BY: GURU JAY
Top 20 Highest Paid Solo Music Artists REVEALED
Photo By: Wikimedia Commons
I listen to music everyday. My music taste is very flavorful. Music means everything to me.
Do you like a nice variety of songs? Or do you only listen to Country or Heavy Metal exclusively? Leave a comment.
Besides being universal, music is also lucrative. This article will shed some light on the state of music. You’ll clearly see how popularity is not profitability.
Country Music artists get paid a premium. Do you know why? It’s because Country has less competition.
So it isn’t surprising that the highest paid musicians belong to the Country genre. Think about it. Although Pop appeals to the masses, Country follows the money.
Taylor Swift wasn’t a high school cheerleader but she is cheerful. She sings with a perfect pitch and a clear tone. But does she deserve the most dollars?
My initial thought was that Katy Perry was #1. To my surprise, she didn’t even make the list. Neither did Lady Gaga. Back to my point, popularity is not profitability.
If you want to cash in on your fame, don’t follow the accolades. Follow the money. Look at John Mayer.
John Mayer is not as famous as Drake or Nicki Minaj. But, John Boy makes $10 million per year. Where do Drake and Nicki rank on the money list? They don’t.
The moral of the story is that numbers can be misleading. The only real numbers that matter are the ones after a ($) dollar sign.
Kenny Chesney has 2 million Twitter followers. Jennifer Lopez (JLo) has 29 million followers. Guess what? Chesney is the second highest paid music artist. What does that tell you?
I don’t sugarcoat. And, I don’t pander celebrities. I’m not a lawyer. I am an accountant.
Dollars don’t lie. Kenny Chesney makes $33 million per year. JLo earns less than $9 million as a musician.
I wrote an article comparing Justin Timberlake and JLo. I found out that my followers love Justin to death. Well, wouldn’t you know JT earns $31 million annually?
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Photo By: Wikimedia Commons
Longevity pays dividends. #20 Elton John and #19 Jimmy Buffett show you why. They are from the ‘show me’ state.
You must think in terms of the long run. Sticking around is good. Don’t make the mistake of retiring too soon.
Celine Dion is still relevant at #15. Her greatest hit ‘My Heart Will Go On’ is top 10 all time. Beautiful music is internationally recognized. There is no need for translation.
You have to love making music. The highest paid artists are the most productive. I identify with Justin Timberlake because he seems to understand the way the entertainment world works.
Most musicians have a lopsided view of the industry. Show business is cutthroat because so many artists are sticking their necks out for an unclean shave. You should look in the mirror to shave, or just grow a full beard.
Photo By: Wikimedia Commons
The former Destiny’s Child lead singer is irreplaceable as a solo music artist. She makes over $24 million. Beyoncé is on demand.
There’s been so much speculation about her marriage to Jay Z. Will they divorce? I think it’s imminent.
The majority of divorces end due to financial reasons. Jay Z is the 11th highest paid solo artist. There’s likely some jealously considering the competitive nature of both Rap and Hip-Hop.
His protégé Rihanna is the 13thhighest paid singer. The Barbados babe is prolific but she is not very productive.
Even though she is my third favorite pop star. I feel she has room for improvement. Rihanna Vevo is the #1 YouTube channel. And yet, she isn’t a top 10 earner.
If Rihanna is smart she’ll realize that singing less can make her more money. Of all the artists, Rihanna has the most potential. Plus she is already a superstar!
Pink is the 6th highest earning solo music artist. Why is Pink so high on the list? It’s because she is unique.
It’s not a big secret that eccentric stars earn the big bucks. Elton John has played this game for years. Just like there’s only one Elton, there is only one Pink.
Michael Bublé is successful because he has a monopoly on Christmas music. He saw an opportunity and went in headfirst. Now his name is synonymous with XMAS carols.
The key to the entertainment business is to find your niche. It’s that simple. If you’re the best, you don’t have to worry. Just wait for the paycheck to arrive.
Paul McCartney is #14; and, Kenny Chesney is second. Both gentlemen are living legends. Paul is to Rock and Roll what Kenny is to Country Music.
If you really want to hear true genius, you might have to play an old record. The best music periods are the ‘60s and ‘70s. The ‘80s were also a great time in music.
State of Music
The state of music is fragile. On the one hand, the singing is top notch. On the other hand, the lyrics are crappy.
Today’s music lacks a message. In the words of Paul McCartney, I believe in Yesterday. The corporatization of music is in full effect.
I support Vevo because it delivers excellent content. But, Vevo is a prime example of corporate culture. And so, there’s a tradeoff.
I blame the singers/songwriters. It’s the new normal for many musicians to write their own songs. In the past, this was very rare.
Nothing will change until the songwriters take back their craft. It’s cheaper to have singers write their own songs. And, that’s why the songs sound cheap. It’s easy to reverse this course.
I’m not saying don’t let singers write. All I am saying is to let the songwriters do their jobs. The best songwriters can’t sing a lick.
As you can see, technology has drastically changed the way music is heard. Despite the initial concerns, music artists are living the good life. You can make a fortune if you are gifted and talented.
You can really do well with Country. Two words: Taylor Swift!
