20 Forbes’ Top-Earning Musicians of 2017
In the dynamic and multifaceted world of music, amassing wealth is a multi-disciplinary endeavor, engaging tours, album sales, endorsements, and innovative business ventures. Forbes’ list of The World’s Highest-Paid Musicians of 2017 provides a detailed insight into the financial earnings of artists who not only mesmerized the world with their exceptional talents but also made strategic moves to capitalize on their fame.
1. Diddy
Age: 47
Earnings: $130 million
Diddy, the multifaceted mogul, tops the list with earnings of $130 million, primarily from his Bad Boy Family Reunion Tour, his lucrative Ciroc vodka deal, and the estimated $70 million sale of one-third of his Sean John fashion line.
2. Beyoncé
Age: 35
Earnings: $105 million
Hits of ’17: “Formation” album.
The sensational Beyoncé is second on the list with $105 million, mainly fueled by her visually and musically groundbreaking “Formation” tour, continuing to dominate the music scene with her innovation and talent.
3. Drake
Age: 30
Earnings: $94 million
Hits of ’17: “Passionfruit,” “Portland,” and “God’s Plan.”
Drake, the world’s most-streamed artist, follows closely, amassing $94 million from his music, the successful Boy Meets World tour, and various deals with brands like Apple, Sprite, and Nike.
4. The Weeknd
Age: 27
Earnings: $92 million
Hits of ’17: “Starboy,” “I Feel It Coming,” and “Party Monster.”
The Weeknd secures the fourth spot with earnings of $92 million, propelled by massive streaming numbers, amounting to 5.5 billion in two years, and extensive touring.
5. Justin Bieber
Age: 23
Earnings: $83.5 million
Hits of ’17: “Despacito (Remix),” “I’m the One,” and “2U.”
With over a billion streams and a successful Purpose tour, Justin Bieber is a notable entry, earning $83.5 million. His musical collaborations and Calvin Klein endorsement further added to his substantial income.
6. Bruce Springsteen
Age: 68
Earnings: $75 million
Bruce Springsteen, the timeless rock icon, brought in $75 million, primarily from his The River tour and the release of his acclaimed “Born to Run” memoir, continuing to enchant audiences with his enduring music and stories.
7. Adele
Age: 29
Earnings: $69 million
Adele, with her emotive and powerful voice, earns a spot with $69 million, her earnings predominantly coming from her universally acclaimed “25” album and the associated tour.
8. Elton John
Age: 70
Earnings: $60 million
Sir Elton John, the legendary musician, continues to draw massive crowds, earning $60 million primarily from his extensive touring and his highly successful Las Vegas residency.
9. Garth Brooks
Age: 55
Earnings: $60 million
Continued his significant impact on the country music scene with extensive touring and releasing “The Anthology Part 1” book and boxed set.
10. Paul McCartney
Age: 75
Earnings: $54 million
Paul McCartney, one of the most successful composers and performers of all time, amassed $54 million, with his earnings stemming from touring and his invaluable Beatles and solo catalogs.
11. Jimmy Buffett
Age: 70
Earnings: $50.5 million
Jimmy Buffett continues to capitalize on his Margaritaville franchises, including hotels and restaurants, amassing $50.5 million and maintaining his status as an enduring symbol of laid-back, tropical lifestyle.
12. Calvin Harris
Age: 33
Earnings: $48.5 million
Hits of ’17: Released “Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1” album.
Calvin Harris, the chart-topping producer and DJ, earned $48.5 million, thanks to his hit-making ability, his album “Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1,” and extensive touring.
13. Taylor Swift
Age: 27
Earnings: $44 million
Swift was primarily in the limelight for her endorsements and the catalog of her previous hits.
14. Kenny Chesney
Age: 49
Earnings: $42.5 million
Hits of ’17: “All the Pretty Girls,” “Bar at the End of the World.”
Kenny Chesney remains a force in the country music scene, earning $42.5 million from touring, his album “Cosmic Hallelujah,” and deals with Corona and Apple.
15. Luke Bryan
Age: 41
Earnings: $42 million
Hits of ’17: “Light It Up,” “Most People Are Good.”
Luke Bryan, with his unique country sound and charisma, brought in $42 million, from touring, his reality show Buck Commander on the Outdoor Channel, and endorsements with Cabela’s and Miller Lite.
16. Celine Dion
Age: 49
Earnings: $42 million
Celine Dion, with her unparalleled vocal prowess, earned $42 million, primarily from her Las Vegas residency and touring, enchanting audiences with her timeless hits.
17. Jay-Z
Age: 47
Earnings: $42 million
Jay-Z, the influential rapper and entrepreneur, secured $42 million, notably from a monumental $200 million deal with Live Nation, maintaining his significant imprint in the music industry.
18. Bruno Mars
Age: 31
Earnings: $39 million
Hits of ’17: “That’s What I Like,” “24K Magic,” and “Versace on the Floor.”
Bruno Mars, the versatile and dynamic artist, garnered $39 million from his chart-topping “24K Magic” album and extensive touring, continuing to captivate fans with his infectious tunes and electrifying performances.
19. Tiësto
Age: 48
Earnings: $39 million
Tiësto, the electronic dance music giant, earned $39 million primarily from his relentless touring schedule, remaining a leading figure in the global dance music scene.
20. Jennifer Lopez
Age: 47
Earnings: $38 million
Hits of ’17: “Ni Tú Ni Yo.”
Jennifer Lopez, the versatile entertainer, amassed $38 million, balancing a successful music career, a Las Vegas residency, and her role in the TV show “World of Dance,” showcasing her diverse talents.
In addition:
Earning above $30 million is a significant achievement, yet not every superstar who has done so makes it to Forbes’ list. Some notable figures who narrowly missed the cut include Ed Sheeran, Rihanna, Dr. Dre, Katy Perry, and Toby Keith.
To compile the list of the highest-earning musicians globally, Forbes examined pretax income from June 1, 2016, to June 1, 2017, without deducting fees for agents, managers, and lawyers. Forbes utilized data from Nielsen SoundScan, Pollstar, the RIAA, and also conducted interviews with people within the industry to get the most accurate and comprehensive insights into the earnings of these musical giants.
