Forbes recently listed BigBang as one of the world's highest-paid musicians in 2016 with an accumulated earning of $44 million. The group just recently released their first full-length album in eight years, "MADE."
BigBang was at No. 23 with $44 million estimated earnings. The group earned a couple of millions more than "One Dance" singer Drake, who only recorded $38.5 million. The South Korean group also earned higher than Jennifer Lopez ($39.5 million), Mumford & Sons ($40 million) and Katy Perry ($41 million).
The "Fxxk It" singers the only Asian acts on the list. According to Forbes, BigBang earns more than today's highest-paid all-male group Maroon 5. "We made more than Maroon 5?" G-Dragon commented. "Did not know that. My mom is in charge of my earnings."
BigBang's massive earnings is a result of YG Entertainment vertically integrated machinery, which means their artists do not rely on record sales to collect money. Income from recorded music only makes up 25 percent of YG Entertainment's revenues. The members of BigBang also branch into acting and fashion. They also generate money from various endorsements either individual or as a group. Much like top 1 Taylor Swift, BigBang also earns a lot from sold-out world tours.
Topping the list at No.1 was Taylor Swift with a whopping $170 million. The "I Don't Wanna Live Forever" raked in a lot of money from her North America tour. Her earnings from various endorsements such as Keds, Apple and Diet Coke were also factored in.
According to Forbes, the list was constructed using the pretax income or artists from June 1, 2015 to June 1, 2016, which explains why Swift is on top of the list despite not having released new material this year. The numbers were also calculated using date from Nielsen, RIAA, Pollstar and interviews from managers, agents, lawyers and even the celebrities themselves.
