Despite the pandemic, musicians have earned record amounts in the year ending December 2021. Many of those on the top ten list earned millions as a result of back catalog sales. Some of them reached the list due to current sales, as well, despite the cut down of tours which generally generate high revenues for all musicians, however popular they might be.
The Boss, Springsteen was the top earner according to Rolling Stone. Taylor Swift was at number 10. The inimitable singer is the only female singer in the list. The list as compiled by the outlet is mentioned below.
1. Bruce Springsteen (590 million)
The Boss cashed in on a $550 bonanza for his back catalog. It made history as it was the largest revenue gained by a solo catalog. Bruce Springsteen also earned from two projects with Barack Obama, on a Spotify podcast called “Renegades: Born in the USA.”
2. Jay-Z ($470 million)
The hip-hop artist is its first billionaire as well. He sold half of his champagne brand to LMVH. He also sold 80 percent of Tidal to Square. He earned endorsements from Tiffany & Co. and Puma.
3. Paul Simon ($280 million)
The singer-songwriter and one half of Simon-Garfunkel sold his entire catalog to Sony. It consists of about 400 compositions, both solo and with his bandmate.
4. Kanye West ($250 million)
Kanye who recently changed his name to “Ye” earned hundreds of millions from his Yeezy footwear company. He released his album Donda this year. He is in a new apparel deal with Gap and looks to be a part of the top ten list next year as well.
5. Ryan Tedder ($200 million)
Last January, KKR bought most of the publishing rights of Tedder’s remaining catalog. The OneRepublic frontman also earned from other sources including its fifth studio album Human, released in August.
6. Red Hot Chili Peppers ($145 million)
According to sources, the alt-rockers sold their publishing catalog for $140 million. The five decade old band is said to be compiling a new album that would be released in 2022.
7. Lindsey Buckingham ($100 million)
Fleetwood Mac’s Lindsey Buckingham sold more than 160 songs to Hipgnosis for $100 in a pact similar to the one made by bandmate Stevie Nicks to Primary Wave, end 2020.
8. Motley Crue ($95 million)
Insiders say that heavy metal band Motley Crue earned close to $90 million for selling master recordings to BMG.
9. Blake Shelton ($83 million)
The country singer reportedly earned more than $50 million for his catalog. He also gets a huge salary as a host in The Voice and earned $14.5 million in a recent tour.
10. Taylor Swift ($80 million)
Although she was unable to cash on her own back catalog, she rerecorded old albums and also dropped new songs. Her deals with Peloton and Starbucks added to her coffers.
