Dr. Dre Tops Beyoncé On Forbes’ List Of Highest-Paid Musicians

Bow down, Beyoncé: Dr. Dre is 2014’s richest music star.

The rapper/producer tops Forbes’ annual list of the world’s highest-paid musicians, with Dre earning an astounding $620 million before taxes, handily beating out the “Flawless” singer’s take of $115 million.

As for why Dre outearned Beyoncé by $505 million, in what Forbes describes as the “widest margin in history between the first and second spots on our top-earning musicians list,” it comes down to one thing: Beats.

The 49-year-old star sold Beats, the audio electronics company he co-founded in 2008, to Apple for a whopping $3 billion, with the profits from that sale assuring his top spot on the list.

Beyonce earned her No. 2 spot based on the success of her surprise album and Mrs. Carter Show world tour, as well as her endorsement deals with companies such as H&M and Pepsi.

Rounding out the top five music money-makers are The Eagles ($100 million), Bon Jovi ($82 million) and Bruce Springsteen ($81 million).

Other notable stars on the list include Justin Bieber ($80 million), One Direction ($75), Taylor Swift ($64 million), Katy Perry ($40 million), Miley Cyrus ($36 million) and Lady Gaga ($33 million).

SOURCE