As the global music industry closed out 2025 on December 31, Forbes released its highly anticipated year-end ranking of the highest-paid musicians in the world, revealing a combined pre-tax income of nearly $1.9 billion USD among the top earners.

The staggering figure underscored a year of robust growth for the industry, powered largely by blockbuster concert tours, sustained streaming dominance, and increasingly sophisticated catalogue investments.

Live performances emerged as the biggest revenue driver, with artists capitalising on expansive stadium tours, high-demand residencies, and innovative touring models, while streaming and record sales continued to provide steady income for musicians with evergreen catalogues.

The list also reflected growing diversity across the industry, featuring eight female artists among the highest earners and spanning genres from pop, hip-hop, and R&B to country, Latin, and rock. Strategic business moves—particularly partial catalogue sales that preserved creative control—played a major role in boosting artist wealth, highlighting a shift toward sharper, more business-savvy career management.

• The Weeknd Tops the List as World’s Highest-Paid Musician

At the summit of the 2025 rankings sits The Weeknd, who emerged as the highest-paid musician in the world, earning $298 million USD pre-tax. His earnings were anchored by the monumental After Hours Til Dawn Tour, which surpassed $1 billion USD in gross revenue, alongside strong global sales and streaming performance from his hit record Hurry Up Tomorrow.

The Canadian superstar also saw a major boost to his net worth following a landmark $200 million USD catalogue deal with Lyric Capital, a move that allowed him to retain creative control while unlocking immense financial value.

• Taylor Swift and Beyoncé Claim the Top Three

Pop powerhouse Taylor Swift followed closely in second place with $202 million USD, driven by chart-topping album sales from The Life of a Showgirl, a lucrative Disney+ documentary deal, and continued strength from her streaming catalogue.

In third place, Beyoncé earned $148 million USD, largely fueled by her record-breaking Cowboy Carter Tour, which grossed $407.6 million USD across a unique 32-show mini-residency format. The tour became the highest-grossing country tour in Billboard Boxscore history and the fastest to surpass $400 million USD.

The Highest-Paid Musicians of 2025 (According to Forbes): pic.twitter.com/Jn5ocX9yfH

— Pop Core (@TheePopCore) December 31, 2025

• Competitive Middle and Strong Finish

The middle of the top 10 proved fiercely competitive. Kendrick Lamar ranked fourth with $109 million USD, boosted by his headline appearance at the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show, watched by 133.5 million viewers, and the success of his 2025 album GNX. His joint Grand National Tour with SZA also contributed significantly, grossing $358.7 million USD.

Coldplay and Shakira tied in fifth and sixth place with $105 million USD each, powered respectively by extended legs of the Music of the Spheres World Tour and Shakira’s massively successful Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour.

Drake finished seventh with $78 million USD, largely from relentless streaming success. The Canadian rapper closed 2025 as Spotify’s most-streamed rapper, pulling in 17.6 billion streams, narrowly surpassing his own 2023 record.

Rounding out the list were Chris Brown at eighth with $74 million USD, driven by the Breezy Bowl XX Stadium World Tour; Zach Bryan in ninth with $70 million USD, blending touring with catalogue deals; and global Latin icon Bad Bunny, who placed tenth with $66 million USD, fueled by massive streaming numbers and a successful residency in Puerto Rico.

Top 10 Highest-Paid Musicians of 2025 (Forbes)

1. The Weeknd – $298 million
2. Taylor Swift – $202 million
3. Beyoncé – $148 million
4. Kendrick Lamar – $109 million
5. Coldplay – $105 million
6. Shakira – $105 million
7. Drake – $78 million
8. Chris Brown – $74 million
9. Zach Bryan – $70 million
10. Bad Bunny – $66 million

Beyond the numbers, the 2025 rankings reflect an industry increasingly driven by global touring power, digital consumption, and strategic ownership—marking a defining era where musicians are not just cultural icons, but formidable business forces.

The year’s top artists—including Taylor Swift, Bad Bunny and The Weeknd—drummed up a collective $1.9 billion in the past 12 months. And one of them became a billionaire.

See the full list: https://t.co/w0al1frCSx (Illustration by KLAWE RZECZY for Forbes; Photos by Kate… pic.twitter.com/WBpXg0BitK

— Forbes (@Forbes) December 30, 2025

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Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal has made history by breaking into Forbes’ top 10 highest-paid footballers of 2025, joining an elite list dominated by some of the game’s biggest global icons.

At just 18 years old, Yamal’s inclusion marks a stunning ascent both on and off the pitch. The young winger, who enjoyed a breakout 2024/25 season with Barcelona, now earns a reported $43 million annually, placing him 10th on Forbes’ latest list and making him the youngest footballer ever to feature among the sport’s top earners.

Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to reign supreme financially. The 40-year-old Portuguese superstar tops the rankings for the second consecutive year with an astounding $280 million in earnings, driven by his record-breaking contract extension with Al Nassr and his vast global endorsement portfolio. Ronaldo also remains on course to hit the 1,000 career goals milestone, underscoring his enduring dominance.

Lionel Messi sits in second place with $130 million, largely fueled by lucrative partnerships with Adidas, Lay’s, and Mastercard, as well as the launch of his own sports drink brand. Karim Benzema, now at Al Ittihad, takes the third spot with $104 million, while Kylian Mbappé ($95 million) and Erling Haaland ($80 million) complete the top five.

But all eyes are on Yamal, the new face of Barcelona’s future. His dazzling performances, including 18 goals and 25 assists last season, helped the Catalan giants capture a domestic treble (La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Spanish Super Cup). His heroics for Spain’s Euro 2024-winning side only cemented his superstar status.

Off the field, Yamal’s marketability has skyrocketed. In addition to Adidas, Konami, and Powerade, he recently signed a major endorsement deal with Beats by Dre, boosting his commercial value. Barcelona rewarded his impact with a new contract running until 2031 and handed him the iconic No. 10 jersey once worn by Lionel Messi, symbolising a generational passing of the torch.

Here’s Forbes’ list of the 10 highest-paid footballers in 2025:

1️⃣ Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr) – $280 million
2️⃣ Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) – $130 million
3️⃣ Karim Benzema (Al Ittihad) – $104 million
4️⃣ Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid) – $95 million
5️⃣ Erling Haaland (Manchester City) – $80 million
6️⃣ Vinícius Jr (Real Madrid) – $60 million
7️⃣ Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) – $55 million
8️⃣ Sadio Mané (Al Nassr) – $54 million
9️⃣ Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) – $44 million
🔟 Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) – $43 million

From La Masia prodigy to global powerhouse, Lamine Yamal’s rise reflects football’s new era, where teenage talent can rival legends in both performance and pay.

The World’s Highest-Paid Soccer Players 2025 https://t.co/20jsp6aLxQ

— Forbes (@Forbes) October 16, 2025

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Forbes magazine and certain of its regional editions publish a list of people under 30 every year called “Forbes 30 Under 30.”

These people who make the lists on Forbes, annually, represent the newest self-made young African innovators with several winnings and awards to their names.

In light of this, Mp3bullet has put together a list of Nigerian artistes who have appeared on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list since its inception.

Nigerian Artistes Who Have Appeared On Forbes 30 Under 30  In 2018

Yemi Alade

Singer, Yemi Alade had one of the hottest i. She is able to reach much of the world with her songs by singing in English, French, Swahili, Portuguese, and Pidgin English. Her hit single, Johnny has amassed over 100 million streams on YouTube – making her one of the few Nigerian artistes to achieve such a feat.

She has received many honors, including two MTV Africa Awards. She performs and sings songs that tell African stories all around the world.

Falz

Rapper, Falz has had his fame spring up since 2014 with the release of his single, ‘Marry Me’. He followed through with releasing his debut album, ‘Wazup Guy’.  As a result of Marry Me, he was nominated for a 2015 Nigeria Entertainment Awards ‘Best Collaboration of the Year’ award. He accepted the 2016 BET International Viewers’ Choice Award. Likewise, he has made several film and television appearances. He founded Bahd Guys Records as well.

Davido

Broke out in 2011 with Dami Duro, Davido is one of Nigeria’s Afrobeats leading singer whose impact cannot be undermined. He followed through with his debut album, Omo Baba Olowo (OBO) in 2012 and since then, been at the top of his game.

Davido was listed in 2018 as one of the fortunate Nigerians to grace the Forbes list.

Taking a swipe at his achievements, Davido has won several awards including, BET Award for “Best African Act,” and nominated at different times,  two MTV Africa Music Awards. Additionally, he has collaborated with MTN, Guinness, Unilever, and has millions of YouTube views. In addition to touring the globe, Davido has worked with Young Thug, Future, Trey Songz, Rae Sremmurd and many more.

Wizkid

In 2018, Wizkid also had his name encrypted in the list of Forbes 20 Under 30 African leading youths. An insight into his already-blossomed career could testify to a well-deserved recognition.

Being a leading Afrobeats singer, Big Wiz had produced Drake’s One Dance tune, which topped the Hot 100, secured a multi-album deal with Sony Music International, and bagged a Pepsi ambassadorship. He has won numerous accolades, including the MTV Europe Music Award for Best Worldwide Act and the BET Award for Best International Act Africa in 2012. One of the most recent ones is his Grammy win in 2021 and another nomination in 2022.

Nigerian Artistes Who Have Appeared On Forbes 30 Under 30  In 2019

Burna Boy

The self-acclaimed African giant gained popularity after the 2012 release of his breakthrough track, “Like to Party.”

He has since evolved in his style and delivery and released hit after hit every year. Dangote, Ye, On the Low, Soke, and Hallelujah are a few global hits that have each amassed over three million YouTube views.

Among the many prizes, he recently garnered four at the Soundcity MVP prizes Festival. He has also won Best Album of the Year and Best Pop Artist of the Year at the Nigerian Entertainment Awards in 2015.

To add his awards, he secured a Grammy for himself and has since dominated the charts and airplay with his music.

In 2019, Burna was the only Nigerian artiste to appear on the Forbes 30 under 30 list.

Nigerian Artistes Who Have Appeared On Forbes 30 Under 30  In 2020

Cuppy

Florence Ifeoluwa Otedola popularly known as Cuppy was expected by many to carry on her family’s oil business and become an oil dealer.

Since the day she was born, her life had been predetermined. She pursued a degree in economics and management while tapping her feet to the music.

Prior to her name being listed, she had won a number of awards including the Best Female DJ at the Beatz Awards in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019. This year, she has been nominated for a Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Award.

Mr Eazi

In a similar vein, Mr Eazi secured his spot in 2020 as one of the young aspiring founders in Africa.  In 2018, he embarked on a worldwide initiative to mentor and support African artists by establishing emPawa Africa.

Established artists like Ghana’s King Promise and Nigeria’s Simi have benefited from the entity’s marketing and business assistance.

Additionally, emPawa played a significant role in assisting Beyonce’s US-based team in assembling top African talent for the Grammy-nominated The Lion King: The Gift album.

Patoranking

Joined with Cuppy and Eazi, Patoranking, Nigerian’s leading dancehall singer was the third of the artistes to secure a slot in the 30 Under 30 list.

For the popular song My Woman, My Everything, featuring Wande Coal, he was also given the MTV Africa Song of the Year award in 2016.

Patoranking won the Best African Artist honor at the South African Music Awards (SAMA) the following year and appeared on the 2018 hit song Particula by Major Lazer with Nasty C, Jidenna, and Ice Prince.

He joined American singer and songwriter Lauryn Hill on her 20th-anniversary tour of North America for her album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill the same year as a special guest.

 Nigerian Artistes Who Have Appeared On Forbes 30 Under 30  In 2021

Rema

In 2021, Divine Ikubor popularly known as Rema joined the list of Nigerians in the Forbes list. Rema inked a record deal with Mavin Records’ subsidiary Jonzing World in 2019. He gained notoriety after his song “Iron Man” was released and included in Barack Obama’s summer 2019 playlist.

His popularity spawned across Africa, Asia and Europe –  making him one of Nigeria’s sought-after young in back in his early days.

In 2019, he secured his spot as the Next Rated Headies Award winner and was nominated in 2020 for the BET Viewers Choice.

 Nigerian Artistes Who Have Appeared On Forbes 30 Under 30  In 2023

Tems

In the ninth African edition of the Forbes 30 Under 30, which held its summit at Garbone, Botswana from the 23rd of April  to the 26th of April, two Nigerian artistes made their ways into the list.

Tems, the first has had a spawning global buzz since her hook on Wizkid’s Essence emerged in 2020. Since the surge in fame, Tems has bagged several local and global award nominations and even won herself a Grammy of recent.

Ayra Starr

Being the theme focus of Mavin’s current female recording act, Ayra’s Bloody Samaritan was one solid way to ignite her fame and music career.

Like her counterpart, Tems, Starr has been a splendid force in the keep and widespread of Afrobeats and to be honest, she deserves every great recognition coming her way.

She was the second Nigerian singer to be named on the Forbes 30 Under 30 African list.

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Lynn Forbes penned Nadia Nakai a heartfelt letter. AKA and Nadia had a lovely loving relationship, and his passing devastated many of the family members.

Lynn Forbes thanked Bragga on Instagram for loving her baby before he passed away.

“Love is not a reason to tolerate disrespect @nadianakai I am forever indebted to you for the way you love and respect my son to this day. You showed him what real love and respect are and you brought out the absolute best in him,” she kicked off her note.

Glammy claimed that Forbes, also known as Kiernan, received and gave a lot of love and affection before he passed away.

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“Kiernan was born with love, raised in love, and gave love to so many and all he wanted in return was to be loved and respected in the same way. You gave that to him and he died surrounded by love. Thank you”

Lynn Forbes went on to call their relationship “real love.”

“I don’t think most people understand what true love is.  It’s not the cheesy “couple goals” posts for Instagram. It’s not the fancy dates, the happy hours, or the majestic nights laughing at silly movies.  True love is waking up in the middle of the night to help you when you’re sick because I don’t want you to be sick alone. It’s being your shoulder to cry on, to vent to. True love is being your biggest cheerleader and toughest critic.  True love is looking at each other on a spiritual level, a level so deep, that you can feel them when they’re gone.  True love is six little words, “no matter what, I got you. ~ Sylvester McNutt,” she concluded.

 

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