Who is the richest music artist?
Who were the highest-paid musicians in 2021 – and how did they get so rich? Here’s the top 10.
Making money from music in 2022 requires more than writing a fantastic song. The richest music artists in the world knew this from the beginning.
Music wealth analyst Zack O’Malley Greenburg has compiled a list for Rolling Stone showing his calculations of the highest-paid musicians in 2021. These superstars gained their wealth from investing outside music, whether that’s launching fashion lines or merchandise, or striking other lucrative business deals.
Looking outside of the bread-and-butter of making and performing music is more important now than ever, with continuing coronavirus restrictions still cancelling concerts. And the past year has seen the emergence of a different way for popular artists to increase their wealth.
Musical icons, most of them with a long career behind them, have been selling the rights to their entire song catalogues for incredibly high sums. That means that there’s been some shifting in the richest music artist lists.
How did the highest-paid musicians of 2021 make their money? Who is the richest female artist? Scroll on to find out.
The top 10 richest music artists in the world
1. Bruce Springsteen – $590 million
The sale of Bruce Springsteen’s masters and publishing rights was the biggest in history at a reported $550 million. The Boss has been busy elsewhere too, working with Barack Obama on podcasts and book deals.
3. Paul Simon – $260 million
Selling the publishing rights of his whole body of work, including the famous Simon and Garfunkel catalogue, put Paul Simon up among the highest-paid artists in 2021.
4. Kanye West – $250 million
Whilst most of Kanye’s earnings come from his Yeezy footwear, his Donda album also hit number one when it was released in August 2021.
5. Ryan Tedder – $200 million
Lead singer of OneRepublic Ryan Tedder sold his catalogue for $200 million at the beginning of the year, as well as adding wealth from the band’s latest album Human.
6. Red Hot Chili Peppers – $145 million
In 2021 Red Hot Chili Peppers sold their publishing rights for $140 million.
7. Lindsey Buckingham – $100 million)
Fleetwood Mac member Lindsey Buckingham made $100 million when he sold his rights to Hipgnosis.
8. Mötley Crüe – $95 million
Mötley Crüe made nearly $100 million from the sale of their masters in 2021.
9. Blake Shelton – $83 million
Country star Blake Shelton is paid eight figures to appear on The Voice, as well as selling his catalogue for $50 million, and earning from a lucrative tour with an album attached.
10. Taylor Swift – $80 million
The only woman in the top ten, logic follows that Taylor Swift is the female music artist who made the most money in 2021.
2021 was the year that Swift began re-releasing her original albums, taking back control after the unauthorised sale of her masters. Always business-savvy, Swift also had deals with Starbucks and Peloton.
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