If we’re to believe Forbes — and why not, we do every year — Dr. Dre is 2012′s highest paid musician. Your father’s favorite publication released their annual list today and the West coast rapper claims the throne with $110 million dollars. For those that think that number’s solely from his two Coachella performances, come back down to Earth and then look around and see what headphones most people are wearing. [Quick answer: They’re Beats by Dre.]
Before taxes, Dre picked up $100 million dollars last year when HTC paid him $300 million for a 51% stake in the company, which he and his partners nearly bought back. “The brands are so aligned, Dre and Beats, it’s just who he is,” Kevin Liles, former president of Def Jam Recordings, explained to Forbes. “If you look at the biggest earners, the guys have been doing it for 20 years … what’s happening now is people are really telling their truth.”
Lilies isn’t lying. Other top bread-winners include Roger Waters ($88 million), Elton John ($80 million), U2 ($78 million), and ties between Paul McCartney and Taylor Swift ($57 million), Justin Bieber and Toby Kieth ($55 million), Diddy and Katy Perry ($45 million), and Adele and Kanye West ($35 million). Also, looks like Beyoncé ($40 million) is the real sugar mama to Jay-Z ($38 million).
Consult the full list below and then go drink a quart of vodka in depression.
Highest-Paid Musicians of 2012:
01. Dr Dre – $110 Million
02. Roger Waters – $88 Million
03. Elton John – $80 Million
04. U2 – $78 Million
05. Take That – $69 Million
06. Bon Jovi – $60 Million
07. Britney Spears – $58 Million
08. Paul McCartney – $57 Million (tie)
08. Taylor Swift – $57 Million (tie)
10. Justin Bieber – $55 Million (tie)
10. Toby Keith – $55 Million (tie)
12. Rihanna – $53 Million
13. Lady GaGa – $52 Million
14. Foo Fighters – $47 Million
15. Diddy – $45 Million (tie)
15. Katy Perry – $45 Million (tie)
17. Kenny Chesney – $44 Million
18. Beyoncé – $40 Million
19. Red Hot Chili Peppers – $39 Million
20. Jay-Z – $38 Million
21. Coldplay – $37 Million
22. Adele – $35 Million (tie)
22. Kanye West – $35 Million (tie)
Source: Consequence of Sound
