Forbes has revealed its list of the highest-paid musicians of 2025, and The Weeknd reigns supreme with a staggering $298 million — surpassing Taylor Swift and Beyoncé in a record-breaking year for the global music industry
The Weeknd has officially claimed the crown as the world’s highest-paid musician of 2025, according to Forbes. The Canadian superstar earned an incredible $298 million this year, fueled by a landmark deal involving the partial sale of his music catalog to Lyric Capital — a deal reportedly worth close to $1 billion. Despite the sale, The Weeknd retained control of his master recordings, taking home roughly $200 million in net income after taxes.
Beyond his financial triumph, The Weeknd — born Abel Tesfaye — also made creative waves in 2025. He released both the album and companion film Hurry Up Tomorrow, while his global tour became one of the most profitable live events of the decade. Rumors continue to swirl about his possible retirement from “The Weeknd” persona, as the artist signals a new phase of creative reinvention.
In second place, Taylor Swift once again proved why she’s considered the most powerful woman in music. With total earnings of $202 million, Swift made headlines by repurchasing the master recordings of her first six albums from Shamrock Capital for $360 million. Her total sales exceeded expectations, reaching 14.7 million album-equivalent units globally — more than double those of runner-up Drake in overall consumption.
Beyoncé followed closely in third place with $148 million in earnings, officially joining the billionaire club this year. Following the monumental success of her Renaissance Tour, the pop icon solidified her status as a global powerhouse, turning every live show into a cultural event. Her investments in fashion, tech, and entertainment continue to elevate her beyond music — positioning her as one of the most influential businesswomen in the world.
Rounding out the top five are Kendrick Lamar with $109 million and Coldplay, who earned $105 million from their record-breaking world tour. Sharing the same spot, Shakira marked a powerful comeback with her live performances and new releases, also earning $105 million.
The rest of the Forbes list showcases a diverse mix of global talent: Drake ($78M), Chris Brown ($74M), Zach Bryan ($70M), and Bad Bunny ($66M) all posted strong financial years thanks to sold-out tours, endorsement deals, and streaming royalties.
In total, the top 25 highest-paid musicians of 2025 generated a combined $1.9 billion, averaging $52 million per artist — a clear indication that the music business remains one of the most lucrative industries in entertainment. Today’s top artists are not just musicians; they’re multi-platform brands influencing fashion, film, tech, and global culture.
Further down the list, Post Malone earned $62 million, while Ed Sheeran brought in $60 million. Lady Gaga and Billie Eilish tied at $52 million each, followed by Imagine Dragons ($48M) and Dua Lipa ($44M). Veteran acts like Metallica and Linkin Park continued to thrive, each earning tens of millions, proving that legacy bands remain as commercially potent as ever.
In one of the year’s most pleasant surprises, pop favorite Sabrina Carpenter made her debut on the list at No. 23 with $29 million in earnings — a major milestone for the new generation of pop stars. Meanwhile, Andrea Bocelli and Iron Maiden closed out the rankings with $25 million each, representing the timeless appeal of classical and rock music respectively.
The 2025 Forbes ranking reflects an era where music transcends boundaries — blending art, business, and branding into one seamless ecosystem. Whether through catalog sales, mega-tours, or strategic partnerships, the modern musician has become a cultural entrepreneur.
From The Weeknd’s billion-dollar moves to Beyoncé’s business empire and Taylor Swift’s reclaiming of her masters, one thing is certain: in 2025, music didn’t just dominate charts — it dominated the economy.
