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Tuesday, August 19, 2014
The World’s Highest-Paid EDM DJs in 2014
Forbes’ annual list of the world’s highest-paid DJs has been released and the numbers are nothing less than staggering. With plenty of talk in recent years of an “EDM bubble,” Forbes’ Electronic Cash Kings list seems to suggest that dance music is safe and sound, at least for now. Calvin Harris, who ranked #1 in 2013 with $46 million, saw an annual earnings increase of $20 million this year, out-earning the likes of Toby Keith and JAY Z.
“The rise of dance music has been astronomical in the last three years . . . I happened to be in the right place at the right time.”
According to Forbes, “Our estimates for the Electronic Cash Kings list include earnings from live shows, merchandise sales, endorsements, recorded music sales and external business ventures. Earnings totals were calculated for the 12-month period from June 1, 2013 to June 1, 2014. Sources include Songkick, Pollstar, RIAA, managers, lawyers and some of the people at the heart of the EDM revolution.”
1. Calvin Harris – $66 million
2. David Guetta – $30 million
3. Avicii – $28 million (tie)
3. Tiesto – $28 million (tie)
5. Steve Aoki – $23 million
6. Afrojack – $22 million
7. Zedd – $21 million
8. Kaskade – $17 million
9. Skrillex – $16.5 million
10. Deadmau5 – $16 million
11. Hardwell – $13 million
12. Armin van Buuren – $12 million (tie)
12. Steve Angello – $12 million (tie)
2. David Guetta – $30 million
3. Avicii – $28 million (tie)
3. Tiesto – $28 million (tie)
5. Steve Aoki – $23 million
6. Afrojack – $22 million
7. Zedd – $21 million
8. Kaskade – $17 million
9. Skrillex – $16.5 million
10. Deadmau5 – $16 million
11. Hardwell – $13 million
12. Armin van Buuren – $12 million (tie)
12. Steve Angello – $12 million (tie)
Read the full article to find out how the fortunes were made.
Related: The Forbes Five: Hip-Hop’s Wealthiest Artists 2014
