11 Forbes’ Top-Earning Musicians of 2021

2021 was a rollercoaster, wasn’t it? With the world trying to get back on its feet, music became more important than ever.

So, who were the musicians that made it big this year?

1. Bruce Springsteen

Earnings: $435 million
Age: 72
Top Hits: “Born in the U.S.A.”, “Dancing in the Dark”, “Streets of Philadelphia”
In 2021, Bruce Springsteen, also known as “The Boss,” shocked the world by selling his entire music catalog to his longtime label home, Sony Music Group. The deal included five decades of iconic songs, recordings, and songwriting credits, emphasizing his enduring legacy and monumental contribution to music.

2. Jay-Z

Earnings: $340 million
Age: 51
Top Hits: “99 Problems”, “Empire State of Mind”, “Run This Town”
Jay-Z, the mogul of the hip-hop world and music’s first billionaire, smartly liquidated stakes in music streamer Tidal and the Armand de Brignac champagne brand in 2021.

3. Kanye West

Earnings: $235 million
Age: 44
Top Hits: “Stronger”, “Gold Digger”, “Heartless”
Kanye West, the innovative rapper and fashion designer, primarily earned from his multi-year deal designing Yeezy sneakers for Adidas. His brand’s first designs for the Gap were quickly sold out, underlining his extensive influence in both the music and fashion industries.

4. Paul Simon

Earnings: $200 million
Age: 80
Top Hits: “Mrs. Robinson”, “Bridge Over Troubled Water”, “Graceland”
Paul Simon, renowned for his heartfelt and intricate compositions, sold numerous song compositions to Sony Music Publishing in March.

5. Ryan Tedder

Earnings: $160 million
Age: 42
Top Hits: “Apologize”, “Counting Stars”, “Secrets” (with OneRepublic), also penned hits for others like “Halo” (Beyoncé) and “Rumour Has It” (Adele)
Ryan Tedder is not just the voice behind OneRepublic, but also the brain behind hits for Beyoncé, Adele, and Ed Sheeran. In 2021, he sold a significant portion of his music catalog, showcasing his songwriting skills.

6. Bob Dylan

Earnings: $130 million
Age: 80
Top Hits: “Like a Rolling Stone”, “Blowin’ in the Wind”, “The Times They Are a-Changin'”
Bob Dylan, the revolutionary singer-songwriter and Nobel laureate, transferred his recorded music and a few future recordings to Sony.

7. Sean “Diddy” Combs

Earnings: $90 million
Age: 52
Top Hits: “I’ll Be Missing You”, “Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down”, “Mo Money Mo Problems”
Sean “Diddy” Combs, with his diverse entertainment ventures and long-lasting brand, primarily profits from his Cîroc vodka brand today.

8. Neil Young

Earnings: $80 million
Age: 76
Top Hits: Renowned for his impactful songs like “Heart of Gold,” “Old Man,” and “Harvest Moon,” Neil Young has been a transformative figure in rock and folk music.
Neil Young, the legendary singer-songwriter, has not only made significant contributions to music but has also been a strong advocate for artist rights. In January, he made headlines when he stood against misinformation, leading to the removal of his music from a major streaming service. A year before, he sold his music rights to investment fund Hipgnosis, maintaining his influential presence in the music industry.

9. Lindsey Buckingham

Earnings: $73 million
Age: 72
Top Hits: Renowned for his work with Fleetwood Mac, creating timeless hits like “Go Your Own Way” and “Tusk.”
Lindsey Buckingham, the revered guitarist of Fleetwood Mac, amassed significant earnings after offloading his publishing catalog to London’s Hipgnosis in January 2021.

10. Blake Shelton

Earnings: $55 million
Age: 45
Top Hits: Blake is known for chart-toppers like “God Gave Me You” and “Honey Bee,” along with his role as a coach on “The Voice.”
Blake Shelton has seamlessly blended his music career with television appearances, boosting his earnings significantly, with a large portion from his coaching gig on ‘The Voice’ and from a highly profitable 15-city tour.

11. Taylor Swift

Earnings: $52 million
Age: 32
Top Hits: With a plethora of hits like “Shake it Off,” “Love Story,” and “Blank Space,” Taylor Swift has redefined pop music.
Taylor Swift, the multiple Grammy Award-winning artist, has been known for her groundbreaking music and has also turned challenges into opportunities, remaking and releasing recordings sold without her consent and securing lucrative endorsement deals.