In 2025, the world’s top musicians earned a total of $1.9 billion. Leading the pack was The Weeknd, who made an estimated $298 million through a combination of touring, album sales, and a major catalog deal.
The Weeknd, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, sold a stake in his six-album catalog to Lyric Capital. He will keep creative control over the recordings, and Forbes estimates he will earn $200 million from the deal after fees. His sixth studio album, Hurry Up Tomorrow, and the After Hours Til Dawn Tour, which grossed over $1 billion, helped him finish 2025 as the highest-paid musician in the world.
Taylor Swift came in second with $202 million. Her album The Life of a Showgirl broke sales records, and a streaming deal with Disney+ added to her earnings. She also repurchased the masters to her first six albums in a $360 million deal, securing her long-term music rights.
Other top earners included Beyoncé ($148 million), Kendrick Lamar ($109 million), Coldplay ($105 million), and Shakira ($105 million). These artists earned much of their income from touring, with blockbuster shows across the globe.
Forbes‘ Highest-Paid Musicians of 2025
- The Weeknd – $298M
- Taylor Swift – $202M
- Beyoncé – $148M
- Kendrick Lamar – $109M
- Coldplay – $105M
- Shakira – $105M
- Drake – $78M
- Chris Brown – $74M
- Zach Bryan – $70M
- Bad Bunny – $66M
- Post Malone – $62M
- Ed Sheeran – $60M
- Tyler, The Creator – $53M
- Metallica – $53M
- Lady Gaga – $52M
- Billie Eilish – $52M
- Imagine Dragons – $48M
- Dua Lipa – $44M
- Linkin Park – $36M
- SZA – $34M
- Morgan Wallen – $33M
- Bruno Mars – $31M
- Sabrina Carpenter – $29M
- Andrea Bocelli – $25M
- Iron Maiden – $25M
Median earnings for the group were $52 million. Together, they represent both established stars and younger talents, including 15 Forbes 30 Under 30 alumni.
Forbes’ ranking counts only music-related earnings, including album sales, streaming revenue, touring, and publishing deals. It does not include outside businesses. The data was compiled from Pollstar, Luminate, and industry sources.
2025 was a year of milestones in music. With massive tours, record-breaking albums, and high-value catalog deals, many artists are closer than ever to billionaire status. The Weeknd, Beyoncé, and Taylor Swift all reached new financial heights, showing that music remains a powerful source of income for global superstars.
