BUSINESS

Top 10 highest-paid DJs in the world

DJ Calvin Harris was the highest paid DJ in the world in 2014, making $66 million, according to Forbes. Born Adam Richard Wiles, the former grocery store stocker earned $66 million in the forbes.com scoring period, playing more than 125 gigs.
DJ Calvin Harris was the highest paid DJ in the world in 2014, making $66 million, according to Forbes. Born Adam Richard Wiles, the former grocery store stocker earned $66 million in the forbes.com scoring period, playing more than 125 gigs.
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No. 2 DJ in the world as far as dollars was David Guetta, who made $30 million, Forbes reported. The former Parisian club manager  stays true to his European roots, maintaining his weekly F**k Me I’m Famous residency in Ibiza, forbes.com says.
No. 2 DJ in the world as far as dollars was David Guetta, who made $30 million, Forbes reported. The former Parisian club manager stays true to his European roots, maintaining his weekly F**k Me I’m Famous residency in Ibiza, forbes.com says.
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Tie for No. 3: Avicii made $28 million. Just 24 years old, the Swedish DJ notched the best year of his career on the strength of his debut album True, Forbes reported.
Tie for No. 3: Avicii made $28 million. Just 24 years old, the Swedish DJ notched the best year of his career on the strength of his debut album True, Forbes reported.
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Also No. 3 was Tiesto, with $28 million over 12 months, Forbes reported. In recent years, the veteran Dutch DJ has shifted his focus from Ibiza to Las Vegas, where he now has a massively lucrative residency with megaclub Hakkasan.
Also No. 3 was Tiesto, with $28 million over 12 months, Forbes reported. In recent years, the veteran Dutch DJ has shifted his focus from Ibiza to Las Vegas, where he now has a massively lucrative residency with megaclub Hakkasan.
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No. 4 on Forbes highest paid DJ list was Steve Aoki, with $23 million.  Aoki cracked the top five after playing 277 shows in the forbes.com scoring period.
No. 4 on Forbes highest paid DJ list was Steve Aoki, with $23 million. Aoki cracked the top five after playing 277 shows in the forbes.com scoring period.
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No. 6 on the Fobes list of highest paid DJ's was Afrojack, with $22 million. ick van de Wall, better known as Afrojack, released his long-anticipated first studio album Forget The World in May. forbes.com says.
No. 6 on the Fobes list of highest paid DJ's was Afrojack, with $22 million. ick van de Wall, better known as Afrojack, released his long-anticipated first studio album Forget The World in May. forbes.com says.
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No. 7 on Forbes list of highest-paid DJ's is Zedd with $21 million. The 24-year-old's  rise has been fueled by his production for pop stars like Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga, as well as his own album, Clarity.
No. 7 on Forbes list of highest-paid DJ's is Zedd with $21 million. The 24-year-old's rise has been fueled by his production for pop stars like Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga, as well as his own album, Clarity.
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No. 8 on Forbes list of highest paid DJ's was Kaskade with $17 million. Born Ryan Raddon, the DJ’s tenth album, Atmosphere, earned him a Grammy nomination for Best Dance/Electronica Album, forbes.com says.
No. 8 on Forbes list of highest paid DJ's was Kaskade with $17 million. Born Ryan Raddon, the DJ’s tenth album, Atmosphere, earned him a Grammy nomination for Best Dance/Electronica Album, forbes.com says.
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No. 9 on Forbes list of highest-paid DJs was Skrillex. $16.5 million. In March the six-time Grammy winner released his latest album, Recess.
No. 9 on Forbes list of highest-paid DJs was Skrillex. $16.5 million. In March the six-time Grammy winner released his latest album, Recess.
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The No. 10 on Forbes list of highest paid DJs  was Deadmau5 with $16 million. The mouse-head costume-wearing DJ barely played one-tenth the amount of shows that some of the higher-ranked names on this list did, but he made them count, forbes.com says.
The No. 10 on Forbes list of highest paid DJs was Deadmau5 with $16 million. The mouse-head costume-wearing DJ barely played one-tenth the amount of shows that some of the higher-ranked names on this list did, but he made them count, forbes.com says.
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