Forbes magazine has published its Electronic Cash Kings list for 2017, detailing the top 10 highest-paid DJs from June 2016 to June 2017. Unsurprisingly, Scottish DJ and producer Calvin Harris tops the list for the fifth year in a row, earning $48.5m in the 12 months period.
According to Forbes, Calvin Harris regularly pulls in mid-six-figure fees for his Las Vegas performances and headlines music festivals for nothing less than seven figures. His work as a successful producer also contributes to his earnings, with his latest album Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1 featuring industry powerhouses — Frank Ocean, Katy Perry, and many more.
In second place is veteran Dutch DJ Tiesto, who earned $39m, with American duo The Chainsmokers making the list for the first time at $38m. Anonymous DJ-producer Marshmello also makes his Forbes list debut at $21m, coming in at number 8.
The top 10 on the list made a collective $298 million, up from $270.5 million in 2016. Check out the list below, and note the glaring lack of diversity – all the top-earning DJs are men of white descent (with the exception of Steve Aoki).
Here’s the full list of 2017’s Highest Paid DJs:
1. Calvin Harris ($48.5m)
2. Tiesto ($39m)
3. The Chainsmokers ($38m)
4. Skrillex ($30m)
5. Steve Aoki ($29.5m)
6. Diplo ($28.5m)
7. David Guetta ($25m)
8. Marshmello ($21m)
9. Martin Garrix ($19.5m)
10. Zedd ($19m)
