Categories: Entertainment

Beyoncé, Rihanna, And Jennifer Lopez Named In Forbes’ “Highest-Paid Women In Music”

It’s always nice to see people of color, especially black people, reach heights many feel we cannot achieve, so seeing Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Jennifer Lopez in the top 10 highest paid women in music in 2018 is a highlight for the music industry. 

Despite numbers, queens are always queens, and while Beyoncé topped the list in 2017 with $105 million, this year she came in third with $60 million. That number is coming mainly from her Coachella performance, and the joint album with husband Jay-Z. Their “OTR II” tour missed the eligible money-making period Forbes takes into consideration, but will be eligible for next year’s list.

Lopez comes in at number 6th with $47 million earned. some coming from music, but her being a judge on a top rated dance show, as well as acting, has helped add to Lopez’s already high established wealth.

The same can be said for Bajan beauty Rihanna, who came in right under Lopez in number 7 with $37.5 million earned. Not having released new music since 2016, Rihanna has made a lot of her music with her business ventures, like Fenty Beauty and her Savage Fenty lingerie line. She also starred in Ocean’s 8 earlier this year.

The list’s methodology is determined as followed. Figures are for pretax earnings from June 1, 2017, through June 1, 2018, before deducting fees for agents, managers, lawyers and estate executors. Sources include Nielsen SoundScan, NPD BookScan, insider interviews and Forbes estimates. Additional reporting by Natalie Robehmed and Rebecca Lerner.

Check out the full list below.

Full List

1. Katy Perry ($83 million)

2. Taylor Swift ($80 million)

3. Beyoncé ($60 million)

4. Pink ($52 million)

5. Lady Gaga ($50 million)

6. Jennifer Lopez ($47 million)

7. Rihanna ($37.5 million)

8. Helene Fischer ($32 million)

9. Celine Dion ($31 million)

10. Britney Spears ($30 million)

William Carter

Recent Posts

That Rihanna Reign Continues With an Album Cut Charting 18 Years Later

"That Rihanna Reign just won't let up" is a phrase that continues to be proven…

13 hours ago

#NewMusic: K. Michelle Pours Up ‘Jack Daniel’s’ as First Taste of Her Country Album

K. Michelle has been carving her path in Country music for years, even while dominating…

4 weeks ago

From Food Truck to Essence Fest: Philly’s Bake’N Bacon Talks Journey and Inspiration

Chefs Justin Coleman and Kelvin Alexander of Bake’N Bacon made their return to the Essence Festival of Culture for the second year…

1 month ago

Bessie Coleman’s Story Takes Flight Through Documentary and Book “Queen of the Skies”

Bessie Coleman's Story Takes Flight Through Documentary and Book “Queen of the Skies” The family…

1 month ago

Rising Star Mariah Dawne Joins SRG-ILS Group, Announces New Single ‘Pink Lemonade’

The SRG-ILS Group has welcomed rising star Mariah Dawne, aka MARIAH., to its roster. The…

1 month ago

Raheem DeVaughn Talks Legacy, HIV Advocacy, and Partnering with Gilead at Essence Festival

At the 2025 Essence Festival, R&B artist and activist Raheem DeVaughn took a moment to…

1 month ago