealth – $73.5 million

The Eagles is an American rock band established in 1971. Its members include Randy Meisner, Bernie Leadon, Don Henley and Glenn Frey. The Eagles has received five American Music Awards and six Grammy Awards. Widely considered as one of the bestselling bands of all time, the Eagles has sold more than 150 million records out of which 100 million have been sold within the US alone.

4. Taylor Swift

Estimated wealth – $80 million

Taylor Swift is an American Singer and songwriter. She started her career with a self-titled album in 2006. He second album ‘Fearless’ that was released in 2008 became a best seller. Taylor Swift is most famous for incorporating her personal experiences ion narrative songs. She has won one Emmy awards, seven Grammy awards, twenty-two Billboard Awards, eight Academy of Country Music Awards, eleven Country Music Association Awards and one Brit Award. She is also considered one of the best-selling music artists of all time. She is also on the Forbes’ list of 100 most power women.

Read More: 10 Highest Grossing Actresses 2015

3. Garth Brooks

Estimated wealth – $90 million

Garth Brooks is a country pop singer and songwriter. He released his first album in 1989. Throughout the 90s, Brooks managed to break records and set new ones. He has released six albums reaching ‘diamond’ status in America. He has received several awards including 17 American Music Awards, two Grammy Awards, and the RIAA Award. Brooks has also been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. He came third in our list of highest earning musicians.

2. One Direction

Estimated wealth – $130 million

Also known as 1D, the Irish-English band is based in London. Its members include Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles, Liam Payne and Niall Horan. Zayn Malik was also a part of this band but left on March 15, 2015. The groups have won four MTC Music Video Awards, five Brit Awards, seven American Music Awards, nineteen Teen Choice Awards and eleven MTV Europe Awards. Besides being on the list of highest earning musicians, they were also on the Forbes’ list of highest earning celebrities in 2014.

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1. Katy Perry

Estimated wealth – $135 million

Katy Perry is an American actress, singer and songwriter. She began singing in churches when she was a child and pursued gospel music in her teenage. She later worked with Red Hill Records releasing her first album in 2001 titled Katy Hudson in 2001. Perry later moved to Los Angeles. She became famous with the release of her single ‘I kissed a girl.’ Katy Perry is the recipient of several awards. She also holds four Guinness world Records. Moreover, she is also included in the Forbes’ list of Top-Earning women in music as well as highest earning musician. She has sold 81 million singles and 11 million albums during the span of her music career.