Perhaps getting to see Phil Collins perform with fans' longtime favorite Genesis last year pushed the British rockers over the top on Forbes' 2022 list of the highest-paid entertainers, but they've had some close competition the whole way through.
Sting, Tyler Perry, Brad Pitt, Taylor Swift, Bad Bunny, and more also made the magazine's top earners list. Check out Forbes' list of The World's 10 Highest-Paid Entertainers right HERE and some of our choice selections below.
Forbes' highly-skilled money counters estimate that the classic British rock group Genesis brought in a whopping $300 million in 2022 after a music rights sale to Concord Music Group, with publishing rights and a selection of recorded music income streams from the band, as well as solo income streams from frontman Phil Collins (including his hit "In The Air Tonight") and bandmates Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford. Income from their farewell The Last Domino? tour rounded out the groups' income.
Sting, as the former frontman for The Police and a seventeen-time GRAMMY winner managed to rake in $300 million before fees after selling his entire musical catalog, solo and otherwise, to Universal Music Group in February. “It’s a good catalog,” one longtime industry attorney tells Forbes regarding the British singer’s work. “Wouldn’t mind owning it.”
"Despite the success of 'Midnights' and the anticipation for 'Eras,'" Forbes notes, Taylor Swift scored most of her $92 million in earnings from previously-released music, with the 33-year-old’s back catalog making up an estimated 70% of her pay. In the end, it was enough to place her at number 9 among the top 10. It's her sixth time on the list, after making it to number 1 in 2019 -- and it should be mentioned, she's the only musician who made it here this year without hitting the road in 2022. Just sayin'.
Bad Bunny has had an incredible year as well, acting in the wild Brad Pitt flick Bullet Train, launching the 28-year-old Puerto Rican rapper and Reggaeton star into homes worldwide following the release of his 2022 hit album Un Verano Sin Ti, and two successful world tours; his El Último Tour Del Mundo arena tour, and The World’s Hottest Tour.
Take a look at the full top ten below...
Here's Forbes’ list of the 10 Highest-Paid Entertainers of 2022:
01. Genesis – $230M
02. Sting – $210M
03. Tyler Perry – $175M
04. Trey Parker & Matt Stone (South Park) – $160M
05. James L. Brooks & Matt Groening (The Simpsons) – $105M
06. Brad Pitt – $100M
07. The Rolling Stones – $98M
08. James Cameron – $95M
09. Taylor Swift – $92M
10. Bad Bunny – $88M
Browse and follow more of Audacy's all-new stations like Sting Radio, Taylor Swift Radio, Phil Collins Radio, Bad Bunny Radio, Classic 70s, 80s Guitar, Rock N’ Road, Freedom Rock, The Canyon, Arena Rock, Wake Up and Rock, and The Roots of Rock for those who crave the early days.
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