UPDATE: Forbes has just released its list of the highest-paid musicians for 2025, revealing that The Weeknd tops the chart with an astonishing $298 million in earnings. Taylor Swift follows closely behind, raking in $202 million this year.
This urgent news highlights significant financial success stories in the music industry, with major implications for fans and investors alike. The figures reflect not only concert revenues but also lucrative deals, including Swift’s partnership with Disney+ for content related to her blockbuster tour, the “Eras Tour.”
In a groundbreaking move, The Weeknd, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, secured a deal with Lyric Capital for his music catalog valued at approximately $1 billion. This agreement, however, does not involve a traditional sale; he retains a stake in his existing master recordings, which span six albums, and maintains creative control. This arrangement is projected to net him around $200 million after fees.
Forbes notes that The Weeknd’s income has surged from a combination of impressive tour earnings, album sales, and this recent catalog deal. He is one of six artists who crossed the $100 million threshold this year, alongside Beyoncé, Coldplay, Shakira, and Kendrick Lamar.
Swift’s earnings are bolstered by her recent album release, “The Life of a Showgirl,” and her Disney+ contract, estimated at around $80 million. Additionally, she successfully concluded a long-standing dispute by purchasing the master rights to her first six albums from Shamrock Capital for approximately $360 million.
Here are the top earning musicians of 2025 according to Forbes:
1. **The Weeknd** – **$298 million**
– Released “Hurry Up Tomorrow” in January, with his “After Hours Til Dawn” tour grossing over **$1 billion**. Estimated earnings from 40 concerts this year stand at around **$77 million**.
2. **Taylor Swift** – **$202 million**
– Launched her 12th studio album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” in October 2025. Her Disney+ deal greatly contributed to her earnings.
3. **Beyoncé** – **$148 million**
– The “Cowboy Carter Tour” grossed **$407.6 million** over 32 concerts. This year also marked her milestone as a billionaire.
4. **Kendrick Lamar** – **$109 million**
– Following his halftime performance at Super Bowl LIX, he embarked on the “Grand National Tour” with SZA, grossing **$358.7 million**.
5. **Coldplay** – **$105 million**
– Continued their “Music of the Spheres” tour, nearing **$1.5 billion** in total gross revenues.
6. **Shakira** – **$105 million**
– Her “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran” tour achieved **$327.4 million** in gross revenue.
7. **Drake** – **$78 million**
– Earnings derived from his Australian and New Zealand tour alongside streaming and promotional appearances.
8. **Chris Brown** – **$74 million**
– Kicked off the year with a Grammy win and wrapped up his “The Breezy Bowl XX” stadium tour.
9. **Zac Bryan** – **$70 million**
– Signed with Warner Records, contributing to his revenue from music sales and the “Quittin’ Time” tour.
10. **Bad Bunny** – **$66 million**
– Celebrated as the most streamed artist on Spotify for the fourth consecutive year, earning significantly from his concert residency in Puerto Rico.
These figures underscore the financial landscape of the music industry in 2025, with artists leveraging tours and strategic partnerships to achieve unprecedented levels of earnings. As the music scene evolves, fans can expect these artists to continue shaping the industry landscape in the years to come.
Stay tuned for more updates on the highest-paid musicians and what their earnings mean for the entertainment industry.
