21 Forbes’ Top-Earning Musicians of 2013
Without further ado, let’s delve into the musical treasury of 2013 and see who got the most lavish pieces of the pie!
1. Madonna
Age: 55
Earnings: $125 million
Hits of ’13: “Turn Up the Radio,” “Living for Love”
The eternally iconic Madonna topped the charts and the earnings list in 2013, amassing a fortune through her high-grossing tours, music sales, and myriad business ventures.
2. Lady Gaga
Age: 27
Earnings: $80 million
Hits of ’13: “Applause,” “Do What U Want”
Lady Gaga continued to mesmerize the world with her avant-garde style and infectious tunes, raking in millions through album sales, world tours, and her ever-expanding brand presence.
3. Toby Keith
Age: 52
Earnings: $65 million
Hits of ’13: “Drinks After Work,” “Shut Up and Hold On”
Toby Keith, the multifaceted country maestro, strummed his way to millions with his catchy tunes, lucrative tours, and diverse business ventures.
4. Bruce Springsteen
Age: 64
Earnings: $62 million
Bruce Springsteen, the embodiment of heartland rock, continued to fuel the spirits of his global fans, bagging millions through his electrifying live performances and his influential discography.
5. Justin Bieber
Age: 19
Earnings: $58 million
Hits of ’13: “Heartbreaker,” “All That Matters”
The Canadian sensation Justin Bieber kept the world on its toes with his chart-topping music and headline-grabbing antics, pulling in substantial revenue through music sales, tours, and merchandise.
6. Taylor Swift
Age: 24
Earnings: $55 million
Hits of ’13: “I Knew You Were Trouble,” “22”
Taylor Swift continued her enchanting musical journey, drawing millions with her relatable lyrics and melodious tunes, accumulating wealth through album sales, sold-out tours, and high-profile endorsements.
7. Elton John
Age: 66
Earnings: $54 million
Elton John, with his virtuoso piano skills and classic hits, continued to mesmerize fans globally, garnering substantial income primarily through touring and his evergreen music catalog.
8. Beyonce
Age: 32
Earnings: $53 million
Hits of ’13: “Drunk in Love,” “XO”
Beyonce, the multifaceted music and fashion icon, ruled the music scene with her powerful performances and groundbreaking music, earning millions through record sales, tours, and various business ventures.
9. Kenny Chesney
Age: 45
Earnings: $53 million
Hits of ’13: “When I See This Bar,” “Pirate Flag”
Kenny Chesney continued his stellar journey in the world of country music, charming fans with his laid-back tunes and energetic live shows, amassing wealth through music sales, tours, and brand partnerships.
10. Diddy
Age: 44
Earnings: $50 million
Sean “Diddy” Combs maintained his influential presence in the music and business world, diversifying his income through his ventures in fashion, spirits, and media, underlining his multidimensional approach to success in the entertainment industry.
11. Paul McCartney
Age: 71
Earnings: $47 million
Paul McCartney, one of the illustrious Beatles, kept enchanting the world with his timeless music, amassing significant wealth through touring and his rich musical catalog.
12. Calvin Harris
Age: 29
Earnings: $46 million
Hits of ’13: “I Need Your Love,” “Under Control”
Calvin Harris electrocuted the music scene with his pulsating beats and electrifying tunes, accumulating wealth through album sales, high-grossing tours, and lucrative residencies.
13. Jennifer Lopez
Age: 44
Earnings: $45 million
Hits of ’13: “Live It Up,” “Dance Again”
Jennifer Lopez, with her versatile talents and glamorous style, continued to shine in the realms of music, film, and fashion, pulling in millions through her creative endeavors and numerous endorsements.
14. Roger Waters
Age: 70
Earnings: $44 million
Roger Waters, the mind behind many of Pink Floyd’s conceptual masterpieces, continued to mesmerize fans with his sonic explorations and spectacular live shows.
15. Rihanna
Age: 25
Earnings: $43 million
Hits of ’13: “Stay,” “Pour It Up”
Rihanna, with her sultry voice and bold style, kept ruling the charts and hearts worldwide, earning substantial revenue through music sales, sold-out tours, and high-profile brand collaborations.
16. Jay Z
Age: 43
Earnings: $42 million
Hits of ’13: “Holy Grail,” “Tom Ford”
Jay-Z continued to redefine the contours of hip-hop with his lyrical prowess and innovative sounds, raking in millions through music, entrepreneurial ventures, and brand partnerships.
17. Dr. Dre
Age: 48
Earnings: $40 million
Dr. Dre, the architect of West Coast hip-hop, maintained his influential stature in the music and business world, accruing millions through his groundbreaking music, entrepreneurial ventures, and his pioneering Beats brand.
18. Katy Perry
Age: 29
Earnings: $39 million
Hits of ’13: “Roar,” “Unconditionally”
Katy Perry lit up the music world with her vibrant visuals and infectious melodies, accumulating wealth through chart-topping singles, lucrative tours, and brand endorsements.
19. Tim McGraw
Age: 46
Earnings: $33 million
Hits of ’13: “Highway Don’t Care,” “Southern Girl”
Tim McGraw, with his rich vocals and authentic country sound, kept resonating with fans worldwide, pulling in millions through his chart-topping music, extensive touring, and various collaborations.
20. Pink
Age: 34
Earnings: $32 million
Hits of ’13: “Just Give Me a Reason,” “True Love”
Pink, with her powerful voice and acrobatic live shows, continued to redefine pop-rock music, earning millions through her critically acclaimed music, sold-out tours, and dynamic brand collaborations.
21. Tiësto
Age: 44
Earnings: $32 million
Hits of ’13: “Red Lights,” “Jackie Chan”
Tiësto, the wizard of electronic dance music, kept the global dance floors vibrating with his pulsating beats and hypnotic rhythms, accumulating wealth through his music releases, high-energy live shows, and lucrative residencies.
