FORBES: The Top 10 Earning Musicians of the 2010s

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From Taylor Swift to Dr. Dre: The Top 10 Earning Musicians of the Decade
by Zack O'Malley Greenburg, Forbes Staff
Dec. 23, 2019


1. Dr. Dre ($950 Million)

The super-producer released one album this decade, 'Compton' in 2015, and barely toured, but had music’s top business achievement: Apple’s $3B buyout of Beats.



2. Taylor Swift ($825 Million)

Not old enough to buy a beer at the decade’s outset, Swift became a stadium-packing superstar—and music’s highest-paid woman of the 2010s.



3. Beyoncé ($685 Million)

Queen B began the decade newly graduated from Destiny’s Child, quickly establishing her business bona fides in the studio and on the road.



4. U2 ($675 Million)

The group’s 360 Tour wrapped in 2011, grossing over $700 million—its inflation-adjusted $800 million-plus tour tally is the highest ever.



5. Diddy ($605 Million)

He’s had more name changes than anyone on the list, but his earnings remained strong thanks mostly to his Ciroc vodka pact with Diageo.



6. Elton John ($565 Million)

The Rocketman is blasting off on his last tour having fueled up his bank account with a decade of stadium shows and Vegas residency dates.



7. Jay-Z ($560 Million)

Music’s first billionaire made his fortune by building companies, but the last ten years of touring — recently with his wife Beyoncé — sure didn’t hurt.



8. Paul McCartney ($535 Million)

No Beatles, no problem: McCartney continued an epic solo run, selling out stadiums and even getting his first No. 1 album (Egypt Station) since 1982.



9. Katy Perry ($530 Million)

The 2015 Forbes cover star hit the road aggressively over the past decade, with two separate tours grossing nine figures.



10. Lady Gaga ($500 Million)

Despite some pauses to pursue film and TV projects (A Star is Born, American Horror Story), Gaga’s live music prowess and wildly successful albums landed her on our list.

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