Genesis came first on the list of highest-paid artists in the world in 2022, taking home an astounding $230 million.
English rock group Genesis was founded in 1967. Peter Gabriel, Tony Banks, Mike Rutherford, Phil Collins, and Steve Hackett made up the band’s five members. Genesis is regarded as one of the greatest bands of all time, with over 100 million records sold globally. They were well-known for their intricate, progressive sound and their blend of symphonic, melodic, and rock atmospheres.
The legendary rock group made an astounding $230 million last year. Thanks to Concord Music Group’s purchase of their music rights in September of that same year. This was more than twice as much as the next highest-earning entertainer on the list, Sting, who brought in an estimated $210 million. According to Forbes, who published the list, “The deal comprised publishing rights and a selection of recorded music income streams from the group, as well as solo income streams from Phil Collins (including hit song “In The Air Tonight”) and bandmates Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford. Touring and recorded music royalties rounded out their income.”
Behind them, was Sting on the list who earned an estimated $210 million in 2022. The former frontman had sold his entire musical output to Universal Music Group for $300 million in February 2022.
The third place was secured by Tyler Perry with an estimated earning of $175 million. The actor, director, writer, and studio tycoon enjoyed another prosperous year thanks to many revenue streams from movies, his BET TV series, and the sizable Atlanta production backlot that he outright controls. In fourth place is the South Park creators, Trey Parker and Matt Stone. They earned $160 million and the majority of them came from a Paramount deal. The deal guarantees the duo $935 million over six years.
James L. Brooks and Matt Groening, who co-created The Simpsons, received $105 million, good for fifth place on the list. After Disney’s earlier $52 billion purchase of Fox, The Simpsons, America’s favorite yellow cartoon family, moved all 30 seasons from FX to Disney+ in an April 2019 streaming agreement. It earned them $105 million annually after fees.
The other artists on the top 10 list were Brad Pitt, the Rolling Stones, James Cameron, Taylor Swift, and Bad Bunny. Brad was in sixth place with $100 million. He was followed by the Rolling Stones with $98 million. On the Forbes magazine website, it was stated that The OG British rockers pocketed over $8.5 million per night on a 15-city tour across Europe last summer, according to concert tracker Pollstar.
Director James Cameron was on the list with $95 million. With the huge success of Avatar: The Way of Water, together with the original Avatar (2009) and Titanic, Cameron became the director of three of the highest-grossing films of all time (1997). The Way of Water also earned him $95 million.
Taylor Swift followed him with $92 million. Swift’s profits come from a variety of sources, including physical album sales, streaming on services like Spotify, digital downloads, licensing, and sync. She was followed by Bad Bunny with an estimated earning of $88 million on number 10.
