The richest musicians in the world have attained fame on a scale that few people in this world have ever seen. They have sold hundreds of millions of records, and grossed billions of dollars in ticket sales as they have taken their music to live audiences around the world.

Outstanding among these musicians are Lloyd Webber, Herp Albert, and Paul McCartney who have made the bulk of their money through music; as against many others who have made their net worth mostly through other ventures aside from the music which has made them popular.

The world’s richest musicians are mostly located in the United States and the United Kingdom, or have at least broken into the markets of these two countries.

Top 50 Richest Musicians In The World And Their Net Worth 

Ranking

Name

Net Worth
1. Kanye West $2 Billion
2. Rihanna $1.4 Billion
3. Jay Z $1.3 Billion
4. Andrew Lloyd Webber $1.2 Billion
5. Paul McCartney $1 Billion
6. P Diddy $880 Million
7. Herp Albert $850 Million
8. Madonna $850 Million
9. Celine Dion $800 Million
10. Dr Dre $800 Million
11. Bono $550 Million
12. Jimmy Buffett $500 Million
13. Emilio Estefan $500 Million
14. Elton John $500 Million
15. Bruce Springsteen $410 Million
16. Jon Bon Jovi $400 Million
17. Beyonce $400 Million
18. Sting $360 Million
19. Taylor Swift $360 Million
20. Mick Jagger $350 Million
21. Ringo Starr $350 Million
22. Lars Ulrich $350 Million
23. Gene Simmons $340 Million
24. Keith Richards $330 Million
25. Katy Perry $320 Million
26. Mariah Carey $320 Million
27. Dave Grohl $320 Million
28. Lady Gaga $310 Million
29. Roger Waters $300 Million
30. Eric Clapton $300 Million
31. L. A. Reid $300 Million
32. Dave Mattews $285 Million
33. Justin Beiber $275 Million
34. Dhani Harrison $260 Million
35. Phil Collins $250 Million
36. Tim Rice $250 Million
37. Tina Turner $250 Million
38. Diana Ross $245 Million
39. Rod Stewart $235 Million
40. Justin Timberlake $230 Million
41. Eminem $230 Million
42. Billy Joel $225 Million
43. Ozzy Osbourne $220 Million
44. Brian May $210 Million
45. Don Henley $205 Million
46. Sean Lennon $200 Million
47. Master P $200 Million
48. Roger Taylor $200 Million
49. Tony Bennett $200 Million
50. Don Henley $200 Million
51. George Michael $200 Million
52. Janet Jackson $190 Million
53. Adele $185 Million
54. Usher $180 Million
55. Bob Dylan $180 Million
56. Robert Plant $170 Million
57. Jimmy Page $170 Million
58. Paul Stanley $170 Million
59. John Deacon $170 Million
60. Burt Bacharach $160 Million

Details Of Some Of The Richest Musicians In The World And Their Net Worth

1. Kanye West

Net worth: 2 Billion

Kanye West is an American Rapper who has been able to build upon the huge fame he has gained to create an empire stretching from music, fashion, footwear, and content development. Kanye West was born into a middle class family; when his parents divorced he moved with his mother to China where she got a job to teach English.

Upon his return to America he enrolled in college, but soon dropped out to pursue a career in music. He started out as a producer, and became famous for producing some of Jay Z’s hit songs, some of which he featured on. He then went on to release his first album which was critically acclaimed, and financially successful.

He then established his own record label; Good Music which has been very successful as well. However, it was his design of footwear that catapulted Kanye West to Billionaire status; he designed footwear that has been produced and sold by Adidas and Nike.

Kanye West also has a clothing design company, as well as a content development company.

2. Rihanna

Net worth: 1.4 Billion

Rihanna has come a long way from the lanky beauty singing about an umbrella; she is now a Forbes rated Billionaire! This Barbadian beauty is an epitome of talent, hard work, and patience. She started out on Def Jam, after she was discovered singing in the Barbados.

By 2007 her song Umbrella was a global hit, and she earned a Grammy, thus marking her arrival into the big leagues. From there she has gone on to produce several successful albums and to sell over 250 million records in her lucrative music career.

Rihanna has also established herself as one of the most recognizable faces in music. She has sold out top music arenas, and she has performed with some of the biggest stars in hip hop.

However, it has been her enterprising spirit that has made her a billionaire; Rihanna established Fenty; a fashion house under LVMH. The fashion house made designs which were sold and distributed by LVMH, however the business has been closed.

Rihanna then established Fenty Beauty; a cosmetic brand which makes beauty products for women across a wide range of skin tones. Fenty Beauty has about 200 employees.

3. Jay Z

Net worth: 1.3 Billion

Jay Z may not be the richest musician in the world right now, but he is arguably the most culturally significant musician alive right now. He has been Hover, Rockeffeller, Jigga, Hov and Jay in a career spanning several years. Jay Z has become more than just a rapper; he has become a symbol of what a black man can achieve.

Jay Z was born and raised in New York, and that is reflected in his music. He entered into music in the 80’s but it was in 1995 that he gained a solid footing. He established co-founded the record label Roc-A-Fella Records in 1995 and released his debut studio album Reasonable Doubt in 1996.

He then became CEO of Def Jam Records, and he helped Rihanna, Kanye West, and J Cole reach commercial success.

Jay Z became a billionaire through his business ventures; his empire cuts across music to fashion and clothing, to sports and manufacturing. Jay Z is probably the musician with the most diversified investment and business portfolio, and a symbol of success.

4. Andrew Lloyd Webber

Net worth: 1.2 Billion

Andrew Lloyd Webber is a British composer, musician and impresario. He is a Lord; he is addressed as Baron Lloyd-Webber, or the Right Honourable Baron Lloyd-Webber. Lord Webber has reached the height of music success; many of his songs have been running for decades on both the West End and on Broadway. He has composed 21 musicals, a song cycle, some variations, and a popular Latin Requiem Mass.

Aside from his music production, Lloyd Webber is the president of the Arts Educational Schools, London, a performing arts school located in Chiswick. His company is called the Really Useful Group, and it is one of the largest theatre operators in London. Lloyd Webber also makes a lot of money by granting licenses to other music producers who use his musicals for performances across the country.

5. Paul McCartney

Net worth: $1 Billion

Paul McCartney is a music icon not only in the UK, but around the world. He was the co-lead vocalist, as well as bassist and co song writer for the Beatles; the most successful music band of all time.  Paul McCartney is reputed as one of the most successful composers and performers of all time.

Paul McCartney taught himself to play the piano, as well as songwriting, and by 1957 he joined the music group which would later become The Beatles.

His creativity and unique style soon made him leader of the group, and when The Beatles disbanded, he went on to have an immensely successful career as a recording and performing artiste.

Paul McCartney has sold several million copies of his music, and he has won all kinds of awards. The crowning moment in his career was when he received his Knighthood in 1997.

6. P Diddy

Net worth: 880 Million

His real name is Shawn Combs, and he is a musician, producer, record executive, and businessman. He is one of the richest musicians in the world, even if he may not compare to other musicians on this list in terms of talent. He has been called Diddy, Puff Daddy, Puffy, and P Diddy at various times during his long career.

He started as a talent manager at Uptown Records, before founding his own label Bad Boy Records, in 1993. He had talented artistes such as Mary J Blige, Usher, Mase, and most of all Biggie Smalls AKA Notorious.

P Diddy profited from Notorious, especially from his feud with Tupac, which generated so much controversy, and so much record sales. P Diddy went on to release an album under his own name; it was titled No Way Out. That album generated astronomical sales figures, and has been certified platinum seven times. From there he went on to produce several other commercially successful albums.

As an entrepreneur he founded a clothing line Sean John; the enterprise now includes Fragrances, Clothing, Footwear, and fashion accessories.

7. Herp Albert

Net worth: $850 Million

In the 1960’s Herp Albert and the Tijuana Brass was a famous band. It is not exactly clear what happened to the band, but as a musician Herp Albert has had an immensely successful career; he has sold more than 72 Million records. He co founded A&M Records with Jerry Moss, and that move helped him manage his music and the earnings from his music very efficiently.

Herp Albert has produced 28 albums that have been on the Billboard 200, and 5 of those albums became number 1. 14 of his albums sold platinum, while 15 of them sold gold. He has toured the world; performing in all the famous arenas to sold out crowds.

Herp Albert was lucky to have discovered his talent as a trumpeter and singer on time. He got funding from friends to start his early ventures as a musician, and he tracked them all down, and repaid their kindness out of gratitude.

He has won all kinds of awards, and he received a National Medal of Arts award from President Barack Obama in 2013.

8. Madonna

Net Worth: $850 million

Madonna is so successful that she has had books written about her, and even movies telling her life’s story. Today, she is one of the richest musicians in the world, but most people do not know that her life was a struggle before she attained fame and success as a musician.

Madonna has had a blistering career; some of her songs are priceless pieces of musical genius that will never be forgotten; Frozen, La Isla Bonita, Evita, and Material Girl.

Madonna has sold over 300 million records in her career, and she has performed around the world. She is the best selling female artist in the history of music, and she holds the record for the most number 1 hits by a female musician in Australia, Canada, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

9. Celine Dion

Net Worth: $800 million

Celine Dion is one of the most successful musicians in the world. For one thing she has cemented her place in history with songs that are evergreen, and that will continue to get airplay all over the world. Celine Dion will continue to be remembered for her work in the movie Titanic.

She has sold more than 200 million records during her career; making her one of the best selling artists of all time. Celine Dion is noted for her vocal strength. During the 90’s she was the woman to beat in music; releasing album after album all of which were commercially successful.

Celine Dion is also a savvy business-woman; she is the owner of Feeling Productions; a talent management company based in Quebec, Canada. She also owns Nickels Restaurants food chain. With her husband, she owns Le Mirage Golf Club, and she also owns Schwartz’s Restaurants.   Celine Dion also owns Celine Dion Parfums, and Celine Dion Collection; which is a fashion brand that sells bags and accessories.

10. Dr. Dre

Net Worth: $800 million

His real name is Andre Romelle Young, and he is one of America’s foremost rappers, producers, and record executives. He is now also an entrepreneur.

He started out as a rapper in the 80’s with a group called World Class Wrecking Cru, and then he shifted to a rap group called N.W.A. From there again he went to Death Row Records, and it was there that he saw himself as a producer, and he had the good idea to start his own record label; Aftermath.

Dr. Dre’s musical brilliance is evidenced by the fact that he has sold over 16.5 million records in his career, and that he has produced several progenies that have become commercially, and culturally successful; such as Eminem, 50 Cent, and Kendrick Lamar.

As an entrepreneur Dr Dre founded Beats By Dre also known as Beats Electronics, which was sold to Apple for $3.4 Billion.

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Closing

The richest musicians in the world have first established themselves as successful musicians; earning fabulous amounts from their record sales, and also from tours around the major arenas of the world.

Building upon the fame they have achieved, many of these musicians have been able to start enterprises in Fashion, Technology, Real Estate, Sports, and so many other sectors. This is where the bulk of their money has come from because they are able to generate hundreds of millions of dollars as revenue every year.