It’s getting as predictable as the DJ Mag Top 100 DJs, this one: Forbes has released this year’s Highest Paid DJs countdown, and while it differs little from 2013’s, the numbers are simply staggering. If nothing else it shows just how popular dance music (or “EDM” as it is now known) has become in the past three years. Here’s the countdown:
1. Calvin Harris – $66 million
2. David Guetta – $30 million
3. Avicii – $28 million (tie)
3. Tiesto – $28 million (tie)
5. Steve Aoki – $23 million
6. Afrojack – $22 million
7. Zedd – $21 million
8. Kaskade – $17 million
9. Skrillex – $16.5 million
10. Deadmau5 – $16 million
11. Hardwell – $13 million
12. Armin van Buuren – $12 million (tie)
12. Steve Angello – $12 million (tie)
Near misses include Sebastian Ingrosso and Axwell; both of them earned somewhere in the region of $10 million, as did DJ Pauly D, Diplo, and Paul Oakenfold.
Notice the abundance of producers on there; if you’re after breaking out of the local resident DJ / mobile DJ mode and pushing it nationally and internationally, getting your own productions made is more than ever an essential skill to develop.
What’s your reaction to this list? Is it a fair reflection of the worth of the DJs at the top, or is it a “bubble” that you think won’t last? Let us know your thoughts below…
Phil Morse
