In case there are readers who only just got over the obscene amount of money Justin Bieber makes simply by existing, Forbes recently released their Celebrity 100 list, which includes information on earnings during the last calendar year. As one might expect, several of our favorite musicians make appearances, making so much money they could probably buy themselves a small island; for instance, Antarctica.
U2, whose ambitious U2 360 tour is now into its second year, earned $195 million in 2010, some $70 million more than the second highest earning act, Bon Jovi. Elton John also cracked the 11 figure mark, bringing in an even $100 million, while Lady Gaga, who was named the most “powerful” celebrity on the entire list, took home $95 million. Rounding out the top 10 were Sir Paul McCartney ($67M), Black Eyed Peas ($61M), the loveable Biebs ($53M), Toby Keith ($50M), Usher ($46M), and Taylor Swift ($45M).
Placed in a list of their own, “hip-hop impresarios” Eminem, Kanye West, Jay-Z, Diddy, and Lil Wayne were also ranked, with HOV nabbing the top spot of the sub-list with $37 million. (Fun fact: This was the first year that Jay-Z outgrossed his wife, who essentially took the year off, but still raked in $35 million). Yeezy took home $16 million, Eminem netted a whopping $14 million, and Weezy, who spent much of the year at Rikers, earned $14 million. And they say crime doesn’t pay.
Top Earning Musicians:
U2 – $195M
Bon Jovi – $125M
Elton John – $100M
Lady Gaga – $90M
Paul McCartney – $67M
Black Eyed Peas – $61M
Justin Bieber – $53M
Toby Keith – $50M
Usher – $46M
Taylor Swift – $45M
Katy Perry – $44M
Brad Paisley – $40M
Beyoncé – $35M
Tim Mcgraw – $35M
Muse – $35M
