Forbes confirms its annual list of the highest-paid musicians of the year and it won't surprise many that Taylor Swift topped the list in the survey. The 1989 star made a whopping $170 million in 2016, the magazine reports.
Swift is a savvy businesswoman, but Forbes's list, like the axis of the the earth itself, is tilted in her favor. The magazine tallied earnings from June 1, 2015 to June 1, 2016, a period including almost all of Swift's 1989 World Tour dates, but only a third of Beyoncé's "Formation World Tour" and just the first three months of Bieber's massive "Purpose World Tour." In addition to record sales, streaming revenue, and royalties, Swift also profited from top-shelf endorsement deals with Keds, Coca-Cola, and Apple.
One Direction came in second after raking in the dough with their on the "Road Again" tour prior to their separation and various solo projects. The group has become the highest-earning boy band of all time with $110 million. Adele rounds out the top three with $80.5 million.
Madonna came in at No. 4 with $76.5 million and Rihanna landed at No. 5 with $75 million, following the release of "Anti and Her Tour."
Concert ticket sales helped artists like AC/DC ($67.5 million), the Rolling Stones ($66.5 million), and Bruce Springsteen ($60.5 million), while new albums and hit singles brought in returns for the likes of The Weeknd ($55 million) and Justin Bieber ($56 million).
If you're wondering why Beyoncé isn't higher up (she came in at No. 17 with $54 million), it's because Forbes' list totals income made between June 1, 2015 and June 1, 2016 prior to taxes and management fees. Though Beyoncé released "Lemonade" in April, most of her tour dates took place after the deadline.
Even without new music under her own name, she's raking in royalties from songs co-written for Harris, country group Little Big Town, and possibly Kings of Leon. Taylor Swift is set for several lifetimes if she retires tomorrow, an idea she should perhaps consider before making an "Urban Record".
