Calvin Harris Tops ‘Forbes’ List of Highest Paid DJs
Step aside, Tiësto. Calvin Harris tops this year’s Forbes list of highest paid DJs, raking in $46 million over the last 12 months, according to the magazine’s calculations (which take into account merch, live shows, endorsements, record sales and outside business ventures). The Scottish DJ-producer pulled down more than even Jay Z and Katy Perry, and did enough to dethrone Tiësto – who pulled in $22 million per Forbes‘ 2012 list – from the top spot.
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The Dutch titan is still rolling strong, though: Tiësto slipped to second behind Harris, but earned an improved $32 million over the last year. David Guetta arrived at third with $30 million, with the now-disbanded Swedish House Mafia in fourth with $25 million. Deadmau5 rounded out the top five with $21 million in the last year.
The rest of the list offers expected names, with Avicii (sixth with $20 million), Afrojack (seventh with $18 million), Armin van Buuren (eighth with $17 million), Skrillex (ninth with $16 million), Kaskade (tied with Skrillex), and Steve Aoki (eleventh with $14 million). But a surprising artist closed out the list at the twelfth spot: former Jersey Shore cast member DJ Pauly D, who had a career as a DJ before his run on the popular MTV show, earned $13 million last year.
Perhaps most notable are the overall earnings of the artists: Tiësto’s $22 million was enough to secure the top spot last year, but that money is now overshadowed by each of the top four in this year’s list.