Taylor Swift Is the 2016’s Highest-Paid Musician–And She Didn’t Release an Album or Play Any Shows
Tay-tay didn’t release any new music in 2016 nor did she tour but still managed to make $170 million. How?
Royalties from past releases, for one. She wrote songs for Little Big Town and Rihanna, which also brought in big cash. Then there were all the endorsements: Apple, Keds, Diet Coke and so on. It was a very good year.
Forbes has this list of the highest-paid musicians of the year.
1. Taylor Swift ($170 million)
2. One Direction ($110 million)
3. Adele ($80.5 million)
4. Madonna ($76.5 million)
5. Rihanna ($75 million)
6. Garth Brooks ($70 million)
7. AC/DC ($67.5 million)
8. Rolling Stones ($66.5 million)
9. Calvin Harris ($63 million)
10. Diddy ($62 million)
11. Bruce Springsteen ($60.5 million)
12. Paul McCartney ($56.5 million)
13. Justin Bieber ($56 million, tie)
14. Kenny Chesney ($56 million, tie)
15. U2 ($55 million, tie)
16. The Weeknd ($55 million, tie)
17. Beyoncé ($54 million)
18. Jay Z ($53.5 million)
19. Luke Bryan ($53 million)
20. Muse ($49 million)
Correction: Swiftie played exactly one show in 2016…the US Grand Prix