Genesis leads Forbes top 10 highest-paid entertainers of 2022 after selling catalog

May 2024 · 3 minute read


Genesis tops Forbes list of 2022

For 2022, Genesis has emerged as the top-earning entertainers, largely due to substantial catalog sales last fall and earnings from touring and streaming.

Phil Collins, Tony Banks, and Mike Rutherford of Genesis claimed the top spot on the Forbes list, generating $230 million in revenue following the sale of their catalog to Concord Music Group for a total of $300 million in September.

The $230 million total also included streaming revenue from Collins’ solo work, as per the publication’s report.

Sting secured the second spot on the list, raking in $210 million after selling his entire catalog to Universal Music Group for $300 million before fees, as per Forbes.

Tyler Perry landed at third place, amassing $175 million from various sources such as his films, BET shows, and the Tyler Perry Studios based in Atlanta. Perry, the only billionaire in the top 10, was also featured in the 2021 list, according to the outlet.

At number four were the South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, who amassed $160 million mainly from a deal with Paramount worth $935 million over six years. Additionally, their musical “The Book of Mormon” and a deal with HBO Max contributed to their earnings.

James L. Brooks and Matt Groening, the co-creators of The Simpsons, claimed the fifth position with $105 million, stemming from their streaming deal in April 2019, which saw 30 seasons of the animated series transferred to Disney+ from FX, as reported by Forbes.

Hollywood actor Brad Pitt secured the sixth spot, with an estimated $100 million after selling a significant stake in his production company, Plan B, late last year. His earnings were further bolstered by his movies including Babylon, Bullet Train, and The Lost City, which collectively earned him approximately $30 million.

Musical legends the Rolling Stones occupied the seventh place, earning $98 million with a gross of $136 million from touring revenues and royalties from their extensive catalog.

Filmmaker James Cameron was in eighth place with $95 million, mainly from the success of his film “Avatar: The Way of Water,” which has earned over $2.2 billion worldwide. The publication cited sources stating that Cameron’s deal for the highly-anticipated movie included bonuses tied to box office milestones.

Taylor Swift, the only female entertainer on the list, claimed the ninth position, earning $92 million from album sales and streaming revenues.

Rapper Bad Bunny rounded out the top 10 with $88 million from his tours – “The World’s Hottest Tour” and “El Último Tour Del Mundo.” He also added to his earnings through lucrative endorsement deals with companies like Adidas, Corona, and Cheetos.


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