Have you ever wondered just how wealthy the world’s richest musicians are? From country to rap and every genre between, the top 25 for this year might surprise you. Check the list below to see if your favorite musician makes the cut for 2021.
Top 25 Richest Musicians in the World in 2021
This list has been compiled from various sources of the web such as Forbes, RollingStone, Biography, etc.
These are the 25 richest musicians in the world.
25. Johnny Mathis – $400 million
To kick off our list, we’ve got Johnny Mathis, a crooner if ever there was one. With a sound influenced by Nat King Cole and Bing Crosby, he’s known for his romantic and soulful tunes that are sure to swoon the socks off all the ladies.
He got his start singing and dancing for visitors to his home, school functions, at church, and later in clubs. And after his appearance on The Ed Sullivan show, Mathis’ popularity began to skyrocket.
He was nominated for a variety of awards and was finally inducted to the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998 for his 1957 single “It’s Not for Me to Say.”
24. Shania Twain – $400 million
Next on our list is the talented Canadian singer and songwriter born Eilleen Regina Edwards, none other than the popular Shania Twain. With a net worth of $400 million and over 100 million records sold, Twain remains the best-selling female artist in country music history.
While her parents struggled to make ends meet as she grew up, music remained an outlet of hope. She worked hard to take care of herself and her siblings and never gave up on making a name for herself in music.
23. Taylor Swift – $400 million
With her first record deal signed at only 15 years old, Taylor Swift has definitely made a name for herself in the music industry. Her songs are often centered around her personal life and the trials of shifting from the teenage years into adulthood.
Her most recent album ‘Folklore’ remains number 1 on the Billboard 200 for the fourth week in a row. And her Swifties (fans) aren’t going to let that change anytime soon. At only 30 years old, Swift is one of the best-selling music artists of all time.
22. Jennifer Lopez – $400 million
Most well known as JLo, the next musician on our list is the multi-talented Jennifer Lopez. JLo pursued a career in acting before making a name in music and became the first Latin actress to earn over $1 million for a film.
She released her debut studio album in 1999 and brought a Latin pop flair to American music that quickly gained popularity.
And she became the first woman to have a number-one album and film in the same week with the release of her second studio album J. Lo and her romantic comedy The Wedding Planner.
As an actor, singer, designer, producer, and businesswoman, Lopez has earned fame for a number of her ventures.
21. Beyonce – $400 million
You cannot think of strong, self-made women without Queen B, Beyonce Knowles, coming to mind. During the late 1990s, Knowles rose to fame as the lead singer of the all-girl group Destiny’s Child.
But when the group took a hiatus, she decided to pursue a solo career. And today she is one of the world’s best-selling music artists with multi-platinum records and a variety of Grammy Awards to her name.
Often praised for her incredible range and vocal power, Knowles is a powerhouse singer who will remain at the top for years to come.
20. Sting – $400 million
Next on our list is Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner, a man better known by his stage name Sting. He got his start as the lead singer and songwriter for The Police, but decided to launch a solo career in 1985. And since then, Sting has gained popularity and collaborated with other popular musicians from a variety of genres.
Just last year his song ‘Every Breath You Take’ received a BMI Award for becoming the most played song in radio history. And chances are the song is now stuck in your head.
19. Jon Bon Jovi – $410 million
As a man deemed “one of the most powerful and influential people in the music business”, it’s no surprise to find John Francis Bongiovi Jr aka Jon Bon Jovi on our list. He began playing music at the age of 13, playing guitar and piano for his first band, Raze. But he is best known as the founder and frontman of the rock band Bon Jovi.
People magazine gave him the title of “Sexiest Rock Star.” So maybe it is you, Mr. Bon Jovi, who gives love a bad name.
18. Victoria Beckham – $450 million
While she may not spice up your life any longer, Victoria Beckham still claims the next spot on our list because she made her start as a musician. Beckham was a part of the popular girl group of the 1990s called the Spice Girls.
Nicknamed Posh Spice by the media, she later became an internationally recognized fashion designer and style icon. And after the Spice Girls split, Beckham signed with Virgin Records and released four UK Top 10 singles on her self-titled solo album.
17. Bruce Springsteen – $500 million
Known for his rock albums and folk music, Bruce Springsteen comes in at number 17 on our list. While he may have started with a guitar that cost $18.95, he has come a long way in his five-decade long career.
His lyrics are socially conscious and often portray the struggles of the average working American. Springsteen was one of the most successful rock figures of the 1980s and still puts on one heck of an energetic performance even today.
16. Emilio & Gloria Estefan – $500 million
Some reports put them at $500 million each, while others report that net worth combined. Either way, the Estefans belong on our list. This Cuban-American power couple met at a wedding where they performed separately.
Emilio was so impressed with Gloria’s performance, she was invited to join his group, the Miami Latin Boys. They changed their name to Miami Sound Machine and began to grow in popularity in the US and around the world. They got married in 1978 and have been building each other up ever since. Talk about relationship goals.
15. Sir Elton John – $500 million
The Rocketman himself, Sir Elton Hercules John, comes in at number 15. While his father tried to steer him toward a more conventional career, John’s love for music could not be tamed. His elaborate costumes and stage performances were a way for John to let loose after a sheltered upbringing.
Today he is one of best-selling music artists in the world and has received numerous awards for the 30 albums he has produced with his lyricist partner, Bernie Taupin.
14. Jimmy Buffett – $560 million
We’re taking a trip to Margaritaville to take in the island life with Jimmy Buffett who is up next on our list. While he may have started on the trombone in school, we’re happy he decided to pick up that guitar and bring us the music we know today.
He started by busking random tourists in New Orleans. After a busking adventure to Key West, he decided to move there and began establishing that chill beach persona he is known for.
13. Rihanna – $600 million
Born in Barbados as Robyn Rihanna Fenty, our next self-made woman and richest musician is none other than Rihanna. After dealing with an abusive father, she moved to the United States in 2005. Her first two albums were influenced by Caribbean music and with them, she quickly made a name for herself.
As she rose in fame, she began to incorporate more pop, dance, and R&B into her music. Rihanna has received countless awards for her music and is regarded as one of the most influential people in the world.
12. Dolly Parton – $600 million
The multi-talented, blonde bombshell Dolly Parton comes up next at $600 million net worth. While her early success came through writing songs for others, she made her debut album in 1967. Her popularity and success rose throughout the 70s and into the 80s.
Parton is best known for her work in country music with 44 career Top 10 country albums, an impressive feat no matter the genre.
11. Julio Iglesias – $600 million
Also coming in at $600 million is a Spanish singer-songwriter, Julio Iglesias. After an accident left Iglesias unable to continue playing football (soccer) professionally, a nurse gave him a guitar to help improve dexterity and healing.
As he learned to play, he discovered his natural musical talent. And now he has sold more than 100 million records worldwide in 14 languages and has been celebrated as the most popular international artist in various countries.
10. Bono – $700 million
Born Paul David Hewson, our next musician is better known by his stage name, Bono. Raised in Ireland, Bono formed the band U2 with classmates. Many of their songs focus on personal experience and the loss of his mother.
Bono is known for his benefit concerts and social activism, both as a part of U2 and as an individual. If there’s a musician that comes to mind when thinking of philanthropic efforts, it’s definitely Bono.
9. Celine Dion – $800 million
The countdown begins as we are now in the top ten. Number nine brings us the one and only Celine Dion. She achieved much of her fame during the 1990s after releasing several best-selling English-language albums.
She mainly records in English and French but is also known for singing in Spanish, Italian, German, Latin, Japanese, and Mandarin Chinese. There’s a reason Dion remains the best-selling Canadian recording artist.
8. Dr Dre – $820 million
Known by the world as Dr Dre, Andre Romelle Young began his career as a member of the World Class Wreckin’ Cru in 1985. He later joined the rap group N.W.A. where he rose in popularity due to their controversial and explicit lyrics which detailed the violence of life on the streets.
In the 2000s, he shifted his focus to producing other artists. And today he continues to build his empire in acting, producing, and through his brand Beats Electronics.
7. Herb Alpert – $850 million
A surprising musician in our top ten is Herb Alpert, a name not heard commonly today. Alpert is an American trumpeter and was the frontman for Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass during the 60s.
He was born into a family of musicians and joined the United States Army after high school and performed at military ceremonies. The only musician to hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart as both an instrumentalist and vocalist, Alpert is very deserving of his spot on this list.
6. Madonna – $850 million
The “Queen of Pop” lands herself at number 6. Born Madonna Louise Ciccone, this versatile woman is best known as her stage name Madonna. She began by moving to New York City to pursue a career in modern dance.
She then signed with Sire Records in 1982 and increased her popularity with roles in various films. Today Madonna is the most successful solo artist in Billboard’s Hot 100 chart history.
She is often reinventing her music and the way she is portrayed, bringing new meaning to her hit song ‘Like a Virgin.’
5. P. Diddy – $885 million
Our next musician is known by several names. You may know him as Sean John Combs, Puff Daddy, P. Diddy, Diddy, or Puffy. Combs started his career as an intern at New York’s Uptown Records. In the late 90s he gained popularity as Puff Daddy.
After being accused of watering down his hip hop and some assault allegations, he rebranded himself as P. Diddy in 2001. Today he prefers going by Puffy after another rebranding, though to some he will always be Puff Daddy.
4. Jay-Z – $1 billion
The last four on our list have broken into the billions with their claim to fame. First up is Shawn Corey Carter, aka Jay-Z. He grew up in the housing projects in New York and was known around the neighborhood as Jazzy for his freestyling.
He adopted the stage name Jay-Z as an homage to Jaz-O, his mentor. Jay-Z began his professional music career in 1995 when he founded the record label Roc-A-Fella Records.
He is known for his rap albums and collaborations with other musicians such as Kanye and his wife, Beyonce. And he has received a total of 22 Grammy Awards, the most held by any rapper.
3. Andrew Lloyd Webber – $1.2 billion
While it may strike you as odd to find his name on our list, Andrew Lloyd Webber definitely deserves a spot in our top three. He is an English composer who has most notably composed 21 musicals and two film scores.
And several of his musicals have run for more than a decade on Broadway and in London, which is quite the feat when you think about how quickly humans move from one thing to the next.
2. Paul McCartney – $1.2 billion
No list would be complete without Paul McCartney, co-lead vocalist of The Beatles. The partnership he created with John Lennon continues to be one of the most successful in history. The Beatles grew in fame very quickly during the 60s.
And in the 70s, McCartney decided to pursue a solo career in music, which only continued to increase his fame. He will forever be known for his eclectic style and incredible vocal range.
1. Kanye West – $1.3 billion
While he may have claimed to be a billionaire for several years before it was true, Kanye West finally broke into the billionaire club in 2020 and has landed on our list as the number one richest musician.
While he is known for his controversial views and outspoken nature, there’s no denying he’s made a name for himself in the music world as an American rapper with a plethora of accolades. Congrats, Yeezy.
Top 25 Richest Musicians in the World (Rankings)
Final Words
Did your favorite musician make the cut? While sources aren’t always exact when it comes to celebrity net worth, the folks on this list have worked hard to build a brand for themselves and a lasting legacy for years to come.
Who knows, maybe your pick will climb the charts in 2021. Who is your favorite musician? Comment down below!
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Hi, I am Kunika and as you can guess, I love numbers. I started Browsed Magazine to share interesting numbers behind celeb’s net worth, the most expensive stuff around, and top lists that’ll take you in for a surprise.