It’s always intriguing to witness whether the lineup of the wealthiest musicians in the world has evolved or undergone a complete transformation.

With the release of the 2023 data, it’s time for an up-to-date assessment.

It’s worth noting that these figures and fluctuations are approximations based on a multitude of factors and publicly available records, but they should provide a fairly accurate picture.

This concept holds significance because it illustrates two key points for aspiring and driven musicians:

The potential to amass significant wealth as a music artist.

The opportunity to further expand your wealth and income by venturing into industries like Hollywood, Broadway, or entrepreneurship.

The journey to success is undoubtedly challenging, and many artists struggle without breaking into the mainstream. If you’re aspiring to make that leap, be prepared to wear the hat of a marketer in addition to your role as a songwriter and musician, much like the top 10 richest musicians we are about to explore.

Here is the list:

#10 – Taylor Swift

Net Worth: $740 Million

Taylor got her start singing at local talent shows and fairs in her small hometown. Her mom and dad, passionate about their daughter’s talent, moved the family to Nashville when she was just a teenager. This is where her demo was heard by Scott Borchetta, the man who would help launch her career.

She has since released 10 studio albums, with numerous chart-topping singles and albums. Taylor took a swing at Hollywood with a role in the 2010 movie Valentine’s Day and graced various TV screens with guest appearances.

#9 – Celine Dion

Net Worth: $800 Million

There’s no wonder that Ms. Dion is on the top 10 list. She’s the wealthiest music artist in Canada of all time after selling over 200 million records! After her smash hit on the Titanic soundtrack, she took advantage, launched the popularity of auto-tune (for better or worse), and rode that wave straight to the top 10 list!

She has released albums in French and English, won countless contests and awards, and has the record for the highest concert residency of all time, where in Las Vegas she can command $500,000 per show. Take that info and do this math: she performed her 1000th show in Las Vegas in 2016. Between 2011 and 2019, her Las Vegas residency has been seen by 1.74 million people, grossing almost $300 million!

#8 – Madonna

Net Worth: $850 Million

This lady has been in the game for a long time, pumping out pop hits since the ’80s and forward, experiencing all of the ups and downs the industry has faced over the years. Alongside her musicianship, she’s a Golden Globe-winning actress, author of several children’s books, fashion designer, owner of Maverick Records, and owner of a series of health clubs.

The real wealth comes from her tireless touring, having played more live shows than any other female musician ever, making her the highest-grossing solo touring artist of all time! She’s possibly the hardest-working woman in show business.

#7 – Herb Alpert

Net Worth: $850 Million

Herb Alpert (and the Tijuana Brass band) have released five #1 albums and 28 total albums on the Billboard charts. His other notable awards are 9 Grammy’s, 14 certified Platinum albums, and 15 more Gold albums.

His total sales are over 72 million worldwide! Alpert is the “A” in A&M Records, which undoubtedly contributes to his unbelievable riches (he sold it in 1987 for a reported $500 million alongside his partner Jerry Moss). They later sued for a breach of contract, receiving an additional $200 million. His other ventures have included professional sculpting and a line of perfume, which he likens to music with its “high notes and low notes.”

#6 – Jimmy Buffett

Net Worth: $1.0 Billion

More than a mere musician, Jimmy Buffett has built an empire. This is what results after producing over 30 albums’ worth of timeless hits, selling more than 20 million records worldwide, and founding Margaritaville, a lifestyle brand that’s a cocktail of resorts, merchandising, and radio. Buffett’s most recent leap in net worth came in the wake of the successful launching of the Margaritaville retirement communities in 2017.

Crowned a billionaire, Jimmy Buffett has carved out a unique position in the entertainment industry over the past five decades. His clever switch from being a country artist to embodying the laid-back beach bum persona paid off, turning him into a cult figure. He’s living proof that mistakes can indeed be stepping stones to success. After all, who’d forget his initial blunder with “Big Rig” which tanked?

#5 – Sean “Puffy” Combs

Net Worth: $1.0 Billion

P. Diddy, A.K.A. Puff Daddy, Puffy, Diddy, Sean Combs, Sean John, etc. I’m sure there’s more. This kind of marketing keeps you relevant, as silly as it is. We all could learn from this master, which has earned him the sixth spot on the list. He went beyond his own recordings to operating his own label, Bad Boy Entertainment.

This label launched the careers of guys like The Notorious B.I.G. and Mase. Other successes include his Sean John clothing line, perfume line, and hit television show Making the Band on MTV.

Diddy recently entered the billionaire’s club, read more about his net worth here.

#4 – Paul McCartney

Net Worth: $1.2 Billion

There’s no way you wouldn’t find a member of The Beatles on this list, especially Paul McCartney. He and John Lennon basically shared writing credits for their entire run, guaranteeing both of them continued riches forever. Tag on Paul’s killer solo career, the band Wings, and collaborations with Michael Jackson and most recently Kanye West, and you’ve got a guy who’s been a relevant pop icon since the early ’60s.

The multi-instrumentalist has written or co-written 32 songs to reach #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Paul’s song Yesterday is the most covered song of all time, having been remade by over 2,200 artists and bands. Talk about some royalties! He’s also been knighted and honored in every which way possible, musically or otherwise. It’s reported that he holds over 25,000 copyrights.

#3 – Andrew Lloyd Webber

Net Worth: $1.25 Billion

You are now looking at the King. You may not know his name, but you know his music. Broadway is almost synonymous with Webber, with him having penned the music of 20 of their greatest hits: The Phantom of the Opera, Jesus Christ Superstar, Cats, Evita, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, School of Rock, and on and on… the dude’s cleaning up.

These shows are still happening nightly all across the world (some have been running for over a decade straight), providing him profit from everything related to his products, including soundtracks, merchandise, film adaptations, and ticket sales. He even collects royalties from two songs he wrote for none other than Elvis Presley (the true King!)

#2 – Rihanna

Net Worth: $1.7 Billion

Change: +$300M & ↓1 – She has been storming through our ranking over the past couple of years and even reached the top for a few months. A huge portion of her wealth ($1.4B) comes from her business ventures. She launched in 2017 a beauty line called Fenty Beauty along with the French luxury group LVMH. She also owns a lingerie company called Savage x Fenty. She capitalizes heavily on her huge social media presence to promote her brands.

But don’t get fooled by her recent business successes. She has been a pop music powerhouse since her first success in 2005 and remains one of the most streamed artists despite not having released an album in years.

#1 – Jay-Z

Net Worth: $2.5 Billion

He’s not a businessman, he’s a business, maaaaan. This is what happens after you score 19 Grammy’s, sell over 100 million records, and launch a successful clothing company Rocawear and record label Roc-A-Fella Records. The most recent jump in net worth is thanks to yet another unbelievable business success as he pocketed $750 million following the partial sale of his D’USSÉ cognac to Bacardi. Crowned billionaire in 2019, Jay-Z almost tripled his net worth in 4 years.

All it’s going to take is a few more “retirements” and “comebacks” and he should continue climbing the billionaire list. Maybe one extra comeback cycle to make up for his goof with Tidal and Aspiro. Of all his shenanigans, Jay-Z admits to having shot his own brother at the age of 12 for stealing some of his jewelry. I don’t know if that adds up to street credibility or the stupidity of being a kid.

Others that almost make the cut include:

  • Beyoncé is at $540 million thanks to her music, touring, clothing lines, and product endorsements.
  • Gloria and Emilio Estefan at $500 million mainly attributed to their illustrious music careers, successful restaurant empire in Miami, and numerous business ventures.
  • Victoria Beckham is at $450 million mostly thanks to her fashion business ventures.
  • Gilbert “Berner” Milam at $420 million mostly thanks to his “Cookies” cannabis conglomerate
  • Barbra Streisand at $415 million due to her high-grossing tours, Broadway appearances, and TV specials.
  • Jennifer Lopez at $400 million due to her musical success and illustrious Hollywood and TV career.
  • Lady Gaga is at $350 million thanks to her musical success and high-grossing tours.
  • Justin Bieber at $300 million thanks to his huge musical success and business ventures.
  • Drake is at $270 million thanks to his solid musical success and private investments.
  • Michael Jackson would be in the top 10 for sure had he not passed so early.

Source: Ledgernote.com

(Filed by Jr Amigo/ai/mnm)