The 12 Highest Paid DJs of 2014: Forbes Annual Ranking
IT’S OFFICIAL, FORBES LISTING OF THE HIGHEST PAID DJS IN 2014 IS FINALLY PUBLISHED FOR THE REST OF US TO ENVY.
Every year Forbes Online Outlet releases a list of the 12 wealthiest DJs (i.e. Electronic Cash Kings) who brought in the most money this year.
The process of Forbes evaluation draws data from several sources, such as live performances, merchandise profits, endorsements, record sales, miscellaneous business ventures, and even verified numbers from the artists themselves. The data for the 2014 list has been collected from June 1, 2013 to June 1, 2014.
You can read below to see who exactly made the list and the results might surprise you! Some names are obviously expected to be included while other artists I personally contest the inclusion of.
1. Calvin Harris – $66 Million
Calvin Harris is the world’s wealthiest DJ and there is no denying this fact. He is paid over double the next highest amount at a jaw dropping 66 million dollars. Throughout Forbes process of evaluation, Harris played over 125 shows, which included everything from headlining festivals to residing at America’s largest club, Hakkasan, located in Las Vegas. He owes his popularity to his radio friendly singles and collaborations with artists such as Rihanna and Ke$ha.
2. David Guetta – $30 Million
The inclusion of electronic music’s biggest phoney is definitely debatable. For the sake of Forbes authenticity, it is understandable why Guetta is included because he makes the second highest amount of money as an electronic musician. Yet this does not fit the criteria of the highest paid DJs; David Guetta is not a DJ. His profits are a result of a weekly residency in Ibiza and control of radio friendly pop songs with singers such as Rihanna, Britney Spears, and Lady Gaga.
3. Avicii – $28 Million
Avicii had his most successful year yet because of his debut album True, which gained world wide popularity. The genre cross over seemed to appeal to the musical interests of the masses, as several songs from the album were repeatedly played on countless radio stations.
The album single, “Wake Me Up”, is the first ever electronic track to sell over four million units in the United States alone.
Unfortunately for the 24 year old DJ, touring and partying in a nonstop lifestyle can have negative effects and he took some time off earlier this year because he became seriously ill on the road.
He managed to play over 80 shows this year where he drew in six figure sums each performance.
4. Tiesto – $28 Million
Tiesto is essentially tied for third place with Avicii, yet played more performances this year going over 100 shows. The 45 year old Dutch DJ is well known among anyone slightly familiar with electronic music because he has been integrated into scene for so long now.
Recently Tiesto has moved his residency to Las Vegas’s monstrous nightclub Hakkasan. Most DJs now find residencies in Vegas clubs where competition has become fierce for bookings and one performance can earn a DJ six figure profits.
5. Steve Aoki – $23 Million
Not surprisingly enough is the overtly famous Steve Aoki. This is the second name that I am conflicted to see in Forbes list because Aoki is no DJ and thus is questionable for his position in the ranking. His shows are more revolved around stunts, theatrics, noise, and cakes, rather than actually playing any real music.
Regardless, Forbes details how Aoki had 277 shows in the entire process of their evaluation, which was double the amount of the next highest performer on this list. He even had multiple dates where he played three shows in one single day.
6. Afrojack – $22 Million
Afrojack is no surprise to see listed here because he frequently makes the top 10 paid DJ list every year.
His performances are short of spectacular and he manages to always impress the audience with an array of new sounds and music. The Dutch musician released his debut album this year titled Forget The World, which certainly helped the hype around him.
You can listen to a classic Afrojack track below made in honour of Montreal. It is from his Lost & Found 2 EP, which was five songs dedicated to his favourite cities.
7. Zedd – $21 Million
Zedd is surprising to see so high in the rankings, especially considering that he’s above Skrillex who helped build his career through OWSLA. This 24 year old Russian musician has created a successful role for himself through producing pop music for Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga.
Zedd’s debut album Clarity also received a tremendous approval from his fans for the unique electro pop sound that still seems overplayed on the radio.
8. Kaskade – $17 Million
This 43 year old Chicago native has kept commercial house and progressive house alive for over a decade with his professional assets.
It is no real shock that he ranks in the top ten list of highest paid DJs because of his constant activity on the road and ability to market his music to the masses.
During Forbes ranking period he played 120 shows, 30 of which were in Las Vegas alone.
9. Skrillex – $16.5 Million
It’s surprising to see Skrillex in such a humbling position on Forbes list considering how much he supports his fellow musicians and friends. As OWSLA label’s founder and lead creator, he provides an avenue for many upcoming artists to swell in skill and style.
The release of his official second album this year, Recess, did little to increase his profits, but he does not count on record sales for an income. Instead Skrillex counts on his live performances to fund his expenses.
10. Deadmau5 – $16 Million
According to Forbes, Deadmau5 played just one tenth the amount of shows that some other high ranked artists played this year. The reasoning is simple; Joel Zimmerman saves his energy for high budget festivals that can afford to have the Mau5 ears headlining at nearly half a million dollars per night.
Not only that, but Deadmau5 has been keeping busy all year long in a private warehouse in LA getting ready for his 2015 world tour. You can read all about this upcoming massive tour here, something everyone is very excited for.
11. Hardwell – $13 Million
This is Hardwell’s first appearance on Forbes list and it is easily equatable to his second annual win of 1st place on DJ Mag’s top 100 list. Despite the fact that DJ Mag’s top 100 chart is commonly uncredited and ignored by most musicians, the simple fact of being number one is enough to drive attention.
Hardwell did not dwell on the point and took advantage of his fortune to excel his personal managed label Revealed Recordings and push ahead with an I AM HARDWELL Tour last year.
12. Armin Van Buuren – $12 Million
Such a low placement of Armin Van Buuren is surprising to see from this Trance favourite to so many. Having founded his own label Armada Music in 2003, it’s almost expected to see Armin above a few of the other artists listed.
His legacy at 37 years old has clearly not stretched far enough, but it can be anticipated to boom with news of Armin headlining two of Ontario’s biggest festivals this year: Digital Dreams in Toronto and Escapade in Ottawa.
DISAGREE OR AGREE WITH THE ARTISTS LISTED? HAVING ANY PREDICTIONS FOR NEXT YEARS DJS? LEAVE A COMMENT AND LET US KNOW!
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