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Forbes said Dre's estimated annual earnings for the 12 months
between June 2013 and 2014 are the highest of any musician in
any genre it has ever evaluated, and more than the combined
takings of the other 24 names on the hip-hop list released on
Tuesday.
Much of the 49-year-old's earnings this year came thanks to the
$3 billion sale to Apple of the Beats high-end headphone company
he founded with music executive Jimmy Iovine and other financial
ventures, including cognac and vodka brands.
Combs, 44, tied for second place with Jay-Z, 44, with $60
million, with earnings from drinks, clothing and television
deals.
Jay-Z, who toured with his wife, Beyonce, for the first time
with their "On the Run" concerts, pulled in money from lucrative
performances, his latest album and his Roc Nation entertainment
empire, which assured him a place in the top five.
Drake, 27, came in fourth with $33 million with takings from his
album "Nothing Was the Same," an endorsement deal with
sportswear firm Nike and a concert tour.
Grammy-winning duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis rounded out the top
five with $32 million.
Forbes compiled the list by looking at income from record sales,
publishing, merchandise sales, tours and endorsement deals and
talking to managers, agents, lawyers and some of the artists.
The earnings were calculated based on data from Pollstar, RIAA
(Recording Industry Association of America) and Nielsen
SoundScan.
Fees for agents, managers and lawyers were not deducted from the
estimates.
"Happy" singer and music producer Pharrell Williams, who joined
the NBC television singing competition "The Voice" as a coach
this season, slipped into the top 10 with $22 million.
(Reporting by Patricia Reaney; Editing by Eric Kelsey and David
Gregorio)
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