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Rapper turned entrepreneur Dr Dre has topped the 2014 Forbes list of richest musicians.
- news.com.au
- 11 Dec 2014
- Entertainment/Music Entertainment Entertainment/Celebrity
Rich rapper ... Dr Dre is the highest paid musician of 2014, according to Forbes. Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images
RAPPER and businessman Dr Dre made some serious cash this year.
The hip hop mogul has raked in $620 million to make him the top-earning musician of 2014, thanks mostly to the sale of his Beats headphones to Apple for $3 billion.
Dre has pocketed the single biggest pay packet of any musician in history over a 12 month period, according to Forbes’ annual music rich list.
The producer made more cash in 2014 than the music industry’s biggest names, including Taylor Swift, Beyonce, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry and J. Lo.
Power couple ... Jay Z and Beyonce earned $175 million between them in 2014. Picture: AP Source: AP
The only one who came close to Dre was Beyonce, who earned $115 million this year from her Mrs Carter Show world tour, self-titled “secret” album and deals with Swedish fashion chain H&M and Pepsi, Forbes said.
Veteran rockers The Eagles were third, pulling in about $100 million, followed by Bon Jovi ($82 million) and Bruce Springsteen ($81 million).
Pop brat Justin Bieber pocketed $80 million to be the sixth-richest musician of the year, while boy band One Direction earned $75 million (No. 7) — that’s more than ex-Beatle Paul McCartney who raked in $71 million and came in at No. 8, according to Forbes.
Loaded ... Justin Bieber acted out but still pocketed the most cash he has ever earned in 12 months. Picture: Splash Source: Splash News Australia
Shake it off ... Taylor Swift made more money in 2014 than she has ever done in a year. Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images
Rapper Jay Z pocketed $60 million to land the No. 12 spot — a tie with Diddy and Bruno Mars.
Fresh from his global tour, Justin Timberlake made $57 million (No. 15), while Pink pocketed $52 million (No. 16), Canadian crooner Michael Buble made $51 million (No. 17), and Rihanna earned $48 million (No. 18).
Pop powerhouse ... Rihanna raked in a cool $48 million in 2014. Picture: AFP Source: AFP
The Rolling Stones, who recently toured Down Under, earned $47 million (No. 19), while Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters made $46 million to round out the top 20.
Other musicians to have a lucrative 2014 included Elton John ($45 million), country singer Kenny Chesney ($44 million), Katy Perry ($40 million) and Jennifer Lopez ($37 million).
California girl ... Katy Perry made some serious coin in 2014. Picture: AP Source: AP
Off the back of her Bangerz album and tour, Miley Cyrus made $36 million — as did Celine Dion — while Lady Gaga pocketed $33 million, the same figure as rapper Drake, according to Forbes.
